Hello, I’m Eri, and I handle photography for the Circles web shop.
This might seem out of the blue, but how many bicycles do you own? Even though my life is mainly focused on city riding, I’ve realized that I have quite a few bikes scattered around my home.
A few years ago, when I ordered my "BIKE FRIDAY / Pocket Rocket," I thought, "This is surely the last one." But a certain something kept gnawing at the back of my mind. Yes, that would be an old mountain bike.
I think it was about two years ago. They started appearing here and there on my social media feeds and in conversations, and I noted to myself, "Oh, I guess they're trending." At the time, I just thought, "They serve the same purpose as my current bikes, so I don't really need one." But deep down, there was a sort of premonition that "if I ever come across one that really grabs me..."
An Encounter in Portland
And that encounter came quite suddenly on the final day of my business trip to MADE last year.
The stage was Portland, Oregon. With the event successfully wrapped up and on the last day of the trip, I stopped by a local shop called the "Community Cycling Center."
This place isn't just a bike shop. It’s more like a "cycling cultural hub" where locals gather freely—selling used parts and bikes, offering repair services, providing DIY workspace, and holding bike maintenance classes. It might be similar to what we call Culture Club at Circles.
It just so happened to be a warehouse sale day, so I visited with the intention of just looking around, thinking I might discover something. But then... the bike of destiny jumped right out at me.
"Wow, the color and the shape... it's just adorable!!"
—Before I knew it, I had made up my mind in my heart. While the boss and Shige were busy browsing all sorts of things, my heart had been completely stolen by this little one.
Before I could even tell anyone the inner voice screaming, "I'm taking this one home!", everything was decided in an instant.
Across the Sea, Once More
Sometime after I returned to Japan, I was reunited with this one that had come from across the ocean. The moment I opened the box and saw it emerge from the packaging, I was certain: "It really is adorable!!" I was so glad I bought it; it was the perfect decision.
It also worked in my favor that SimWorks had just released several new products right at that time. A lineup so spot-on it felt like they had brought them out just for this bike.
SimWorks by Panaracer Volummy 26″
26-inch tires have become quite rare these days. They are perfect for city riding, and their slightly chunky silhouette is both cute and reliable. As the name suggests, that voluminous feel provides a great sensation for cruising around town.
SimWorks by Nitto Fun 3 Bar CrMo
A comfortable handlebar that offers a position that keeps you from rushing too much. It’s perfect for me, as I like to ride at a slow and easy pace. Even just switching to colorful cables from SimWorks by Nissen makes me feel like the cuteness of my bike is just exploding.
And for the final touch, I added a GHOOOST flower along the cable. Now the look is perfect, and my mood is a solid 100/100.
The Joy of Building, the Pleasure of Using
The theme for this build was "don't spend too much money, keep it tasteful and easy to use with what's available."
The fact that it was a used bike to begin with is one of its charms, as it allows you to enjoy choosing parts without any pressure. Reusing parts I already had while adding splashes of color with SimWorks products—perhaps that kind of creative flexibility is the true fun of an old mountain bike.
It’s not that the latest technology or new materials are bad at all, but the nostalgia unique to "slightly older designs," the warmth of the object, and that "solid feeling" when you ride really match my mood right now.
Rather than speeding through, it's about enjoying the scenery and flowing through the city at a pleasant rhythm.
For someone who wants to ride like that, an old MTB might be a very attractive option.
Life with a Partner
Before I knew it, this bike had become my "long-lost partner."
Working on it little by little, approaching "completion" based on my own intuition.
I feel like this partner truly harbors the sensation of being nurtured that way.
Yet another "my bike" has joined the fold.
I wonder where I should take it on my next day off.
I've recently gotten into plants, so I could go to that flower shop over there, or it would be fun to just take a leisurely ride to the usual supermarket to do some shopping.
Having a bicycle in my daily life.
These days, I find myself feeling happy about such casual things.