70next-Chisoku(EN) - VIGORE -道具としての自転車の正しい進化-

片岡聖登 × 服部一齋

Now is the time to take a fresh look
at Japanese sensibility.

Functional beauty born from the pursuit of the essentials with extra shaved off.
In the world of Japanese craftsmanship, this philosophy and sense of beauty have been passed down from generation to generation, and people have felt something important in the products born from this philosophy and sense, and have handled them with care.

Today, we live in a world overflowing with things.
By obtaining everything so easily and conveniently, we may be losing what is important to us.

We believe that reexamining the philosophies and sensibilities handed down from the past will lead to rethinking how we choose things and how we spend our time with things, and will also lead to a richer life that values the things we cannot see.

The "Chisoku" bicycle expresses this idea of VIGORE with a strong message.

The name "Chisoku" comes from the Zen phrase "I am content with what I know," which means to be aware of one's own contentment and to cherish what one truly likes and finds beautiful, so that one's life will be richer and more fulfilling.

We also wanted to encourage people to enjoy the bicycle, a tool that is a part of their "feet", and to "know" it more deeply.

このVIGOREの想いを強いメッセージ性と共に表現した自転車がこの「知足」（ちそく）

Lug frame that embodies the concept

VIGORE's frame builder, Masato Kataoka, was involved in the manufacture of lug-welded frames, which were the mainstream at the time, until the 1980s, but in the 1990s, he began manufacturing TIG-welded frames, evolving the techniques he had developed from his predecessors. From road racers to mountain bikes, downhill bikes, and even cycling bikes, He has created a new style and world view.

The 70next frame that forms the base of "Chisoku" is a redesign by Kataoka of a lug-welded frame bicycle designed in the 70s by his predecessor. This was not simply a nostalgia for the past, but an answer to the question of what kind of frame would be appropriate to express the philosophy and aesthetic sense that we have cultivated here in Japan for generations.

Lug frame is the traditional technology of bicycle and requires well trained skill to use. The 70next is a beautifully crafted frame with a modern sensibility without any unnecessary part and it is a perfect fit for the Chisoku concept, including the process of handcrafting by craftsmen.

However, Chisoku needed to add a message to the appearance of the frames. Therefore, we asked Japanese lacquer artist Issey Hattori to design the frame.

An overwhelming presence with a sense of serenity

Mr. Hattori has been pursuing lacquer techniques such as maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlays, which have been handed down for a long time since the Nara period (710-794), and evolving them to a more modern style. His approach to craftsmanship, which is to use his skills and sensibility to bring out the best of the charm of the "object" itself, is also shared by VIGORE. The concept of Chisoku was completed by having Mr. Hattori provide design on it.

The request was simple.
The 70next frame, born from a design that maximizes the pleasure of riding while feeling the racer's senses, expresses beauty and the pleasure of looking at it through the design of straight lines and the curves that connect them, and curves in details that do not become noise. We wanted it to be expressed with this in mind.

The result is a one-of-a-kind bicycle that truly symbolizes the VIGORE of today.

The design is integrated with the structure of the frame itself, symbolizing the design structure inherited in VIGORE and maximizing the beauty of the bicycle's lines.
We feel that the sensibility that has been cultivated in Kyoto, which is full of things spun over time, is expressed in the form of a tangible object.

We hope that this bicycle, created without compromise, will contribute to your happy daily life.

Issey Hattori

1975	Born in Kyoto
1996	Graduated from Takaoka National College Received the Japan Urushi Association Scholarship Award
1998	Graduated from Takaoka National College advanced course (Present-University of Toyama School of Art and Design) Joined miyazaki-mokuzai Co., Ltd.
2001	Studied under Shunsyo Hattori
2018	Independence

2019	Received the Nikkokai Award at the 29th Nikkokai Exhibition Received the first prize at the 65th All Kansai Art Exhibition Received the Kyoto Prefectural Governor's Award at the 31st Craft Art Creation Association Exhibition
2020	Reorganization New 7th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition First Exhibit First Selection 75th Anniversary Kyoto Writers Association Exhibition
2021	Received the 30th Anniversary Award at the 30th Nikkokai Exhibition Abeno Harukas 7th Anniversary "Shunsho Hattori / Issey Father and Son Exhibition" Reorganization New 8th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition Selected
2022	Ink exhibition of Akira Azuki and the beauty of contemporary lacquering

