The SYCIP BIKES Java Girl we introduced the other day is a perfect commuter bike for moving gracefully and lightly through the city, but this Urban Track Bike is another machine that blends into the urban landscape in its own way.
We ride single-speed fixed-gear bikes, so-called "fixed" bikes, for our daily commutes and getting around town on our days off.
The refined, simple look of a bike that doesn't even have a place to mount a derailleur is beautiful, and many are undoubtedly drawn to its utilitarian aesthetic. Some might be anxious about its lack of features, but for getting around the city—especially in a region like Nagoya that isn't particularly hilly—a single gear is often more than enough.
Also, because it has so few parts, it is very lightweight. Another benefit is that it is relatively less prone to mechanical trouble.
However, I can confidently say that its greatest charm is the way it rides. When you push the pedals, the wheels turn. Conversely, when you try to stop pedaling, the rear wheel, linked directly by the chain, tries to stop as well. This is what defines a fixed gear, or a "fixed" bike, and the direct feeling it provides is something completely different from the typical bicycles you are likely familiar with.
The sense of unity is incredibly high; people often use the phrase "horse and rider as one," and everything truly feels like an extension of your own hands and feet.
There are many joys to riding a bicycle, but a fixed gear connects the rider and the bike more deeply, allowing you to simply experience the thrill of "piloting the machine."
This time, we have built up a SYCIP BIKES Urban Track Bike as one such fixed-gear machine for display and sale at our shop.
SYCIP BIKES Urban Track Bike
Circles Tailored Original Complete Style
Size : 54
Color : Candy Brown
Price : 946,000 JPY (tax included)
This SYCIP BIKES Urban Track Bike is a simple track bike with no gears and no extra ornamentation. However, it is a bit different from your typical track bike. As the name "Urban Track Bike" suggests, while it possesses the sensibility to zip through city streets, it is a machine that is a bit more refined and a bit more gentle.
This is evident from the design, which allows for clearance for tires up to 35c and provisions for mounting fenders. It is truly an ideal form for daily urban use. And of course, the segmented fork and seat stays feature signature coins.
For this build, we assembled the Candy Brown frame with silver parts as the focal point, resulting in a very classical atmosphere.
For the handlebar, we chose the SIMWORKS Getaround CrMo Bar. With a 10mm rise and 20° backsweep, this flat bar features an excellent profile that provides a relaxed position and stable handling—a perfect fit for a bike designed not just for off-road, but for zipping through the city as well.
The stem and seatpost were chosen from SIMWORKS to match.
For tires, we used the TERAVAIL TELEGRAPH 700 x 30c. The Telegraph, from Minneapolis-based TERAVAIL, is a 700x30mm all-around road tire. It maintains great grip and rolling speed while providing a comfortable ride thanks to its 120tpi casing. It also features a center slick tread to minimize rolling resistance and textured side transition areas for cornering grip, providing peace of mind even when riding in the rain.
Finally, for the crank and hubs, we went with the Dura-Ace Track series. While they possess the excellent functionality used in Keirin racing, their traditional shape is simply beautiful and eye-catching. Furthermore, they pair perfectly with the frame and other parts, looking absolutely natural together.
PARTS ASSEMBLY
| Frame | SYCIP BIKES Urban Track Bike |
| Headset | CHRIS KING NoThreadSet 1-1/8″” Sotto Voce |
| Handlebar | SIMWORKS Getaround CrMo Bar |
| Stem | SIMWORKS Tomboy |
| Grip | ESI Chunky Grips |
| Saddle | SELLE ITALIA Flite 1990 |
| Seatpost | SIMWORKS Froggy 0mm / 250mm |
| Front Hub | SHIMANO HB-7710-F 32h |
| Rear Hub | SHIMANO HB-7710-R 32h |
| Rim | VELOCIT YA23 700c |
| Tire | TERAVAIL TELEGRAPH 700 x 30c |
| Brake | SHIMANO BR-R451 |
| Crank | SHIMANO FC-7600 |
| Chain Ring | SHIMANO FC-7710 |
| BB | SUGINO CBB-SG75 |
| Sprocket | SHIMANO SS-7600 |
For more on the SYCIP BIKES Urban Track Bike, please take a look at this blog post as well. You will be able to learn even more about this frame.
Besides the complete bike introduced here, we also have frameset stocks available, so please check those out as well.
