BIKE FRIDAY “REAL” Archives Vol.2 / Born Incomplete, Completed Through Action

For every scratch, there is a journey

A brand-new, sparkling bike is, of course, a beautiful thing.
A frame fresh from the box, tires still carrying the scent of rubber, handlebars without even a single fingerprint.
From a mechanic's perspective, the sense of accomplishment at the moment of completion goes without saying.

But to be honest, when it comes to BIKE FRIDAY—or any of the bikes we call "FUN TOOLS"—the "delivery day" is not the peak.

In fact, you might even call it "incomplete."

When one comes back to us for maintenance after a few years, covered in caked-on mud or sporting new scratches on the chainstay, we feel a bit happy.
Because we think, "Ah, you’ve been down some great roads."
These types of bikes were never meant to be "for display."
They were born to carry you toward the landscapes you have yet to see.

The true meaning of being "foldable"

Founder Alan Scholz’s obsession with "fitting into a suitcase."
This is not just a feature for storage or loading into a car.

Of course, there is the practicality of avoiding extra baggage fees with airlines.
But I don't believe that is the essence of it.

"A device for warping from the ordinary to the extraordinary."

I believe this is the true meaning of folding.

Packing up in your entryway, heading to the airport, retrieving your case from the carousel, unfolding and assembling it in the lobby of a land you’ve never visited.
And the moment you take that first pedal stroke, the world changes.
That is a fact only those who have experienced it know, and it is a profound change.

This "ease of access to freedom" is, I believe, the true value of BIKE FRIDAY.
We fold, not for storage, but to go further, as lightly as possible.

The magic of the masterpiece "New World Tourist"

There are many unique models of BIKE FRIDAY today, but the origin—the masterpiece that started it all—is the "New World Tourist."

As the name suggests, a bike for traveling to a new world.

It looks like a cute small-wheeled bike, but don't let the looks deceive you.
If you were to close your eyes (please don't, it's dangerous) and ride one, you might not even realize it has small tires.
That is how solidly it rides, with the same sensation as a full-sized touring bike.

A low-center-of-gravity design that remains stable even when fully loaded with camping gear.
This, I believe, is the "magic" that only a "certain type" of small-wheeled bike possesses—the result of hundreds of experiments and failures by Alan, Hanz, and the team.

Can you love the scratches?

That is why, when Circles builds these bikes, we tend to lean toward sturdy parts that have a bit of an "earthy" feel.

We prefer toughness that won't break mid-journey over lightweight looks.
Delicate racing parts are cool, but they aren't really suited for travel, I think.

Parts like chromoly racks that keep going even when covered in mud, carry heavy loads easily, and are simple to repair if the worst happens. We want to focus on selecting parts that have the real "capability" to see a bike trip through to the end.

On delivery day, I never say it out loud (I couldn't), but in my heart, I am wishing this:

"Please, hurry up and get her scratched."

The scratches earned on a journey become the scenery itself.
You touch them up while planning your next trip.
A BIKE FRIDAY that has begun to take on its owner's colors is more beautiful than any new bike.

BIKE FRIDAY does not end at delivery.
When you head out on your trip and get that first scratch,
that moment is the true start.

Next time, I’d like to talk a little more about how to choose the right model of these "ultimate tools," BIKE FRIDAY, as well as the ways we recommend "playing" with them.

Until then, take care, everyone. See you next week.