Hello! This is Jon from Circles Tokyo.
Before you know it, it’s already September.
This summer really flew by.
July saw our first time at OMM BIKE, August featured our pop-up shop at EZO, and we also hosted the Circles Tokyo TRUNK SHOW.
Racing through a summer packed with events, and spending nearly every day for 10 days in Hokkaido with Yanack-san, is now a fond memory. (Huge thanks for the long, ~1,000km journey from Nagoya to Hokkaido!)
Now that such an intense summer has ended, I’ve found myself feeling a bit of that "mid-semester slump" you get in your student days. A bit of a letdown... but perhaps that’s just the atmosphere unique to a change in seasons.
Time to face your mud-covered bike
After tearing through OMM and the forest roads and mountain trails of Hokkaido, my beloved bike was caked in mud. (And this is on the cleaner side...)
Both the frame and the drivetrain were packed with mud and grime. I noticed it felt "heavy to get moving" while riding, and I suspect this was the cause.
I knew I had to give it a proper wash. I finally settled in and dove into some long-overdue maintenance.
The difference between "Maintenance" and "Overhaul": A quick refresher.
• Maintenance: Routine inspections, partial cleaning, lubrication, etc. Ideally done before and after rides or whenever you notice something.
• Overhaul: A full-scale service involving disassembling parts you don't usually touch, cleaning, and re-greasing. Usually done once a year to once every few years.
This time, I reached parts that daily maintenance can’t touch and performed a light overhaul.
Work performed:
- Bottom Bracket (BB) removal, inspection, and re-greasing
- Drivetrain (rear derailleur, cassette, etc.) cleaning
- Full frame wash and cleaning
The BB area, in particular, hadn't been touched since it was installed (though it’s not often that you do remove it), so the grease had worn out and it was quite dirty.
You could clearly see the grime and mud even from the outside.
But...! It’s back to looking brand new!
After scrubbing carefully with a brush, the dulled metal surface was revealed, shining like it was new again!
It’s the very embodiment of the Chris King philosophy: "Respect your parts, use them for a long time."
No matter how muddy it gets, if you maintain it properly, its performance will be restored.
I also cleaned the cassette and went through the process of applying a generous amount of grease to prevent wear and seizure of metal parts, as well as to keep out foreign objects like water and dust.
These fine details are what lead to the "smoothness" of your next ride.
I performed a Half Overhaul.
This plan focuses on inspecting and maintaining areas that are prone to wear and deterioration from long-term use. Specifically, it includes disassembly and cleaning of the drivetrain (front chainring/cranks, rear cassette, chain, front derailleur, rear derailleur).
We also, of course, offer a Full Overhaul plan.
In addition to the contents of the Half Overhaul, this covers work across the entire bike, such as frame cleaning, wheel truing, and hub overhaul.
If you want to get a bike that’s been sitting around back on the road, or if you haven’t done maintenance in a long time and are noticing issues, a full overhaul is recommended!
What is the joy in this?
One of the joys of an overhaul is seeing how much you've ridden take "physical form."
For example, if you look at the part of the cassette marked with the red circle, you can see that the 5th through 9th cogs are worn down.
This is proof of which gears I use the most. If these teeth get too worn, it can lead to "ghost shifting"—where the gear shifts on its own when you pedal hard. In this case, it's not the cable tension, but wear on the gears or chain, which can lead to trouble where the bike can't perform at its best.
During an overhaul, we check every corner to identify any part wear or issues. Assumptions like "it's probably still fine..." can lead directly to accidents or injuries, so we are here to support you so you can continue riding with peace of mind.
Feel free to consult with us!
Overhaul Campaign until the end of September! (Circles Tokyo only)
Circles Tokyo is holding an overhaul campaign until the end of September.
Simply show us your registration screen or something confirming your participation in an event or race, and you’ll receive 10% off the overhaul labor fee.
This isn't limited to gravel events—it applies to any event you participate in with your bike! You can also use it for pre-event maintenance!
Maintain a dialogue with your bike through regular care. After a series of events, expeditions, or long rides, I recommend taking the time to "reset" your bike.
The time you spend facing your bike is also a chance for you to refresh yourself. As summer comes to a close, let’s make your bike shine again. The process of returning a bike, packed with muddy summer memories, back to a like-new state isn't just maintenance—it might be a dialogue, telling your bike, "Let's keep riding together."
So, let’s head toward the new season. Let’s welcome your next adventure in top condition!
Jon