TJD Encounter x SPIN London from SPINLDN on Vimeo.

As the name suggests, Tokyo Bike was inspired and designed by Tokyo.

“In the same way the mountain bike was designed for the mountains so tokyobike was designed for Tokyo.”

If you spend a couple of minutes browsing around tokyobike.co.uk or pop into their quaint store on Tabernacle street in the heart of Shoredtich, you’ll quicly identify Tokyo Bike as a brand that design simple yet stunninly beautiful bicycles. This idea of simplicity flows through to the brands simple aim, “create beautiful, modern looking cycles built for city life while applying the concept of ‘tokyo slow‘, which implies enjoyment of the ride is as important as its destination.”

London’s flat surfaces make the city a perfect environment for Tokyo Bike to lay some solid foundations and flourish. With Tokyo Bikes simple design aesthetic and model variety, the brands product range will appeal to both casual riders and commuters alike.

I got to sit down with Tokyo Bike London shop owner and all around pleasant chap Neil Davis to talk all things Tokyo Bike, Spin London, beautiful design and 2013.

Q&A with Spin London

So Mr. tokyobike London, what made you want to get involved with Spin London this year?

Very simply it’s the kind of event everyone has been waiting for. Traditional bike shows tend to be housed in dry, cavernous boxes out of town of town and cater to people who want to race up mountains or bump down them. Spin is more about people that don’t get changed to get on a bike. Its in the city for the city and that’s what tokyobike is about.

What surprises have you got in store for the Spin London visitors at this years event?

We are teaming up with some of our friends – Ally Capellino who have extended their beautifully simple bag range to include ‘bags for bikes’ and Carradice who have been making simply, functional bags over 70 years.

tokyobike seem to embody simplicity, comfort and style – everything an urban rider needs. Would that be a fair statement?

The concept for tokyobike is based on the bike as a means to enjoy your city. They are as simple as they can be, easy to ride and match your style so that its less about the bike and more about what’s around you.

What does tokyobike embody in 3 words?

simple, functional, accessible

Why did you want to bring tokyobike bike to the UK?

tokyobike make city bikes and London is a city not dissimilar to tokyobike both in terms of scale and way of life. We first bought the bikes here in 2010 with a pop up store and the response was great – it was just a matter of time before we opened a permanent store.

Tell us a bit about the design focus of tokyobike

The design focusses on the bike as a tool to get the best from your city. It has only what it needs to function and fit in with your life. Smaller wheels, steel frames that are light and compact make for easy riding and storage. Although people are instinctively drawn to the colours which is equally important.

What can we expect from tokyobike in 2013 and beyond?

New models and styles will be launched at Spin to don’t miss it. A host of exciting collaborations will also follow.

What rider are tokyobike designed for?

People that live in the city.

Where do you see London heading in terms of bike culture?

London has so far to go and everyone cites Copenhagen as the model. It will probably take a generation of investment and cultural change but I believe we will get there and on the plus side we are past the point of no return.

Jimmy will be creating quirky street food dishes that pay tribute to the world of cycling. As well as an homage to the Giro’d'Italia that weekend Jimmy will also be creating a tour de france menu, offering a fine selection of Charcuterie and tuna nicoise. A ‘slow race’ menu will be serving up delicious 12hr Pulled Pork and Spiced Apple Puree Baps!

We couldn’t have a cycling event housed nearby Brick lane without a Bombay Bicycle themed menu. Utilising the expertise of Mauritian Supper Clubber ‘Yummy Choo’ bringing delicious curries, just make sure you’re suitably refreshed at the bar to handle some of the spicy variations

A place to relax and tuck into some truly tantalising tucker; ‘Jimmy’s’ will be a ‘must’ for any foodie coming to the show.

Jimmy is busy creating the menu for SPIN but in the interim checkout his delicious creations at www.jgarciacatering.com.

“I really and truly want to make great bikes that can give people a taste
of the lifelong love affair I’ve had with cycling. Making bikes that are going
to work is a big part of that because getting out and riding is the key. A
casual rider can get discouraged easily if a bike breaks down too much or
is too complicated. We want to keep riders riding and be the vehicle for
them to find that magic in cycling.”

Fairdale Bikes founder, Taj Michelich

We’re back again! This time we’re shining the spotlight on American brand Fairdale
Bikes. Thanks to UK based bicycle distributors Triton Imports, Fairdale Bikes have
finally graced the shores of this fine land, and for that Triton Imports we thank you.

Developed purely to create fun, quality and good-looking bicycles, Fairdale was

created by ex-BMX pro Taj Mihelich. The simplicity Faridale bikes represents clearly
is inspired by Taj’s BMX background, simple designs that serve a solid purpose –
give people a bike they can with ease ride and enjoy. Many people just like to ride
bikes; it isn’t always about speed, winning races and aerodynamics.

With Spin London fast approaching, we had a quick Q&A session with Fairdale’s UK
representatives Triton Imports.

Q&A with Cyclr

We always kick the Spin London interviews off the same way.
What made you want to get involved with Spin London this year?
Saying being interviewed by Cyclr can’t be the answer.

Well being the first dedicated show of its kind and the perfect place for us to show
case Fairdale it made sense for us to be involved right from the start.

With us edging ever closer to this epic event, we’re hearing
rumours circulating from brands putting on some pretty epic
displays. What do you guys have planned or Spin London 2013?

Now that would be telling but you can rest assured that it will be unique to Fairdale
and very apt.

Now back to Fairdale. Tell us why you were keen to share Fairdale
Bicycles with the UK public?

We are keen to share Fairdale Bicycles with the UK public because there are
so many “me too” bikes out there in the Urban category and Fairdale brings its
own unique feel and design into the market. From both a styling, and functional
perspective.

What does Fairdale embody in 3 words?
Fun. Simple. Durable.

The Fairdale brand is the brainchild legendary BMXer Taj Mihelich.
Tell us a bit about Taj and his mission for Fairdale?
We are good friends with Taj and share his philosophy about the bikes and the
brand. His objective was to draw upon his BMX experience and produce a range of
bikes that are simple, functional, durable and above all fun to ride.

Fairdale Bikes have only recently graced the UK market with their
presence. How has the UK market taken to the bikes and what
feedback are you getting from customers?
The response has been amazing especially in what at the moment is quite a tough
market with lots of choice out there for the potential buyer. Feedback has been
extremely positive especially for the Weekender and also the Skaterack.

What can we expect from Fairdale Bikes moving into the future?
You’ll see the range develop and evolve, more geared models moving into more
categories such as possibly touring, cyclocross etc. At interbike last year there was
even a 29er so let’s just say we aren’t ruling anything out. Oh also expect to see
more parts and accessories added to the line.

Following a successful launch in 2007, Boardman Bikes has become the fastest growing new bicycle brand in the UK and established worldwide critical acclaim, garnering multiple Olympic, World, European and National titles alongside test-winning product reviews. The brand was co-founded by world-renowned British cycling legend Chris Boardman MBE – arguably one of the most influential cyclists of his generation and instrumental to the success of the British Cycling team today. Chris is both the inspiration behind and the R&D Director to the Boardman brand, using the wealth of experience gained from his Pro career and beyond to design and develop the world-class bicycles at the heart of the all-conquering Elite Series.

In order to enter, deign your Foffa Prima Bike on www.foffabikes.com/builder/prima and submit a screen shot of the design to

http://www.mixcloud.com/nutriot/brc01-colectivo-futuro/