Concept
tokyobike was born in Tokyo and the concept began with the name. If the mountain bike was for the mountains so tokyobike was for Tokyo.
The company was founded in the old Tokyo suburb of Yanaka in 2002. Around that time, it was predominantly road bikes or 'mama-charis' on the streets of Tokyo, with travel in the city centre dominated by cars or trains and very much from A to B.
With a bicycle though, places are better connected, the city becomes smaller and, as the rider, you are more free to use your senses to enjoy the city. So tokyobike saw the potential for the bicycle to be reimagined and decided to make this ‘experience’ as a product, one that could act as a catalyst to make small changes to everyday life.
Design
Design of the frames is informed by their intended purpose with the geometry carefully calibrated to offer a responsive yet relaxed ride.
Material
The frames are made from lightweight chromolly steel which offers a good balance between strength, flexibility and longevity, perfectly suited to city riding.
Components
To recreate the lightness of a road bike and ease of riding in the city, smaller wheels, slim tyres and a flat bar were chosen. So even with the congested, 'stop start' nature of city cycling, pedalling was easy.
Simple and beautiful shape
Avoiding more fashionable materials like aluminium and carbon and removing any unnecessary components meant that tokyobike could emulate the simplified form and beauty of classic bikes from the past.
Original colours
The colours of the frames were chosen, not from any chart but in much the same way as they would have been in the fashion or interiors industries. Inspiration was taken from day to day life so they could better reflect the owner's aesthetic.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a guiding principle and a reason why tokyobike offer a lifetime warranty on frames and forks.
tokyobike firmly believes in the right to repair. The components specified on the bikes are standard across the industry which means they are not overly expensive and the bikes are serviceable whether in Tokyo or Toronto. With regular maintenance your tokyobike will last a lifetime.
Evolution
With stores in an ever growing number of cities, tokyobike hope to inspire more people to cycle.
From humble beginnings in a quiet suburb of Tokyo to brand stores in creative neighbourhoods across the world, tokyobike have looked to make cycling more accessible and encourage more journeys by bike.
Collaboration
Along the way, we have worked with some of our favourite brands to launch new ideas or produce collaborative designs. Collaboration archives.
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tokyobike x New Theory
We've been enjoying New Theory wine over the past few months so when the opportunity came up to build a delivery bike for them we were thrilled. This Mini Velo...
tokyobike x New Theory
We've been enjoying New Theory wine over the past few months so when the opportunity came up to build a delivery bike for them we were thrilled. This Mini Velo...
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Semaine
A newspaper delivery bike for Semaine."Semaine Post is a tastemaker-led print newspaper delivered to your door (London, Paris, New York or San Francisco) with marvelous and meaningful products, digital workbooks to...
Semaine
A newspaper delivery bike for Semaine."Semaine Post is a tastemaker-led print newspaper delivered to your door (London, Paris, New York or San Francisco) with marvelous and meaningful products, digital workbooks to...
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Le Garage De Jean Prouvé
Le Garage De Jean Prouvé at tokyobike TokyoTo celebrate the release of new colours for the Prouvé collection, Vitra partnered with tokyobike to create Le garage de Jean Prouvé –...
Le Garage De Jean Prouvé
Le Garage De Jean Prouvé at tokyobike TokyoTo celebrate the release of new colours for the Prouvé collection, Vitra partnered with tokyobike to create Le garage de Jean Prouvé –...
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Alexander Girard
Girard Studio in collaboration with tokyobike introduces two unique color ways of a classic single speed frame. The palettes are based on woven stripe patterns created by Alexander Girard for...
Alexander Girard
Girard Studio in collaboration with tokyobike introduces two unique color ways of a classic single speed frame. The palettes are based on woven stripe patterns created by Alexander Girard for...
