EUROBIKE 2009

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Eurobike was not short on framebuilding talent.

Ishigaki - san at home in his workshop

(click to go large)

Many of Europe's most respected names were in attendance; De Rosa, Tommassini, Casati and Passoni being some of the higher-profile brands, each with an undeniable pedigree and strong heritage to keep the passion burning in the hearts of their legions of die-hard fans.

However, on the other side of Messe Friedricshafen, far away from the Italian Pavilion was a small, no-nonsense booth; lower in profile but equally deserving in reputation. You'd be forgiven for missing the booth thanks to its unassuming exterior, but inside this Alladin's Cave was some of the finest examples of quality framebuilding as you're likely to see anywhere. The name above the booth was Toyo, the name of the builder Ishigaki Tetsuya - one of Japan's most respected framebuilders.

Ishigaki-san established his company in 1973, with his first models appearing in 1974.
Many years of producing work for the Japanese market followed, steadily building a reputation founded on consistent quality. Touring and city bikes came first, followed by BMX frames being produced for the likes of Kuwahara and others during the BMX boom years. By the early 80's, the Toyo reputation had spread overseas and the company was contracted to produce frames for some of the more reputable names of the burgeoning MTB scene, most notably Ritchey USA and Rocky Mountain of Canada.

Toyo are long-time masters of the fastback

European companies such as Muddy Fox of the UK and Storck of Germany were to follow the steady stream of Western companies eager to get some Toyo magic in their catalogs. Later, in the late 90's, US brand Rivendell commissioned Toyo to produce some of Rivendell's stock models, notably the sought-after Atlantis. It's an arrangement that seems to work for both parties, with each comfortable for the connection to be known publicly and the two still happily working together a decade on.

Despite most of the Toyo output being OEM (frames produced for other brands), a small number of frames bearing the Toyo name make it onto the Japanese market, the demand generated in part by their sponsorship of nationally-ranked BMX and Cyclocross teams. There's also the joint venture with Japanese distributors Tokyo 3S to produce stock models bearing the name Testach.

Despite his many successful years in the business and at a time when most would be thinking of hanging up their welding goggles for good, Ishigaki-san earlier this year embarked on a new venture; Toyo Frame Co. of Taichung.

The new workshop is right at the heart of the Taiwanese bicycle industry, meaning Toyo is better placed to serve the rising global demand for quality handmade, lugged frames (who would have thought it, eh?). And thanks to the wealth of available framebuilding talent in and around the region, Toyo was able to get his new challenge up and running in less than six months.

However, this is far from being an exercise in trimming back on overheads; by no means is this simply a cost-shaving enterprise.

This is a long-term project, finally being made possible by the unprecedented demand for quality steel frames. Toyo are bringing a wealth of experience to the region, which benefits the local manufacturing talent pool by teaching new methods to an already skilled workforce. Toyo have trained their Taiwanese builders in the techniques required to produce work of the highest quality, leading to further advances in the skill-sets of their builders. Added to this, Toyo are providing their builders with a rare opportunity of working in an environment where quality, not price, is the major consideration.

It's a win-win situation for all concerned.

The only drawback for Toyo (and others) is the ongoing shortage of quality frame parts as the demand for lugged frames grows.

This is because the few remaining sources of tubing and fittings are struggling to cope with demand from inside Taiwan as well as from abroad. To combat this, Toyo are producing custom models with unique lug designs produced in-house. However, not only is this expensive, but also time-consuming, with production limited to around 30 custom frames per month. Compare this with the 200 or so frames they can produce each month using production lugs sourced from Taiwanese casting houses. This means Toyo will keep both a production and custom line operating in both their workshops, which in turn, can only lead to even greater skill-building opportunities for their workforce.

Lugs aside, Toyo has always enjoyed a well-earned reputation within the OEM framebuilding scene for producing some of the finest fillet-brazed frames around - regardless of the country of origin.
This is something that will stand them in good stead over the next few years. Smooth-welded, lugless frames are definitely one of the 'bubbling-under' trends about to be re-invented by the mainstream.

Perhaps this comes as a reaction to the lug shortage; perhaps its to do with the mainstream industry's obsession with introducing 'new' products ... who knows?

Whatever the reason, Toyo are well placed and both the workshops in Taiwan and Japan look set to be kept busy in the coming years. Whether the frames are built at Toyo Japan or Toyo Taiwan, the same standards will apply; the highest standards - Ishigaki's standards.

There's no doubt those demanding quality will go in search of it.

Quality framebuilding remains quality framebuilding - regardless of the language spoken by the builder – and there's no denying the quality of Toyo frames.

With a bit of luck, (watch this space!) bike fans in Europe will get the chance to see his work at close range later next year, but for now, here are some photos of the mastery of Toyo and Ishigaki-san:

Toyo's Custom-lugged road frame :