Making A Hand Built Steel Bike | Toyo Frame Factory Tour

While out in Japan, Jon was lucky enough to get to look around the Toyo Frames factory. Jon got to learn about the history of the brand, including that they've made frames for MTB and cyclocross legend Thomas Frischknet!
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Founded in 1974, Toyo Frame is based in an old bearing factory. This is a company absolutely steeped in history, with the founder originally working for the iconic Panasonic frame company before starting Toyo Frame.
Jon was lucky enough to get a tour of the factory and even see their processes of making a frame. From bending and mitring tubes, to welding, and even how they get their incredible polished mirror finishes.
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📹 Corsa Corsa Tour gcntech.co/corsacorsa
Music: Epidemic Sound
Gelatin Nature - Ooyy
Genesis - Ooyy
Siren Screen - Ooyy
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
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[@andycorso8498]

Real craftsmanship........more vids like these please

[@captainjakesparrow85]

Okay... Jon... That is a SUPER NICE!! RIIIING THE BELL!!!!

[@lotusdk10]

Nothing like a beautiful steel frame!

[@daltonbedore8396]

love mine, won't ever get anything that isn't two triangles

[@fr3heart]

When Jon showed that finished frame at the end, I might have had a little moment...How beautiful is that?!

[@troxeh.]

That end result 😮

[@FutoiBakaKun]

Almost cried to see how dedicated these people are! How amazing there work is. It reminds me of the Katana maker in kill bill, seems the Japanese really are the most dedicated forge masters!

[@gordonjoyce2157]

THE best of GCN, more of this please...

[@JonCannings]

What a journey I had! This video brought an end to my Japanese adventure.

[@mosca3289]

Jon Cannings great series. Quite a few others have made this point but your enthusiasm is infectious and allowed us to really share your wonderful experiences in Japan. Thanks Jon.

[@JonCannings]

@@mosca3289 thanks. I love seeing comments like this

[@xGshikamaru]

These videos were some of the best I've ever seen on GCN, thanks man!

[@walkergv]

Go back to Japan and find more gems. These videos are so good.

[@richardharker2775]

Excellent presentation Jon. Looks like they haven't changed as time marches on but oh! my, that frame you had in your hand made me drool. I can see also they were not happy with "good enough".

[@rubo1964]

That frame you were holding in the end is work of ART! Just stunning

[@jorgepinto383]

It's nic to know that there still someone out there doing this work of old 👍👍👍

[@louismorel2001]

Jon, the gentleman of authentic cycling. Love all that steel!

[@cliffordromina3527]

I would love to go inside those factories, and i know I'm not the only one. Thank you for being there in our place and showing it to us..

[@Jorge_Rodriguez83]

That frame at the end makes me think about the old N+1 formula.

[@robertwood1824]

Jon on a deserved dream work-vacation!

[@berndbrckr]

The prettiest cyclocross frames I have seen. Just amazing!

[@alexk3806]

Properly geeked out to this. Dark and mysterious workshop producing beautiful things. Craftsmanship for its own sake but with an ultimate purpose. Wonderful stuff.

[@JosephDiaz]

That polished frameset though. Talk about bike lust. I'd have one hell of an internal struggle with a frame like that. Put it on the wall as the piece of art that it is or ride it and actually experience the function of such a masterpiece.

[@Outsideville]

If you like shop tours, get a job for a software company selling CAD/CAM. I worked for a SolidWorks reseller for 15 years and went in hundreds of shops. Some high-tech, some literally a dude's garage. You learn a ton and mainly learn that folks are generally quite proud of how they make stuff, regardless if it's all robotic or completely by hand. Great video.

[@ryu2241]

Whilst I'm a sucker for aero frames, but that Toyoframe is a thing of beauty. Yes -indeed- ring the bell!!!

[@guyd4067]

John excels at this type of presentation, fantastic. Obviously, I need one of those frames, right now!

[@ianiscaratti4924]

guyd4067 you don't need one but you can want one. if you want it strong enough you'll finde the money and patience

[@yogeshnaik9276]

Feel blessed you brought this for us..so much worship

[@adamstanwick1487]

Amazing...I could just hang that frame in my living room and be content 🙂

[@stephencowman3142]

What a beautiful frame, real craftsmanship. I really want one now, great work again Jon.

[@jeffbrunton3291]

In Switzerland I wandered into a random bike shop and thought, dear god the owner has a lot of 1st places, rainbow jerseys and old Ritchey bikes hanging up. Cue Frishi who came over and started chatting, great guy

[@Colinke]

A sophisticatedly-built steel frame is the manifestation of the highest level of craftsmanship and where the anesthetics of bike frames lies among among other materials. Which will be rarer to be seen in the future bicycle industry in which people are looking for light weight, low-cost and easy way to make bikes...

