“We want to make pedals that evolve beautifully as they age and develop a unique character with every use.”
Driven by this desire, we’ve added a new lineup to our bespoke MKS brass pedal series—inspired by the iconic Leica black paint finish—for the first time in a while.
For the backstory behind this project, please be sure to read the article by Kimura-san, our resident camera geek here at Circles.
Here is what’s joining the lineup for this third installment!
MKS Sylvan Touring Brass For Circles
If you were to ask someone to name a classic MKS pedal, the Sylvan Touring would undoubtedly be the first one mentioned.
It remains a best-seller with immense popularity, even 48 years after its 1978 release.
As the name suggests, it was designed for touring bikes like randonneurs and sportifs, but its double-sided platform makes it easy to use and a perfect fit for a wide range of bikes, from daily commuters to various riding styles.
The Sylvan Touring is now officially available in Raw Brass and Black Paint. Add them to your favorite bike and enjoy the aging process of the brass.
MKS Sylvan Touring Brass For Circles
Color: Raw Brass, Black Paint
Material (Plates): Brass
Material (Body): Aluminum Alloy
Weight: 480g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price: 9,460 JPY (incl. tax)
MKS Spin-2 Brass For Circles
And here is a project our team put their heart into—the one that might just be the highlight of this collection: the Brass Spin-2.
This is a custom part that can be attached to pedals without a "flick" tab, like the Sylvan Touring mentioned above. Track bike riders will surely be familiar with these.
When using pedals with toe clips and straps (or half-clips), the weighted clip side naturally hangs downward when your shoe is removed. Getting your foot back into the clip quickly requires practice and technique, but attaching these Spin-2s makes catching the pedal smooth and effortless.
Whether you ride a track bike or just use toe clips and straps or pedal straps, we highly recommend trying these out. Since they’re used frequently to "flick" the pedal, they’re a great item to watch age over time.
MKS Spin-2 Brass For Circles
Color: Raw Brass, Black Paint
Material: Brass
Weight: 27g
Made by MKS in Japan
Price: 1,430 JPY (incl. tax)
Unlike anodized or electro-deposited finishes, the Black Paint will wear away with use, gradually revealing the raw brass underneath. Once exposed, the bare metal will oxidize, developing a "dull" patina, and depending on your riding environment, might even sprout a touch of verdigris. It’s a finish that allows every rider to enjoy their own unique aging process.
The Raw models, finished without any coating, will also grow "dull" over time, but you have the added pleasure of being able to polish them back to a brilliant shine whenever you choose.
All other MKS bespoke brass pedals are also back in stock, so be sure to check them out as well!