Design

Pleasure of operation
Special reproduction
If we don't have it, we make it ourselves.
Reasonably
Identity
Delicate, even down to the position of the holes
Mr. Hattori's design1
Mr. Hattori's design 2
VIGORE Logo
Sign

The handlebars have become heavier due to the pursuit of convenience, such as a brake lever with an integrated gearshift and a cycle computer, but the "70 next-Chisoku" is designed with the same head tube angle (slightly upright) as in 1970s, so that the road racer feeling of the 70's can be enjoyed with all five senses.
The quick, slightly erect handling allows quick response at high speeds, reliably transmits information from the ground to the rider, and enables the rider to feel the pleasure of riding.
（The bike's light and quick handling can be further enhanced by using Shimano Di2 (electric shifting component) as an assemble component.)

The head badge designed by the previous generation designer (2nd generation) has been reproduced to match the lug frame. There are few factories today that can produce the classic head badges of those days, and it took several months to finally reproduce the quality that VIGORE desired.
The head badge attached to the "70 next-Chisoku" is a special version made by applying lacquer evenly and then applying gold leaf on it pressed with cotton.

The "seat stay cap" is a part on the upper part of the seat stay that can be said to be one of the faces of the frame.
In recent years, the number of lug frames has been decreasing, and we searched for a factory that manufactures the ideal "seat stay cap" for VIGORE in order to produce this "70 next - Chisoku -" and another handmade line, "70 next," but we could not find one.

Since we really wanted to keep the beauty of the old VIGORE, Kataoka decided to make it himself. From a round steel bar, he cut the section where the seat stay cap is to be placed, cut it at an angle to match the thickness of the pipe, and engraved "VIGORE" on it.
The step is made when the seat stay is brazed on the "seat stay cap", but it was carefully finished by hand so that the step would not be visible.

The original seat stay cap was completed through the process shown in the above image.

The part where the seat stay is welded to the seat lug.
VIGORE welds it to the upper part of the seat lug, which is the strongest, least distorted, and most beautiful (visually) in terms of design.

VIGORE" is engraved on the seat stay cap and the crown of the front fork of this "70 next" and another handmade line "70 next". This is another important item that has been handed down from the previous generation.
We researched machining methods that would produce a beautiful finish using an NC milling machine, and completed the process while manufacturing jigs.
VIGORE" on the seat stay cap is engraved in the same size and balance as at that time. Since it is an oval surface, the size of each letter is different and balanced.
The crown of the front fork is a classic flat type from the 70's, and "VIGORE" is engraved on the flat part in good balance.
In this "70 next-Chisoku", the carved part is painted with a thin and even layer of lacquer and sprinkled with gold powder to further emphasize its beauty.

Delicate, even down to the position of the holes

In pursuit of ease of riding, delicate details are also carefully considered. For example, a bicycle frame is a major factor affecting overall rigidity and springiness, so even a single hole in the frame is placed in a location that does not affect the overall rigidity. It also affects the ease of braking, so this has to be taken into consideration. Multiple factors should be in mind for even one thing so that every thing can be in good condition.

Decorative head tube and front fork section by Mr. Hattori. The design is expressed while utilizing the features of Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) using gold maki-e and abalone shells.
Straight lines were combined with the design of welded parts with VIGORE's traditional end parts while taking advantage of the highlights that enter the frame to create a single piece.
The maki-e technique is said to have been established in the Nara period (710-794), and even today, each piece is made by hand through a repetition of delicate processes that cannot be mechanized.
The design is completed with the decoration near the seat rug ([Mr.Hattori's design 2]).

Decoration near the seat lugs by Mr. Hattori. It is expressed while using the features of Raden (sea shell inlay) with gold maki-e and abalone shells.
Straight lines were combined with the design of welded parts with VIGORE's traditional end parts while taking advantage of the highlights that go into the frame to create a single piece.
The three circles, an icon of Mr. Hattori's work, are also incorporated into the design of this "70 next-Chisoku-".
The technique of maki-e is said to have been established in the Nara period (710-794), and even today, each item is produced by hand through a repetition of delicate processes that cannot be mechanized.
The design is completed with the decoration near the head tube/front fork ([Mr. Hattori's design 1]).

Decoration by Mr. Hattori. The lettering is covered with a thin and even layer of lacquer, and gold leaf is applied to the lacquer pressed on with cotton wool, creating luxurious finish suitable for this special edition "70 next - Chisoku.