BASSI BIKES is the original brand developed by the bike shop C&L in Montreal, Canada.
This time, we’ve built up a Circles Original Complete Bike using the Le Montréal from BASSI BIKES, a model named directly after the city that serves as their home base.
BASSI BIKES Le Montréal V3 Circles Original Complete Bike
Size: M / 52cm – Fits riders around 175cm tall
Price: 294,000 yen (tax included)
※Pedals not included.
| Frame | BASSI BIKES Le Montréal V3 Size:52 |
| Headset | TANGESEIKI Technoglide Threadless Headset FL250C |
| Saddle | SELLE SAN MARCO Regal Le Rino(Black Leather) |
| Front Hub | SHIMANO HB-RS400 |
| Rear Hub | SHIMANO FH-RS400 |
| Rim | VELOCITY Dyad |
| Tire | GRANDBOIS Route Forestiere Lierre 650x36B |
Originally a model ridden by the C&L staff and their friends, it was officially released for sale after receiving enthusiastic requests from cyclists living in Montreal.
Inspired by classic 1980s touring bikes and blending old and new standards, the Le Montréal possesses the versatility to be built up as a commuter, porter, randonneur, or cyclocross bike, depending on your interpretation.
Adoption of Traditional Standards
The head standard is 1-inch threaded. In terms of rigidity, it might fall short compared to the threadless stems that are the current mainstream. But for everyday use, do we really need that much rigidity? Relative evaluation isn't always the right answer.
This is more than enough, and above all, the look is clean and beautiful.
There is definitely an atmosphere that can only be achieved with a threaded stem.
"The fusion of the old and the new is exactly what makes BASSI unique," says Julian from BASSI, and I believe the Le Montréal is a bike that truly embodies that.
Keep it Simple with a Single Speed
The Le Montréal uses semi-horizontal dropouts. Because of this, it can be built up not just with gears, but also as a clean single-speed without the need for a chain tensioner.
Additionally, the rear spacing is 132.5mm, allowing the use of both 130mm and 135mm hubs. If you have some slightly older rim-brake hubs or wheels gathering dust at home, you might be able to put them to good use.
Since it’s not a fixed gear, you can simply stop pedaling and coast smoothly through the city.
If you're around Nagoya Station, this is more than enough. Precisely because it's a bike that can do anything, I decided to strip away the excess.
Try riding it like this first, and if you need gears, we can add them later! It’s never too late for that.
"Less is more," as Mies van der Rohe said—I feel the same applies to bicycles.
I also kept the cockpit simple with flat bars and finished it off classically with TEKTRO brake levers that pay homage to the old French MAFAC design.
I chose this setup with the image of cruising through town at a comfortable speed with a light forward lean, while still having the capability to go fast if you're in the mood.
Once you get used to it, you could switch to drop bars, or if you want an even more relaxed ride, some promenade bars with a deep sweep-back would be a great choice.
Changing the handlebars completely changes the look and personality of the bike.
Wheel Sizes Optimized for Each Frame Size
For tires, I chose the GRANDBOIS Lierre Route Forestiere in 650x36B. I used these tires myself for nearly two years shortly after they were released, and they offer an exquisite balance of low rolling resistance on pavement and great ride comfort.
Since the sidewalls are reinforced compared to the standard Lierre, they provide peace of mind for daily commuting as well as light gravel trails.
The Le Montréal has a max tire clearance of 47mm (though some tires can fit up to about 49mm), so it could be fun to build it up as a neo-retro gravel bike with even wider tires.
Also, the wheel size changes depending on the frame size:
26-inch... Size: 46–49cm
27.5-inch (650B)... Size: 52–55cm
29-inch (700C)... Size: 58–61cm
By reducing the wheel size for smaller frames, it achieves a classic horizontal look and allows riders of smaller stature to find a comfortable position without compromise, all while maintaining a beautiful, classic style.
Who is this for?
Personally, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves classic things like film cameras or vintage cars but doesn't want to compromise on daily comfort and durability.
You can attach racks, baskets, and fenders to the front and back, and it can be built with either multiple gears or a single gear.
How do you want to build your lifestyle around a bicycle?
The wonderful thing about the Le Montréal is that it can change alongside your lifestyle as it evolves.
You are welcome to come in for a test ride, so please feel free to reach out to us.
Of course, we can also build one from scratch in a different size, so please don't hesitate to consult with us.
If you live in the Kanto area, you can also consult with Circles Tokyo—please send a DM to the Tokyo store's Instagram.
We look forward to hearing from you!
