【BIKE of the WEEK】SYCIP BIKES / Custom All Road

SYCIP BIKES is a custom handmade bicycle manufacturer based in the small town of Santa Rosa, California. Its owner and frame builder, Jeremy Sycip, is a cyclist at heart who rides and enjoys everything from mountain and road bikes to gravel and commuter bikes.

He is a dedicated father who spends his days off enjoying cycling and racing with friends and family alike. That gentleness and warmth are reflected in the frames he builds—something that comes across on social media, though he is truly a kind and warm person in reality.

The owner who ordered this SYCIP BIKES build is one of the many captivated by that vibe. Like Jeremy Sycip, he is a cyclist through and through—using his bike for daily errands like commuting and shopping, while pedaling in search of scenic views on his days off.

The owner requested what you might call an "All-Road" bike: a machine that can ride as nimbly as a road bike and keep him fatigue-free on long rides, yet one that can easily conquer the occasional rough pavement and venture onto gravel paths that catch his eye along the way.

Since the focus is strictly on the "ride," it is also characterized by its simplicity, featuring only two bottle cage mounts, with no eyelets for accessories like racks or fenders.

SYCIP BIKES Segmental Style Chromoly Fork

As the owner is tall, the frame geometry is nearly horizontal. By opting for a 1-1/8 inch chromoly fork rather than a carbon one, the overall aesthetic balance is truly beautiful.

If you are looking for pure "speed" and "lightness" with high "stiffness," a modern 44mm head tube combined with a carbon fork is the ideal setup. However, if you are not competing and simply want to ride nimbly at your own pace while prioritizing comfort, this style is the perfect solution. The ride is supple, and before you know it, you find yourself thinking, "Wow, I’ve already come this far."

Speaking of SYCIP BIKES' segmental style forks, a signature feature is the American coin embedded in the fork crown. The seat stays also feature a segmental style, with a coin at the top as well, creating a cohesive, balanced look that is a true hallmark of a SYCIP bike. Naturally, they use a quarter for the fork and a penny for the seat stays to match the pipe diameters.

WHITE INDUSTRIES x MICRO SHIFT Sword

Among the assembled parts, the WHITE INDUSTRIES G30 Crank and TSR Chainring truly stand out. While these have become absolute staples, the beauty of their design and their extreme durability are nothing short of remarkable. Since the owner already uses them on other bikes, he was already captivated by their charm.

For the heart of the drivetrain, the build uses MICRO SHIFT Sword levers and a rear derailleur, along with a MICRO SHIFT cassette. The setup consists of a 42T front chainring and an 11-48T 10-speed rear cassette.

In the world of road bikes, a double chainring in the front is common, usually paired with a tighter rear gear ratio. However, based on the owner's extensive experience, this combination provides everything he needs and nothing he doesn't.

It is the optimal solution for the distances he travels, the speeds he maintains, and his preference for riding in mountainous areas. Plus, a 10-speed chain is inherently quite robust.

When you hear "full custom handmade bike," you might assume you need to use the latest, top-tier components. But because this frame is tailored specifically to the owner, the parts should also be chosen for how they serve his needs and how he intends to use them.

All WHITE INDUSTRIES

Since the crank and chainring are WHITE INDUSTRIES, and the owner already owned a set of wheels built with CLD Hubs and G25A rims, he decided to round out the bottom bracket and headset with WHITE INDUSTRIES components as well.

As an aside, WHITE INDUSTRIES-branded rims have unfortunately been discontinued due to manufacturing equipment failure. These days, a beautiful wheel build would use WHITE INDUSTRIES hubs paired with ASTRAL rims. ASTRAL, which we actively support at Circles, is actually a subsidiary of WHITE INDUSTRIES. Being a brand that branched off from the wheel manufacturer ROLF PRIMA, the brand affinity is clear, and the quality is guaranteed.

GROWTAC Equal Mechanical Disc Brake Caliper

While many components on this build are from American brands, the owner chose GROWTAC Equal calipers for the brakes. Beyond the benefit of being able to handle repairs on the road, these GROWTAC Equal calipers offer a supple lever feel and superior stopping power—something anyone can easily appreciate. Their wide variety of color options is another major appeal.

Harmonious Color Palette

For the stem and seatpost, he chose silver parts from the THOMSON Elite series. By pairing these with a SELLE ANATOMICA saddle and BROOKS leather bar tape, he achieved a classic feel. However, by incorporating black rims and spokes, along with the modern design of the MICRO SHIFT levers, the bike avoids the "typical" classic look often associated with all-silver builds.

The handlebars are the SIMWORKS by NITTO Smog Cutter Bar / GSC Limited, which he had used on a previous bike. Although unfortunately discontinued, they remain a true masterpiece.

Kyutai Paint / Custom Color

The paint job on this frame is also eye-catching. The frame itself keeps the branding minimal, while the fork uses three distinct colors—metallic lime yellow as the main color, accented by white and wine red, separated at the outer diameter of the rim.

These three colors are balanced perfectly with the rest of the component choices, serving as a testament to the owner’s refined sense of style.

Specifications / Build Kit

This bike is not a multi-tool meant to do everything. While it can go anywhere, it is a carefully curated build that integrates exactly what the owner needs while stripping away everything unnecessary.

It may not be a bike that fits everyone, but it is an indispensable part of the owner's future cycling life.

Although custom handmade builds require time, the process of bringing them to life is incredibly rewarding for both the owner and us on staff.

Please feel free to reach out if you are interested.

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