The early eighties saw the last of the Canadian Sekine bicycles roll off of the assembly line.  But that was not the end of Sekine bicycles, since the parent Asian company, based in Japan, continued to make bicycles for many years after the demise of Sekine Canada Ltd.

It would be unfair to compare the later Asian issue bikes to those built in Canada.  The eighties issue Asian Sekines were fitted with newer generation components, offering increased user friendliness.  Additionally, new methods of manufacturing were being introduced, once again making the playing field uneven.  However, if the Canadian made Sekines were nice, some the later issue Asian offerings were spectacular.

That is not to say that the eighties Asian Sekine bikes were something special in themselves, although they were and still are pretty nice bicycles.  No, the comment was made to compare the Canadian made Sekine to its later Asian cousin.

Though some truly low end entry level, poorly made and fitted, Asian Sekines were available, most would equal and exceed the quality of the sloping top tube Sekine Toledo or its chrome moly sibling, the MR200.

The Sekine MR200 was on par with the Toledo, both being near mid level offerings from Sekine Japan.  Only one other lower level Sekine road bicycles has ever made its way into The Old Shed.  And that bike, an Asian Sekine MR100 was a high tensile steel, pressed steel drops, friction shifting entry level steed, fitted with bottom of the line components.

The Sekine Verona was a mature cousin to the Toledo.  The Verona could perform in the recreational arena as well as on the track or circuit although it was not as competitive as more sophisticated machines.  None the less, the Verona was an example of the kind of mid level Sekine bicycles that were coming out of Japan by the eighties.

Though there are probably more important, or stately, dogs in the Asian Sekine kennel, the best to meet The Old Shed to date would have to be the Sekine MR300.  That bike was a lovely, well made and finished attractive full Shimano 105 beauty!  As found, the bike was in stunning, near time bubble condition and proved to be a treat to ride.

One cannot help but believe that there is, at the very least, a Dura-Ace post Canadian Sekine but none have presented themselves to date.  Should one ever escape its long term hiding place, you can bet it will get a good looking over and testing before deciding what to do with the bicycle.

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