“BROTURES CREATORS VOICE” is a project launched to introduce Japanese manufacturers involved in fixie bikes to the world.

The second one is in Tsubame-sanjo, Niigata Prefecture. Interview with Kenichiro Aiba, representative of the track bike tool brand " RUNWELL ".
How are RUNWELL tools made in Tsubame-Sanjo, a sacred place for metal processing? We would like to share with you Mr. Aiba's attitude toward manufacturing and his thoughts on fixie bikes.

Director / Cinematographer / Editor / Colorist:
Kouta Ogawa ( bird and insect )

Cinematographer :Kyo Kuboyama

Music:Go Hiyama ( ECHOES BREATH )

Creative Director: SHIN-ICHI SATAKE (BROTURES)

From here on, Fujimoto of BROTURES OSAKA would like to talk about aspects of manufacturing and his relationship with BROTURES that were not discussed in the interview movie, based on the content of the interview.

Tsubame-Sanjo, a metal processing town

Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, is a town that has been making a living from hardware and metal processing since the Edo period. Japan's processing technology capital is packed with the headquarters, factories, and craftsmen of brands that are active all over the world, such as SNOWPEAK for outdoor goods and THERMOS for stainless steel tumblers. RUNWELL is a brand established in such an area by a long-established tool manufacturer specializing in bicycle tools. One of the appeals of this product is its flexibility in manufacturing from the user's standpoint, not to mention its precision processing.

For manufacturing

As the name suggests, ``Run Well,'' many of RUNWELL's products are made from a mechanic's perspective.
Mr. Aiba does not create products based only on his own ideas, but rather he actually visits cycle shops and race venues around the country and takes in opinions from local mechanics, thereby creating products that fit better in the mechanics' hands. doing.

This is unique in the industry, and there are not many tool manufacturers like this. Of course, not all requests will be realized, but the RUNWELL-like form will be expressed.

Mr. Aiba's ideas about design seem unique to me.
``How is it conveyed to the sensibilities? "We value"
This is exactly the best part of RUNWELL's tools, and even a single wrench is not an ordinary shape, but is shaped to give the feeling of grip when gripping it.

As a result, it has been praised by the world's top mechanics and is probably spreading to many people.

When it comes to tools , many other manufacturers make products simply because they are easy to use, and the shapes and designs of tools are often fixed. In the past, Aiba-san said, ``If you make something like that, it's not RUNWELL, and it's not interesting.''

In an interview, it was said that when making tools, they ``incorporate the stories behind the designs, cutting-edge technology, and cultural elements,'' and some of the products are inspired by armor. . The more you listen to it, the more stories are packed into it. Rather than making tools by imitating existing ones, we think of ideas from seemingly unrelated sources and incorporate them into the tool design.

I thought to myself, ``You're already a designer, Aiba-san.''

Collaboration with BROTURES

The RUNWELL gallery is filled with products that have been made so far. There are also tools made in collaboration with BROTURES.
Looking back, I think it's been over five years since we started dating, but as I mentioned earlier, we traveled all over the place and came to BROTURES OSAKA.

This 15mm wrench was the first collaboration I made.
We listened to our requests as much as possible and paid close attention to details such as size and color adjustment. When I asked him about it now, he said, ``It was difficult to create the black color that BROTURES wanted.'' I am truly grateful to you for understanding our intent and reproducing it.

After that, we also collaborated on anniversary items for the Osaka store.

A fixie bike can become nothing.

Perhaps because Mr. Aiba looks like a craftsman, he has a unique atmosphere that makes it hard to read even when they are talking. Such a person says, ``When I'm facing the bicycle, I become nothing.''
I can really relate to this feeling, and for me, it's when I'm assembling the wheels. I think back to how relaxed I felt.

It might be a little pushy to say that this is why, but when I talk to Aiba at the gallery or have drinks, we always talk about bicycles.
There are so many things I never get tired of listening to, such as stories about materials and the history of things. It's also fun and enjoyable.

"Quality and accuracy are a given"

This word.
From the perspective of people and craftsmen in this industry, this may certainly be the case. However, it's really cool to be able to say that again, and as someone who uses it, I'm happy.

RUNWELL doesn't make products that can be used with any bicycle, but instead makes products for fixie bikes and track bikes.
Just like BROTURES is a shop that specializes in fixie bikes, RUNWELL is also a specialized tool manufacturer and has a sharp edge.

That's why if you're riding a fixie bike, I definitely want you to know about it, and I want you to get your hands on at least one of them.

FUJIMOTO

Kenichiro Aiba Born in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture. Graduated from Pratt Institute. Representative director of Aiba Sangyo Co., Ltd. and Mitsuwa Metal Co., Ltd. In 2005, the previous president passed away and he assumed the current position. Established Runwell in November 2011. In 20XX, a pop-up and cycling trip took place at business partners across the country. In 20XX, we opened a shop in the Metaverse where we could communicate with users from all over the world.

RUNWELL