Hello, it’s Issue from Kamiuma store.

I have been preparing to move to south part of Tokyo because it’s been already 6 years since I joined Blue Lug and my lifestyle changed drastically. I hadn’t experienced to move with a lot stuff with me before and I didn’t know that it’s really hard such as changing the contract of internet or furnitures to throw away. Things I don’t need come up endlessly, I would like to name this phenomenon. While I’m busy moving, I’m going to write about some bikes here.

First of all, I’d like to thank you for everything this year and I hope next year will be another great one for all of us.

While a lot happened this year as usual, I happened to have many chances to build a lot of bikes. Let me write about most impressive 2 bikes of the year.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru EVASION step thru

This is the bike got most likes on Kamiuma’s Instagram in 2023.

This catchy CRUST’s EVASION step thru features Clydesdale, CRUST’s cargo fork as well as custom paint so it’s almost able to say a “full custom” bike.

I’d like to emphasize that the matched paint for the frame and the fork is the deal.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru Look at the contrast of the matte-sand colored frame and the shiny olive logo… The idea of the raw stainless on the rear locker-end is by Konno-san (isn’t it cool?).

Some fancy parts on it too. Paul’s Klamper for the great breaking since doggy will be on the bike. Apparently the owner hasn’t been out with the doggy on the bike yet since this summer was crazy hot so maybe next spring?*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru Some of bike geeks like you might have realized there is something unusual.

Yes, the center stand. Usually EVASION is not available for stands because of the shape of its chain stay.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thruThis time we asked REW10 works, our neighbor frame builder to weld the plate. It really depends if it’s possible to do such custom but this time it worked out. Actually it was a pricy custom but the strong love for the doggy made it happen.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru This was one of the “oh, it’s going to be a special one!” bikes which I feel few times a year. Can you believe that this owner’s first bike?

It was simply an honor to build this special bike! Since my expectation for “special bike” is getting higher and higher I’m craving for building them more and more. I’m really looking forward to 2024 because there are extraordinary ones await.

Thank you for the great order, please come here sometimes for maintenance!*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thruEVASION step thru

Another most impressive bike of the year was actually EVASION step thru too. It’s not so obviously premium compared to the first one but there are some subtle yet great features on this one. Let’s have a look.

This one is custom painted as well, inspired from the pistachio green Romanceuer.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru

*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru The owner is actually my colleague, she only just specified the main color for the frame and just left the rest to the painter. The logo is painted viridian green since we heard that her favorite color is green.

The iconic “CRUST” shaped die-cut is actually painted in the same color as the logo, I’m really impressed by konno-san’s improvisations. The raw rear end needs no explanations.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru I have no hesitations when I build colleague’s bikes and I put a lot of ad-libs I have wanted to try without any permission (well, most of them are very small details though).

Occasionally I change initial plan-A to D if I think that should be better for the owner. I think that’s a good thing to do to build better bike for someone I know. *CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru Although, I always end up to use my days off building bikes too maniac and even people can’t understand what are all the efforts about. Maybe I’m rather masochistic because I like it haha.

I believe that creator’s recommends are the best not only bikes but also everything so I would like to build the exact one for my colleagues.*CRUST BIKES* evasion step thru The owner of the bike is Mika-san, the main chef from our restaurant “LUG Hatagaya“. (*You can just rely on her recommends, you will never regret at all* by translator)

She hadn’t had a bike while it’s been about 2 years since she joined our team so I convinced her to have one. The bike is built as an everyday bike but there are some features she can enjoy riding further, I hope she will find how bicycles are fun next year.

Thank you for the great meals as always!

This is a wrap for this year, see you!