Hello everyone!
Nice to meet you! My name is Taku Kobayashi, and I've been working at Circles since the end of last November!
I’m currently a student working part-time, but after I graduate from university this March, I will be joining the Circles team full-time. I look forward to working with you all!
Now, let me tell you about how I got into cycling.
When I entered university and finally had some free time and money, I wanted to find a new hobby. As I was researching what kind of bike to buy, I discovered track bikes—bikes with clean, simple aesthetics and distinctive designs. I remember being so blown away by them that I went to the shop to buy one the very next day.
After getting my track bike, I started practicing tricks, going on long rides, cycling around the main island of Okinawa, and zipping through the city. I've had more experiences than I can write down here, and because I became so deeply immersed in the charm of cycling throughout my university life, I wanted a job that allowed me to stay involved with bikes, which is how I ended up at Circles.
Even though I'm still in training, I've already built up a MASH AC-2!
As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of track bikes, and even though I’ve only just joined the company and am still very much in my training period, I’ve already gotten my hands on a new frame...
That frame is the recently released MASH AC-2! I chose the Grey colorway. Personally, I think Grey is the coolest because it really makes the frame’s unique design pop. Of course, I agonized over which color to pick until I was dying...
This time, I built it up by swapping parts from the bike I was riding before. My current obsession is using a cycle computer and brackets with clipless pedals, aiming for a build that focuses on how fast I can go.
For someone like me who just loves to ride, I’m so happy that they added a bottle cage mount to the down tube—something the previous AC-1 didn't have! Thanks to that, I can attach a bottle cage and don't have to force myself to chug water all at once during breaks.
The frame I was riding before was an ENGIN 11 with geometry closer to a road bike—the polar opposite of the AC-2. Compared to that, the AC-2 has a 30mm offset fork and steeper head and seat tubes, making it handle much more quickly and accelerate faster.
These chunky, angular chainstays are also one of my favorite features.
There's even a MASH logo and a scale on the dropouts; these tiny details that you might not notice at first glance are just for self-satisfaction, but they get me so excited.
I’ve been putting the CONTINENTAL / Grand Prix 4 Season tires through hell for commuting, getting around, and just playing, but I highly recommend them because they offer a great balance of high-end performance, durability, and a surprisingly comfortable ride despite how stiff they look.
I went with all-black parts for this build, but personally, I think it would also look awesome with yellow or green hubs.
We're down to just one Matte Raw M-size AC-2 frame left, so if that's your size, don't miss out. I'm also ready to help you with your own custom build!
Anyway, that was a long introduction to my new build, but I hope you feel like you know me a little better now! I might introduce myself properly again once I start working full-time, but for now, I look forward to meeting you all!