Hi! This is Otaka from Circles Tokyo!
This time, I customized one of the more affordable complete bikes at Circles, the “KONA Dew,” so it rides comfortably for commuting and getting around town.
Without any major parts swaps, a few small changes made it easier and more comfortable to ride, so I'd love to share it with you all!
A Closer Look at the KONA Dew
It comes with a kickstand as standard, which is rare for a sports bike, and has hydraulic disc brakes with strong stopping power, making it a great pick for your first sports bike.
KONA calls this bike an all-rounder with commuter geometry, and that's exactly what it is.
You can mount racks and fenders, so there's lots of freedom to customize.
And beyond riding around town, you can enjoy weekend camping rides and off-road fun at a reasonable price. That's what makes this bike appealing, and why I recommend it as a first bike.
With the update for the 2026 model, it's been reborn as a bike with a slightly different character than before.
The previous model used 27.5-inch wheels, but from this year it's switched to 29-inch.
From the 2026 model, the fenders that used to come standard are no longer included.
The bigger wheels roll over bumps and curbs more easily, making it even better suited to riding around town.
The geometry also changed along with the wheel size: the 2026 model has a longer top tube and chainstays and a slightly slacker head angle, which improves straight-line stability.
With this geometry change the bike is longer overall, and with the bigger wheels it has more of KONA's earthy, adventure-bike feel. I think it's the kind of bike that makes you want to say, “Maybe I'll take this one somewhere a little farther.”
As a result, it's more stable not just for getting around town, but also on tours and gravel rides.
Swapping Parts for More Comfort
The customer who ordered this Kona Dew
mainly uses it for commuting and riding around town.
They're tall, so the frame is a size L. A 29er with a big frame really has presence, doesn't it~.
The stock bar already has plenty of rise and is fairly comfortable, but the customer wanted an even more relaxed position, so we switched to the WILDE BICYCLE Nitto Country Bar, which has a big backsweep.
Sitting up more upright widens your view, and the strong backsweep brings the grips closer to you, so you can ride in a more relaxed position than with the stock bar.
For grips, we installed the classic OURY GRIP Mountain Grips V2.
With a wide range of colors, a slightly old-school vibe, and a soft feel that molds to your hands, these grips are a safe bet whenever you're unsure.
Just swapping the bar and grips makes a big difference; it's become a laid-back bike you can cruise on like a cruiser.
If you're not sure how to customize your Dew, try changing things up around the handlebar.
We also swapped the saddle this time, for the SELLE ITALIA Milano Turbo Racer.
The customer wanted to keep the feel of an old MTB or cruiser while adding a bit of classic leather style, so they chose this one: it lets you easily enjoy the way leather breaks in, and it pairs well with a fat-tired bike like this.
The MILANO series is a line of models remade around the concept of collaborating with other cultures, such as motorcycles, making it a perfect choice for a cruiser-inspired build like this one.
Finally, we replaced the flimsy stock pedals with the SIMWORKS Taco Pedal.
Supporting your feet on the daily commute, these pedals stay grippy even when wet thanks to their pins, and their wide platform lets you pedal with your whole foot.
Made by MKS and highly durable, they're the unsung hero quietly supporting your everyday rides. It's a small detail, but changing this too adds a lot to your peace of mind every day.
I think it turned out perfectly as a bike they can enjoy as a companion for their commute and everyday life from here on.
The Tokyo store currently has KONA Dew bikes ready for immediate delivery.
We can also do custom builds tailored to each customer like this one, so feel free to ask us anytime.
