Following up on Kamo-chan's blog post the other day, today we're featuring another All-City bike.
So, the model this time is the Space Horse Disc, the most versatile bike in a brand lineup that includes road, cyclocross, and mountain models.
All-City offers all of its models as frame/fork sets, and almost every model is also available as a complete bike.
The model above is the factory complete bike. For example, if a customer already knows exactly how they want to ride, I believe the best approach is to consult with our staff on parts selection and build it up from a frame/fork set, but not everyone is like that, and factory complete bikes are prepared for those people.
The parts assembled on the complete bike are, of course, excellent, so it is definitely a valid choice to start riding it as is and then choose parts that suit your own usage style later. For instance, if you want to go on a picnic, you could add a rack to carry sandwiches and coffee.
The bike I’m going to introduce from here on out was an order from a customer who already rides a road bike; we built it from scratch by selecting parts for a frame/fork set.
There’s plenty of tire clearance, even with SIM WORKS' popular THE HOMAGE tires installed. The official clearance is 42c, but tire sizing often depends on the manufacturer's stated figures—and those numbers can be quite subtle in terms of accuracy—but we have confirmed that these 43c tires can indeed be fitted onto this Space Horse without any issues.
And, while many of All-City's recent models seem to feature straight forks, this bent fork really stands out.
Compared to the design specs of racing bikes, this one is built with a design philosophy that prioritizes stability. While this means the nimble handling is slightly reduced, the harmony created by its moderate flex and proper trail value provides a very comfortable ride. Above all, at a time when even steel bikes are often assembled with carbon forks, there is a profound sense of gratitude in being able to ride with confidence knowing this is built with a steel fork. It also highlights the concept of the Space Horse, which serves as a companion for everything from touring and gravel rides to daily commuting and running errands.
The standout gold parts on the front and rear are the key to this bike: Chris King R45 Disc hubs.
Chris King products have all small parts available for repair, including internal parts like bearings, seals, and O-rings, as well as freehub bodies, allowing for replacement if the need ever arises.
They don't just view hubs and bearings as mere consumables. They choose the best available materials—even if they are expensive—and design them to be as simple as possible, easy to service and repair, and something that feels better the more you use it. They embody a philosophy of making things to last and be used to their full potential, imagining the ideal cyclist who continues to use the hub even if the rim wears out, rebuilding the wheel again and again. These parts are packed with Chris King's manufacturing philosophy, which also includes consideration for the natural environment regarding the people involved in production, the working environment, and the materials used.
For this bike, we used the center-lock version of the Chris King R45 Disc hubs. A quick tip: please note that for the R45 Disc center-lock rear hub, whether you are using a 135mm quick-release or a 142mmx12mm thru-axle, you will need the Shimano thru-axle type lockring (part number: Y29F98010).
To begin with, what actually is the difference between Surly and All-City?
This is a topic that rarely gets discussed, but while these two brands are often perceived as being similar, there is a significant difference in their histories—Surly was founded in 1998, while All-City started in 2009. In fact, both brands coexist under the umbrella of the massive American bicycle wholesaler, QBP.
Even within mass production, Surly understands that the market is made up of a wide range of people. They provide an abundant selection of sizes, give each model all the freedom of ideas that a cyclist could think of, and build bikes with sturdy steel tubing so that they can be used for a long time as a reliable mode of transportation, even if it means accepting a bit of extra weight. Of course, everyone involved is a genuine cyclist, a group of people who are obsessed with nothing but bikes. (You can find our past blogs about Surly here.)
As a brand that came later, All-City has its own strengths. Having studied every kind of steel bike out there, you can really feel their drive to build beautiful steel machines. Compared to Surly’s sturdy, utilitarian tubing, All-City selects appropriate tubing based on the purpose and application of each model—using Columbus Zona or Reynolds 853, or even developing their own "A.C.E." tubing (though Surly does this too). Another characteristic is how much they value market feedback. While they have certainly learned a lot from Surly, they don't have quite the same vast range of sizes or broad scope as Surly. Instead, they hit that "sweet spot" of needs in a good way, expressing a worldview of developing urban cycling culture where the premise is daily enjoyment, making it easy for many people to understand. If Surly is like Neil Young, then All-City might be like Bruno Mars—I'm just making up random metaphors here. (Counterarguments are welcome! lol)
Of course, it’s not about which manufacturer is better; both have wonderful merits. They are the two core brands that we at Circles confidently recommend. If you've read this blog and become interested in an All-City or even a Surly bike, or if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Why don't we build that one perfect bike that best fits your lifestyle together?
We look forward to consulting with you.