Morimichi Market has ended safely, and June is finally here.
Yes, it’s no secret that it’s the end of the fiscal year for us here at Circles.
While we’re in the middle of a frantic rush of events, we’ve actually also been hit with a massive wave of new arrivals behind the scenes. I can’t say too much just yet, but specifically, some handmade frames we’ve been preparing have all arrived at once.
We’ll be introducing them one by one, so please look forward to those (we’re currently working hard to organize the content!), but the one to kick things off is none other than this talked-about frame from the familiar SKLAR BIKES (hereinafter referred to as SKLAR)!
A Titanium Version of the Super Something?!
That’s right. The titanium version of that legendary machine, the Super Something, has arrived.
Speaking of the Super Something, since it was released in 2022 as SKLAR's first Taiwan-made production model using steel, it has established an unshakable position as an all-rounder gravel bike.
In the blog I wrote at the time of the release, I detailed Adam's thoughts and my own perspective on what makes this bike special, so I highly recommend giving it a read.
After producing countless custom-ordered frames, builder Adam arrived at a definitive form of a gravel bike for SKLAR, and chose a Taiwan-made production model out of a desire to share the values of the SKLAR brand with more people.
This upgrade to a titanium frame follows that success, which began with the first generation Super Something.
Lightweight and resilient, titanium absorbs vibrations from the road, providing excellent traction and rider comfort by conforming to the contours of the surface. It is, therefore, the best material choice for those seeking an even higher-quality gravel bike, and it offers a weight advantage as well, despite being a metal bike.
Made in CA, USA. Limited to 8 frames in Japan.
Unlike the Taiwan-made production model, this titanium frame was crafted in California. Being able to free up his own hands by running the Taiwan production allowed him to start this Made in USA production, which I think was a huge step for him personally.
However, the quantity that can be made is limited. An order window of only 20 frames was opened in the US, and it filled up instantly. I pushed a little bit to get them to make 8 special ones for everyone in Japan. In other words, there are only 28 such frames in existence worldwide.
Details optimized for drop-bar assembly
As for the basic design of the bike, it essentially follows the steel Super Something, but has been refined in various places.
Also, with the completion of the PBJ (which is also planned to be finished soon!), Adam's intention for the Super Something to evolve into a bike more specialized for drop bars has been reflected in this model.
Original Tapered Head Tube + Carbon Fork
Unlike the steel model, since it's a titanium frame, it comes standard with an original carbon fork with an eye toward weight reduction.
In addition to cargo cage mounts and internal dynamo routing, this carbon fork features eyelets on the fork crown for attaching lights or racks.
3D-Printed Original Yoke
The tire clearance you're curious about is a maximum of 64mm (equivalent to 29×2.2″). A key factor in achieving this is this 3D-printed original yoke. While maximizing tire clearance, it supports not only front-single but also front-double drivetrains (be aware that the tire may interfere with the front derailleur depending on the tire size).
The bike I built up this time is fitted with 700x50c tires, and as you can see, there is plenty of clearance.
UDH Dropout
It adopts the UDH dropout, which has been adopted by many bikes recently, and is compatible with SRAM's Transmission series, as well as other standard derailleurs of course.
Geometry + Size Range
| Small | Medium | M-L | Large | |
| Stack | 543mm | 588mm | 607mm | 623mm |
| Reach | 347mm | 365mm | 386mm | 406mm |
| Effective Top Tube | 507mm | 539mm | 542mm | 568mm |
| Front Center | 585mm | 615mm | 646mm | 665mm |
| BB Height (42mm Tire) | 287mm | 287mm | 287mm | 287mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 69.5° | 70° | 70.5° | 70.5° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
| Chainstay Length | 426mm | 426mm | 426mm | 426mm |
| BB Drop | 73mm | 73mm | 73mm | 73mm |
| Axle To Crown | 412mm | 412mm | 412mm | 412mm |
| Trail | 76mm | 74mm | 69mm | 69mm |
| Fork Offset | 55mm | 55mm | 55mm | 55mm |
| Head Tube Length | 100mm | 148mm | 166mm | 187mm |
| Seat Tube Length | 440mm | 490mm | 538mm | 575mm |
| Standover Height | 735mm | 776mm | 822mm | 850mm |
Also, we have updated the geometry slightly from the steel Super Something, and the sizing notation has been changed from centimeters to letters.
By the way, we are planning production of the steel Super Something around the end of this year (a major piece of news that slipped in there), and it will be based on this geometry as well.
Who is it for?
Honestly, even if you vaguely understand that titanium frames are good, the price is what it is, and it requires a certain amount of resolve to make that decision. Also, if you’re going to get a titanium frame, I think you might be worried about whether you can tap into its full potential without a clear intended use.
Personally, while the lightness is a factor, I believe the true strength of titanium lies in its excellent vibration absorption, which I think makes it a very attractive material choice, especially for the gravel category.
And the fact that it is crafted by Adam is a huge appeal. While he has stopped taking custom orders, I am drawn to the fact that he is establishing a position as the next generation's Tom Ritchey, continuing to create products with his own hands as a builder while running production.
It surely isn't just us who are drawn to items where the creator's own hands have been put to work, imbued with their skill and experience.
For those who were interested in the world of handmade bikes but found custom orders a bit intimidating,
or for those who were drawn to the material of titanium but weren't sure what kind of bike to choose because their usage wasn't clear—if the gravel riding style envisioned by the Super Something matches your image, I believe this is the best choice available.
Available in Nagoya and Tokyo
So, I’ve already built one up.
Since I was building it in Japan, I decided to go with Shimano GRX 12-speed for a front-single setup. While I didn't max out the clearance, I chose meaty 700x50c tires. Even when riding gravel in Japan, paved roads are always part of the approach, so I chose the pattern of the new TERAVAIL Updraft, keeping rolling efficiency on pavement in mind.
Of course, you can assemble it with flat bars, but for those who want to do everything with a drop bar and focus on long rides, I think this bike is the optimal solution.
The frames are in stock at our Nagoya store, as well as Circles Tokyo, so please come by to see them in person. This bike will also be available for test rides at Circles Tokyo starting early next week.
SKLAR BIKES Super Something Titanium
Size : Small, Medium, M-L, Large
Price: 599,500 JPY (tax included)
We are grateful to have already received inquiries, and we have one of each size in stock in Nagoya. We are also happy to advise you on the build, so please feel free to contact us.
