official
2024.06.18
The age of titanium has arrived. We have ...
The long-awaited A-Frame, which will be available for the first time in Japan, will finally be released in all BROTURES stores!!
This time, we have three types of products in stock: frames, handlebars, and stems.
Come experience with your own eyes and hands the hottest material of today , titanium , which symbolizes this era.
A-Frame Track ¥385,000(incl. tax)
*Only the frame will be sold at BROTURES Osaka store, limited to one piece.
1. What is A-Frame?
This manufacturer was founded in San Francisco, the home of fixed gear bikes, with a focus on realizing the concept of "neo-retro." The catalyst for this was a certain famous bike.
MASH SF CHAS'S Cannondale Track Bike
If I had to pick a representative model, it would be the Cannondale Track, which is recognized by many enthusiasts as a great bike. (Cannondale track). The owner himself said that what prompted him to start A-Frame was that he wanted to ride this machine.
The owner has a deep love for the masterpieces that were born in the long history of fixed gear bikes from the 90s to the early 2000s, in other words, during the transitional period of this culture, and after much research, he has made them the core of his products. However, he doesn't want to take the risk of spending a lot of money on a frame that was produced decades ago. So he thought, why not use this knowledge to start a reproduction brand that can meet modern technology and needs? The first thing that was born from this idea was the Titanium Track frame, which symbolizes the brand.
After much research into how to maintain the integrity of the iconic track bike while also making some modifications based on the owner's own ideas, the first material chosen was titanium .
2. What is titanium?
The history of fixed gear bikes is over 100 years old. Materials used for fixed gear bikes include iron, aluminum, and carbon. As the industrial level of the world has improved, these materials have brought about various changes to fixed gear bikes.
And now titanium.
An example of something familiar to us is the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Apple has long used aluminum and stainless steel, but in recent years, the price of raw materials has continued to rise, so the company has decided to move away from aluminum and use titanium for the first time with the iPhone 15 Pro.
In addition, "3AL-25V" titanium, which is known in recent years in the United States as the most suitable material for aerospace grade (space and aviation technology), boasts an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and high corrosion resistance in bicycles, making it a material that can be a great advantage over fixed gear bikes. In other words, it is light, strong, rust-free, and resistant to deterioration. However, this material, titanium, is a material that has rarely been seen in the bicycle industry due to the difficulty of manufacturing technology and welding.
So let's take a closer look at this intriguing lineup.
3-1. Frame Overview
A-Frame Track Frame ¥385,000(incl. tax)
*Only the frame will be sold at BROTURES Osaka store, limited to one piece.
As mentioned earlier, this frame was heavily inspired by the 1993 Cannondale Track , and is the answer to the A-Frame, which was born from inspiration in part from the many fixed gear bikes that existed during that era.
This frame features impressive geometry and large diameter tubes, a titanium frame with a carbon fork, a combination that is unorthodox even for BROTURES. This titanium is made of the material I mentioned earlier, "3AL-2.5V". If you're wondering what the numbers mean, they represent an alloy made of 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium, and the remaining 94.5% pure titanium. As mentioned above, the material has excellent durability and corrosion resistance, even among titanium. In addition, the tubes used are thick and voluminous, with a 45mm down tube and a 38.1mm top tube, and are double-butted to further reduce weight.
Other assembly details include a 1/8-inch head tube and a Made in USA WHITE INDUSTRIES head part as standard. Additionally , a full carbon fork weighing 375g is set up, making it ultra-lightweight . Furthermore, this frame set can accommodate tires up to 30mm in diameter to meet modern needs. Also, as a Japan-only model, it is equipped with front and rear brake holes as well as an internal guide that routes the brake wire through the frame.
3-2. Frame_Design
The design of this frame is finished in the same way that Apple has been particular about. The front of the frame is polished, and the rear is sandblasted to create a matte finish that gives the titanium its pure, luxurious look. This is an update of the good old days , and it is a piece that boasts a highly expressive design.
3-3. Frame Geometry
And finally, the ride comfort and geometry (Design) story.
As for the geometry, The rear triangle is very tight, based on the geometry of the Cannondale Track . The hardness of the titanium material also gives the impression that the frame transmits pedaling force to the rear wheel very quickly. You'll get addicted to the feeling of accelerating when you step on it. This is a completely new feeling compared to all the frames handled by BROTURES.
