Company: Cherubim Cycles are hand built in Tokyo, Japan by master frame builder Shin-Ichi Konno. Shin-Ichi is from a family of frame builders, his father started Cherubim in 1965 and was the head builder for over thirty years, his uncle’s started the famous 3Rensho & Miyuki brands. Cherubim is now the only one of these brands remaining.
What really makes a Cherubim frame special is the craft and experience in steel Konno San puts into every frame. Advances in the quality of steel alloy allow the weight and rigidity of steel frames to rival carbon with obvious benefits over carbon in terms of comfort and looks. Cherubim frames are designed to offer the maximum advantages of steel tubing with a timeless aesthetic.
Cherubim frame parts are unique. Konno San uses custom engraved, CNC machined bottom bracket shells. On some models, custom-made head tubes are used to allow for integrated headsets for maximum strength and stiffness. Cherubim also uses their own design of dropouts, lugs and braze-ons including the signature heart engraved STI bosses. Cherubim tubing is also unique; designed by Cherubim and produced for them in Japan by the legendary Kaisei factory. Tubing with wall thickness as thin as 0.4mm is used to allow Cherubim to make frames as light as 1.3kg.
Accolades: Shin-Ichi Konno is known for his innovative use of steel tubing. He has won many prestigious awards for his craft; winning the ‘Presidents Choice’ at NAHBS three times, as well as ‘Best Track Bike’ in 2009 and ‘Best in Show’ in 2012. In 2011, a Cherubim Piuma on the Tokyo Fixed stand won ‘Best Road Bike’ at Bespoked Bristol.
“The attention to detail is staggering. It is, quite probably, the finest steel frame and fork you can buy at the moment. 5/5″ – Cycling Plus Magazine Piuma review
Ordering a Cherubim: Cherubim lead times are currently about 6 months. We do hold some stock Cherubim frames in stock which are all listed online and available to view in store. We also always try to keep one fully built Cherubim in store to test ride.
Custom Options: None of Cherubim’s frames are stock models. Everything is built to order. Although all stock models have suggested geometry and tubing Cherubim can approach each order as a totally custom project. Or you can mix features from two different models. The below gives just gives you an idea of some of the options Cherubim can offer.
• Internal cable routing – £75
• Chrome plating. This includes chroming of the chain stays, lugs, head tube badge or fork – £275
• Long point lugs – £100
• Di2 compatible mounts – POA
• Custom paint, decals and masking – POA
• Custom lugs – POA
