That adorable chili pepper logo...
For those who knew exactly what this was the moment you saw it, thank you so much for waiting.
That bike has finally returned to the Circles lineup. Since we’ve carried this bike in the past, I’m sure some of you might feel a sense of nostalgia.
By the way, as I’m coolly introducing this product, this is actually my first-ever Circles blog post. Please be gentle with me.
(I’d like to introduce myself at the end of this blog, so if you’re interested, I hope you’ll stick with me until the end.)
SALSA CYCLES Journeyer Claris 700C
Salsa Cycles always strikes me as having a very dedicated core fan base. Perhaps they’re the Yoshimi of the baseball world—that reliable, go-to presence.
For those who are new to the brand, let’s do a quick refresher on Salsa Cycles. (Excerpted from Shige-san’s past blog)
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Salsa Cycles was founded in 1982 by Ross Shafer, who had previously been making tandems and other bikes under the name "Red Bush." He built handmade MTB frames. The simple, hand-painted head logos that overflow with a sense of craftsmanship, and the custom stems sized perfectly to the frame are still enough to capture your heart today. They were a company that truly embraced manufacturing, actively creating their own handlebars, quick-release skewers, and other components.
After being acquired by QBP in 1997 and Ross leaving the company two years later, it became impossible to get "Made in USA" Salsas. However, while carrying the spirit of the past, they shifted from being manufacturers to planners. Today, they have built a solid reputation, bringing a variety of bikes into the world under the theme of "ADVENTURE BY BIKE."
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ADVENTURE BY BIKE… Just hearing the theme makes you feel the possibilities…
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Journeyer Claris 700C, the subject of today’s post.
It’s a versatile aluminum touring gravel bike that’s perfect for long rides and off-road fun. Compared to a standard road bike, the wheelbase is slightly longer. In short, it’s highly stable and can tackle unpaved roads with ease.
The first thing that surprised me was the abundance of sizes available!!
It fits riders from 142cm to 196cm tall. How incredible is that?
Everyone from elementary school students to Shunichi Kawai can ride it. (Shunichi Kawai: 195cm)
This size range is extremely attractive.
We have many female customers visiting Circles, but there are so few cute bikes available in sizes that women can ride… Many people probably give up, thinking, "I’m interested in a gravel road bike, but I don’t know what to choose for an entry model..."
Having heard many such requests from our female customers, we have currently stocked sizes 49 and 51 in the shop. We have the complete bikes ready, so if you’re interested, please come by and try one out!
※Of course! If you’re interested in other sizes, we can order them for you, so please feel free to ask.
With a design that isn’t too sweet, it looks great for any gender and fits right into city life. The exquisite off-white coloring is also fantastic.
It features triple eyelets on the front fork for cargo cages! A frame design that supports all kinds of loading.
You can easily attach racks and pack it up for camping touring. What you choose to customize using these triple eyelets shows your individuality, which is a fun part of the process.
What’s more, the cables are internally routed!
This is a huge plus—it’s great that they don’t get in the way when you attach a frame bag.
It also keeps the look clean and gives it a sophisticated impression.
For components, it comes with the reliable and steady SHIMANO CLARIS 2x8 speed system.
Even if you’re not confident in your leg strength, this will help you climb hills! It’s a great assembly for those looking for something robust and built to last—the most important factor when riding a bike.
Another exciting point is that the complete bike comes equipped with TERAVAIL WASHBURN tires.
At 700C x 38mm, it’s a setup that you can ride anywhere, on-road or off-road. It’s what I’d call a "sweet spot" size.
I’ve used WASHBURN tires myself—they’re amazing tires with excellent rolling on-road, and side grips that really catch the ground off-road.
The tire clearance accommodates up to 700 x 50c, which is great for changing tires based on your riding purpose.
It can also accommodate fenders, so you can go wild even on rainy days.
(Personally, I think it would look super cool to put some fenders on this bike and give it a classic look…)
The little chili peppers popping up here and there… adorable…
Whether you’re commuting, going on long tours, or hitting the gravel, the Journeyer is a wonderful bike that can meet a wide range of needs in a single machine.
It’s the perfect bike for those looking to start cycling and don't know what to choose, or for those wanting to take on new challenges like gravel riding or long-distance touring.
If you start with this bike, you can’t go wrong! It’s that kind of bike. We have complete models in the shop, so please come take a look if you’re interested.
SALSA CYCLES Journeyer Claris 700c
Stock Sizes: 49, 51
Price: ¥175,780-
I’ve introduced this nice bike, but I’d also like to briefly introduce myself…!
I started working at Circles in August. Three months have flown by in the blink of an eye. I’m sure many of you have thought, "Who is this new guy in the shop or on social media?"
Nice to meet you, my name is Ishikawa! At the shop, people call me Issy or Icchan. (Only Makoto-san calls me Icchan.)
Here’s a brief summary of my background.
I started out working for a certain fashion brand as a sales associate in-store before moving to the HR department. There, I handled recruitment and management planning, including company orientation sessions, interviews, and corporate business planning. (Sounds serious, right?!)
As for how I got into cycling, I’d always enjoyed bikes, but I didn’t get seriously obsessed with them until I started working as an adult.
When I was in the fashion industry, I saw a bike my senior colleague had built with such meticulous detail, and I thought, "A bike ridden by a clothing store staffer is so cool! It would be so fun to style a bike, too!!"
Driven by that naive thought, I built a bike from scratch, and I’ve been happily trapped in the bicycle hobby ever since.
At first, I was just zipping around town, but eventually, town riding wasn’t enough. As I started riding in different ways, I found I loved facing the bike, thinking about each individual part, and watching the bike become a part of who I am.
A bike allows you to go where you want to go using your own power. If you don't keep pedaling, you don't move; you have to rely on yourself. That’s been a great lesson as well.
For various reasons, I now find myself in Nagoya, working at Circles.
I’m planning some fun things for the future, so stay tuned.
Please feel free to come talk to me—I’m Ishikawa, and I’ve finally gotten used to life in Nagoya. I’d be very happy to meet you!
I look forward to your visit!!