【OMNIUM Titanium Cargo】The Ride of Chiyoda, Creator of NOMADICS/Moonlight Gear, Expanding the World

Determine what you need and carry as little as possible.
By doing so, you make it easier to move around.

This creates a sense of freedom that comes from shedding the burden of "weight".

Then, you can begin to notice subtle changes in the scenery that you had never noticed before.

And you can begin to expand your world a little further.

The philosophy born from the "ultralight" hiking culture can be applied not only to hiking, but also to cycling and everyday life.

By doing so, it creates peace of mind and gives rise to new ways of playing and living that you had never even considered before.

One of the people who helped spread this ultralight philosophy in Japan is Takashi Chiyoda.

He founded Moonlight Gear, began carrying OMM in Japan, and is also involved in the planning and operation of OMM JAPAN, the event itself. He also operates NOMADICS, a dealer for OMBRAZ and NOVA SCOTIA FISHERMAN, both of which are also carried by Circles.

It was Takashi Chiyoda who recently acquired this OMNIUM Titanium Cargo.

Encounter with the OMNIUM Cargo

It all started with an OMNIUM image that appeared on social media while he was browsing.

What was pictured was a cargo-style bicycle that was rarely seen in Japan. It was a scene of everyday life abroad, used for shopping and dropping off and picking up children.

Intrigued, while digging into OMNIUM, he came acrossa post by Erik Binggeser, who travels the wilderness.

He was reportedly struck by the sight and became obsessed with the appeal of the OMNIUM Cargo.

By the way, Erik Binggeser is actually also one of the staff members who operates the handmade bike show "MADE" held in Portland in recent years.

With this, his imagination seemed to expand, thinking, "What if I could do that or this..."

For a bike trip like those in the past, his accumulated experience and the tools he had on hand might have been enough.But when it comes to everyday shopping, commuting to farm work, and setting up a shop at an event in a peddler style, that's another story.

Furthermore, even the possibility of using it as a mobile DJ booth, carrying sound equipment to liven up the venue. His fantasies are truly diverse.

NOMADICS' annual fan appreciation festival, commonly known as "Noma Fes", will be held at Hakuteien on the shores of Lake Biwa this year.

Chiyoda plans to travel to the venue, touring various places from Kawagoe on the OMNIUM Cargo.

Cargo, and the Choice of Titanium

If using it in Japan, the Mini Max seems like the more natural choice.
However, he wanted to make full use of the possibilities of a cargo bike.

When he thought about that, he chose the Cargo, which has the largest load capacity in the lineup.

Also, the beauty of its linear design was another reason he chose the Cargo.
And if titanium is an option, choosing it is inevitable.
Titanium is a material that is lightweight yet has high strength and corrosion resistance, allowing it to be used for a long time.

In the world of hiking, it is used in various tools that require lightness and strength, such as cookers, cutlery, alcohol stoves, and tent pegs, making it a familiar material for hikers.

The titanium model, which is lighter than the chromoly model, not only makes the bike easier to handle, but also reduces the burden when riding with cargo and increases freedom of movement.

And because the bike frame is lighter, it also creates "room" to carry more cargo.

Part Selection to Expand Usage

The handlebars feature the Little Nick Bar from SIMWORKS, and the stem and seatpost are THOMSON. The headset is matched in Midnight from CHRIS KING.

The wheels use Outback rims from ASTRAL CYCLING for both front and rear, and the rear hub is paired with the CHRIS KING R45D.

And what you should pay particular attention to in this parts configuration is the combination of the SON dynamo hub adopted in the front and the SON NABENDYNAMO Ladelux.

The Ladelux, which is still rarely seen in Japan, is a dynamo light that not only has high illumination performance but also features USB-C charging.

For long-distance touring or going out into nature where it is difficult to secure power, you can think of various uses, such as charging electronic devices such as smartphones while riding or storing power in a mobile battery and using it at your destination.


Furthermore, it would be interesting to think about even providing power for lighting at event booths or equipment used in mobile DJ booths.

Of course, the current power generation capacity cannot cover everything, but generating power while moving and using it at your destination.

When Chiyoda actually tested it, he was able to charge about 2,000mAh into a mobile battery in about two and a half hours of riding.

He feels the potential for such uses in the future.

Also, to fully bring out its capabilities as a cargo bike, OMNIUM genuine accessories are also well-stocked.

The Extender Bar expands the usability of the cargo space, Webbing is convenient for carrying various items, and the Wedgie Bag, convenient for storing small items on the left and right of the rack, is also equipped.

From everyday shopping to farm work, camp touring, and even setting up a shop at an event.

It is a configuration that makes you imagine what kind of uses will be born from now on.

And the saddle is the WTB Devo Pick Up.

It has a unique structure with a handle at the rear of the saddle, which is convenient when moving the heavy bike or lifting the bike to put up the stand.

Not only carrying cargo, but also considering everyday handling, it is a perfect choice for this bike.

The drivetrain uses SHIMANO CUES 1×11 speed, ensuring a wide gear ratio of 42T×11-50T.

For the crankset, the MIDDLEBURN RO1 with its beautiful classic design is paired.

For the brakes, the SHIMANO CUES 4-piston model is adopted, taking into account the braking power when loaded with cargo.

For the tires, PANARACER GRAVELKING X1 is chosen for both front and rear, making it a configuration that can extend to unpaved roads as well as paved roads.

The World That Expands by Carrying Cargo

The ultralight style is to gain freedom by reducing cargo as much as possible and becoming light.

On the other hand, the OMNIUM Cargo is a bicycle for carrying more cargo.

At first glance, they seem to be opposites, but they seem to have something in common in that they are both seeking the freedom that lies beyond.

Just as the places you can go expand by reducing cargo, there must be new ways of playing and living that are born by being able to carry cargo.

Things you used to do with a car might also be possible with a bicycle.

You can pack your travel gear and go looking for unseen scenery, or you can load up what you need and turn your usual place into a new playground.

What is important is not whether you have a lot or a little cargo, but what you want to do and what you need for that.

When you think about that, what Chiyoda has been pursuing through the culture of ultralight and the possibilities he felt in this OMNIUM Cargo are surely very close.

It is very exciting to see where this bike will go from now on, and what kind of play and life it will create.

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