"Half a century had already passed since humanity began emigrating into space due to overpopulation..."
No, that narration didn't actually play... Instead, pressing the button made the sound of a cheap beam rifle firing. And in my childhood, I would press that button desperately. Yes, the cowl was shaped like the face of that "White Devil"; that was my first bike. So, the first bike I'd recommend to someone like me is... no, that’s a bit of a stretch, let’s move forward in time a little.
If I recall correctly, it was when I was in fifth grade that my mother bought an ARAYA Muddy Fox. It was incredibly cool, and though it was a bit of a stretch for me to ride, I would occasionally borrow it to ride along the Shonai River riverbed. And then, at some point, I rode that 26-inch rigid mountain bike all the way to my grandmother's house, about 20km away. To my younger self, it was a colossal adventure, but I think that experience—tasting the sense of achievement and the potential that "I can go anywhere under my own power"—is the root of why I became obsessed with bicycles.
I stayed involved with bicycles in one way or another after that, but as I got older, I eventually grew distant from them. However, a few years after I started working, I bought a SUN mountain bike for my commute, and that marked the beginning of my new life with bikes.
After starting that life, I came across Circles. At first, it was just customizing my SUN. I ended up owning several bikes, but the one I’ve had the longest is the SURLY Long Haul Trucker. Through several parts changes and a paint job by Kyutai Paint, its original look has faded, but initially, it looked very similar to the SURLY Disc Trucker that Asai has assembled in the shop.
I tried looking for photos from that time but couldn't find any, but I used to ride trails in the countryside with this kind of setup. Even though it wasn't as popular then as it is now, with so many models, parts, and standards available, I think few people were doing that kind of riding in this style. However, the experience of "not relying too much on gear and managing things with your own power" is irreplaceable to me, and it really was a lot of fun.
Since then, I’ve added a rack and a basket, and it has served me in a wide range of scenarios, from touring to my daily commute and errands.
Having had these experiences, I would like to recommend this SURLY Disc Trucker custom build from Circles to anyone thinking about incorporating cycling into their life.
Recommended as your first bike
SURLY Disc Trucker / Circles Original Build
SIZE : 50
COLOR : Pea Lime Soup
SPECIAL PRICE : ¥315,000-(tax inc)
The SURLY Disc Trucker features a stable ride that can take you to the other side of the planet if you're up for it, and it provides exceptional peace of mind even when heavily loaded. Furthermore, with the stable stopping power provided by disc brakes and the expandability to play with different wheel sizes, it is arguably the best touring bike in Surly's lineup.
In short, it’s a version of my Long Haul Trucker updated with disc brakes.
It’s certainly not fast, but this sturdy and versatile SURLY Disc Trucker is sure to become your trusty companion, capable of going with you to work, the restaurant, or even distant towns and mountain villages.
| Components | MICRO SHIFT Advent 9s (Thumb Shifter 1×9) |
| Handlebar | VELO ORANGE Klunker Bar |
| Stem | SIMWORKS BY NITTO Tomboy |
| Wheel | Grown Bikes Hub × SIMWORKS BY VELOCITY Stand Alone |
| Grip | RINDOW Tarugata |
| Saddle | BROOKS Flyer |
| Tire | SCHWALBE Billy Bonkers |
First off, I’d like you to enjoy a relaxing cruise in this old-mountain-bike style. And if you’re up for it, go play on the riverbank or ride through the paths between rice fields. Once you do that, you should be able to deeply feel the possibilities of this SURLY Disc Trucker.
