Derailleur Data Books, Now Available at Circles!
Hello everyone. This is Tanaka from Circles.
Attention, cycling enthusiasts—the wait is over! You might be wondering what this is all about, but I’m excited to announce that Circles has started carrying the "Derailleur Data Book" series produced by Studio CAMBIO.
These invaluable data books are highly regarded by cyclists and collectors worldwide for their unparalleled depth of information and reference value. In this post, I’d like to introduce these books in detail and share the background and appeal that led to us carrying them at Circles. (By the way, when I tried to gift one of these to Fergus Tanaka—a hardcore Suntour nerd, key former SF messenger, and current Ritchey employee—it turned out he already owned it… the level of obsession is just staggering!)
Discovering the Derailleur Data Books
My discovery of these data books happened last year at the Akigase Bikelore, where Circles finally returned as a vendor. The author, Studio CAMBIO, was hosting a flea market at the event while selling these self-published books—books created by meticulously photographing the derailleurs he has spent his life collecting. When I first held one in my hands, I was deeply moved by the passion and precision that went into it. I had the chance to speak directly with the author, and as I heard about his dedication to derailleurs and the story behind the production, I knew I wanted to carry them at Circles. We negotiated on the spot, which led to us stocking them today.
CIRCLES BOOKS Derailleurs of the World by STUDIO CAMBIO
Shimano : 3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
Campagnolo：3,000 JPY (tax incl.)
Simplex：3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
Suntour (Vol. 1-2 Set)：5,000 JPY (tax incl.)
Huret：3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
What are the Derailleur Data Books?
The Derailleur Data Books are reference materials dedicated specifically to bicycle derailleurs, packed with the results of the author's years of research and collection. The series is published by manufacturer—including Campagnolo, Simplex, Suntour, Huret, and Shimano—with each volume providing exhaustive information on those specific derailleurs.
The books include not only specifications, manufacturing years, and model characteristics but are also rich with rare photos and diagrams. This information is essential for anyone involved in restoring vintage bikes, customization, or researching cycling culture.
What’s particularly notable is that they are based on actual derailleurs the author has collected himself. As a result, they aren't just reprints of old catalogs; they reflect the real-world details and insights gained from the physical items.
Background on Bringing Them to Circles
At Circles, we hold the philosophy of spreading various aspects of cycling culture and knowledge. As part of that, we focus not just on selling products, but on providing information to help people enjoy cycling culture on a deeper level.
The Derailleur Data Books were the ideal item for this. They are more than just products; they are a "treasure trove of knowledge" for deepening one’s understanding of bicycle history and technology. We want more people to know about this deep world of cycling through these books.
Furthermore, by carrying such rare materials, we hope to strengthen our connection with the passionate cycling community. We hope that customers who pick up these data books will use that knowledge to enjoy their cycling experience even more.
The Author’s Passion and the History of the Books
The author of the series began collecting derailleurs in high school and became obsessed after seeing the "Derailleur Collection" special issue of *New Cycling* magazine published in 1981. He published the first "Campagnolo Derailleur Data Book" in 2012 and has continued to release new volumes ever since.
The author has poured his passion into these books as his life's work, and that enthusiasm is palpable on every page. Production of the next volume, "Italian & French Derailleur Data Book," is currently underway, and we look forward to its release.
Recommended for:
- Vintage Bike Enthusiasts: Get accurate information for restoring old bicycles.
- Those Interested in Cycling History: Understand the evolution of derailleurs to experience the depth of cycling culture.
- Collectors: These are valuable materials that are worth owning just for their reference value.
- Technicians and Mechanics: Not only useful for practical work, but also for expanding your knowledge base.
Future Outlook
Circles has a section called "Circles Books" that collects a wide variety of titles. Immersing yourself in a hobby is a wonderful way to gain deep understanding and rich experience. At the same time, we believe that encountering diverse perspectives and cultures is what truly expands the joy of a hobby. By looking beyond just one narrow focus and considering other cultures and ideas, you can gain new discoveries and inspiration. At Circles, we value this diversity and aim to help everyone broaden and deepen their hobbies by introducing and sharing various cycling cultures and beyond. With the addition of these somewhat "obsessive" Derailleur Data Books, we hope to continue sharing even deeper aspects of cycling culture. We would be honored to continue building our community through workshops, talk events, and our focus on cycling and play.
We also plan to provide information on and sell future data books as soon as they are published. Please stay tuned!
In Closing
The Derailleur Data Books are more than just books! They are vital resources that support the fabric of cycling culture, and picking one up is like touching history itself. We hope you will take the time to look through and feel the passion in these books, and in doing so, rediscover the allure of cycling.
Please stop by Circles and pick up a copy for yourself. You are sure to find new discoveries and inspiration!
See you next time!
CIRCLES BOOKS Derailleurs of the World by STUDIO CAMBIO
Shimano : 3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
Campagnolo：3,000 JPY (tax incl.)
Simplex：3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
Suntour (Vol. 1-2 Set)：5,000 JPY (tax incl.)
Huret：3,500 JPY (tax incl.)
