With the state of emergency finally lifted, it feels like the streets of Nagoya are slowly regaining their vitality, but there’s also a completely new wind blowing through.
As for me, lately I’ve been spending my days struggling to keep my motivation up since I haven't been able to participate in any races, but then again, everyone has times when their heart just isn't in it, right? It’s precisely at times like these that instead of forcing myself to find time for cycling, I feel like doing all sorts of other things—like reading books, listening to music, maybe going hiking in the mountains, starting to run, or looking at the tennis racket I dragged out after a long time and wanting to play again.
But when I do feel that way, I usually end up wanting to play tennis—probably because it’s something I’ve loved and continued for a long time since I was small. Looking back on those days, though, there were aspects I was unusually particular about, even more so than others. Some might have thought I was worrying too much about it.
What I was doing back then felt so natural that I never bothered to think about what it actually meant, but looking back now, I realize there were many things I had come to understand.
For example, I treated the tennis racket—the most important tool for the game—with great care and precision as an essential daily instrument. I constantly explored every possible means and method, sharpening my senses and taking the time to figure out what condition was best to ensure I could perform at my peak during practice and matches.
It started with researching not just the characteristics of each manufacturer, but also the weight, thickness, face area, grip size, balance, and more. Next came choosing the strings; the feel of the shot changes entirely depending on the gauge, stiffness, the pattern of the mains and crosses, and the tension—and these factors would sometimes change based on the court surface and the weather.
Before a match, I’d carefully re-wrap my grips, including the spare rackets, and I never neglected maintenance after playing on a rainy day… When I look back, countless memories flood in, but I never once found these tasks to be a chore. They had become a routine, a part of my daily life, as if they were second nature.
It’s just in my nature to get a bit too passionate when talking about tennis, but in terms of cycling, wiping down the bike, applying oil to the chain, and regularly checking the tire pressure all amount to that same act of care.
The point is to have affection for the things you own and to use them carefully until you’re satisfied with how they’ve performed. It is a manifestation of the desire to deepen your understanding of what you believe in, even if it takes time. I think it’s a very happy thing to have something right in front of you that you can be that obsessed with.
And when I eventually became interested in a new genre—bicycles—I became just as obsessed with riding, and my desire to deepen my understanding grew to the point where I set my sights on becoming a frame builder.
I still remember when I first saw the Doppo Racer, but I never imagined I’d end up riding a red frame. Strangely enough, however, I found myself getting on the Doppo Racer more often than any other machine, and before I knew it, it felt like an extension of my own body.
It was the same for my SimWorks Racing teammates who fought alongside me; I believe it’s because we rode with love and cared for our bikes through rain, wind, and snow.
Having spent three years riding this Doppo Racer—which challenged me to aim for greater heights each season—the results finally blossomed with a 2nd place finish at the All-Japan Cyclo-Cross Championships, and it even took me to the world stage, a place I could never have experienced through tennis.
Honestly, neither I nor anyone else could have imagined I’d get to experience the world level. I believe that my attitude of cherishing the things I use and truly getting to know them is what ultimately led to these results.
Aya’s Doppo Racer
Because I have such strong feelings for this Doppo Racer, I wanted all of you to have the chance to own it, and we were actually planning to sell the very bike—Aya’s Doppo Racer—that I used at the World Championships in Dübendorf, Switzerland... but before we could, it ended up being "wedded" to a wonderful woman I happened to meet.
I suppose this is what you call a fated encounter—it was exactly that kind of turn of events—and now I have even more to look forward to this season, and I'm honestly feeling quite excited!
Beyond just racing, this bike has also created many stories through adventure rides. Not only in my regular training, but in various rides like Grinduro, the Nobeyama Gravel Challenge, and the GIRLS RIDEALIVE Hokkaido, it has flown all over Japan and visited countless places.
This machine, which has grown steadily alongside us, is without a doubt the ultimate handmade frame that you can get the absolute most out of, in any season and in any situation.
SIMWORKS Doppo RACER
SimWorks Racing Team Model
【SIMWORKS Doppo RACER】
Limited Edition Frame Set
Frame Size : M / L
Price : ¥ 235,000 (tax excluded)
Includes Chris King InSet 7
(Colors can be selected.)
Has the SimWorks Doppo RACER been making waves in the cyclocross world for the past few years? Happily, we've received many inquiries from people at race venues and elsewhere, but it remained shrouded in mystery for a long time.
However, that was only because it was being developed with great care and time, based on feedback from the SimWorks racing team and in order to meet the delicate demands of many cyclists.
Development of this racer bike frame began three years ago as the second installment in the Doppo series. Conceived based on a concept specialized for "going your own way" in a sense slightly different from our ATB, the Doppo Racer has finally been unveiled and has joined the ranks of the many custom handmade frames at Circles!
The frame uses trusted 7075 aluminum tubing from the American brand NOVA. True to its American frame heritage, it features a selection of thicker pipes that combine rigidity and strength, and a uniquely shaped monostay that catches the eye.
