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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[@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

[@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".

[@fr3heart]

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

[@rubo1964]

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

[@troxeh.]

That end result 😮

[@gordonjoyce2157]

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

[@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.

[@Jorge_Rodriguez83]

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

[@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!

[@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..

[@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.

[@adamstanwick1487]

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

[@jorgepinto383]

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

[@ashoutinfront]

While I think this is really cool, it surprises me they are running about 20-30 years behind in some manufacturing techniques. A 3D cad program that is well set up and a A1 or A0 plotter could churn out a complete new design in a couple of days, maybe less, or a tweaked design in minutes. Also Cnc machining is going to be even more accurate, quicker and repeatable compared to some of those old machines. I am not talking about taking the soul away from bike building, just improving the tasks that are supportive to the building process.

[@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

[@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.)

[@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.

[@RavyDavy]

with that much attention over each step of the frame making - I'm surprised they can even make the 350-380 frames per year - thats like 1 frame per day.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

The Japanese even when they were at the peak of mass production left behind very high quality machines we can still use decades later. The Chinese with the aid of all type of modern machinery still churn out craps. Even my decades old Casio calculators still work. Excellence pervades all aspects of Japanese manufacturing.

[@robertwood1824]

Jon on a deserved dream work-vacation!

[@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

[@johnnydoe66]

I would love a carbon/steel frame myself. Maybe leave the steel raw with just a clear coat to show the steel and welds in all their glory. Also leave the carbon natural with a clear coat. No sense in covering up the natural beauty of the frame materials with paint.

[@dumacc7880]

Go to Ave maldea Frame builder from philippines

[@matthewlewis2072]

13:00 LOL I thought you meant "Hybrid"!! Odd that they use carbon for the down and top tubes, you'd have thought that the stays were the obvious place for carbon (compliance, weight) ...Alan cycle cross frames...memories...

[@louismorel2001]

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

[@Pratalax]

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

[@上村勝利-p5t]

You should go to Araya factory in Osaka. Which made OEM of first Specialized Stamp Jumper. And go to Amanda which made the first carbon bike in the world!!!

[@Hardi26]

Thank you. It was good show. I would not mind to have a bike like that. Although, I probably would not ride it, because I hate cleaning bike.. It's such a nice shiny bike.. it would be really shame if I didn't clean it after each ride.

[@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 :)

[@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

[@コウスケ-n4i]

日本へようこそ！ 東洋のバイクは一度乗ってみたいバイクですね！ Welcome to Japan! Toyo bike is a bike you want to ride once!

[@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...

[@berndbrckr]

The prettiest cyclocross frames I have seen. Just amazing!

[@ryu2241]

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

[@danh8539]

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

[@gpurkeljc]

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

[@chiefrocker12]

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

[@JonCannings]

Thanks Ravin.

[@chaim0001]

What a welding! Very nice video!

[@stephencowman3142]

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

[@vladthebikeguy4763]

Thumbs up if you wanna build a frame by yourself now !

[@davidbotterill5001]

Would love a bespoke toyo frame road bike now !

[@JamesLeow]

BEautiful! loving this video by bits!! :)

[@okantichrist]

What’s the reverse of an old Alan cyclocross frame?Why it’s an old Raleigh dyna tech frame 😂

[@JonCannings]

Classic bikes

[@THEoldgreydude]

Such an interesting video Love your passion of anything bike Jon

[@countspokeula539]

"I love swarf" Jon Cannings, 2018 😂

[@geraldrossouw4425]

Swarf, also known as man glitter.

[@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

[@djpalmer31]

That is a proper workshop. Swarf and the smell of old grease. Much better than the modern sterile ones!

[@MilesCobbett]

Nice video. Hey is Ferdi Kessels still alive? He used to build the Main D'or Road bikes that Eddy Merckx raced on. I used to own frame #32... When I trained on the hills in Santa Cruz Ca. Miles Cobbett, Author of the book Champion

[@PithyBikes]

No pulse, no purge, no heat sink. Makes me wonder when ever did steel become so sensitive that we needed all this stuff.

