Bike Check: Soma’s Kalavinka
Kalavinka has to be one of the most prestigious name in the NJS world. A legendary frame builder based in Tokyo, who created bikes for the highest ranks of Keirin. So was in Tokyo a year ago, I had the conviction to place an order, drop the money on his table, and wait until it showed on my doorstep (probably a year later). But the formation of his latest apprentice is now a few years behind us, and upon seeing Tanabe-San getting older and older. A dozen of people rushed to place an order on what could probably the last Kalavinka frame.
Today we’re lookin at Soma’s Kalavinka Super Exhibition build, and how you might be tempted to build a Neo-Retro Fixed-Road thingy.
Let’s start with the frame! A classic Kalavinka with front and rear break mounts, classic steel fork, no cable routing, Kalavinka lugs, and clearance for 25…maybe 28c tires. Built out of Kasei 8630 R tubing, it’s pretty much a top of the line NJS frame but with street riding in mind.
The rest of the bike is a mix of durable and modern parts, made for your daily commute or your long weekend rides. A pair of 3T Ergonova drops, clamped to a Thomson X4 stem. You’ll also find a pair of Sram single-speed levers, that are the usual go-to for a SS drop setup. Both of which are linked to an Ultegra calipers doing the job just fine.
Soma meticulously coordinated the neon green decals of the Kalavinka with some Cadence bar tape to achieve this exquisite attention to detail.
As for the seating arrangement, what could be better than a timeless early 2000 Flite secured to a Thomson Elite seatpost? The combination of unparalleled stability that is second to none.
Exact same thing for the wheels with these Philwood hubs woven into Archetype rims, ensuring an almost bombproof ride.
Detailed Parts List
Frameset
Kalavinka Super Exhibition
Chainring and Cog ARRN Snow Camo 49t, 17t Philwood Cog
Crank Sram Omnium 165mm
Seatpost and Saddle
Thomson Elite, Selle Italia Flite
Stem and Handlebar
Thomson X4 90mm
3T Ergonova Dropbar
Wheels HplusSon Archetype laced to Philwood hubs
Tires Gatorskin 25c
Reliability is at the core of this bike, making it a ride that just works well! No carbon, no risky tubular, just a great frame made with almost a hundred years of tradition, exquisite craftsmanship, and durable components.
I also like Soma’s approach to some sections of the build: You could be tempted to put a quill stem or an NJS crankset like it’s “supposed to be”. But on this one, Soma truly made this frame his own, taking in consideration the way he rides and his vision of a tough as nails street NJS bike!
Brakes on your next build?
🎞: Kodak Gold 200
📷: Nikon F100
📍: Ikejiri-Ōhashi
