NAHBS gave us our fixie fill for a while, packing multitudes of awesome handmade track frames. Now we present Kinfolk Bicycle Company from Tokyo.
Kinfolk maintains a vintage approach to framebuilding while adding a hint of fixie modernity. Standard frame construction is lugged Tange No. 1 tubing, popular back in the 80’s and 90’s and still stylish. They’ll add whatever sparkly, flashy, or solid color you desire on the top of a chrome base layer. A classic track-centric template, the front fork and rear can be optionally drilled for brakes. Though they specialize in track frames, Kinfolk’s framebuilding isn’t limited. The bike they featured in Wallpaper Magazine used S&S couplings for easy dis-assembly and they have a wide portfolio of custom road frames.
A few different steel tube options are offered for some extra Yen – Kaisei 8630R, Columbus Spirit Keirin and oversized Kaisei 019 and Kaisei 8630R. Also offered are a variety of seat stays, featured after the break…
The Kusaka seat stay comes standard, but they’ll make it vintage classic or fastback if you want. A standard frame runs roughly $1800 (by my calculation) with a bunch of extra add-ons including fancy fork lugs listed here. Check out their full track photoset and road bike photoset.
Kinfolk shows frame construction from raw steel to finished product. Check out those bullhorns!