[@erhan6095]

Jon is great at finding these beauties.

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Love this kind of stuff John. Just amazing. Going to check their website now. Thanks again John.

[@leqin]

Haven't watched the video yet cause I paused it right as it loaded - but I'm going to take a guess that Jon will be like a little boy with a thousand and one Christmas presents to open and absolutely beside himself with the joy and thrill and wonder of being in a workshop full of history. And I was right - wonderful video Jon.

[@JonCannings]

Thanks Nigel.

[@gpurkeljc]

Amazing beautiful frames. They are like a piece of jewellery.

[@chaim0001]

What a welding! Very nice video!

[@takuan650]

Breathtaking skills and results. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@BrentonChan]

That is beautiful! Simply beautiful. You can really see the builders' dedication and discipline.

[@derekwildash2683]

Finished frame at the end looked gorgeous.

[@Pratalax]

Oh my word, that polish is utterly fucking magnificent. Phwoar!

[@zrsgamboa]

Forget titanium frames... This is where it's at! Steel frame with integrated carbon tubing. What a thing of beauty that end result!!! (I'd hate to venture as to how much it would cost though.)

[@jffydavy5509]

Science, Engineering and Art blended by a Master Bicycle builder!

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

Awesome! It's fantastic to get a glimpse of the innards of a company making glorious frames!

[@billd6565]

Love it! Watching the whole frame-building process is fascinating. More content like this!

[@mohomoho1]

I had a custom 54cm Koichi Yamaguchi team USA track frameset made in early 90's. Another master frame builder from Japan who set up shop in the USA. He made frames for 3Rensho. Amazing workmanship. I could walk it down the street in a straight line with one finger behind saddle. It was the bike I was riding down 5th ave 42nd st. NYC when I saw the WTC on fire 2001.

[@bondy284]

You are on the money here Jon. Keep them coming👍🇦🇺

[@markbooth6745]

Great video GCN, you can't beat a hand built steel frame. The best.👍👍

[@davepratt9909]

I really enjoy Jon's "Kid in a candy store" level of enthusiasm on these types of videos.

[@TheDoctorhuw]

Just wonderful, something to aspire to, in life as well as owning and riding!

[@priyandias8475]

Absolutely satisfying video. Good to see such a simple birthplace of most legendary brands of bikes.

[@JamesLeow]

BEautiful! loving this video by bits!! :)

[@johnbeedham3010]

best looking frame i've ever seen

[@leica842]

Authentic classic beauty with the modern touch. Gorgeous stuff.

[@bhumiriady]

Awesome video as always! This is a work of art! I love it!

[@TacticalDannyBoy]

Great job Jon. Love the vids. Keep up the great work!

[@misomonster]

I could watch this for hours.

[@kenmiller5106]

This video is dear to my heart. My first road bike was a Green Toyo. That frame set was sweet. It died because of a chain stay crack.

[@cliffordromina3527]

You can still store your frame like that one bike on the video that is missing a seat tube..

[@kenmiller5106]

@@cliffordromina3527 Since it was given to me by a very cool bike shop here in Japan, I gave it back and now it is on his wall. Long story short, it was handbuilt for a 62 KG Japanese climber and I am a 81 KG American crit rider. That frame never should have been under me. But it did do it's job, it got me hooked on the road(after 18 years on MTB). I did buy a carbon bike from the same shop.

[@chiefrocker12]

Thoroughly enjoyed this....I concur with comments below.... More like this, especially from you Jon.

[@JonCannings]

Thanks Ravin.

[@jeffjensen4532]

You have the coolest job on planet! Jealousy overwhelms me! First Corsa Corsa now this place?!!!!! Love Love Love these video and for you taking me there!

[@JonCannings]

My pleasure

[@glennshewin9788]

Absolutely fantastic works of art, amazing

[@luisrosano3510]

Me too, I love see a old steel frame factory! Thank you for the video.

[@gcntech]

Cheers Luis!

[@THEoldgreydude]

Such an interesting video Love your passion of anything bike Jon

[@PrabuddhaDasGupta1966]

Wonderful video! It is great to see meticulous craftsmanship.

[@Timbucktoothed]

Jon and GCN....thank U so much for this clip. I like to build things myself. Just watching it....gave me goosebumps.

[@JonCannings]

Glad you enjoyed

[@muralihr7883]

This is a best video from GCN ! Thanks Joy !

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

The frame at the end...A Breathless Wonder.

[@TriRussell1]

I really need to visit Japan!

[@danh8539]

Nothing says Toyo frames like some good baby making music in the background! Lol great video GCN I really appreciate all bikes!

