Photo by John Watson / The Radavist & Adam Sklar / Sklar Bikes
What is Super Something?
SKLAR BIKES is a handmade custom bike brand created by frame builder Adam Sklar, based in Bozeman, Montana.
A production model gravel bike called the Super Something is being added to the SKLAR BIKES lineup.
Adam, the founder, has been developing prototypes since last year and has posted photos of himself riding and enjoying the Super Something, so perhaps some of you have been curious about it?
The frames are scheduled for completion around January-February, and while the pre-order window is set to open on October 28th (US time), thanks to Adam's cooperation, we are pleased to confirm that these will be available in Japan!
Accordingly, in line with the start of the pre-order period in the US, our pre-order site will open at midnight on Saturday, October 29th (Japan time)!
【SKLAR BIKES】 Super Something / Pre-order
Color : Honey Dijon , Ocean Blue/Green
Size : 48cm , 52cm , 54cm , 56cm , 58cm
Delivery : Expected around Jan-Feb 2023
Price : Estimated 330,000 JPY (tax included)
※Delivery dates are subject to change.
※Pricing is currently being finalized and is subject to change; please understand that this is an estimated price.
Mass production packed with a builder’s experience and concepts?!
"This is the bike I made but I didn’t make."
These are Adam's words.
With the Super Something, he has realized the design philosophy behind SKLAR BIKES in a way that doesn't involve his own hands.
This decision by Adam is a new challenge rarely taken by modern builders; it provides a fresh option for those who want to enjoy cycling and experience the worldview of SKLAR BIKES.
Just as Tom Ritchey did back in the day with the RITCHEY brand, he shared his vision of an ideal frame and collaborated with others to bring it to life. While it sounds simple in words, it certainly wasn't an easy path. Especially over the past few years, with the global spread of COVID-19, I imagine it was difficult to proceed as planned, and as I write this, I am struck by what a wonderful achievement it is to be able to announce this now.
This project involves incorporating the concepts Adam developed, rode, and refined in the handmade world into a mass-produced product. It's not a custom order frame, nor is it a standard mass-produced item; Super Something is a bike frame born from unprecedented ideas and concepts, both in terms of specifications and accessibility regarding price range.
A gravel bike "for everyone"
I was surprised when Adam told me about this project at the end of last year, but I truly empathized with his idea of expanding the possibilities in a new way.
As a company that has long introduced custom frames from American handmade builders, we feel we understand the wonder of this world, as well as the hardships of manufacturing.
Custom orders are made for a "specific person," and Adam takes great pride in that; at the same time, he has lamented that custom orders inevitably come at a high price.
Individual builders have limitations on what they can do alone, and since SKLAR BIKES has been receiving so many custom orders, they have temporarily stopped accepting new orders within the US. (Exceptionally, they have continued to accept orders from Japan through Circles.)
To overcome this challenge, he created the Super Something as a bike "for everyone" that is easier to obtain, by planning a Taiwan-made production model that incorporates the DNA of SKLAR BIKES.
Adam started this project with the wish for more people to enjoy cycling, but one can also feel his determination to focus on custom orders and continue working on new things.
Is it Super? Is it Something?
Created as a versatile all-road gravel bike, the Super Something is a multi-purpose "platform" that meets all needs for enjoying rides on various road surfaces and in different lands; it is fittingly described as a bike that can grow and change according to the rider's style.
Some time has passed since the gravel bike genre emerged, and while it now enjoys immense popularity, the essence that it is incredibly fun to set out on a ride with a bike capable of handling any terrain remains unchanged.
The Super Something, which gives form to that essence in Adam’s own way, uses appropriate tubing for each size, and adopts original dropouts and head tubes designed by Adam. The rear dropouts are compatible with PARAGON MACHINE WORKS Rocker Dropouts, making it easy to set up as a single-speed. The frameset comes with an original unicrown steel fork, but it is also designed to be compatible with the ENVE / Adventure Fork, so you can upgrade the fork later if you wish.
