First thing I want to say: it’s Psyducking hard to customize your Tokyobike if you are in the Czech Republic.
Of course, every journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, but in this case it’s a long and lonely path, and it’s unclear how you ended up on it.
I bought my Midori Traveler’s Notebook in 2015 (when it was still «Midori»). While I was writing a long piece about its history and customization options, I came across the then-recent collaboration with Tokyobike, the one of 2013 (of course, I couldn’t even imagine then that one day I will ride the same bike; well, almost the same). Then they had another collaboration, in 2019. And it is precisely because of it I’ve got the impression of what a proper Tokyobike should be: with a Brooks saddle, with leather grips (in that case they used the same leather as on the covers of notebooks), with brass details, and with an old-school looking bell.
In the way it is sold, with its signature neutral-design saddle and grips (all made of faux leather), I didn’t see it as a Tokyobike. So, yes, there were no options, I had to make it the way I saw it before.
Tokyobike in Prague only sells the bare essentials: baskets, grips, bells, regular B17 Brooks saddles (one model; but also there is a couple of Berthoud) and tires of basic colours (black, for example). Ordering anything else is practically impossible. Even if the store could theoretically order something from Poland, from Polish Tokyobike, and you even know exactly what you want, they might forget about your request. The remaining components — if the suppliers have them, then yes, if not, then no.
Okay, it will be easier and faster if I’ll order everything on my own, as a private person, but it would be nice to have at least some advice (where to pay attention while ordering outer cables for the shifter and for the brakes, for instance), or to see examples of customization made by the local store, or to get a clue what else can be attached to my bike from someone who has seen all these Japanese wonders, that are usually installed on bicycles, with their own eyes.
But since no one is interested in such things, there is no advice, no help, and no someone.
My enthusiasm here is shared only by my family (and it’s wonderful, but it still doesn’t help in all situations).
So, we ended up ordering everything from Japan, France, Italy (British Brooks), Sweden and Switzerland.
Only Silca titanium bolts and Ashima cable donuts were somehow miraculously found in the Czech Republic (and, yes, okay, the fenders, tires, bottle cage, bell, and the Rindow lights (just because they were still available here, unlike the other, bigger European stores) were purchased at the local Tokyobike, where, in fact, all this is supposed to be bought).
The Owner’s manual was downloaded from the Tokyobike Poland website.
But even with delivery across Europe and the world, things are not so simple.
To make changes to my bike, I have to google a lot, to compare and double-check everything, to order the necessary parts from, for example, France, to buy the right tools (and PPL-1, and ASC-1…), and to find enough space for installation work, because after all, I don’t have a workshop or a garage, I only have the average apartment area.
Also I use Tokyobike Yanaka Soil, pop grumpy and Tokyobike Poland Instagram content as a source of inspiration (and if I see components that I was planning to buy, it gives me an additional guarantee that my choice would definitely work with my Tokyobike — very convenient in my situation).
I try to see it as part of the new and interesting experience (shipping and taxes are also fun), but sometimes it gets tiring.
Even if I’m more interested in doing it myself (plus, I’m not a fan of trusting my bike to someone else; if there must be scratches on it, I will make them on my own), I’d like to have an opportunity to buy components somewhere closer to my home, and also it would be interesting to know who else in Prague (or in the Czech Republic) shares my interests (maybe such people exist, why not). But there’s no Tokyobike community here, nor any Japanese components (the fancy ones).
Once I saw a mural ride on local Tokyobike’s Instagram, but by the end of the video, it turned out that the bikes (well, maybe not all of them) and accessories had been taken from the store for a test drive and then brought back (a beige cardboard price tag on 7Roads bag constantly appearing on the screen gave a huge hint of what it really was). All for the sake of advertising, nothing for the community (it was a bit sad, actually).
(Not to mention that we had to learn how to adjust the gears because the shifting didn’t work properly from the start (what I like about Tokyobike: it’s easy to maintain), that the front light popped out of its mount on the second bump because its base was installed in the wrong direction, that the reflectors on the pedals weren’t aligned and when we tried to move them we found scratches on the paint underneath (unable to bear it, I found a replacement), that the grease on my 2021 bike (which we bought at the end of this April) was all green… These are all small details, but they don’t go very well with Tokyobike. At least with the Japanese dream it promises.)
The local Tokyobike seems to have a different audience (an ideal buyer, like an Umberto Eco’s ideal reader, sort of). One that, according to the image portrayed on social media, goes for leisurely rides on weekends, drinks coffee in cafes, and smells flowers. Unlike these ephemeral creatures, I ride my bike to run errands, drink tea (avoiding Prague coffee shops, because Czech coffee is always either over-roasted or sour), and sniff books.
So, I’m not the target audience that should be buying a Tokyobike in Prague, and probably that’s the root of the problem.
Anyway.
Here’s a list of what’s installed on my bike so far:
Saddle: Brooks B17 Carved Short, Brown
Grips: Brooks Plump Leather Grips, Brown
Hub Shiner: Brooks, Brown (yes, it’s important)
Bell: Crane, E-Ne (Neo Black)
Fenders: Berthoud Mudguards (40 mm, short front)
Kickstand: Velo Orange Copenhagen Dual Leg Kickstand KS-0004 (since it is written «CL-KA56» on it, it is nothing but a good old Taiwanese Massload CL-KA56, which is sold by different names and for different prices, Noguchi, for example; but in my case it was too hard to find it in Silver, so I ended up with an overpriced version)
Pedals: MKS Gamma Pedals (Titan)
Crank Caps: Blue Lug, Brass
Tyres: Panaracer PASELA Tyres (26 x 1.50), Black/Amber
Lighting: Rindow Bullet Lights, Black
Rear Reflector: Blue Lug original KoMA Reflector (Black)
Bottle cage: Tanaka, Neo Black (doesn’t meet the standards, but looks attractive), plus Silca Titanium Bolts (Bourbon), plus Sigg bottle (Traveller Outdoor Roasted Green, the colour that reminds me of Tokyobike’s collaboration with Traveler’s Factory)
Bag: Blue Lug Bike Pocket, Green
Reflectors: Blue Lug, Triangle Reflectors (different colours)
And omamori: to protect my bike from me.
None of the new components have been installed just because it looks beautiful (except for the copper crank caps, which are of little practical use), everything was chosen for the sake of convenience (even if it was selected from certain brands, according to generally accepted standards), because even if a city bike should look like a princess, it also should remain a comfortable means of transportation.
This is an intermediate stage. The next one will be less noticeable, but way more difficult (it includes Simworks outer cables and brass outer caps, and Dia-Compe thumb shifter, among other things). I am still collecting components for it, putting them in a box. Perhaps by the autumn I will have everything I need, and I will add another batch of fancy details to my bike at the end of the cycling season (or I’ll decide to take a break for a couple more years, because for some reason I really want to).
