Hello everyone, this is Paul from SimWorks Europe.
Some of you may remember that in a previous post, I introduced a collaboration bike between SimWorks and WEIS MANUFACTURING. Others might know that we showcased some of their components at the pop-up event held at Circles Tailored in April. Currently, Circles stocks WEIS titanium seatposts, stems, integrated flat bars, and more, and we plan to expand our offerings to include framesets in the future.
Since this is still a new initiative, I’d like to take this opportunity to properly introduce WEIS to those of you who are interested.
Having worked with them for several years now, I’ve come to deeply understand their philosophy and feel they are a natural fit for Circles—and, eventually, for all of you. I am very happy to be able to introduce a brand created by people I truly care about in a shop filled with such wonderful products.
WEIS is currently composed of four core members: founder and lead welder Cole (with 16 years of frame-building experience), Logan who handles all finishing processes (Cerakote, painting, anodizing, and polishing), Tom the mechanic responsible for building up complete bikes, and Andrew who measures and cuts all tubes before welding.
This small team has spent seven years shaping their workshop in Brooklyn, refining their production process and brand identity.
I first met them when I visited New York. After talking with them a few times, I felt they were truly passionate people I wanted to work with for a long time.
What impressed me was not just their attitude toward building bikes, but the fact that they are riders themselves first and foremost. They ride through the streets of Manhattan, explore the trails of the Hudson Valley, and embark on long-distance rides across states—their understanding of cycling is born from these very real experiences.
Throughout my time in the bicycle industry, I’ve developed a sense for discerning whether a product’s story is marketing-driven or rooted in real experience. With WEIS, it is undoubtedly the latter.
One of their most distinct details is the asymmetric seatstay. While it certainly makes a visual impact, it is a design based on structural reasoning.
A bicycle is inherently an asymmetric vehicle because the drivetrain is on the right side. Therefore, they increase the rigidity on the drive side to handle the load, while prioritizing lightness and compliance on the non-drive side. This balance provides a more stable feeling even during sprints or climbs. Beyond just theory, this is a difference that many riders can actually feel.
While WEIS bikes are designed with performance in mind, that technicality and attention to detail are properly reflected in their more everyday models as well.
At the pop-up event, they brought an ATB built with SimWorks components. It’s a commuter bike that balances utility and perfection, and I believe some of you had the chance to test ride it. It was based on the Steel Gravel Plus, set up for daily use with an emphasis on comfort; however, the same frame can easily be rebuilt for a more performance-oriented configuration by using drop bars and lightweight parts.
Of course, the lineup doesn’t stop there; they offer a variety of models, including road, all-road, and track bikes. You can choose from both steel and their specialty, titanium.
I’ve had the chance to ride various WEIS bikes, and there is significant value in being able to choose between steel and titanium depending on the intended use. Personally, I really loved their steel track bike and the Steel Gravel Plus, while the titanium road bike stands out for its responsiveness. And I’ve used my own titanium Gravel Plus for touring across Europe.
Let me talk a little bit about my own bike here.
I’ve been using the titanium Gravel Plus as my primary gravel bike for over a year now, and I am truly satisfied with it. Since WEIS does everything from 3D design to welding, finishing, and painting in-house, we were able to build it together as a special project. From the geometry to the custom Cerakote finish, every detail was carefully thought through.
It is precisely because they handle everything in-house that WEIS can accommodate highly personal projects from start to finish. Throughout the process of building a bike together, I could strongly feel their confidence in their craft, and they truly bring an ideal machine to life without compromise.
If you have been to Circles Tailored, you already know that we carry legendary frame builders like SEVEN, SYCIP, and RETROTEC. Each of them is an artist with their own unique expression, and that lineup is already incredibly appealing. However, this time, I wanted to introduce a slightly more "modern" frame builder as well—a presence that can handle not only classic builds but also the latest standards like UDH compatibility and full cable integration.
Also, what Circles values is not just the bike itself, but the identity surrounding it. I believe that everything, from the frame to the T-shirts, caps, and visual direction, is important. In that regard, I am impressed by how well WEIS builds their brand, including their design, art, and fashion sensibilities.
I hope this has given you at least a small glimpse into the Brooklyn-based WEIS MANUFACTURING. I hope to write an article that delves deeper into their bikes in the near future.
Until next time!