The tire clearance accommodates up to 700x55c / 27.5"x2.1" tires, giving it the off-road capability to keep the pedals turning regardless of the surface. Adam himself built everything from drop-bar geared bikes to single-speed riser-bar bikes for his sample, which really highlights what a versatile bike this is. While having multiple bikes is nice, by having 700C wheels, 650B wheels, and a carbon fork of your choice, I think this single bike offers a truly wide range of enjoyment.
Shige's best choice for a gravel bike.
At Circles, we have been handling SKLAR BIKES custom orders since 2017, and the bike I ride is one that I had Adam build for me back then. Please check out my past blog for details.
Record of my visit to Adam's workshop:
"A man named Adam Sklar."
Article on building my Sklar into a monster cross:
My Sklar turned out to be Monster…
I actually talked to Adam about this, and I felt that the monster cross I ordered is a bike with a similar concept. Having built many such custom orders, this style represents a completed concept for SKLAR BIKES in Adam's view.
I remember that when I first learned about SKLAR BIKES, what caught my attention was that he was a builder specializing solely in bikes with a strong focus on dirt—specifically CX/gravel and MTB.
The frame, packed with ideas characteristic of someone who enjoys riding on dirt, greatly expanded the world of gravel riding for me.
Compared to back then, the barriers between road and MTB genres have been further removed, and we have entered an era where we can genuinely face the questions of where we want to ride and how we want to have fun when choosing (or assembling) a bike.
Just as my own bike is, I believe SKLAR BIKES' gravel bike points to various possibilities as time goes on and stays close to the rider.
In other words, a frame that allows you to touch upon the values of SKLAR BIKES, which has refined the concept of gravel riding, is being released in stock sizing at an accessible price point.
This is a must-buy bike I can confidently recommend, not only to those who have been considering SKLAR BIKES, but also to those who have been looking for this kind of multi-purpose bike.
Of course, if you have a clear image of how you want to ride and want a frame that fits your body, we are happy to accept custom order consultations, so please feel free to reach out.
Pre-orders start October 29th (Sat), Japan time!
As mentioned, production in Taiwan is underway, and we expect completion around January-February of next year.
Thanks to Adam's cooperation, it has been decided that these will be available in Japan, and in line with the start of pre-orders in the US, our pre-order site will open at midnight on Saturday, October 29th (Japan time)!
Colors available are Honey Dijon and Ocean Blue/Green, and sizes available for the Japanese market are 48cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, and 58cm, for a total of 5 sizes.
【SKLAR BIKES】 Super Something / Pre-order
Color : Honey Dijon , Ocean Blue/Green
Size : 48cm , 52cm , 54cm , 56cm , 58cm
Delivery : Expected around Jan-Feb 2023
Price : Estimated 330,000 JPY (tax included)
※Delivery dates are subject to change.
※Pricing is currently being finalized and is subject to change; please understand that this is an estimated price.
【SPEC】
- ・Tubing: Double butted heat treated Chromoly Steel
- Includes original unicrown steel fork
- Axle spacing: Front / 100x12mm, Rear / 142x12mm
- Seatpost size: 27.2mm
- Front disc brake: 160mm ISO mount
- Rear disc brake: 160mm Post mount
- Tire clearance: 700 x 55c or 27.5 x 2.1″
- Designed to be compatible with ENVE Adventure Fork
- 3 bottle cage mounts (one on the underside of the down tube)
- 68mm JIS (BSA) Threaded BB Shell
- Headset: EC34mm/44mm, 1-1/8″ steerer fork
- Chainring capacity: Up to 44T
- External cable routing
- Compatible with PARAGON MACHINE WORKS Rocker Dropouts for adjustable chainstay length. Single-speed setup is possible.
- Flat mount brakes can also be used with PARAGON MACHINE WORKS Flat Mount Rocker Dropouts (B4048) and the ENVE Adventure Fork.
Circles has actually received a sample frame ahead of time, and I have built it up as a demo bike to express my take on the Super Something.
Of course, we accept in-store pre-orders, so if you are interested, you are welcome to come by and take a test ride. Please feel free to visit us or contact us.
Adam himself happily said, "I'm really looking forward to seeing the diversity in how everyone builds their Super Something!"
I am also looking forward to seeing many Super Somethings fitting into the lives of each rider in various ways, and I would love to help you with that!