I’ve written about four articles on TOMII CYCLES in the last month, but personally, I’ve committed my life to introducing TOMII CYCLES to Japan. Thank you for your support.
First off, for those asking, "What exactly is TOMII CYCLES?", I’ll refer you to the blog post I wrote previously.
If you’re wondering why I’m pushing him so hard, it’s because I feel that the current iteration of TOMII CYCLES represents a point in his career where his style is fully established and "perfected." If you’re going to buy his work (and I intentionally call them works of art), now is the absolute best time.
Just as Radiohead’s creative peak was the 2000 album "Kid A," writers and artists have their own creative zeniths. And I feel like he is at that peak right now.
I have a strong, vivid sense that the era of the 2020s and his creativity are intersecting in a really beautiful way. (I’d love to write about this perspective on history if I have the time.)
It all started when we began producing the collaborative tire with SimWorks, Faraway. Since then, we’ve been slowly stocking his top caps, spacers, and bells, which all feature his superb craftsmanship, but this time, we have finally received his main masterpiece.
The Fat Canvas
The Fat Canvas, the signature model from TOMII CYCLES, has arrived at Circles Tailored.
This time we have the Azure Blue in size 50cm, and
Beaver Brown in size 52cm.
One of each size for these two colors has arrived.
What’s The Fat Canvas?
The Fat Canvas is built on a fast gravel concept: "Fast yet durable through any terrain."
The maximum clearance is 700x48c or 650x55B. You might think that’s on the narrow side given today's tire clearance trends, but looking at it through Nao-san’s keyword of "Fast Yet Durable," it’s the perfect balance between a sense of speed and surface versatility.
As he says, "The days in Austin are hot all year round, so my daily routine is usually to wake up early, leave the house, and ride the local gravel before starting work." The Fat Canvas was born from him seamlessly riding the streets and gravel paths of Austin.
In other words, from places like this ↓
through places like this
traversing paths where there are none
and coming back to the asphalt
He constantly moves between on-road and off-road, leading a life where his daily routine and his rides are truly connected. It’s a very rich way to live.
If you want something versatile and want one bike to do it all, The Fat Canvas is the perfect choice.
Plus, it’s a great ride. Nao-san’s frames are often talked about for their aesthetics, but he is equally meticulous about his frame tubing, making them light and fun to ride.
I’m often asked, "What’s the difference between a custom handmade bike and a mass-produced bike from Taiwan?", and here is how I answer:
First, the builder’s own philosophy on cycling is heavily reflected in the bike, so the beauty of a handmade bike is that you can directly feel the builder’s style and world view.
Also, something rarely talked about is that because mass-produced bikes don’t know who will be using them, they tend to use heavier, sturdier tubes as a form of risk management. Custom handmade bikes, however, have clear use cases and users, allowing for more aggressive tubing, which results in a riding experience that really is different from an ordinary mass-produced bike.
Furthermore, if you order in a custom size, you get that same builder’s world view and aggressive design, but perfectly fitted to your own body!
In short,
If you’re someone who gets into pottery and starts caring about artist-made pieces.
If you’re someone who loves cameras or watches and ends up wanting fully mechanical products.
Or perhaps custom speakers, suits, or shoes.
If you love that kind of craftsmanship and aesthetic, you will definitely be moved by this.
Also, I especially recommend Nao-san’s bikes to those who appreciate art.
Dedicated Rack and Bag
The bag included with the removable dedicated rack is the perfect size for wandering around on a day trip.
The bag is handmade by ANDREW THE MAKER from Kansas City—made by a friend of Nao-san’s.
It’s a roll-top, so the capacity is variable.
It’s a great size to have peace of mind when you buy coffee beans after a ride or pick up extra items while you’re out. It has a capacity of 2.0L to 3.3L.
It’s foam-lined to hold its shape, and you can attach jackets or other items to the drawcord on top, making this bag extremely versatile.
Above all, just the phrase "a bike-specific rack and its own専用 bag" is enough to get me strangely excited.
Both the rack and the bag are included with the frameset.
And seriously, this part is amazing
I’ve written a lot about The Fat Canvas, but the true essence of Nao Tomii is his engraving.
Also, all the bolts are heat-treated, so each one has a slightly different look. This alone gives it a special feel.
The head badge and cactus inlay are also meticulously crafted.
"Since it’s a bike you ride for fun, it might as well be fun to look at, right?" Nao-san says.
Regardless, the details are a delight.
TOMII CYCLES is a one-of-a-kind "fun tool" that expresses Southwest American motifs with the dexterity and skill unique to a Japanese craftsman.
Looking around the world, there’s no one else with this style, and I really want you to see the numerous skills reflecting his aesthetic sense in person.
Geometry
Spec
Specifications
- Steerer Tube: 1-1/8″ to 1.5” Tapered
- Max Tire Clearance: 700 x 48mm or 650B x 2.2″
- Bottom Bracket: T47
- Seat Post: 27.2mm
- Brake: Flat Mount Disc
- Front Derailleur Clamp: 28.6mm
- Seat Post Clamp: 29.8mm
- Dropout Spacing: 142 x 12mm TA Rear / 100 x 12mm TA Front
- Rear Derailleur Hanger: Paragon Machine Works / Replaceable
- Fork: Enve Adventure
- Rear Rack Dimension: 7-1/2″ x 4-1/4″
- Head Badge: Hand sculpted, molded, and cast pewter in-house
You can check the details of the stock frames here.
Of course, we also accept orders for custom bikes. I’ll provide formal details on custom bikes later, but if you’re interested, please feel free to inquire via email.