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

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

[@markjones4866]

Maybe an idea for a film is to visit the 'Bespoke' exhibition when it's on next and show the frames still being made by independent frame builder.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@arunkumarshanmugam9346]

what are you doing at 11:23 Jon? :P

[@FredrikNylundsthlm]

So on "Cycling trends 2019" you guys said that N+1 was out. And I said that it will never die, but now I can agree. It's no longer N+1 for me, it's N+Toyoframe

[@shapeshifterboogie9853]

Wow I thought that porn wasn’t allowed on KZbin. Guess hardcore bike porn doesn’t count. Those Toyo bikes look amazing, I think I spotted the last frame on his website it looks amazing.

[@takuan650]

Breathtaking skills and results. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@taufikabidin412]

why not have a frame building challenge?

[@bhumiriady]

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

[@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.

[@TriRussell1]

I really need to visit Japan!

[@SKBKER]

Engineers rarely get credit considering they are the ones who allow us to have what we use . It's all about Rapha, Strava, Instagram poses and other rubbish !!!

[@justinslarks1456]

Adding to the Thomas Frischknecht story... The day after he won silver in the MTB race he raced the men's olympic road race on his CROSS BIKE with slicks!!!

[@SKBKER]

Those holes are to allow the gases to escape .

[@thexardas8395]

I don't get later obsession with "custom" and "hand build". Even less I understand how anyone can look at a steel bike today with an awe. If you like something heavy and indestructible get Ti frame. At list it doesn't rust. That BLABLABLA craftsmanship BLABLABLA made by hand is nothing more then a trick to charge more money then it actually worth.

[@okantichrist]

Jon is like the David Attenborough of swarf 👍

[@JonCannings]

Haha

[@MarianChicu]

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

[@genegroover3721]

The video quality is so very poor. It's worth is so inferior to most every video I have ever watched except for some really old B&W movies from the 30s and early 40s. Seeing how a hand built bike is made is completely defeated by the poor video.

[@mikehenry872]

You have the coolest job In the world.

[@kenneely7899]

You should take a frame building class. You will learn so much. You can do it! It will make you think. Hope you go for it. I was able to make a road bike. Columbus SLX tubing.

[@TheDoctorhuw]

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

[@ianthomas7139]

I’ve got an ‘89 GT Avalanche that I still use daily. I wonder if that was built there. Tange cro-mo...

[@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.

[@johnsantoro6437]

SO COOL! GREAT VID

[@techstryker]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@priyandias8475]

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

[@-t-h8560]

bike porn on a whole other level~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[@JonCannings]

Sure is!

[@doronron7323]

A real amateur watching real pro's working, yabbering away and wasting everyone's time.

[@benmagee1751]

Fishing Pole/Toray Carbon... doesn't seem a great deal of difference to me! ;)

[@ketjuariittaa]

Why they don’t tigweld steeltubes to make frame rather have lucks (or not) that they jointweld? Like they do with aluminium frames.

[@zoedeufel2593]

what is the weight?

[@markbooth6745]

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

[@dananghell]

Another dope video

[@BrentonChan]

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

[@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.

[@andronicodelrosario773]

It might be too late to ask this, but does anyone know if Toyo Frame does international shipping? Unfortunately their website is mostly in Japanese.

[@DavidJones-be6ew]

Kill the awful music! It’s a horrible distraction and I can’t hear the presenters. It’s not needed!!!

[@PrabuddhaDasGupta1966]

Wonderful video! It is great to see meticulous craftsmanship.

[@andredegraaf1643]

Great report. Just to remind people that hand craftsmanship is alive and well and that just because the product is made in Japan (or any other place in the orient) does not mean lower quality nor skill.

[@craighenry7915]

Awesome frame shop.

[@paytonswanson8987]

Was 1987 SHOGUN made in this building?

[@mdtrx]

Not Osaaka, Oosaka! ;)

[@samuelhopely4853]

I would kill to do this for a living.

[@txm100]

You could build yourself all the frames you want! That would be amazing.

[@rocco1onerocco983]

Some questionable hand gestures there John in regards to the big hole in the bottom bracket??! great vid...

[@Reevezy67]

I want one.