MKS x Circles special-order pedals, featuring a Leica-inspired black paint finish on brass.
The 1st lot was a massive success, exceeding all expectations. Even though I was nervous and had prepared a significant amount of stock, it sold out immediately (thank you so much...!).
Given the positive response, we are re-releasing them with some slight model adjustments.
I should start with a disclaimer: these products are heavy, and the paint will wear off. As far as industrial metal products go, they arguably have no redeeming qualities.
But that’s exactly what’s so good about them.
The original motive behind planning this product was wanting to create metal bike parts that would develop a patina and change their appearance over time, much like jeans or leather.
As far as I know, the product that looks better as the metal gets exposed through the paint wearing off is the Leica black paint finish, so that was our inspiration.
Also, seeing the reaction after launching this product made me realize (something I had vaguely suspected) that there are actually a lot of photography enthusiasts among cyclists.
After the release, I had the pleasure of interacting with Kanto Camera, famous for their camera repairs and repainting, and the photographer Genta Hisada. I had been following both of them for a long time, so I was incredibly happy.
It’s a product born from those grateful connections, and this time I’m here to announce a restock and the launch of new models.
MKS Promenade Ezy Brass / Black Paint
Since the Kanto Camera team kindly came all the way to visit Circles Tokyo, I made a return trip to their shop in Kawasaki as a gesture of thanks (by appointment only).
Kanto Camera is a world-renowned shop for Leica repairs, a prestigious name receiving repair requests from all over the globe.
Their repainting service, which they offer alongside overhauls, is particularly stunning.
I'm also incredibly happy that they wrote about us on their blog.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/kantocamera/archives/37581620.html
It turns out everyone there loves cycling—the whole staff are Brompton owners!
Their staff member, Mr. Toki, is also a camera painter; he chose the RAW BRASS finish with the possibility of painting it himself.
He is from Nagoya, so seeing his setup with a SimWorks Getaround Bar and a Sella Anatomica saddle really hit home for me—a setup I personally love.
Even a Culture Club sticker! Thank you!
Seeing things like the RED DOT FORUM sticker, you can really feel their love for both bikes and cameras—it’s just great.
As a camera lover, I’d love to have my pedals repainted by Kanto Camera at least once...!
Mr. Shoji, who I was primarily in contact with, chose the black-painted Sylvan Stream.
I’m looking forward to seeing how they age...!
With the Kanto Camera team all being small-wheel bike owners, we hit it off talking about bikes and cameras, and one question came up during our discussion:
"Do you ever make an Ezy-compatible version...?"
And so, one of the new additions to the Brass Pedal series was made for all the photography-loving small-wheel bike riders in the world.
MKS Promenade Ezy Brass / Black Paint
Featuring MKS’s original quick-release Ezy System, these pedals can be attached and removed quickly and easily without tools. It saves time and effort when folding your bike or taking it on trains.
The ability to remove pedals when folding is perfect for Bromptons. Kanto Camera team, sorry for the wait (or was it?!)!
Color : Raw, Black Paint
Material (side plate) : Brass
Material (body) : Aluminum Alloy
Weight : 450g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price : 13,800 JPY (tax included)
※ Please be sure to insert the Ezy stopper when riding with Ezy pedals. If the stopper does not click in, the pedal is not properly attached; riding in this state risks damaging the adapter or the pedal falling off.
※ Please note that the Ezy series is not compatible with the Ezy Superior series used on SimWorks Bubbly Pedals, etc.
MKS Sylvan Gordito Brass / Black Paint
Another fellow brass pedal lover is the Kyoto-based photographer Genta Hisada.
I’m incredibly happy that someone like Genta—a Leica user—loves them, and he regularly sends me photos of his pedals and their aging process.
He rides a SURLY Midnight Special, equipped with BM-7 black-painted pedals.
You can see them developing nicely, and I really want him to keep using them until they look like this!
His photography is wonderful, and I really admire his lifestyle, so I’d love to have the chance to meet him in person someday!
Genta recently built a Rivendell Platypus, and for a bike intended for everything from local trails to adventures, a wide-platform flat pedal is a must.
And so, the second new release in our Brass Pedal line was made by having MKS create a Brass version of the Sylvan Gordito for all those who love cameras and adventures!
MKS Sylvan Gordito Brass / Black Paint
The Sylvan Gordito—which means "chubby" in Spanish—is designed with a large platform to ensure an easy pedal catch.
These pedals are similar in size to the SimWorks Bubbly Pedal.
The bearings are cup-and-cone, so they can be tuned to spin incredibly smoothly, and with proper maintenance, they will last you a very long time.
Additionally, for this special order, we’ve adopted a black body not found on the standard Sylvan Gordito, and the black paint version is now an all-black spec.
We received many requests for "a pedal with a larger surface area" following our last release, so I’m thrilled we could bring this ideal brass pedal to life.
Color : Raw, Black Paint
Material (side plate) : Brass
Material (body) : Aluminum Alloy
Weight : 530g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price : 10,200 JPY (tax included)
Restock Information
Those were our new products, but we also have a restock of two models that were well-received last time.
MKS Sylvan Stream Brass For Circles
Color : Raw, Black Paint
Material (side plate) : Brass
Material (body) : Aluminum Alloy
Weight : 482g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price : 8,580 JPY (tax included)
MKS BM-7 Brass Pedal For Circles
Color : Raw, Black Paint
Material (side plate) : Brass
Material (body) : Aluminum Alloy
Weight : 537g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price : 8,580 JPY (tax included)
The Sylvan Stream and BM-7 are models that sold out in a single day last time, so we’ve brought them back! Both are classic staples, so please enjoy how they age when paired with your classic/old-style bike.
Bicycles and cameras are great
The idea that people who ride cool bikes also own cool cameras is becoming a bit of a theory (?) of mine. I wonder if it’s because there’s something common in the mechanical feel and the romance found in optics and bearing parts?
On a personal note, I’m definitely a fan of mechanical film cameras. (Though I use digital for work, too.)
There’s a charm to mechanical film cameras that feels like cable-actuated bicycles, and I love that you can't check the photos right away. The anticipation while waiting for them to be developed is actually quite nice, and if you learn how and have the right tools, you can do all the developing and printing yourself. In that way, it really feels just like working on a bike. (Also, I like that people don't refer to film photos as "images.")
Lately, there are so many services that prioritize being fast, convenient, time-saving, or having professionals take care of everything for you, and that’s considered a good thing. But to me, it feels like I’m becoming increasingly alienated from the world.
To actively participate in the world, I highly recommend experiencing the analog side of things.
