Re: [CR]Concerning Sekai Quality

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Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 10:12:10 -0800
Subject: Re: [CR]Concerning Sekai Quality
To: loudeeter@aol.com
From: "Brandon Ives" <brandon@ivycycles.com>
In-Reply-To: <8C7F70304738E13-588-6B1B@mblk-r17.sysops.aol.com>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Sekai was a brand designed and imported by the Tamura brothers who started the Velo Stores chain in Seattle <http://www.velobikeshop.com/>. If I remember correctly they stated bring the bikes in in the '70s. If anyone wants to call the shop I'm sure you can get the story. When I worked for them ('88-'90) the brothers were going their separate ways, but I think Lloyd is running the show. best, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives Vancouver, B.C.

On Friday, Feb 3, 2006, at 10:01 US/Pacific, loudeeter@aol.com wrote:
> Below is what I have on Sekai in the Used Bike Buyers Guide. I've
> never owned or ridden one, but I've seen a few. My impression was
> that they were entry level bikes to compete with Fuji, Miyata, and
> other of similar quality. Based on the models I have listed, only
> three models are listed with Tange #1 which was a decent tubeset,
> although below the top-of-the-line Tange Prestige that was seen on the
> better models. I don't recall whether Prestige was available in
> 82-83, so perhaps # 1 was tops then. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
>
> "Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come
> from overseas."
> --Keppel Enderbery
>
>
> SEKAI: 626 South Alaska Street, Seattle WA 98108. Built by Miki of
> Osaka, Japan Models:
> 2500 82 Tange Mangalloy
> 2700 82 Tange Mangalloy
> 500 Professional 82 Tange #1
> 4000 Professional 82 Tange #1
> 5000 Superbe Pro 83 Tange #1
> 500 Monterey 84 Hi-tensile
> 750 Sasquatch 84 Chromoly
> 1000 Monterey SL 84 Yamaguchi Champion #5
> 2600 85-86 Tange Infinity
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kenneth Naylor (MOLC) <knaylor@microsoft.com>
> To: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Cc: Octavio Gomez (MOLC) <ogomez@microsoft.com>; soper2x4@verizon.net;
> John Struchynski <jstruchy@hotmail.com>
> Sent: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 08:33:01 -0800
> Subject: RE: [CR]Craigslist Portland : SEKAI 4000, 1976, 22", $250
>
>
> For what its worth-
>
> I have a Sekai 4000, circa 1981. It was the first bike I bought that
> people, including my parents, labeled me "crazy" when I told them how
> much I paid for it (~$800, as I recall).
>
> I raced it as a first-year USCF Junior, and while I think it is a great
> bike (I still have it, and use it as a winter ride) it had a too-long,
> 40"+ wheelbase for the criteriums I was riding all summer. I remember
> the shop I hung out at getting in a lone Sekai 5000 frame, and
> amazingly, the tube walls were so thin that you could pinch them with
> your fingers and visibly see them squish (the word in the shop was: NO
> PARK STAND CLAMP ON THE TUBES, seatpost only).
>
> As I recall though, in 1980something the 4000 (and other Sekai models)
> were available in 'odd' number inch sizing: 19, 21, 23, 25. The 22"
> must
> have been an earlier size option.
>
> Does anyone have any opinions on the overall quality/reputation of the
> Sekai brand? All I know was it was one of the best bikes that was
> available in town back then (Along with the Puch Marco Polo and Schwinn
> Paramount). After seeing 'Breaking Away' though, I fell in love with
> orange-red Masi's, and now have quite an eclectic collection.
>
> Ken S. Naylor
> Fargo ND
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Donald
> Gillies
> Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 9:23 PM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Cc: soper2x4@verizon.net
> Subject: [CR]Craigslist Portland : SEKAI 4000, 1976, 22", $250
>
> SEKAI 4000 bike on Craigslist Portland. Campy and Phil Wood
> drivetrain parts. The seat stay tops are chrome (like my SEKAI 4000)
> and so I believe he is correct about the model. He seems willing to
> taking the bike to a bike shop for shipping. With some sweet talking
> (this is his baby, a back injury forces sale), he might pack it for
> you.
>
> soper2x4@verizon.net - Gary Sooper
> http://portland.craigslist.org/bik/129923258.html
>
> "Jim Merz did the paint and Bruce Gordon brazed on cable housing guides
> for the derailleurs, brakes, chain hanger, and water bottle cage.
>
> I paid nearly $300 for the frame in 1976 which I purchased separately
> from Pine Street Bike shop in Seattle. I also know that it is made
> from high quality chrome-moly, must be the 4000 model. Both Bruce
> Gordon and Jim Merz remarked to the high quality of the frame. Jim
> Merz used to design and braze his own frames in a small shop off 23rd
> Avenue. Last time I heard he was a production manager for TREK. Not
> sure if Bruce Gordon is still making frames in Eugene or not. I do
> remember that the" frame only" without the fork was quite light. The
> frame is very responsive and I've even raced on it a few times. The
> front hub is a low flange Campy and the rear is a brand new rebuilt
> mid-flange Phil Wood unit. The bottom bracket consists of Campy
> equipment, Campy chain rings, it has a chain hanger and lots of cable
> guides for the housing. This has been my "baby" and I have taken
> meticulous care of it, which I do with ALL my mechanical equipment.
> The spokes are double-butted, Campy brakes and All cables are teflon
> coated Campy. After the frame was worked on it was repainted with
> Imron which is used on commercial vehicles such as aircraft,
> semi-trucks, and ships."
>
> Here is some SEKAI 4000 information from my 1977 catalogue / flyer.
> The 4000 was offered only as a racing frameset, with Tange
> Professional fork and Shimano Dropouts in that year :
>
> http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~gillies/raleigh/Sekai_4000_5000_1977.JPG
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA