Hello. This is Ishikawa from Circles Tokyo.
Today, I’d like to introduce a SURLY Disc Trucker that we recently delivered.
The owner hasn't ridden bicycles much in the past, but they’ve had an admiration for SURLY for a long time and recently had their interest reignited, which is how they came to consult with us.
At first, they were interested in the Steamroller, but after hearing about their living situation—an area with many hills—and their goals—primarily city riding, but wanting to try long rides on weekends, and eventually wanting to try various types of cycling and touring with cargo—we discussed several options.
After much consultation, I proposed the Disc Trucker, a long-selling model within the SURLY lineup, as I felt it could fulfill all of their aspirations!
It’s a touring bike that, while certainly not fast, is defined by its stable ride and exceptional stability even when loaded with heavy gear.
Before deciding on the parts assembly, the owner mentioned wanting to enjoy city riding first to get used to the bike. We decided to commit to a commuter style for now, with the plan to gradually add customizations as they gain more riding experience.
This ability to customize the bike later based on evolving needs is precisely what makes SURLY so versatile.
Simple is the best!! Let’s take a look!
First, the lights—an essential component for any bike.
Add-on lights can be a hassle, requiring charging and taking up precious handlebar space. Many people find themselves searching daily for a good light that doesn't ruin the bike's aesthetic with a clunky, mechanical design.
In such cases, a dynamo light solves everything.
By incorporating a VELOCITY Dynamo Hub, the owner can ride safely at night without any stress.
Riding after dark carries many risks; letting oncoming traffic know you're there is one thing, but not noticing rough pavement or failing to see a curb and tripping can also be dangerous, so it's important to keep your path well-lit.
And, for a commuter style, a basket is a must.
A large basket is invaluable for carrying all those things that tend to pile up. Once you attach one, it's so convenient that you can never go back.
In summer, you want to keep as much gear off your body as possible. This is why many customers request basket installations during this season.
With this, you can go anywhere from the supermarket for groceries to the local bathhouse, and loading up a coffee kit for a day camp would feel absolutely amazing.
For the saddle, we chose the SELLE ANATOMICA H1 Leather Saddle.
When the owner saw it in the shop, they fell in love at first sight with its beautiful form and presence, and passionately requested it for their bike.
I completely understand. That feeling where just adding a leather saddle makes the bike look drastically cooler.
Of course, there’s more to this saddle than just its looks.
The "THE SLOT" (center cutout) is a unique design that only SELLE ANATOMICA can create, allowing both sides of the saddle to move freely under the sit bones to alleviate stress on the seat surface.
The H1 is one of the most robust saddles in the Selle Anatomica lineup, making it an ideal choice for cyclists who love touring and long-distance riding.
As the owner rides longer distances, the saddle will break in and conform to them. It becomes a long-term companion, and as that attachment grows, it becomes something truly special.
The handlebar is the SIMWORKS Cowcow Bar. The Disc Trucker already has a stable ride, but with this wide 750mm handlebar, the stability is further enhanced.
The Cowcow Bar is perfect not just for city cruising, but is also a great piece of kit that can handle dirt touring or more aggressive riding if the owner wants to switch things up. Rugged frames deserve rugged handlebars.
The tires are SIMWORKS Volummy Tire 27.5.
Since the owner is starting with city riding, we chose these smooth-rolling slick tires. We picked a generous 1.9-inch width, which provides reassurance for a beginner. It looks and feels nice and plush.
These certainly aren't lightweight tires, but again, we focused on stability. They will roll smoothly whether in the city or on a long tour.
The tan sidewalls look great, too!
The main component group is MICRO SHIFT Sword.
Although city riding is the main focus, we opted for the comfortable 10-speed Sword setup, anticipating the hilly terrain and the possibility of converting to drop bars for long-distance touring in the future.
The pedals are SIMWORKS Taco Pedal. Their large platform style ensures a secure footing in any situation, and their ease of pedaling is a major plus.
This project reminded me once again: isn't the Disc Trucker the ultimate touring bike that grants every wish of its rider?
From city riding to mountain exploration and full-blown touring.
You can attach racks, it has mounts for fenders, and the potential for further customization is endless.
Because we built it as a clean, simple commuter, I am truly excited to see how this SURLY evolves based on the owner's future riding style.
It makes me very happy to hear they’ve already been out on various rides. If you want to try a different way to ride, please come consult with us again!