【BIKES OF MINE & WEB SHOP RECOMMEND】SURLY Pack Rat x CRUST Cargo Fork

The bike I put together for myself a while ago is amazing, so I've decided to introduce it (or rather, show it off) as a web shop recommendation!!!

This SURLY Pack Rat is what got me started at Circles.
Back then, Kamo-san from Culture Club persuaded me, saying "Surly is a really interesting manufacturer," and I just had to make the purchase.

I handed it over to be thrown together with parts salvaged from the cross bike I was riding at the time, and this bike holds so many bitter and sweet memories (please let me spare you the details).

Lately, I’ve been using a track bike for city riding and a road bike for longer rides, so this one had really stopped getting much use.

As someone in the bike industry, I don’t own a car, so I had been considering a high-capacity bike for a while. Then I thought, "Wouldn't it be absolutely cool (and practical) if I just slapped a Crust fork on this?" So I installed it and updated a few other parts at the same time.

To sum it up: it’s the best. I’m so glad I built it.

My Goal: The Quintessential Japanese Super-Utility Bike, the "Mamachari"

A "mamachari" (city commuter bike) has a level of "rideability" different from that of a tourer, MTB, or road racer. Because it’s used every single day, it’s designed with the daily grind in mind.

For example, the swept-back, high-rise handlebars help you sit upright, which gives you a wider field of view and makes it easier to check road conditions. Adding a chain guard protects your pant cuffs from getting caught and getting greasy. Adding a stand makes it easier to park... and so on.

These specs are standard for a mamachari, but I can almost hear the questions coming from the "sports bike" crowd...

But hey! The concept for this bike is "Mamachari."
Commuting, grocery shopping, running errands. As long as it can handle those, that's all I need.

Also, it was originally a geared bike, but I converted it to a single speed to reduce shifting trouble. I moved recently and there are hardly any hills, and the gear ratio is around 2.43, so as long as I’m not in a huge rush, it’s not a problem at all. If anything, not having to think about shifting is great. People tend to think more gears are always better, but "less is more." For daily use, you don't really need them.

For the stand, I went with the ESGE by PLETSCHER center stand. There are a lot of center stands out there, but this is my absolute favorite, not just for its strength, but for its sleek look.

One part I personally think is incredibly cool is the DIA COMPE (Ene Ciclo) chain cover.
It's meant for 44-48T, so I had to make some small modifications to get it to fit perfectly on this 39T setup. If I wear wide pants, they still rub a bit, but if I roll them up or wear straight-fit pants, there's no risk of getting them caught, and it’s very comfortable.

The shiny, polished finish looks cool, too.

Another point is the SIMWORKS Bubbly Pedal with its large platform, which means I can ride in any shoes. I used to only ride fixed-gear bikes, but I want to be able to wear shoes other than slip-ons or skate shoes.

Now, New Balance or Nikes are both good to go.

Adding Capacity with the CRUST BIKES Clydesdale Cargo Fork

By replacing the stock fork with the familiar Crust fork, I’ve secured a high-capacity storage space. WALD or other baskets/racks would have been fine, but I chose the Crust fork for its stability when carrying heavy loads due to the lower center of gravity, and for the beautiful cable routing around the head tube.

I’m proud to say it was the best choice.

Not having to wear a backpack or messenger bag when doing a big grocery run or going out is a real lifesaver. You can get that same experience with a rack, but the feeling of not having anything strapped to your body is a huge stress reliever.

For tires, I’ve got SCHWALBE Marathons front and rear. They're like the Yujiro Hanma of tires—the strongest on Earth. They protect me from punctures.

Further "Mamachari-fication" with a Dynamo Hub

With the SP dynamo hub and BUSCH MULLER dynamo light, the headlight turns on as soon as the front wheel moves. It’s so amazing that I’m tempted to convert all of my bikes to dynamo hubs.

There’s no hassle with charging or replacing batteries; it just turns on when you move. It’s such a simple, convenient style that’s so deeply integrated into daily life, which I find beautiful.

The other day, Kimura-Nishipa spoke about the benefits of dynamo lights. Take a look at that, too.

Circles' hand-built wheel department, "Gorilla Spun," also accepts orders for dynamo wheel builds. Even if you don't know much about the parts, it’s no problem. Looking forward to hearing from you.

The Crust fork was perfect for rebuilding a frame that’s full of memories like this. The fact that it’s actually practical makes it feel even better.

Well now, I think I’ve built one heck of a cool mamachari.
I’ve been picky where it counts, but I’ve also used plenty of budget-friendly and used parts. It might seem like a bit of a hodgepodge, but I feel like it’s come together beautifully—if I do say so myself.

Precisely because it's a mamachari, and because it's something I use every day, "dressing it up well" and "smashing the preconceived notion of what a sports bike should be"—to borrow my boss’s words—is something that really hits home for me now.

I hope this helps you with your own part selection.

That's all from me, Rintaro, from the web shop! Arrivederci!