Hello, this is Ohtaka from Circles Tokyo.
Today, I’d like to introduce a niche parts brand that has just arrived at Circles Tokyo: SHOVEL RESEARCH.
SHOVEL RESEARCH is a dedicated manufacturer crafting parts that look right at home on steel bikes—from SURLY and BASSI to the trendy OLD MTBs and vintage bikes gathering dust in your garage.
Based in Portland, Oregon, USA, the company has been operated, designed, and manufactured entirely by the owner, Sal, since 2022.
While some of the parts made in her small workshop, like top caps, are universal, she primarily manufactures components for older bicycles, such as cantilever brake cable hangers, brake boosters, straddle cable carriers, and light mounts.
Some of you reading this might be a bit confused by the unfamiliar terms being thrown around.
These are parts we rarely see on current bikes, but they’re things we’d be lost without. Instead of just replicating the past, these products are beautifully reimagined with meticulous attention to detail, offering a sense of both nostalgia and freshness.
We have previously interviewed Sal about Shovel Research, so if you’d like to learn more about the brand, please take a look at the blog below.
We’ve just received four products from Shovel Research at our Tokyo shop, so let me introduce them to you.
Fork Mounted Brake Cable Hanger
This product is an outer cable hanger for cantilever brakes.
It comes with the company’s signature brass adjuster, making fine-tuning a breeze.
Because it is a fork-mounted type, it allows for firmer braking on bikes with longer head tubes, and for bikes with shorter head tubes, it enables cable routing with less strain compared to the style of sandwiching it between the steerer tube or headset.
The manufacturer’s website says:
“I’ve been dissatisfied with the commonly available fork mounted cable hangers, so I made my own.”
“If you can’t find a product you’re satisfied with, make it yourself.” Products born from that sentiment seem to carry the same spirit as handmade bicycles.
It allows for proper setup of wide-profile cantilever brakes, and its lightweight, hollowed-out design gives it a clean look when installed.
Also, it functions—in a modest way—as a bag supporter when using a front bag.
Brake Boosters 2.0
Another brake-related part: these are for V-brakes.
In the first place, why use a brake booster? To improve braking performance and protect the frame.
Back in the day, V-brakes boasted stronger stopping power than cantilever brakes, leading the industry to transition from cantilevers to V-brakes in off-road settings like MTB racing.
However, this led to issues where braking became ineffective after heavy use, or the brakes would lock up entirely.
The cause was that the brake bosses and the frame couldn’t withstand the V-brakes’ intense stopping power, causing the seat stays to flex outwards or the bosses to distort.
To solve this, "brake boosters" were introduced as an add-on reinforcement to the brakes themselves.
This resolved the aforementioned issues, and soon after, Shimano released carbon fiber versions, and a wide variety of boosters appeared from various manufacturers like Paul, DKG, AC, and Tektro.
They were used not just for reinforcement but also for customization, with each brand offering its own shapes and colors—but they gradually disappeared with the rise of disc brakes.
These are the parts brought back to the modern era by this booster.
While this booster is primarily for decoration, its machined, thin, and beautiful silhouette adds a subtle vintage touch to your bike.
Light Mount
Just as the name implies, it’s a light mount.
This 7mm version is compatible with Nitto Connection Rods.
While Nitto also sells mounts like lamp holders, this version attaches to the rack stay, allowing for fine-tuned positioning.
Many of you have probably struggled with where to place your light when using a rack. This will be your reliable ally in those moments.
I’m currently plotting some interesting uses for this outside of a light mount, but I haven’t come up with anything yet—I’m definitely open to your ideas!
TC1
Last, I’d like to introduce the top cap.
It was reportedly inspired by the aluminum body of a film projector called the Rams FP1. (I’d never heard of this projector before, but after looking it up, it’s a machine with a super cool design.)
Maybe those fins will keep your bike cool just like the FP1?
As someone who loves vehicles, the design—reminiscent of cooling fins on a car or bike engine—really resonated with me.
It’s an eye-catching, distinctive top cap, yet it’s signature Shovel Research—naturally fitting for both classic bikes and modern, contemporary ones.
Simple and Functional
Every one of Shovel Research’s beautiful products, which pack functionality into simplicity, makes you want to use them.
This feeling is likely because Sal pours her respect for various cultures and her love for rim brakes into her craftsmanship.
We also have frames in stock that pair perfectly with these parts.
WILDE’s Spelljammer and Moto-Cruiser. And, the RAL Exposure will be arriving soon, too.
Although discs are mainstream in this era, many are still drawn to the beauty and form of rim brakes.
Be sure to check out Shovel Research as an option for your rim brake setup.
They are available not only in Tokyo but also at Circles in Nagoya, so please feel free to consult with us.
We are happy to assist with builds for OLD MTBs, randonneurs, sportifs, and more. We look forward to seeing the cool bikes you bring in!
