Bike Check: Mark’s Forever-Yamaguchi

Sep 20

By Paul.D

How long do you think you can keep one bike? Two years? Five? Over a decade? How would you maintain it, and what would the bike become after thousands of kilometers ridden? Well, Mark bought this Yamaguchi new, and it’s been with him for over twenty years! That’s right, a steel bike used daily for messenger jobs in the harsh winter of Stockholm. How is it still not rusted to bits? Well let’s dive into it.

When Mark originally ordered that frame from Yamaguchi, he actually received it as a single-speed cross bike with cantilever brakes, and decent tire clearance. You can check how it used to look like in a post from The Radavist dating all the way back to 2010! But after years of daily use as a messenger, the bike made its way back to Yamaguchi for an update. Removal of the canti-studs, braze-ons, updated rear triangle for greater clearance, and a new fork with disc mounts that could fit up to 45c tires. Mark told me that when he sent the frame back, the bottom bracket was all rusted due to all the snow/salt during his winter shifts.

I feel we often forget that when you buy a custom-made frame, you're also purchasing the ability to have the original builder rework or refinish their original creation. Whether it's a new paint job or a complete overhaul like Mark’s, there is something truly beautiful about keeping the same bike and allowing it to evolve with you. So after a little while, Mark received his Yamaguchi, fully updated and ready to rock again.

Detailed Parts List

Frameset
Custom Yamaguchi

Chainring and Cog Campagnolo 49T, 17T Cog

Crank Campagnolo Record

Seatpost and Saddle
Thomson Elite, Fizik Arione CX

Stem and Handlebar
Thomson X4, Thomson Elite Risers

Wheels HplusSon Hydra laced to Rear Phil Wood and Frond ChrisKing Hub

Tires Gravelking SK Knobby +

As someone who worshiped the Mash Work V1 because of its raw appearance and big tire clearance, this instantly appealed to me as the ultimate Tracklocross bike. There is literally everything to love about it. From the faded Chris King components to the Italian drivetrain on a Japanese bike, and of course the lack of any paint. This bike is good, but gets even better when you know its full story. And of course, special mention for this "clock" top cap that made me question why I had never seen one before. Amazing bike, Mark. I hope you'll do the next twenty years with it as well.