We are excited to announce a new collection born from a collaboration between RAL and PRODUCT OF BOB SCALES (POBS)—a brand we have carried at Circles for a long time—and his friend, artist RUSS POPE, who has deep roots in skate culture.
Stephen from SimWorks USA, who worked hard to make this wonderful project a reality, shared his thoughts on this collaboration, which we have included below.
Make sure to check out the RAL x POBS x RUSS POPE collection!
I worked with Bob Scales for several years back at Chris King, and he is a true friend and a mentor to me. I could always count on him for music and movie recommendations, funny small talk over lunch, or honest insight into what was happening at work at the time.
He has a wealth of great stories and loves his family and friends. He is well-versed in a wide range of topics, from textiles and sewing to graphic design and gardening, or even the early California skate culture he was immersed in as a youth. As far as I’m concerned, he is a true Renaissance man with an incredible breadth of knowledge.
Bob has been running his own menswear line since 2010 called PRODUCT OF BOB SCALES, or POBS for short. Borrowing from a phrase Bob uses to describe the ethos of POBS, "quiet quality" perfectly captures the essence of this line. Each piece is meticulously crafted using high-quality materials, beautiful silhouettes, and timeless style.
Much like my own relationship with him, Bob had been selling his shirts to Circles for a long time. His connection to the Circles family went far beyond just discussing Chris King marketing plans and product timelines, which is a testament to what a truly talented individual he is in the cycling industry.
Bob had wanted to work on a project with SimWorks and Circles for some time. About a year ago, he suggested that we create a special item by selecting a one-of-a-kind fabric for the lining of a WB Loader from the RAL line and adding the POBS label to it.
So, we decided to bring in his friends to add an artistic element and turn it into an even more amazing project.
I believe I first learned about Russ Pope through Bob. Russ is a cyclist himself and was a customer who shopped at SimWorks USA even before I started working there in 2019. His order history is a testament to his refined taste, especially in the carefully curated Nitto products we offer. A few years ago, when Bob produced a bottle and T-shirt designed by Russ for Chris King, it prompted me to start asking all sorts of questions. Bob, as usual, had the answer to almost all of them.
Russ spent his youth immersed in skating, working at CCS—a famous American skate shop—in its early days. He went on to launch several brands, offering his keen eye, experience, and creative skills to successful small brands in the industry. During that time, he established himself as a talented illustrator and painter.
His work has been exhibited in fine art galleries and featured in highly acclaimed publications around the world. Recently, he has forged a professional path as a creative director, consultant, and artistic collaborator for apparel and footwear brands, while also running his own skate brand, "TRANSPORTATION UNIT."
Last fall, before the Philly Bike Expo, I visited the East Coast and had the chance to drop by Russ's home in New Hampshire. On a drizzly New Hampshire day, we hung out, checked out his studio space, and then headed into town for pizza and beer, enjoying some friendly conversation. His studio is filled with incredible energy and color; items that have influenced his life are scattered, hanging, or leaning against shelves and corners, offering a glimpse into what resonates with him. It is clearly a visual feast and an inspiring space for him to work.
Russ produces a great deal of illustration and painting, viewing art as both creative expression and a job—a muscle to be trained so it doesn't atrophy. A curated collection of records, illustration and design books, cut flowers, a Technicolor array of pens, markers, and colored pencils, and postcards and drawings from friends around the world color the mosaic of his creative space, which nourishes his humanity. This is often reflected in his work, which depicts characters that we or those around us can relate to—spending time in the simple pleasures of life, whether walking, pushing a skateboard, riding a bike, or drinking a hot cup of coffee.
Russ and Bob have been friends for years, and Bob had asked Russ to serve as an "artist-in-residence" for several projects he was working on at POBS. Coincidentally, the seeds of a partnership between SimWorks and Russ had also been sown. We had talked with Russ about the possibility of working together in the future, so things came together quite organically, resulting in this collaboration where we feature Russ Pope's art on a SimWorks and POBS joint item.
As a result, the RAL WB Loader now features a custom cross-hatch canvas fabric selected by Bob, and it is being sold as a limited model. Moving away from the standard nylon liner of the regular WB Loader, it gives off a more sophisticated vibe. It features three pockets sewn in for easy storage of phones and writing utensils, with a third pocket for notebooks or water bottles, which displays a graphic drawn by Russ. This graphic was screen-printed by Bob himself in his home studio in Portland.
[RAL] POBS x RUSS POPE WB Loader
Size: 32cm x 19.5cm x 34cm
(*Dimensions when the roll-top is closed.)
Capacity: 21 liters
Material: CORDURA® NYLON
ORIGIN: U.S.A, CALIFORNIA
Price: 15,180 JPY (tax included)
SimWorks had dinner with Bob one night and was able to see the screen-printing process firsthand. As I mentioned before about the importance of creative space, it holds true for Bob as well.
Behind his house is a shed for POBS, which acts as a hideaway for cutting future clothing patterns, working on screen-printing projects, and storing bikes and household items. Many creators share the common thread of being surrounded by influences—ranging from classic cars and band art to haute couture—and letting that ephemera fill their lives, informing and breathing life into their artistic expression.
We had many conversations about why we chose the WB Loader for this collection, and those discussions always came back to utility and versatility.
While SimWorks operates mostly in the cycling domain, the WB Loader is a bridge that connects to many other worlds. This bag fits in a standard WALD 137 basket, making it an excellent foundation for bike commuting or "basket packing," but it also shines well beyond the bike. It’s perfect for grocery runs, a grab-and-go bag for spontaneous road trips, or as a carry-on for long vacations. For anyone living a mobile life who needs a bag that is handsome, durable, and can pack anything, you’ll find plenty of uses for the WB Loader.
In addition to the WB Loader, we are also releasing a bottle for this collection. Adorned with Russ's characteristic touch, the color coordination is outstanding. Whether you're looking to replace an old, worn-out bottle with a handsome new one, or looking to add to your collection, this bottle is sure to stand out on your bike or at your office desk.
[RAL] POBS x RUSS POPE Bottle
Capacity: 22oz (624ml)
Base: Specialized “Purist” BPA Free Bottle
ORIGIN: Made in USA
Price: 2,200 JPY (tax included) *Sold per unit
A bandana is endlessly versatile: use it as a pocket square, a handkerchief to wipe your child's runny nose, or soak it in a cold creek in the Cascades and wrap it around your neck to provide shade and relief during a sun-exposed ride or hike. Taking this bandana out of your pocket and unfolding it is sure to spark a conversation.
[RAL] POBS x RUSS POPE Bandana
Size: Approx. 50cm x 50cm
Material: 100% Cotton
Made in Japan
Price: 1,980 JPY (tax included)
That is the RAL x POBS x RUSS POPE collection. It is the culmination of a conversation that started over a year ago, and something everyone involved in this project really wanted to see through. We don’t take things too seriously, but we sincerely hope that you love this collection and that one or all of the pieces in it make your life a little brighter and bring a smile to your face. We hope this serves as a catalyst for you to create something memorable with your own friends and people you respect.