Takeru Kageyama was a Japanese frame builder with a sense of humor. He is the man behind the Zunow brand and built frames considered to be on par with 3Rensho for quality of construction. Perhaps Mr Kageyama encountered a Colnago Master at some stage and thought he’d one-up the Italians.
Zunow frames are traditionally eye-searingly bright and one model was even called the ‘Beradonna’ — a Jatalian play on our fascination with Italian bicycles, perhaps.
This is a Hummingbird model, not the top of the range but spectacular nonetheless. It was found in original condition by Mark Cosio of San Jose Fixed Gear, which was fortunate as Zunow frames are highly regarded and sought after.
Unfortunately, information on the brand is rare as well. Kageyama had his own lugs and bottom bracket shells cast, unmistakably embossed with his hummingbird logo. You can also find Zunow frames with slender wishbone seat stays, with equally scorching paint.
See more Zunow frames in the Zunow Vintage Bikes group on Facebook.
