Mt. Hood, The Oregon Coast, The Columbia River Gorge, Painted Hills, Smith Rock, The Wallowas, and Crater Lake. These are all iconic locations representing the state of Oregon.
As part of a project by Travel Oregon called "The Seven Wonders of Oregon," they commissioned seven builders to create a bike for each of these locations under the title 7 Bikes for 7 Wonders.
One of the names on that list is our very own Mike DeSalvo.
Painted in the clear blue of Crater Lake, this bike is a road bike equipped with disc brakes and a wide-range gear set. Rather than being built to speed around the lake, it was designed to help you enjoy the wonderful scenery and moments you encounter while riding in the area. It is sure to provide you with a dreamlike experience there.
We have had a relationship with DeSalvo since Circles first opened. He is the first builder our boss ever placed an order with in America.
When it comes to custom orders, it’s easy to think that anything is possible and be tempted to seek out something novel (I believe the essence of a custom order is the ability to properly connect people with products), but what he makes is extremely ordinary—yet he builds it in an incredibly natural and painstaking way. It is made simply, without complex color schemes or gimmicky logos, but it leaves behind beautiful weld beads. When the bike is completed, the fact that it is a truly great product is communicated directly, because his personality and his sincere attitude toward craftsmanship are imbued in it like a soul.
While busy with his own production work and his role as an instructor at UBI, he sent us some photos of a bike he is currently building.
Seeing that he is working carefully and precisely with his own hands every day makes me very excited for the completion of this bike. Thankfully, we have received two other orders currently, and he says he will begin working on them in turn. Please look forward to those as well.