【BIKE of the WEEK】Steel is real.

Although we delivered this bike to its owner a little while ago, I’d like to introduce a great build from BREADWINNER CYCLES (hereinafter "BREADWINNER") that we haven't featured in a while.

The owner originally purchased a SURLY Cross Check back in the old Circles shop days and enjoyed using it for everything from daily commutes to weekend rides. As their range gradually expanded to include day touring and trips via train (rinko), they came to us for a new bike consultation, requesting "a lighter bike to go further, faster."

Since the goal wasn't racing but rather a long-term companion for fun riding, we proceeded with a steel frame as the base. To ensure a perfect fit for our petite owner, we decided to order a frame from BREADWINNER, which offers custom ordering.

A key feature of BREADWINNER is that you choose a preferred model from their established base designs—each suited to the rider's intended use—and then have it built with custom sizing based on the rider's body measurements.

Given their riding style of traveling light over longer distances and staying primarily on paved roads, we chose the Lolo Disc road model.

For the tubing, we used Columbus Life—a renowned, high-quality set prized for being lightweight and highly responsive. The result is a bike characterized by a nimble feel on climbs and a rhythmic, spirited ride on descents and winding roads.

The components are mechanical Ultegra (unfortunately, the current model is Di2 only), and since that requires hydraulic brakes, we opted for internal cable routing in the down tube.

Internal routing is now standard for all of BREADWINNER’s current disc road and gravel models, allowing for a clean, sleek finish.

While we focused on durable parts that can be used for years to come, we also wanted to keep the wheels light for easier travel/rinko, so we made the bold choice of ENVE carbon rims.

Naturally, we paired these with CHRIS KING R45D hubs. We didn't compromise on these parts, as they are crucial components that can be used indefinitely with proper maintenance. While it wasn't an option at the time of the order, today you could also choose the CHRIS KING ARD44 wheels.

At 150cm tall, options in mass-produced bikes are inevitably limited. I believe that the stronger your vision for how you want to ride is, the more a custom order becomes the fastest shortcut to making that reality.

While there are many materials to choose from—carbon, aluminum, titanium, and steel—if your focus is on fun riding, you want a material that will last a long time and, in the worst-case scenario, can be repaired. This is the true charm of a steel frame, and I think it’s the secret to why BREADWINNER, which continues to embody "Steel is Real," is so loved by cyclists, especially in North America.

At Circles, we accept orders for BREADWINNER.

Please check the links below for the price list of each model and the order form.

We are currently sharing an archive of bikes built at Circles.
Check it out to get some inspiration for your own custom build.