For Commuting or Weekend Trips, This Bike Covers “90% of Your Riding Time”
The Doppo Ronin, SimWorks’ pride and joy all-around frame, is back in stock at Circles in limited quantities. The previous batch sold out instantly, and we’ve been receiving many inquiries ever since.
First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has been waiting. We are inspecting each frame one by one and will make them available at the Circles physical store and our online shop as soon as they are ready.
The Doppo Ronin is a frame conceived as a modern tourer/mixed-terrain bike—one machine that connects your daily life to your travels. Whether it’s paved roads on your commute, dirt paths along a river, or a weekend tour loaded with gear, its strength lies in being the bike you can confidently rely on for “90% of your riding time.” While it isn’t built for high-speed group rides or extremely technical steep slopes, it provides a stable and natural ride in almost every other situation.
The Meaning Behind the Name "Ronin"
“Ronin,” the Japanese word for a masterless samurai, embodies the spirit of “moving through the world at your own pace, unbound by anything.” Not leaning on a single set of values—whether paved or unpaved, speed or cargo—but moving freely between everyday life and your travels. The Ronin is the most true-to-life embodiment of the philosophy that the Doppo series holds dear.
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Dual Wheel Standard Compatibility:
Convertible between 700c and 650b (27.5”). Choose 700c for a light, efficient roll, or 650b for better ground feel and extra carrying capacity, depending on the terrain or your mood. -
Tire Clearance:
Up to 43mm for 700c, and up to 56mm (2.2”) for 650b. The same bike can behave like a completely different machine by adjusting tire pressure or adding fenders. -
Standard Mounts for All Needs:
With compatibility for fenders, racks, and cargo cages (3-pack), it handles everything from rainy-day commuting to long-distance touring gear with ease. -
Intuitive and Stable Handling:
Refining a time-tested practical geometry, the goal is a natural feel that remains stable even when the bike is fully loaded.
A Quiet Evolution from ATB to Ronin
While inheriting the core philosophy of our previous Doppo ATB, the current Ronin features refined design details in key areas. Instead of a flashy “list of changes,” it might be more accurate to call them adjustments made to support the user’s everyday life.
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SimWorks Original Rear Dropout:
Optimized for 12x142mm thru-axles. The structure makes wheel removal and installation smooth, reducing stress even when the bike is loaded. -
Redesigned Seat Stays:
We’ve rebalanced the follow-through when loaded with the daily comfort of the frame to help reduce fatigue that accumulates during long rides. -
Multi-Mount Fork:
Comes with a color-matched chromoly fork featuring 3-pack mounts on both sides and a 3-pack mount under the downtube, allowing racks and cages to fit cleanly and easily. -
Paint:
Finished in a deep Ron Burgundy. The hue shifts beautifully in different lighting, catching the eye whether parked or in motion. As always, every frame is hand-painted by our own Kyutai Paint team.
From a Small Workshop in a Nagoya Residential Area
The Ronin is carefully finished in small batches by Shinya Hattori and Makoto Yokoyama at the Hattori Seisakusho workshop in a Nagoya residential neighborhood. The scent of the jigs, the feel of the filings, the adjustment of fire and color—these are the “labor-intensive steps” often left behind in mass production, which are now converted into ease of use in daily life and peace of mind on the road.
We want to ensure that this Japanese hand-built sensibility remains in the bicycle as a tool. It doesn’t make flashy claims, but every time you touch it or ride it, you can quietly feel, “This is just right.” We believe that is the essence of the Doppo Ronin.
Imagining Your Usage
A 10km morning commute. Taking a slight detour on the way home, connecting dirt paths along the river. A weekend trip to the mountains with coffee gear and a small tent packed on. The 700c setup glides through your daily routine, while the 650b setup handles heavy loads and rougher terrain.
Add fenders to expand your peace of mind on rainy days. Pair it with a small front rack and a frame bag to give your wallet, keys, and windshell a “permanent home,” allowing you to head out the door without a second thought. It’s not about over-the-top gear, but about practicality that integrates into your life. Beyond that, unexpected detours and longer adventures await.
Build Suggestions from Circles
Our basic approach to building is to keep it “light, strong, and serviceable.”
Rather than excessive weight reduction, we prioritize standards that can be repaired even on the road.
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A: 700c Light Touring
1x12 wide-range / 32H wheels / Full fenders + small front rack
→ A comfortable daily commuter, rain or shine. A balance of roughly 70% paved to 30% unpaved. -
B: 650b Bikepacking
1x11 wide-range / 2.2” class tires / Fork cages x2 + saddlebag
→ Great ground feel that remains confident even with a load. Perfect for leisurely overnighters in the hills or forest roads. -
C: Day Ride / Commuter
1x11 / Slightly wider 700x38–40c tires / Rear carrier + panniers / Flat-style handlebars
→ Prioritizing utility, from grocery runs to long detours on your days off.
Optimizing “touch points”—like handlebar width, stem length, and brake lever shape—significantly affects your comfort over long hours in the saddle. At the shop, we can guide you through the process, from sizing and cockpit layout to drivetrain selection and a rough estimate, in about 45 to 60 minutes.
Specifications at a Glance
SIMWORKS Doppo Ronin Frame Set
- Wheels: Convertible 700c / 650b
- Max Tire Width: 700c = 43mm, 650b (27.5”) = 56mm (2.2”)
- Mounts: Fenders/racks, fork 3-pack (both sides), downtube 3-pack
- Brakes: Flat-mount disc
- Thru-axle: Front 12x100, Rear 12x142 (Original rear dropout)
- BB: BSA 68mm
- Headset: EC34
- Fork: Chromoly, color-matched
- Color: Ron Burgundy (Glossy)
Price: 272,800 JPY (Tax included)
※ Specifications may change slightly depending on the production lot. Please feel free to contact us at the shop or via email for individual compatibility or parts selection questions.
Stock and Inquiries
As with the last drop, this restock is in limited quantities. Since stock for each size fluctuates quickly, please reach out to us early if you are interested. We support in-store viewing, measurements, and estimates, as well as stock checks, reservation requests, and shipping for online customers.
We also welcome inquiries like, “I want to secure the frame first and discuss parts later.” We can also verify the compatibility of any parts or wheels you already own right here at the shop.
Final Thoughts
Strength as a tool and the gentleness that fits into daily life. I believe the Doppo Ronin is the perfect choice for anyone who doesn't want to compromise between the two. It’s not overly pretentious, yet it’s truly beautiful. It works as your daily reliable steed while also being there for unexpected detours or slightly longer journeys. To all cyclists seeking the “closest shortcut to free riding,” we invite you to experience this bike for yourself.
Please feel free to contact us at the shop, by email, or by phone at any time for advice on sizing or builds.
We look forward to your visit.
