We just recently shared a proposal for an original complete bike build for the SKLAR PBJ, and right on time, our new colors have arrived!
Since the long-awaited frame was completed last summer, it has received a great response back at home base. Adam and Nick decided to move forward with a new production run, and with their intent to freshen things up with new colors, we have now received these two brand new options!
We’ve been experiencing some size shortages in the existing Moss Grey and Salmon colors here at Circles, so it’s great news that we’re getting our size range back in order at this exact moment.
The new colors are Dark Red Manzanita and Sparkly Silver.
While the frames bound for the US are currently on a ship making their way across, thanks to Adam's generosity, we are able to launch them here in Japan ahead of the rest of the world!
SKLAR BIKES PBJ Frame Set
Price: 264,000 yen (tax included)
Dark Red Manzanita feels very true to the SKLAR spirit, but personally, Sparkly Silver caught me off guard. When I first heard about the new colors, I thought it was an unexpected choice for SKLAR, but looking at the frames now, it’s a really great colorway. I can’t help but think how cool it would look once it gets covered in mud.
With the Salmon color now only available in size XS, you effectively have three colors to choose from: Moss Grey, Dark Red Manzanita, and Sparkly Silver. Seeing them all together, I find myself drawn to the basic feel of the Moss Grey again. By the way, Adam mentioned that this color is quite popular in the States.
So, we went ahead and assembled one. This is actually a bike for Kimura-san, who is currently away on a business trip in the U.S.
The setup is similar to our previous original complete, but assembled using parts Kimura-san already had on hand.
The SYCIP x SIMWORKS JJJ Bar is a key detail. For an S-size frame, I felt this 20mm rise fits just right. We also leaned into a touring-oriented build to help realize Kimura-san’s ambition of taking this bike on a tour through Hokkaido.
We took his existing PASS AND STOW 5 Rail Rack and swapped in custom legs made for the PBJ, successfully eliminating any worries about carrying gear—from daily rides to touring. (We can also accept orders for PASS AND STOW racks with PBJ-specific legs, so please feel free to consult with us!)
Since it would be a waste to just call it a touring bike, we also added a dropper post so that you can enjoy those nice-looking trails you might find unexpectedly on the map. This build leverages the PBJ’s core strength of being able to ride absolutely anywhere.
So, who is the PBJ recommended for?
The PBJ can be thought of as a 29" modern ATB (All-Terrain Bike). Its depth—capable of handling trails, touring, and daily rides across a wide range of surfaces and situations—teaches you the joy of setting out on an exploration without any real plans, wondering where the road leads. It truly reminds you of the core experience of going on an adventure by bike when you were a kid.
To be specific, it is recommended for people like...
1 : Someone who wants to enjoy various rides, especially off-road
2 : Someone who isn't concerned with speed and wants to enjoy all the elements they encounter along the way → It is highly recommended to tour on a PBJ with this mindset.
3 : Someone who wants to enjoy the kind of "BikeTo" (Ride + alpha) activities we advocate at Circles (For me, it’s BikeToFishing🚲🎣)
4 : Someone who wants to connect their daily life and their play into one bike
If you fit these descriptions, the PBJ is for you.
If you are looking for speed, for example, then within the SKLAR lineup, the Super Something is definitely the one, and there are plenty of other drop-bar bikes out there that I would recommend instead. But for those who ride for the fun of it rather than for speed, the PBJ is a trustworthy partner of a bike.
We've uploaded them to our online shop, so please check them out.
SKLAR BIKES PBJ Frame Set
Price: 264,000 yen (tax included)
Bonus: PBJ + Drop Bars?
The PBJ is fundamentally a bike built on an MTB platform. It features a long front center, a short stem, and swept-back bars, prioritizing a comfortable position. Combined with his trademark short chainstays, the design focuses on making the bike responsive and easy to handle from a seated position, with your weight centered on your hips.
However, since he’s received many questions about it, it seems Adam has experimented with drop-bar setups like this.
The stem needs to be as short as possible, and for the sake of bike balance, it’s best to use handlebars that are relatively wide with effective upsweep and backsweep (Adam uses the CRUST BIKES Towel Rack Bar). Still, as you can see, drop-bar operation is possible, so just keep that in mind as an option.
In my case, since I got a PBJ, I’ve dedicated my custom-ordered gravel bike (which was also the source of the Super Something) entirely to drop-bar use. I generally wouldn’t put drop bars on a PBJ myself, but if you’re really looking to do it all with just one PBJ, it’s certainly an interesting option.
