[BIKE of the WEEK] MASH Reyes Steel

I’ve already built it up and started riding!

The recently released MASH Reyes Steel.
I’ve already built it up and started riding!

I’ve ridden fixed-gear bikes a bit years ago, but never too deeply. However, after watching MASH videos, I wanted to build one to cruise through the city just like they do.

I already made a bit of a mess of things, but more on that later.

The keyword is Modern Classic

When I thought about how to best bring out the coolness of MASH’s unique paint job—which looks like captured, diffuse smoke—I imagined a calm, not-too-dark bar where someone is puffing on a cigarette. So, I aimed for an assembly that preserves the traditional vibe without losing the fun, playful nature of the bike.

What makes the MASH Reyes Steel so interesting in the first place?

Track bikes originated as racing machines for keirin and track cycling. The culture began when bicycle couriers started using steel keirin bikes for their work, thinking, “They’re easy to fix, the parts are tough, and they look cool.”

The “trick” genre was born as this fixed-gear culture matured. These tricks are the roots of this frame.

• Being able to run wider tires.
• Easy handling and the bike going exactly where you want it to.
• Being able to spin the handlebars around for fun.

Those are the specs required for performing tricks. And they were exactly the specs that Matt Reyes, a star of the fixed-gear trick scene, was looking for. Since it’s based on the MASH Steel, it also rides beautifully through the city.

For this build, I prioritized getting used to a fixed-gear bike, so I went with 700x38c tires to maintain air volume and ensure a comfortable ride.

Time for a ride!!

I was planning on bunny-hopping and spinning it around like a pro, but my mentor, Nobuo-kun, told me I had to start with skids (locking the rear wheel and sliding), so I started practicing that properly.

I was so hyped that day that I kept riding and managed to learn the basics of the skid.

The next day, still buzzing with that excitement, I started practicing on my way home… but.

Thinking that the rain-slicked road would be perfect for practice, I started sliding, only to take a spill immediately. Everyone, please make sure to check how slippery the surface is before you practice!

Despite the pain, I’m addicted to the feel of the fixed gear and have been riding it to work every day. If you want to try it out, don't hesitate to ask!