See how the AirHub works—in just 58 seconds.
The Spirit of Craftsmanship Lives Here
OSAKA
World-Class Metalworking Technology from Sakai, Japan
Sakai, Osaka.
It was in this city that the “breathing bicycle” was born.
Sakai has been a town of blacksmiths since the Sengoku period.
Its metalworking craftsmanship has evolved over centuries, eventually leading to the production of bicycle frames and precision components.
Today, SHIMANO—a company that holds roughly 80% of the global sports bicycle market—also calls this place home.
Why? Because this region is rooted in a spirit of craftsmanship and refined technique.
That legacy of skill and dedication has given rise to a new kind of value in cycling—a bicycle that can breathe.
This is the innovation behind AirHub.
Patented Technology by Nakano Iron Works
AirHub
The Heart of the Breathing Bicycle: AirHub
For those who ride a bicycle every day, losing tire pressure is a small but constant source of stress.
Have you ever forgotten to pump your tires, or noticed they were flat just when you needed to go?
That’s where AirHub comes in.
This patented technology uses the power of wheel rotation to automatically inflate your tires—no manual pumping required.
AirHub: The Technology That Makes Your Bicycle Breathe
As you ride, the mechanism inside the hub acts like a micro pump, drawing in air and delivering it to the tires.
Once optimal pressure is reached, any excess air is automatically released—so there’s no risk of overinflation.
- Air per hub rotation: Approx. 0.5cc
- Even after 10 days of pressure loss, just 2 km of riding restores proper pressure
(That’s just 200 meters a day to stay topped up!)
The reference pressure is based on the recommended PSI printed on the tire sidewall.
What makes this precise and innovative system possible is the metalworking craftsmanship of Sakai, Japan—a city with centuries of manufacturing heritage.
Thanks to the ingenuity of Nakano Iron Works and the skill of local artisans,
the bicycle has finally evolved into a machine that breathes.
AirHub: The Technology That Makes Your Bicycle Breathe
As you ride, the mechanism inside the hub acts like a micro pump, drawing in air and delivering it to the tires.
Once optimal pressure is reached, any excess air is automatically released—so there’s no risk of overinflation.
- Air per hub rotation: Approx. 0.5cc
- Even after 10 days of pressure loss, just 2 km of riding restores proper pressure
(That’s just 200 meters a day to stay topped up!)
The reference pressure is based on the recommended PSI printed on the tire sidewall.
What makes this precise and innovative system possible is the metalworking craftsmanship of Sakai, Japan—a city with centuries of manufacturing heritage.
Thanks to the ingenuity of Nakano Iron Works and the skill of local artisans,
Bicycles designed for safety and comfort
Sakamoto Techno
Bicycle Craftsmanship Rooted in Japan’s DNA
Headquartered in Sakai, Osaka, Sakamoto Techno is a long-established bicycle manufacturer dedicated to producing safe and comfortable Japanese bicycles.
In its early days, the company held the top domestic market share in bicycle frame manufacturing.
However, as globalization accelerated in the 2000s, Sakamoto Techno boldly undertook a strategic transformation—
shifting from frame production to the planning, manufacturing, and wholesale of complete bicycles.
This flexibility and forward-thinking approach have become one of the company’s key strengths today.
Although its current production base is in China,
Sakamoto Techno has introduced its own proprietary equipment and techniques to the local facility.
“The spirit of Japanese bicycle craftsmanship lives on—even as its form evolves.”
Guided by this philosophy, Sakamoto Techno continues to deliver
Made-by-Japan quality to customers around the world.
Where Innovation Meets Precision
AirHub Factory
A Master Workshop That Brings the “Breathing Bicycle” to Life
At the heart of the “breathing bicycle” is the AirHub—
a self-inflating system that adjusts tire pressure as you ride.
And behind the frame stands Sakamoto Techno,
a company carrying on Japan’s proud tradition of bicycle craftsmanship.
Bringing these two innovations together in perfect harmony
is the mission of AirHub Factory.
Fusion, Crafted by Skilled Hands
No matter how advanced the pumping technology or how high the quality of the bicycle,
true value cannot be realized unless both are in perfect balance.
AirHub Factory works in close collaboration with Nakano Iron Works and Sakamoto Techno,
fine-tuning the relationship between ride performance and air function.
Bicycle Making Is Both Industry and Art
It’s about attention to detail that mass production can’t achieve—
and transforming invisible airflow into real riding comfort through the intuition of skilled craftsmen.
A “breathing bicycle” isn’t born from technology alone.
It is shaped by the union of people, innovation, and uncompromising passion.
AirHub Factory is where this fusion takes place—
and where the ride continues to evolve.
