Mimi - Ebisu Bike review/snippet...

**roguedog** · 03-24-2007, 07:59 AM

Hey Mimi,

I know you're probably going to go Davidson but I thought I'd throw some temptation you're way..

(where's the smiley w/ the horns??)

OOOh.. and he make's em in orange (double horns)

Here's what ChrisK from Velo Orange said about his Ebisu from Jitensha Studio.

Ebisu
When I was starting Velo Orange, and deciding to offer custom randonneur frames, I looked at pretty much every production light touring frame available. The one that impressed me most was the Ebisu from Jitensha Studio. They are designed by a guy who has 30 or 40 years experience designing touring frames, they are built in a one man NJS certified shop in Japan, and the quality is astounding for the price. Plus, you can buy them from stock. I was so impressed I bought one for myself. The paint is not fancy, but if you know frames you will see the quality.

It is the only frame that I think is a real competitor to our frames (but there is a 6-month waiting list for VO frames). Most every other light touring frame is nothing more than an adaptation of a racing frame and that is okay, but far from ideal. They have high trail front ends, are often over-stiff, and far too often the tubes are cooked on the cheaper ones.

Chris

Links to pics of Chris's bike:

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006/03/new-ebisu.html

Evil One aka RD

**mimitabby** · 03-24-2007, 08:05 AM

hey Roguedog, you're forcing my hand here.
I did look at the Ebisu, just a couple days ago. They are really cool.
But then again, I would be dealing with someone somewhere else on the phone, via email; and throw in a language barrier too. (Heck, I can't even talk east coast anymore and i was born and raised there)

the news is this; yesterday I did my preliminary fitting for a Davidson..

I wasn't going to say anything until Tuesday when we get into more of the nitty gritty and i will have a prototype sketch to show you all.

but thanks for thinking of me!

**roguedog** · 03-24-2007, 08:05 AM

Oh.. and to make ya feel better he's referring to the off the shelf frames though I believe Jitensha also builds custom.

**roguedog** · 03-24-2007, 08:15 AM

Wooo hooo... Congrats Mimi. Sorry to force your hand but it was just too tempting to be naughty

I'm glad you've got all that crap behind you and you can begin looking forward to new lovely custom bike designed just for you. And it's nice to have a shop that will treat you respectfully throughout the process.

**mimitabby** · 03-24-2007, 08:15 AM

They are really beautiful. THey are just what I want. But i think Davidson can make it just what i want too.

**SouthernBelle** · 03-24-2007, 12:38 PM

Kewl, Mimi. What colors are you looking at? Almost any shade of blue will work with orange, as does my black.

Sitting here in my new orange jersey and contemplating a bath,

**mimitabby** · 03-24-2007, 05:55 PM

Susan, thinking of Maroon and Orange and perhaps a dash of cream.

**SouthernBelle** · 03-25-2007, 05:40 AM

Being the queen of orange, we'll have to swap sources. Love the orange Salsa tape I got. In retrospect, I would have wrapped the tops in black and the drops in orange. The tops get dirty right away.

**mimitabby** · 03-25-2007, 07:27 AM

Susan
I am going to try washing my YELLOW bar tapes on my Bianchi today. I'll let you know how that turns out.

**Susan126** · 03-25-2007, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by mimitabby

the news is this; yesterday I did my preliminary fitting for a Davidson..

I wasn't going to say anything until Tuesday when we get into more of the nitty gritty and i will have a prototype sketch to show you all.

but thanks for thinking of me!

How exciting! And you didn't say a word?!!!! Not a peep? I would have been busting at the seams. I cannot keep exciting news to myself for very long. Just ask dh!

Can't wait to see the sketches and hear more about your new bike, Mimi! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous! Yea, where is the smiley with the horns. Green with envy and big horns!

**mimitabby** · 03-25-2007, 07:51 AM

Susan,
after what happened with Smart Cycles, I am rather nervous.

I wouldn't even have done it yet, except DH insisted.

**Susan126** · 03-25-2007, 08:03 AM

Mimi, I can understand where you are coming from on that point. I hope this time around everything goes perfect for you!

In a year or two I will be in the market for a custom fit bike. Mimi, if you don't mind my asking, why did you go with Davidson? Hubby and I were thinking Rodriguez but I've been hearing (in this forum mainly) that they push 650c (of which I currently ride) but I want to go the 700c route next time around because of the larger choice of tires. Are Davidson bikes all titanium? I know the Rodriguez are all light and strong steel. Steel has come a long way . . . I picked up a frame at the Bike Expo and was amazed at how light it was! DH said they will build me a 700c. He is really gung ho for the Rodriguez. I told hubby we should drive into Seattle some day and take a look at both the Rodriguez store and the Davidson store. And just browse and look around and ask questions.

**mimitabby** · 03-25-2007, 08:34 AM

Susan
Davidson makes the bikes in Ti or Steel. They have several kinds of steel too.
I have been around the guys at both places and they both have their strong points. It gets down to stuff that is kind of personal, like I LOVE Smilie, but
with Bill Davidson and Bob Freeman, what i get is 30 years of bike building from both of them, and knowledge and experience. They also display a lot of flexibility that I don't see at R&E.
and Elliott Bay Bike (Davidson) is really easier for me to get to. Yes, it's downtown, yes,, you often have to pay to park there; but i can get there without getting on I5 and if i do, I can do it and not hit traffic. There's almost no time of day anymore when I can get to R&E without feeling like i'm risking my life on I-5 (TRAFFIC SUX)

So in the end, it's personal. You can get light bikes at either place. I might end up getting 650 wheels at Davidson. (besides, their store is filled with antique bikes and lots of Bianchi's, Colnago's, etc, etc)

**Triskeliongirl** · 03-25-2007, 09:41 AM

I am so excited for you Mimi! I am sure you will be happy with Davidson. For those techie geeks that have been following this, let us know what seat tube angle, top tube length, and wheel size he recommends after your fitting. I am so curious to see what an experienced builder's plans are. Do understand it will take time, and that he may recommend 650c wheels. If he does the terry tellus comes in 28c and is a very nice tire, and schwalbe stelvios come in 23c and are very nice too. While choices are less in 650c than 700c, the choices out there are quite good.

**Susan126** · 03-26-2007, 07:14 AM

Thanks Mimi for the information! I will use it too! After reading and following all the talk and advise I will be a smart buyer when it comes time to get my custom made bike. I was gung ho with Rodriguez but now I will take an up close look at both bike makers. Compare, browse the stores, talk to the people there, take DH too

and really weigh the two shops.

And I completely understand the I-5 . . . (TRAFFIC SUX) situation! That is the one factor about going to Seattle that I hate!

Thanks Mimi and can't wait to hear more about your Davidson! Keep us posted!

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