2026 Bespoked Osaka: Cherubim Hummingbird and Gravel Bike

Kicking off our coverage of Bespoked Osaka's inaugural edition at the GLION Museum, we’re looking at two distinct builds from legendary Japanese craftspeople, Cherubim. 

Founded back in 1965 by Hitoshi Konno, the Tokyo builder developed its reputation by supplying steel track frames to the Japanese national team for the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Today, under master builder Shin-ichi Konno, Cherubim still honors its heritage of steel crafting while pushing frame design into contemporary territory.

Of all the models Cherubim has offered over the years, none illustrates its forward-thinking approach better than the iconic Hummingbird. Inspired by 1930s Streamline Moderne aesthetics, this frame eschews traditional bicycle geometry by eliminating the seat tube entirely. In its place, the top tube sweeps over the rear wheel in a fluid arch, evoking the appearance of a bird in flight. 

While the Hummingbird leans into conceptual art, Cherubim’s more recent gravel bikes show how that same artisanal skill translates into modern all-around performance. Built around slim Kaisei steel tubing with seamless fillet-brazed construction, the gravel models like the one displayed here look delicate at first glance. Yet, with modern disc brakes, carbon forks, and plenty of tire clearance, they are built to take a beating on rough dirt trails without sacrificing a snappy steel ride quality.

Bringing these creations to BESPOKED Osaka inside the historic GLION Museum creates a perfect backdrop for the brand. Seeing the artistic concept, the Hummingbird, parked next to a modern gravel machine captures what makes Cherubim so special.