A world known only to those who have exercised the greatest patience: "waiting." This must be exactly what the saying "good fortune comes to those who wait" refers to.
Having said that, we truly, deeply apologize for the long wait.
Dating back to June 2016. Ahead of our Gourmet Century Ride, we held the PBS (PERSONAL BIKE SHOW)—a show we organized here in Nagoya with the desire to create a social hub after experiencing the scene at NAHBS in America. A project that began little by little after we met the makers in person and spoke with them directly there has finally taken shape.
"Stunningly understated" is the perfect way to describe this simply constructed frame. I am drawn in by the beauty of the welds every single time, and I feel a sense of evolution in the frames he creates each time I see them. And when you finally build it up into a complete bike and step onto the pedals, the maker's passion truly comes through.
We asked for a steel CX / ALLROAD bike with the image of something that could be enjoyed for anything. On the topic of specs, we intentionally chose quick-release over thru-axles—a choice made because we know what is "enough." Of course, choosing the absolute latest technology isn't always the best path; having a personal standard for what works for you is wonderful, and being able to realize those specific requests is the true advantage of a custom order.
In addition to the stem, which was matched to the fork, the frame pump has been color-matched to the frame. We finished it in your choice of color via Kyokutai Paint.
A bicycle is a vehicle that one straddles and propels under one's own power. That is precisely why it is so important for the maker to know who will be riding it and what kind of person they are, and it is equally important for the rider to know the face of the person who built it. We believe the role of Circles Tailored is to serve as that bridge.
From here on, simply enjoy the dialogue with your bike, keep pedaling, and your world will continue to expand.
| Frame | DESALVO CUSTOM CYCLES | Steel CX / ALL ROAD |
| HeadSet | CHRIS KING | No ThreadSet Tapered 1.5″ Turquoise |
| Main Group | SRAM | Force 1 |
| BB | CHRIS KING | ThreadFit24 Turquoise + ConversionKit #9 |
| Brake | TRP | Spyre |
| Wheel | CHRIS KING / HED | HED Belgium Plus Disc R45D 700C 28/28 |
| Tire | WTB | Nano TCS Light 700x40c |
| Handle | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | Marcella 430mm |
| Stem | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | New Rhonda Stem |
| Seatpost | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | Beatnik Post |
| Frame Pump | SILCA | Impero Ultimate Frame Pump |
Frames born from the hands of Mike DeSalvo, who approaches frame-building with absolute sincerity rather than seeking out anything "special," are clearly different from the things others make. Is it the speed of his welding? Or is it the precision and method behind it? (He is a master of TIG welding who has even welded 50 frames in two days.)
We live in a convenient world where we can learn about and obtain almost anything from anywhere at any time. Yet, in the midst of this, there are people in this industry who make things in an extremely human way. While standing in a position completely opposite to modern, mass-market production, they listen to the sounds of the era, smell its scents, observe it closely, and stand firmly in the precarious position where they can remain in harmony with society.
DeSalvo Custom Cycles Based in Ashland, Oregon, this is a custom bike manufacturer run by Mike DeSalvo, a TIG welding master representing the U.S. West Coast who devotes himself to frame-building in his own workshop, focusing primarily on titanium frames. As evidenced by his numerous awards at NAHBS (North American Handmade Bicycle Show), there are countless cyclists who place absolute trust in his welding technique, and he has gained significant support from both locals and hardcore bikers in Portland. He also serves as a TIG welding instructor at UBI (United Bicycle Institute), pouring his efforts into training the next generation. It is a well-known fact in this circle that he is frequently entrusted with OEM production for other custom makers, which is a testament to his reliability.
Currently, the lead time for DeSalvo Custom Cycles custom orders is 10 months or more. Please feel free to inquire about orders via our CONTACT page.
