Hello everyone, this is Ishikawa from Circles Tokyo.
It’s been raining a lot lately. Does it really rain this much in March and April??
As someone who suffers from migraines, I’ve been struggling with the unstable weather and changing air pressure day after day.
Strangely enough, I tend to feel relatively better when I ride my bike. Is it just me? There are all kinds of reasons to ride a bike, but it’s so appealing that simply enjoying a ride on a bike you love is good for your health, too.
Even during the rainy season, I still want to ride my bike…
I want to enjoy my commute every day on my favorite bike, without having to ride a packed train…
We recently built and delivered a NICE BIKE that we’d recommend to anyone feeling this way, so let us introduce it!
BASSI / Hog’s Back
Hog’s Back is a bike designed and developed based on the many years of experience accumulated by BASSI founder and C&L CYCLES owner Julian Gammon.
This wonderfully versatile frame is ready for everything from city commuting to touring and even a little gravel riding.
The owner wanted a bike for commuting, plus the occasional long ride on days off.
They wanted a stylish bike they could ride comfortably and casually for their daily commute, but also take out for a little more distance on their days off. With that in mind, they chose the BASSI Hog’s Back in Loch Ness.
A little piggy on the head badge 🐷 So cuuute 🐷
This color strikes just the right balance—it’s familiar, yet unusual.
Some might see the Hog’s Back’s playful design and assume it’s aimed at young women, but this frame design is popular with people of all ages and genders.
On a woman, it feels so cute!
But when a grown man rides one, it somehow feels… cool!
(The owner of this bike was a very handsome, distinguished gentleman.)
The owner uses a tote bag every day for commuting, so a basket was a must. We fitted a WALD Multi Fit Front Basket.
It’s a perfect fit for their tote bag!
The sweaty season is just around the corner.
Ride to work feeling refreshed, without having to deal with the unpleasant, sweat-soaked back you get from carrying a bag.
You’ll be commuting on it every day, and want to ride it even in the rain…
In that case, there’s no question: add fenders.
The beautiful hammered pattern of SimWorks by Honjo… absolutely stunning.
How do fenders make a bike look so cool?
Of course, they’re practical because they let you ride in the rain, but they seriously change the whole look of a bike.
They’re also a great option if you’re looking to change up the look of your current bike. They give it that fresh, new-bike feeling.
Since this bike is primarily for city riding, we didn’t go overboard with high-end components. But to make sure it’s reliable and easy to use, we chose the MICRO SHIFT Advent X.
One nice thing about the Hog’s Back is that it can accommodate either 26-inch or 650B wheels.
For this build, we went with 650B.
The tires are TERAVAIL Cannonball (650B x 47mm).
The fine center tread keeps rolling resistance low.
And when you hit dirt, the side knobs provide plenty of grip.
You encounter more bumps and curbs around town than you might expect.
With tires this wide, they’re no problem. A comfortable ride is really important when you’re riding every day.
Here’s another great feature: a kickstand plate comes standard! Have you ever wanted to add a kickstand, only to find you couldn’t?
For this build, we installed a double-leg center stand.
It supports the bike on two legs right beneath the frame, making it incredibly stable!
It’s sturdy enough to hold the bike steady even with cargo in the front basket!
Side stands look great, and I use one myself, but I’ve often had my bike fall over when I’ve loaded something heavy in the front basket or strong winds have picked up, leaving scratches on the frame…
Keep your beloved bike safe with a reliable center stand!!
Just be careful not to load it up with anything too heavy!!
The silver components give it a modern yet refined, clean look.
We built this bike primarily for city riding, based on what the owner planned to use it for. But as we mentioned at the beginning, the Hog’s Back’s greatest appeal is its versatility.
It’ll adapt to your needs even if your preferences change over time. There aren’t many bikes that let you do so much with one bike and have so much fun along the way. Keep upgrading it as you go, and enjoy it as your companion for many years to come!!
Circles Tokyo currently has frames in other colors available, too!
There’s Cool Ade, with its bold, vibrant color,
and a soft, gentle pink.
The Hog’s Back makes a great entry-level bike, and I think it can also live up to the expectations of experienced riders.
Let your imagination run wild, and if you’re interested, feel free to stop by the shop and talk with us.
