Bike Check: Satoshi’s 26” Lightspeed Unicoi
Bike messengers are badass, no doubt about it. I spent a few years in that world, and while I loved the job, I don’t think I ever rode a setup as cool as this for deliveries. Seeing people like Satochi ripping through the streets every day, in any weather, and doing it with style definitely reignites that fire in me.
If you didn’t know, bike messengers (or cycling couriers, if you prefer) in Tokyo can still get the job done on regular bikes, unlike the cargo-heavy setups more common in Europe. There are a few reasons for this, one being the continued importance of real signatures and stamps for paperwork. And if there’s one thing the Japanese love, it’s paperwork!
So yes, this 26” Litespeed has been Satochi’s daily messenger for the past two years. My favorite thing about this setup? Easy! You’ll find Satochi weaving through Tokyo’s streets on weekdays and bombing gnarly downhill trails on weekends, on the exact same bike.
Let’s start with the base! This 1998 Litespeed Unicoi utilizes a pivotless rear suspension system. And according to the official catalog, “This offers an adequate amount of rear wheel travel without all the problems of multi-pivot systems.” With up to an inch of travel while keeping the rear end light and stiff, the Unicoi was Litespeed’s “simple, reliable, maintenance-free, and FULL SUSPENSION” offering in 1998.
It’s interesting to see brands like Litespeed and Moots take advantage of titanium’s unique properties to create “soft tail” designs on some of their bikes. The balance between adding a bit of comfort without making the bike feel mushy is a fine line, and they’ve managed to nail it on this one.
For the cockpit, there’s a Race Face stem paired with a 35.0mm Nukeproof carbon bar. As for gearing, you’ll find a shifter for a 9-speed XTR groupset.
Satochi went all-in on XTR for this build, featuring an XTR crankset with an AARN chainring, along with XTR brake levers and calipers. To top it off, he added a carbon brake booster, because who doesn’t love a bit of 90’s carbon.
Detailed Parts List
Frameset
Lightspeed Unicoi
Fox front suspension
Groupset
Shimano XTR 9s with AARN 38T
Crank Shimano XTR
Seatpost and Saddle
Brand X dropper post, TNI Carbon saddle
Stem and Handlebar
Faceface with Nukeproof Horizon Carbon
Wheels Mavic CrossMax, Michelin Force XC
The bike is dialed, and like many others, my favorite part is the seat post area. Here, you can see the “soft tail” mechanism in action, along with all three cable routings fully utilized, even though Satochi runs a 1x setup. The third routing? That’s for the dropper post. Special mention to the Time ATAC pedals that Satoshi instead on buying new, to then use them on his work buy. I only see true commitment.
26” vintage MTBs have made a strong comeback in recent years. It took me a minute to warm up to the idea of using one as much on the road, as a work bike or commuter, as on the trails, but I have to say: With this one, I’m fully convinced.
Time to dig Facebook marketplace again.
🎞: Kodak Color Plus 200
📷: Leica M6
📍: Tokyo
👤: @asasin_no_satoshi