Furthermore, the ride quality—produced by a level of firmness you wouldn't expect from aluminum—is strangely pleasant and smooth from the moment you start pedaling through to the acceleration phase. Even at higher speeds, it offers excellent cruising performance and high straight-line stability. In addition, its stability and handling in tight corners, on cambers, and on long stretches of gravel are so good that you'll find yourself instinctively trusting it completely.
It has been finished as a bike that performs solidly not only off-road but on-road as well, so please do experience the ride for yourself.
As for the fork, it comes with a color-matched carbon fork made by Whisky & Co., a carbon parts manufacturer under the QBP umbrella that has been rapidly gaining recognition in recent years. 160mm disc rotors can be used on both the front and rear.
Manufacturing was commissioned to Oscar Camarelo, a former Cielo builder and current head of Simple Bike in the United States, and each one was carefully crafted by his hands using the finest welding techniques.
Despite the difficulty of welding aluminum—which is considered harder than welding chromoly—the beautifully uniform rippled beads are so exquisite that even other frame builders are enamored by them, demonstrating high technical skill.
Also, with a frame design that incorporates elements of the MTB and BMX styles that he specializes in, it has been finished as a true all-rounder that understands what the rider wants to use it for—not just for seeking speed in races, but as a bike to freely enjoy gravel and long rides as well.
Main Specifications
- Uses NOVA 7075 aluminum tubing
- 44mm head tube
- Includes Chris King InSet 7 (please choose your preferred color)
- Lightweight and high-strength TIG welding
- Includes Whisky & Co. carbon fork
- Compatible with up to 160mm disc rotors
- Front mount: Flat mount / Rear mount: International standard mount
- Thru-axle: Front 12x100 / Rear 12x142
- Max tire clearance: 700c x 45mm / 650b x 50mm
- Seatpost size: 27.2mm
- 68mm JIS Threaded BB Shell
- Seat clamp size: 31.8mm
- Can be used with either a single or double chainring setup
- Includes 2 bottle eyelets
- Made in U.S.A
【SIZE CHART｜Geometry】
| M | L | |
| Seat Tube Length (mm) | 520 | 540 |
| Top Tube Length (effective) (mm) | 535 | 551 |
| Reach (mm) | 379 | 383 |
| Stack (mm) | 560 | 580 |
| Standover (mm) | 800 | 818 |
| Head Tube angle (deg.) | 70.5 | 70.5 |
| Head Tube Length (mm) | 129 | 150 |
| Seat Tube angle (deg.) | 74.0 | 73.5 |
| Chain Stay Length (mm) | 425 | 425 |
| BB Drop (mm) | 69 | 69 |
| BB Height (mm) | 290 | 290 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1026 | 1047 |
| Fork Length (mm) | 395 | 395 |
| Fork Offset (mm) | 47 | 47 |
Chris King Custom Wheel Set Special Price!!
The wheels that SimWorks Racing uses with the Doppo Racer are Chris King custom wheel sets built by Chris King's exclusive wheel builder. We want everyone to try them, so we are offering them at a special 15% off price!
The wheel system is a very important element in changing the quality of your ride, and there is nothing better than having something that can be used for a long time in the best possible condition.
Chris King hubs, which have an excellent balance of durability, rotation performance, and weight, are designed to be used for a long time, including their performance, and the bearings themselves become smoother as you use them. That smooth, free-spinning hub doesn't just give you the satisfaction of owning it—it makes you want to keep using it to the very end.
We also provided Chris King free maintenance at race venues; ease of maintenance is a very important key to racing in a fresh state at all times. With the wish for the user to take care of it proactively, Chris King hubs are designed with as simple a philosophy as possible, and you can order parts down to a single small component, so you can rest easy even in the unlikely event that something happens.
The Doppo Racer is a convertible model that accepts two wheel sizes: 700c x 45mm / 650b x 50mm.
Starting now, as the weather warms up, you could put on road tires from 700x25c to 32c and go longer and further, or if you want to ride rougher roads or seek more tire volume, you can enjoy dirt rides with 650b wheels.
If you have two wheel sets for one frame based on your application, you won't need to buy another bike, which is the strength of a gravel bike equipped with disc brakes, and the idea of using that one bike to its absolute limit is something that makes us happy too.
We are sure that this ultimate combination will become your own special bike.
The other day, I thought the gravel-ready single-speed bike that Shige-san built with a fixed gear as his MY DOPPO RACER was very cool.
Shige-san built it because he was interested in riding gravel fixed-gear, and I've also become interested in track cross—which is still rare for women—so I'm thinking it might be interesting to try using the Stealth Bar that SimWorks just released to convert it to a flat-bar setup...
In any season and in any situation, why not take this opportunity to make the Doppo Racer—the finest handmade frame that you can use the most—your partner for life?
This is a limited-quantity special offer, so don't miss this opportunity, as it likely won't come around again.
Whether you're someone who is thinking about starting cyclocross this season, someone aiming to step up, or someone who wants to enjoy not just racing but also gravel riding, the ways to use it are up to you. The time you spend imagining what you want to do and where you want to ride on a Doppo Racer is very fun and free. And once you turn that into reality and start riding, an even more fun world will surely be waiting for you.
We are happy to help you turn your image into reality and build it into the ultimate bike, so please feel free to consult with us.