Building Monster.
This is by no means an insult; rather, it is the highest of compliments. Mike DeSalvo, who works daily as a frame builder at DeSalvo Custom Cycles, also spends his time teaching TIG welding to the next generation at UBI, a frame building school in the U.S. On top of that, he frequently accepts OEM requests. As one of the few remaining original members of NAHBS, his precise and beautiful welding technique has earned him immense trust from many people, and I believe he is the only individual builder capable of rivaling renowned builders like SEVEN and MOOTS.
Photo By The Radavist
Truth be told, Mike was the very first independent builder to receive an order from Circles, and last year, as we celebrated our 10th anniversary, he finally made the trip to Japan—or rather, to Circles. Some of those who met him in person and experienced his character and his approach to craftsmanship firsthand were moved by the essence of his work and have since placed their own custom orders. That is truly a rewarding feeling for us, and we couldn't be happier.
Currently, Mike is quite busy, which means customers have to wait a little longer for lead times. However, we are grateful that our customers understand that these bikes are the result of him dedicating his time so carefully to their needs. The bikes he builds are the finest ones possible, attainable only by those who have the greatest patience to wait. They say good things come to those who wait, and we ask for your continued patience.
That said, we know very well that not everyone can wait, so we occasionally request stock frames. The one we are introducing this time is just such a piece. We have prepared a steel racer, built as a show bike for last year's NAHBS, as a complete kit.
【DeSalvo Custom Cycles】 Steel Road Racer – NAHBS2016 Show Bike –
SeatTube(C-T) : 540mm
HeadTube : 135mm
ChainStay : 408mm
Head Angle : 72.5°
Seat Angle : 73.5°
Price : ¥600,000(excl. tax)
This is a bike crafted with heart, facing head-on the ideal form of a road bike as conceived by us at Circles and Mike, with the imagination of those who will use this tool flexibly, whether they ride fast or slow. It even comes in a great 54cm size; if you are interested, please feel free to contact us here. Naturally, you are also welcome to come to the shop and test fit it in person.
|
|
It applies to most things in life beyond bicycles that there are things more important than immediate concerns like imagery, looks, or quantifiable specs. As a frame builder, Mike shows those who sincerely want to engage in craftsmanship and deal with things honestly that there truly is an alternative choice for them.
While he can be rather indifferent about the final visual aspects like paint and logos, it’s a trouble (the good kind) that bikes with breathtakingly beautiful weld marks ride with such sharpness and pleasure once assembled, that anyone would be convinced. The bicycle is a mysterious, yet wonderful vehicle.
We carefully add up the rider's image of riding, the colors and designs that many people care about, and the unique image and sense of the bicycle held by each individual frame builder. We consider ourselves to be like cooks, simply making the most of those ingredients.
The best way to encounter the ultimate bike is to want to know more and not spare any effort in that pursuit. If you ever feel the need for a bike that resonates with your own thoughts and sensibilities, we would be happy if you would pay a visit to Circles. I believe that the connections between people created through the "object" of a bicycle become something that transcends the concept of "performance." We hope that this can be a catalyst for change, not just for bicycles, but for something more.