Affinity Lo Pro 2026 -Japan Limited-
Hello!
It’s me, Tommy from Blue Lug Yoyogi Park.
Get stoked y’all! The Affinity Cycles Lo Pro frames are coming back with new colors for the first time in 2 years!
Some people maybe wondering what Lo Pro is, so please allow me to explain.
The Lo Pro is a track frame that was designed in Brooklyn New York in 2007, by Affinity Cycles, who have been supporting the New York street rider and the bicycle messenger scene. The bike was designed based from feedbacks that they got by those who ride through the rough New York streets.
8 years ago, I made myself up to New York to experience and to see what the scene was like.
New York is not like Tokyo, where smooth concrete could be found everywhere. There are big bike lanes in the main streets, which made it very easy to ride. However, that is not the case for every place in NYC.
↑This is one of the big streets (Sorry, I forgot the name) and it was beautiful to ride. Ah, seeing the UPS truck makes me go back to that time.
Then you suddenly run into streets like this, where there’s a lot of potholes and huge bumps.
If you go to Manhattan, you’ll find the traffic is so chaotic.
I felt that I really need to keep my eyes opened when I’m riding in this city.
I was stoked to see the steaming manholes, like you would see in movies.
Anyways, What I wanted to say is that you will need a tough bike if you’re going to be ride everyday in New York.
The Lo Pro is the bike that was made to withstand the rough ground of New York, while having quick response in handling to ride through the chaotic traffic and enough flexibility in the frame to make it comfortable to ride everyday!
Let’s take a look at all three Japan limited frame color options.
Brick Red
This one reminded me the brick buildings in New York. It seems like it’s a rather subtle color, but the metallic flakes gives it a elegant and chic look. I felt a classic vibe from this color, so I built one with a bullhorn paying homage to classic Pursuit Track Racers.
Liberty Green
A metallic green, which is one of my favorite color schemes. “Liberty Green” is such a great name for a New York bike brand too.
This bike was built by Jackie at Blue Lug Kamiuma. The neon yellow hubs and neon orange toe clips pops very nicely.
Prism Black
Thought it was just a solid black frame? No, no no. It becomes a whole different color when getting in the light.
It kinda reminded me the dazzling night view of New York, a world class metropolis.
All three colors are just the right shade—not too flashy—so they’ll blend in perfectly with just about any outfit.
I personally recommend building them with a basket + freewheel for a casual ride. It feels really good.
Here’s the release schedule for this season’s models!
In stores : March 28th (Sat) 2026
Online : March 30th (Mon) 2026, 7:00pm JST
Can’t wait!
So, from here on out, I’d like to take a deep dive into Affinity Cycles and will be unraveling the brand’s history, so give it a read if you’d like!
Spring 2007, Affinity Cycles was founded in Brooklyn New York.
Former track racer Jason started Affinity Cycles as a bike shop, where they supported the local bicycle messengers and street riders. The Lo Pro was born based on their feedbacks.
You can tell that the shop was loved by the local riders.
The shop looked super cool…
They also support athletes. It’s surprisingly little known that they had a race team from the early days of the brand.
In 2009-2010, the Kissena frame that would become worldly known, was born.
Named after the local “Kissena Velodrome” in Queens, this frame features a patented, original geometry.
In a racing scene dominated by carbon frames, they achieved victory in world championships, including the US Masters Track Nationals and the Six Days in the UK—despite being an aluminum frame, and also posted numerous impressive results in the Red Hook Crit series.
I was so hyped when I took my own Kissena to its hometown.
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Blue Lug’s first encounter with Affinity Cycles was Inter Bike 2008, a huge bike show held in Vegas.
At the Affinity booth, alongside founder Jason, there were also a younger John Prolly (a former trick rider and founder of THE RADAVIST) and Austin Horse (a leading New York messenger and CMWC 2013 and 2015 champion). The atmosphere was clearly a cut above the rest, and even though it was a small booth, it was a sick booth for sure.
“I still remember that time so clearly,” the boss told me the other day as he shared various stories!
↑INTER BIKE 2008
(Ain’t it crazy that this is a post from Box Dog Bikes too?)
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Their Metropolitan model appeared in the 2012 film “Premium Rush”.
It was a bike ridden by the main character. The stunt double for the riding scene was performed by Austin Horse and the stunt double for the trick scenes were performed by Tom La Marche.
In 2012, they announced a collaboration project with the legendary hip hop crew, Wu-Tang Clan. Reakwon, a member of the group directed the project and hosted a charity event “RIDE4NY”, to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy that hit the east coast.
Affinity Cycles eventually closed down their shop to pursue their path of becoming a brand.
They have re-designed their logo in 2015.
The bike around that era that stands out to me is the Anthem Track. Made by Horse Cycles, painted by Ben Falcon paint works and the special parts for the seats post was made by AARN.
This is the fillet brazed model, which they released on the 10th anniversary of Lo Pro frames.
The Hennessy x Affinity collaboration was already 7 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday.
It’s been 13 years since I first started riding the Lo Pro.
My Lo Pro had been serving as a chill bike in the recent years, but I’m kinda in the mood for bullhorns again.
Roy from the Stock Control Team said that he’s interested in the Affinity frames, so I took him out to a test ride of the new Lo Pro. He and I have a similar style, so it made sense that the Lo Pro caught his attention.
Affinity is a brand that I respect and would like to support for years to come.
Okay, bye now!
