Among the bikes on display at Circles Tokyo, there are two that possess a particularly commanding presence. I’m sure that any of you who have visited our shop have found yourselves inevitably drawn to them, haven't you?
In this post, we’d like to introduce those two bikes.
SEVEN CYCLES
Boston, the birthplace of American culture, has been home to numerous handcrafted bicycle makers throughout history. Among them, SEVEN CYCLES boasts remarkable capabilities, leveraging high technical proficiency and organizational strength to produce nearly 2,000 custom titanium bikes per year. Bikes produced using their proprietary fitting method continue to captivate many cycling enthusiasts and will surely guide you to the next level of cycling sports.
SEVEN CYCLES MantaRay
This is the first time we’ve ordered this model at Circles, and it is a new addition to the SEVEN CYCLES lineup that hasn’t even appeared in the domestic catalog yet. You are likely only able to see this one in Japan at Circles Tokyo. First, let’s take a look at this special model.
When SEVEN CYCLES set out to create the MantaRay, the first thing they did was clear away any preconceived notions of what a gravel bike should be and start from scratch. Their goal: a bike that climbs nimbly, descends with confidence, and has the responsiveness to win a sprint, all while remaining comfortable on a 200-mile gravel ride. In short, to achieve the coexistence of two seemingly contradictory elements: stiffness and suppleness.
The result is a frame with a unique design, featuring seat stays welded in a very low position to absorb vibrations, and a truss structure built above the bottom bracket to transform pedaling force into forward propulsion.
For this luxurious titanium frame, we assembled the CHRIS KING GRD23 wheels. As we reviewed in a recent blog post, these wheels, which use vibration-absorbing materials, were the first parts we decided on during the build. They bring out the full potential of the MantaRay by providing comfort and traction on any road surface.
We paired a 44T front-single road crank with a super-wide-range SRAM GX 10-52T cassette. I personally use this setup; the 4.4 gear ratio on the top end is great for pushing speed, while the 0.85 low gear can handle even the steepest climbs, making it a perfect fit for the MantaRay’s concept.
By the way, if you switch to a 46T chainring, the ratio becomes 4.6-0.88, providing an even wider range than a double crank setup (50/34T with 11-36T cassette) despite being a single-ring system, so swapping them depending on where you ride is also recommended.
The result is a bike that can seamlessly transition between various terrains, from paved roads and flat riverbed dirt paths to rough forest trails and singletrack.
SEVEN Axiom SL
The Axiom is the model we receive the most orders for, but this time we ordered it in the higher-grade SL version. It uses Argen tubes, created by externally butting (shaving the outside of the tube) SEVEN's original titanium tubing.
Typically, builders of handmade bikes purchase pre-butted tubing and weld it, but SEVEN CYCLES is a specialized workshop with the facilities and technical expertise to perform the butting in-house to match each user’s riding style for every individual order. This level of dedication alone should give you an idea of what kind of bikes SEVEN CYCLES aims to create.
The concept is simple: "fast, long-distance, and durable for long-term use." We ordered it based on the criteria of a nimble ride, the suppleness to remain fatigue-free even after long hours in the saddle, and the durability to last for years to come. Turning the specific specifications you envision into reality is surely the essence of a fully custom handmade bike.
We also included the optional Moto 3D Seat Stays. This involves 3D bending (when viewed from the side, you can see a slight "ku" shape) and butting on beautifully S-curved seat stays. This processing allows the frame to absorb input from various directions and secure traction without compromising the frame's rigidity or weight—a feat only possible for SEVEN, who knows the characteristics of titanium inside and out.
We didn't hesitate when choosing the parts. Just like the MantaRay, we selected CHRIS KING for the headset and bottom bracket due to their excellent serviceability. Because they are manufactured with extremely high precision, they offer superior rotation performance and durability.
For wheels, we chose the CHRIS KING ARD44. High-quality bearings for high-speed rotation, efficient power transfer, and shock absorption to handle uneven road surfaces with ease. We selected these because they are, in our opinion, the pinnacle of road wheels as envisioned by CHRIS KING.
For the drivetrain, we went with SHIMANO Ultegra R8150 Di2. We used a 50/34T front with an 11-34T cassette—a combination capable of conquering any climb. One of the benefits of 12-speed is that you don't lose the tight gear steps even with a larger 34T low cog. I imagine you'll be able to freely control your cadence and enjoy an incredibly pleasant ride.
We invite you to come see these two bikes for yourself in person at the Circles Tokyo shop.