【BIKES OF MINE】BASSI Hog’s Back

Hog’s Back Delivered! I wrote a blog post introducing it, and then I bought one myself.

Hello, this is Bashi!

Have you read my first article on the theme of "#MyFirstBike"? It was a series where I introduced my very first bike while writing about my ideal ride. In that piece, I wrote:

“Camping touring is the final destination of my hobby! That’s why I want a bike that can carry a lot of gear!”

And so I introduced the BASSI BIKES Hog’s Back. But the more I explored its charm and put it into words for the article, the more I became captivated by it myself...

We even share the same name, and before I knew it, I felt like it was already mine—even though I hadn't bought it yet. I was already thinking about what kind of rides I wanted to go on and trying to decide which routes to take. I was living a life where reality and delusions were crossed wires.

“If I’m going to agonize over it this much, I’ll just buy it. That way, I can have more and more fun adventures.”

It was a courageous decision for a student with no money, but once I made up my mind, time just flew by. And that makes sense, since my "hobby switch" was completely turned on as I spent every night picking out parts and looking for places to ride.

I was dying to go camping, so I'll share what kind of experiences I had and what I was particular about from the moment I chose the Hog’s Back until I started riding it. Building a bike myself is a rare opportunity, so my excitement has been through the roof. Please read this with a wry smile, thinking, "This guy is full of energy."

The dream camping ride is just around the corner, and I’m building it myself!

Since I chose a bike that fulfills what I really want to do, I felt strongly about building the frame with my own hands. I sought advice from my senior staff and went ahead with picking the parts and assembling it.

The total assembly time took about 20 hours, but because I was working with the euphoric feeling that "my camping ride is just around the corner," it felt like no time at all. In fact, I’ve come to think of the assembly process itself as part of the fun.

Now, let's think about the assembly. Since the frame is a light pink, I decided to finish the undercarriage with black parts. The Super Yummy Black tires give the bike a chic look. Also, since joining Circles, I’ve wanted to use Silver parts from SimWorks, so I chose the SimWorks by NITTO Wendy stem, the SimWorks by NITTO Beatnik seatpost, and for the handlebar, I picked the Noodle Bar from Nitto. The rims are the well-known SimWorks by Velocity Standalone 001—actually, the day these rims were released was the same day I started working part-time at Circles. They’re well-regarded by everyone, and I had a personal connection to them, so I adopted them immediately. That’s how I picked my parts, indulging my greed along the way. Let’s call the theme of this build:

"A tourer packed with parts I wanted to try out."

It’s a name with no twist at all, but I like this sense of being "packed" with features—it really feels like a hobby.

And finally, my bike was complete. The Hog’s Back will let me strap on my gear and take me anywhere. The moment I rode it, I felt the difference in ride quality from my road bike, and when I experienced how it propelled me forward the more I pedaled (well, obviously), I finally realized, "It’s really my bike now." This feeling was so incredibly happy that on the day it was finished, I wandered around Nagoya until late at night. I’m sure you’ve all felt the same way on a NEW BIKE DAY. The difference in ride quality was greater than I imagined, so I’ll use my first road bike for long-distance and speed, and the Hog’s Back for plowing through any road I choose.

While building the bike, there was a part of me calmly learning the work and procedures, and another part of me so excited to go camping that I was practically floating. It’s been a while since I’ve been this giddy, but I think I had the same feeling when I first got my road bike.

The debut ride was a camping trip to a sake brewery during Golden Week!!

Golden Week finally arrived! I decided my Hog’s Back debut would be the recent BIKE to CAMP. We departed from the ANGLE micro-hotel in Okazaki and cruised through the idyllic nature toward the Shibata Sake Brewery. The weather was perfect, the wind was pleasant, and I remember no one—including me—saying anything other than "This is the best." We ate hamburgers for lunch to refuel our calories. From there, we set off for Lake Mikawa. At this point, my excitement was about to hit its limit. I was going too fast and running out of energy in my thighs. "Bashi, you won't be able to turn back into a human!" I didn't care about such advice and blasted my way to Lake Mikawa. "For my own wishes!"

The first mountain trail was indescribably fun. Although I’ve experienced various activities like Boy Scouts, the joy of having found a new hobby occupied my mind. I enjoyed it so much that while everyone else was having a photo session, I went back and forth on the bumpy road. The hamburger was delicious. The lake was beautiful. The mountain road was thrilling. After enjoying so much, I still had BBQ and sake waiting for me. Hey, isn’t this too luxurious? I’m so happy.

Afterword & Future Plans

After riding it, I feel once again that the Hog’s Back really will take me anywhere. BASSI BIKES is a brand that Circles has only recently started carrying, but I recommend it with confidence (mostly because I love it). Every time I’m asked to build a BASSI, I’m happy to see the number of BASSI users and fans growing.

If you are considering a new bike or are curious about camping touring, please contact us if you’re interested in BASSI. You can test ride it on Saturdays, which is when I am usually working. There have been customers who decided to buy one after actually riding it, so please feel free to try it out!

I’m planning to go for a ride in Hakuba or Izu Oshima this summer. I haven’t decided exactly what I’ll do, but I intend to have a relaxed camping trip while feeling nature to the fullest. If you know any recommended spots for camping rides or taking your bike on a train, please let me know!