I have actually ridden the No. 22, a titanium frame that BROTURES also carries, and compared to that, the A-Frame's track bike feels much quicker to ride. To put it in perspective, the No. 22 is a titanium frame closer to a road bike, while the A-Frame is a titanium frame closer to a fixed gear bike .
In addition, the top tube is designed to be short and tight, making it quite easy for Japanese people to ride . It has the agility of a full-fledged racing machine, but also allows for a comfortable riding position.
The full carbon fork at the front is equipped with a 28mm offset , which is familiar from LEADER , and the handling is stable , and the maneuverability that allows you to run through crowded alleys with ease is also attractive. What's amazing is that the head angle is changed for each frame size . The angle is designed for the person who chooses that size, and the handling is designed to be easy to ride according to their height. I don't think there is any other brand that pursues geometry to this extent.
3-4. Frame_Thoughts
Next, try assembling the frame.
The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was how light it was and how beautifully finished each part was. Normally, fixed gear bike frames go through a cutting process called "preparation" to attach the bottom bracket and head parts before being assembled, but with this frame, the threads are so beautifully finished that it barely requires preparatory work. As I finished it, I felt that this frame was designed with consideration not only for its appearance, but also for the rider's comfort . We have also introduced this in a video, so please take a look below.
The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was how light it was and how beautifully finished each part was. Normally, fixed gear bike frames go through a cutting process called "preparation" to attach the bottom bracket and head parts before being assembled, but with this frame, the threads are so beautifully finished that it barely requires preparatory work. As I finished it, I felt that this frame was designed with consideration not only for its appearance, but also for the rider's comfort . We have also introduced this in a video, so please take a look below.
Four. handle
Following on from the titanium, we have the titanium pisto handlebars. This is also an item that is packed with the owner's personal preferences, and it is a newly released riser handlebar that was born after much research, comparing various samples on the desk, and repeating tests over several months.
It is forged from 3Al-2.5V titanium, just like the frame, and the catchphrase is that it is designed to be strong and rigid enough to withstand a lifetime of use. It has better durability than the aluminum flat/riser bars currently available in BROTURES' lineup, and is a product we are confident in saying will last a lifetime.
The feeling of using it is that it is a masterpiece that has been carefully designed with precise up-sweep and back-sweep to reduce the strain on the wrists and shoulders while taking advantage of the hardness of titanium. I was given a geometry chart for this, so please see below for more details.
A-Frame Titanium Riser Handlebar
Rise: 25mm
Backsweep: 8°
Up-sweep: 5°
Stem-clamp diameter: 31.8mm
Handlebar diameter: 22.2mm
Weight: 270g
Rise: 25mm
Backsweep: 8°
Up-sweep: 5°
Stem-clamp diameter: 31.8mm
Handlebar diameter: 22.2mm
Weight: 270g
Five. Stem
Following the frame and handlebars, we finally introduce the stem made of aluminum. The owner himself named this product "REPLICA" , and just like the frame, it is a product that has a strong respect for the fixed gear bike culture of the 90s. The inspiration for this product was the Cinelli Alter stem, which is his favorite bicycle part.
The rugged form is produced by CNC cutting from a block of aluminum. Brands that handle CNC machined parts at BROTURES include PHILWOOD and THOMSON . Because it is cut, the amount of material wasted is far greater than with casting, but it allows for weight reduction by removing as much material as possible, free design, and a beautiful form that cannot be achieved with casting .
This stem has been stripped down to the bare minimum and is updated with a 1-1/8 inch column diameter and 31.8 mm handlebar clamp. The iconic silhouette of the famous Alter stem has been updated to modern, easy-to-use specifications.
The latest stock comes in two lengths, 100mm and 120mm, both with an angle of -10° .
The length of the stem seems long, but this is because he rides with a wide riser bar and dances forward. I strongly feel that this is a unique way of thinking, as he is sensitive to such trends.
If you ride an A-Frame track frame, you'll want to use both the stem and riser bar. Get a rigid ride that you won't find in steel, aluminum, or carbon.
As such, the launch of A-Frame is an unknown experience even for our staff, and we have high expectations for the items. As I mentioned in the handle, I think this will be a brand that you will love for a long time and that you will have for the rest of your life.
BROTURES will deliver each bottle to you with care, preserving the authentic San Francisco atmosphere! For inquiries and questions, please contact any BROTURES store.
*Track frames are only sold at the Osaka store. Handlebars and stems are available at all stores.
