The world of custom handmade bikes is the summit that certain types of bike lovers eventually reach.
In particular, the handmade bike builders handled by Circles are all highly idiosyncratic artists.
The term "custom handmade" sounds like "they will accommodate every single one of your wishes exactly as you want," but the most sophisticated way to place an order is to provide detailed information about your height, inseam, riding style, and future plans, and then—valuing the builder's artistry—leave the rest up to them.
It may be similar to the feeling of buying artisanal pottery or a painting.
In an era where we have become too accustomed to buying things based on specs, data comparisons, and reviews, such a special purchase is a very enriching experience that teaches us the true essence of buying and using something.
Among the handmade bike culture that sits at such a summit, we have received various items from STEVE POTTS, a legend who is still an active builder today.
STEVE POTTS
If you have heard the name STEVE POTTS, you are likely quite the bike enthusiast (meaning a fanatical bicycle lover).
To explain simply, he was in the heart of the scene that created the mountain bike movement in the late 1970s and early 80s. He is one of the co-founders of WTB. From the beginning, his ideas and his skill in frame building were widely known, and he is a legend among legends who developed important products during the formative years of mountain biking.
The STEVE POTTS owned by John Prolly of THE RADAVIST is so cool, so please check it out here!
Back then, he made beautiful steel frames with fillet brazing, but today he continues to manufacture handmade frames using titanium as his primary material.
A living legend of California.
Ummmmmm…….. That is a fine thing.
To "drool" means to "want something desperately," and a STEVE POTTS bike literally makes you drool physically. I really want to order one.
…………………Anyway, enough idle chatter, time to introduce the new arrivals.
Arrival 1: Chinook Saddle (Steel rail)
Steve Potts' latest creation is, of all things, a saddle!!
This drop-nose style saddle allows you to easily move to the back of the seat even on steep climbs, making it easy to maintain grip on the rear wheel by shifting some of your weight onto the back of the saddle.
The thick, chunky-looking padding is perfect for long rides.
Furthermore, the cutout supports long-distance riding.
And the fact that it is made of pure leather is a level of commitment you don't usually see in this type of saddle.
A perfect saddle for those who love a vintage vibe.
A personal favorite. I am super grateful to Steve for making a saddle with this design in 2023.
It is undoubtedly one of my top 10 purchases of the year.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Chinook Saddle
Price: 7,480 yen (tax included)
Size: 150mm x 278mm
Rail material: Steel rail
Arrival 2: Gravel Road Mini Type II R Fork / Mountain Type II R Fork
The legendary Type II Fork, a masterpiece from WTB's inception that was designed by Charlie Cunningham, one of the founders of the MTB culture, and refined by Steve into its current form, has now been manufactured as a production model.
The fork blades are inserted into the fork crown. It maintains the details of the time—designed to increase rigidity while saving weight—and has been updated with modern necessities like six mounting eyelets, disc brakes, and a thru-axle.
It is a fork that has been modernized while thoroughly preserving its original atmosphere. This is my top pick this time around.
This is likely the first time these forks have been imported as standalone items to Japan (?).
We have received two types: one for gravel road bikes and one for mountain bikes, with different clearances.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Gravel/Road Mini Type II R Fork
Price: 76,780 yen (tax included)
Material: Chromoly
Steerer tube size: 1-1/8″ x 350mm
ISO disc mount
Options: Three eyelets
Axle type: 12mm x 100mm thru-axle
Axle to crown: 401mm
Rake: 47mm
Tire size: Compatible with tires up to 700c x 50mm
Weight: 1.35kg (steerer uncut)
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Mountain Type II R Fork
Price: 76,780 yen (tax included)
Material: Chromoly
Steerer tube size: 1-1/8″ x 350mm
ISO disc mount
Options: Three eyelets
Axle type: 12mm x 100mm thru-axle
Axle to crown: 419mm
Rake: 47mm
Tire size: Compatible with tires up to 75mm wide and 736mm tall
(Equivalent to 27.5 x 2.8" or 29 x 2.25")
Arrival 3: Titanium Stem
This stem leverages the material properties of titanium, possessing flexibility that absorbs shocks and vibrations from the road surface, ensuring a comfortable ride on both paved and unpaved roads.
Just like the titanium frames he makes, it is blast-finished and exudes a unique presence despite its simplicity.
It comes in two angles, 0° and 7°, with corresponding extensions, so please choose according to your bike model.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Titanium Stem
Price: 80,300 yen (tax included)
Material: 3-2.5 Titanium
Faceplate material: Aluminum
Angle: 0° (50mm/70mm/90mm/100mm) & 7° (70mm/90mm/100mm/110mm)
Handlebar clamp diameter: 31.8mm
Steerer clamp diameter: 28.6mm (1-1/8″)
Stack height: 41.275mm
Arrival 4: Titanium Seatpost
Like the stem, this seatpost features flexibility to absorb road shocks and vibrations, and is available in 0mm and 20mm setback options.
The seat clamp is made by ENVE.
The sexiness of the setback is truly incredible.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Titanium Seatpost
Price: 61,600 yen (tax included)
Material: 3-2.5 Titanium
Seatpost diameter: 27.2mm
Setback: 0mm & 20mm
Rail compatibility: 7mm & 7x10mm Oval (ENVE hardware)
Length: 360mm
Arrival 5: Titanium Siskiyou Bars
Named after Siskiyou County, where Etna—the home of Steve—is located, the Titanium Siskiyou Bars embody what he considers "Do It All," serving as a handlebar that can be used widely from trail riding to gravel and dirt touring. It is a handlebar that gets you excited just thinking about what kind of bike you'd build with it or what kind of places would be fun to ride.
Of course, by using titanium, it keeps the weight down while maintaining reliable strength, and also provides just the right amount of vibration absorption for a comfortable ride even on rough roads.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】Titanium Siskiyou Bars
Price: 89,980 yen (tax included)
Material: 3-2.5 Titanium
Handlebar Width: 760mm
Backsweep: 30°
Bar Clamp Diameter: 22.2mm (31.8mm shim included)
Bar Diameter: 22.2mm
New Arrival ⑥ Further Water Bottle with Soft-Bite Big Flow
Finally, the water bottle.
Designed by Steve Potts, this massive 38-ounce custom water bottle is the largest size designed to fit standard water bottle cages. The more water you have, the further you can ride, making this perfect for long-ride enthusiasts who aren't fans of hydration packs.
【STEVE POTTS BICYCLES】 Further Water Bottle with Soft-Bite Big Flow
Price: 3,080 yen (tax included)
Capacity: 36 ounces (1,064 mL)
Length: 30cm
Wide Mouth: 63mm neck
Big Flow push-pull nozzle
Includes markings to help mix hydration supplements
Soft-touch LDPE plastic (BPA-free)
Frosted clear finish so you can see how much is left at a glance
Made in U.S.A
