Two weeks after returning from a road trip to Montana, a frame arrived at the SimWorks USA office in Portland. It was the frame I had ordered from Adam Sklar of Sklar Bikes after NAHBS concluded.
He loves bikes designed for riding on dirt, whether it's CX/All-Road or MTB. His approach is to champion the style he excels at, based on his experience growing up riding extensively in his native Colorado and the wilderness of Montana, where he is currently based. Naturally, his process involves selecting the best materials for the job and incorporating a design philosophy centered on having fun, all backed by Adam's own firm concepts.
Why did I order a bike from him? Let me talk a little bit about my riding style here.
My perspective on riding changed significantly after I started participating in cyclocross races and experienced the Rapha Gentleman’s Race. Whether the road is paved or unpaved, I pedal, guided by a hunch that something beautiful or an amazing moment is waiting just ahead. That’s why I don't want to turn back or take detours—I want to head into the places where I feel I should be.
At the same time, I don’t own a car, so when I ride, I start by pedaling on pavement from my home and then head into the nearby mountains. It’s not impossible on a road bike, but it feels a bit precarious, and of course, a mountain bike isn't great for covering distance. As a result, I spend most of the year on a cross bike, changing tires depending on where I’m heading.
I felt that his earthy bikes would fit my riding style perfectly. If I were told to narrow down my current collection to just one bike, I would undoubtedly choose this type. That is why I decided to order a "Monster Cross" from him. (Needless to say, it’s also because I was completely captivated after seeing the bikes he actually made at the show.)
I pulled out the parts I had been carefully preparing during my stay and borrowed a pit in the service department within Chris King—where the SimWorks USA office is located—to assemble the bike (the department that handles product maintenance, warranty service, and staff bike mechanics).
As soon as it was built, I took it out to some nearby singletrack to carefully get a feel for it. A frame designed according to my body measurements and tailored to the rider fits as naturally as a bike I’ve been riding for years, making me want to put even more power into my pedaling.
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Since this isn't a dedicated cross racer, I didn't worry about weight, opting instead for durable parts that would be trouble-free. I took my existing R45 Disc wheels, which had a quick-release setup, and swapped the axles to thru-axles. Beyond their performance, that kind of versatility is a hallmark of Chris King hubs.
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When it comes to tires that perfectly suit my style of riding—pavement access plus gravel exploration—I have to say, even though I'm biased, the SimWorks Homage 700x43c is the one. The only thing I asked Adam for when ordering this bike was clearance to fit these tires.
By the way, it also clears 27.5x2.2" tires, so I'm planning to build another set of 27.5" wheels for winter to head into the mountains for some fun. Incidentally, the bike Adam showed at PAUL CAMP follows the same concept.
The round-top tube requires plain tubing to bend, which adds a little weight, but it makes the bike stiffer, so it responds nicely when you pedal hard. And when a bike turns out this beautiful, such things don't matter at all. I felt that the moment I rode it. From here on out, I just need to change the tires depending on where I want to go and what kind of riding I want to do.
With this reliable partner now by my side, I am incredibly excited to dive into new worlds I have yet to explore this winter.
If you are looking for one bike that can do it all, I hope you will consider his bikes as an option.
Adam Sklar, the founder of Sklar Bikes, is a promising young frame builder who, at just 24 years old, won the "Best Mountain Bike" award at NAHBS in Salt Lake City.
Hailing from Boulder, Colorado—home to many renowned builders—he now operates his workshop in Bozeman, Montana, where he builds frames based on his experience riding bikes from a young age. His work focuses on dirt riding, including cyclocross, all-road, and mountain bikes, with every single frame handmade in his shop.
CX / All Road Custom Frame
MTB Custom Frame
[Price] Custom Frame (CX/ALL ROAD & MTB)
・Raw finish, including Chris King headset: From 370,000 JPY (excluding tax)
・Single powder coat, including Chris King headset: From 398,000 JPY (excluding tax)
Please feel free to consult with us. We will help you build your one-of-a-kind bike by discussing your riding style and what you want to do with your new machine.