I’ve been blogging every day about how "Nagoya is so cold," and it finally started raining, and I, Kamo, woke up feeling the chill.
I love my morning bike commute, looking up at the high, bright winter sky, but today the clouds have spread across everything, which has dampened my spirits a little... "Clear up tomorrow!" I found myself pedaling a bit harder than usual.
While a blue sky can lift one's mood, today I’d like to introduce two "blue" everyday bikes that are every bit as wonderful as that sky.
First up is FAIRDALE, an American brand produced by Taj Mihelich, a name everyone in the BMX world knows. Keeping with Fairdale's motto of tough and simple—which you can easily associate with the word BMX—here is what they’ve brought us!
The swept-back handlebars allow you to ride in a relaxed, upright position, letting you window-shop without having to rush.
It features an intuitive and easy-to-understand thumb shifter, so you can click through the gears without hesitation while waiting at a red light. The way they’ve added their logo to the brown grips—which match the saddle—is a touch of playfulness that is uniquely American.
The bird drawn on the chain case looks a little sleepy, but it will protect you from the chain, which can easily stain your favorite clothes if they rub against it.
It’s also great that it comes standard with a kickstand and fenders. With the gleaming silver fenders and the brown saddle and grips, it has a wonderfully classic look.
If you attach a WALD basket or a PETERBORO basket, you can shop to your heart's content without having to worry about hanging bags off your handlebars.
Next up is this. You might think of KONA as having that sturdy, thick-tired look like the SUTRA LTD or UNIT, but they also have such cute everyday bikes in their lineup.
Just like the Daybird, this features a step-through frame with a nice curve, so you can ride it even if you're wearing a skirt without having to worry.
It boasts a generous 9-speed drivetrain! You can zip right along to the market held at Koshoji Temple in Yagoto, which is full of hills.
And above all, a big reason why I want to recommend the Coco is that it comes equipped with disc brakes, which provide reliable stopping power without needing a firm squeeze.
This also comes with fenders as standard, and the understated black really makes the vibrant colors of the frame pop.
Did you think, "I don't ride in the rain, so I don't need fenders!"? Well, that’s not quite right. What you really have to watch out for is right after it rains. Fenders are essential right after a rainstorm when puddles and damp roads can spray water up and soak your feet and back. I’ll say it with confidence: they are a game changer!
Both of these bikes are designed to be ridden easily every day. Whether it's for a quick errand or commuting to school, I want you to enjoy cycling rather than treating it like a chore. Maybe a fun "Blue Everyday" is waiting for you too?