[@danceswithtraffic8147]

Beautiful craftsmanship at its finest.. All power to Toyo!

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Great interesting video Jon. Life certainly can be funny at times because its only after watching this I now realise how much work went in to building my Roberts Tourer.

[@davidbotterill5001]

Would love a bespoke toyo frame road bike now !

[@jesusenriqueriveratellez531]

That’s one of the reasons we’d love cycling, thanks jhon and your crew for showing us this Love process.

[@JonCannings]

Our pleasure

[@chingluong6594]

Great video! I am really enjoying these shop tour, behind the scene videos.

[@txm100]

Instant like even without watching the video yet. Steel is real!

[@grandad1982]

That was beautiful frame!

[@alfonsolizarazo9806]

wow... that is a frame... for life!

[@mosh3987]

man those welds are so subtle and beautiful

[@JonathonDoig]

What a great video, you are a great ambassador for GCN. I love old steel frames, being of your vintage. I had Araya Aero rims on my Peugeot CFX10 frame in the early 80’s. Loved that bike.

[@JonCannings]

Araya rims are so cool

[@MRNBricks]

I love these videos. Not only do we get to see some cool history, we get to see this dude fan girl out at it all. It’s cool to see the passion he puts into his work.

[@dhoomketu731]

The way this video has been shot is simply breathtaking!

[@jimhansen5395]

WOW! I lived in Colorado Springs in the 80s and early 90's, and was lucky enough to get a custom Ritchey P23 made for me. Such great memories from those days...

[@KingVonMudder]

This. Was. Awesome.

[@flpirate45]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video Jon. I love the last frame that you held towards the end of the video,it reminded me of a Trek aluminum and carbon bike I had in 1995. I wish that the industry would start building bikes like the frame you had in your hands. Thanks ,Paul Florida

[@JonCannings]

Thanks for the love

[@someinconsequentialusernam7799]

It’s funny you mention this: I *have* one of those bikes. It’s a Trek Composite 2300. Mine’s a ‘92, I think. I was out on a run and the purple color in a yard sale caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks. I bought it from the guy as soon as I could get back and shower. I’ve been using it ever since: it’s my winter riding in the basement bike, though I rotate it in with the other bikes during the warmer months, too. I touched up the paint job, but it’s otherwise been a solid performer.

[@MarianChicu]

You’re like a kid in a toy shop 😀 Really loved the video, John.

[@charliedevine6869]

I really enjoy seeing frames come together from raw materials.

[@dananghell]

Another dope video

[@bkmontgomery]

Amazing stuff. That frame is gorgeous.

[@JonCannings]

Yes. A beauty.

[@hmudesign]

@gcntech This was thew show where GCN learned the hard way about "frame(rate)" standards. Good show and great presentation as always John, apart from the NTSC / PAL blunder :) I believe my 90's Muddy Fox Limited Edition was built there by the man himself :)

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

Wow .. we need more videos like that thanks ! I

[@johnsantoro6437]

SO COOL! GREAT VID

[@scottishjohn]

Got to say a big well done to you guys. What a brilliant video there. Will happily watch Jon go and do more factory tours anywhere in the world but do love the tours of more artisan builders where old techniques are kept alive and melded with cutting edge tech. Please send Jon to more factories as I just love seeing the way products are made! Shimano HQ next time your in Japan ? 😉

[@JonCannings]

Glad you liked it. I can't wait for my next visit

[@craighenry7915]

Awesome frame shop.

[@trroland1248]

Beautiful frame!

[@stuartdryer1352]

This is just beautiful.

[@JonCannings]

😍

[@ralphgriesenbeck6961]

Great tour! How about an interview with the owner about the history and challenges of frame-making. I love hearing about the design challenges and compromises that go into making something awesome. The history of the changes in materials and theory over the decades would be great too. Thanks again!

[@mikehenry872]

You have the coolest job In the world.

[@kevinthompson3888]

Beautiful.

[@kristiandawe85]

that frame at the end is stunning

[@mikekallen5113]

Way cool...thank you lots....cheers ..

[@MrMeta410]

Thanks for the vidéo as always.its vert interresting.please continue your travels around the World T o show us aller chose artits !thanks jour for jour passion and enthousiasm

[@bicyclist2]

Absolute perfection! Pure bike porn. Your a very lucky man. It just goes to show you don't have to go to Italy to get a beautiful hand crafted bike. Thank you.

[@woolfel]

excellent video, super geeky

[@tomaszzambrzycki2458]

Really cool stuff..

[@AgravepasmonK]

Awesome !

[@mattsowi6479]

I love those 90s and 80s mountain bikes. They were awesome

[@SKBKER]

Amazing !!!