This is Yoshi from Circles Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency doesn't matter anymore
My brow is now a mix of sweat and road dust
It’s already summer on the Koshu Kaido
These are lyrics from the song “It’s already summer on the Koshu Kaido” by Lantern Parade. I just went on a ride where this song was playing in my head the whole time, so I’m here to report on it!
Heading West on the Koshu Kaido
I started at Lake Sagami. The plan was to head west on the Koshu Kaido to Otsuki City, pass through Tsuru City to reach Lake Yamanaka, and return via the Doshi Road, which was part of the Tokyo Olympics route. The distance was about 120km with roughly 1,500m of elevation gain, but a defining characteristic of this ride was that almost all of that climbing happens before reaching Lake Yamanaka.
The first leg is just grinding along the Koshu Kaido; while it is a gradual uphill, there are well-paced ups and downs that help you gain altitude steadily. It was 28°C on the day—perfect riding weather. It was exactly the kind of climate where sweat just beads on your brow, mixing with the road dust from passing heavy vehicles..
Lunch is important, isn't it!
While getting excited by the sight of Mount Fuji gradually growing larger, I took a break at Yoshihiro in Tsuru City. The meat udon with a savory dashi-based dipping sauce was amazing!
The road from here to Lake Yamanaka has a slightly steeper grade with a continuous, sluggish climb, but I forgot how tiring it was thanks to the ever-present view of Mount Fuji. Before I knew it, the mountain landscape changed and I entered an area with volcanic terrain. Once you make it this far, you’re almost there!
Mount Fuji!!
When we set up a shop at the OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE at Lake Yamanaka last year, it was cloudy and we couldn't see the whole mountain, but this time there wasn't a single cloud in the sky—it was perfect conditions. Having not spent much time around Mount Fuji in Nagoya or the Kansai region, I realized that the sheer presence of the mountain in person is truly incomparable to any other.
I had another goal besides seeing Mount Fuji: to conduct a real-world test of my new wheel setup.
I purchased a set of CHRIS KING Wheels ARD44 a while back, and while I’ve already installed them and ridden a few times, this was the first chance I’ve had to test them on a substantial distance.
First Impressions
Kim-niisan previously wrote a review on these, and I am now personally convinced that they are the best wheels. I’ll let you refer to that review for the technology and Chris King’s philosophy.
My first impression while riding was how incredibly smooth they feel. Road surfaces in the Kanto region, including within Tokyo, are often heavy with traffic, and roads like these see frequent heavy vehicle use, leading to ruts and patches of rough asphalt.
That is exactly where the ARD44s shine. The superior vibration damping of the Fusion Fiber® technology noticeably reduces the road noise and micro-vibrations transmitted to the body. I ran 30c Goodyear Vector 4Seasons TC tires at about 4 bar of pressure, and because I could maintain traction without bouncing even on rougher patches, I felt confident pushing hard. Even on the way back on the Doshi Road, which has a lot of rumble strips that would normally make me nervous, I felt stable and secure descending.
Wheels that make riding incredibly fun
As Kim-niisan noted, at 1525g for the set, these are on the heavier side for carbon wheels. If you are chasing lightness and pure acceleration, the ENVE SES 3.4 would be about 150g lighter and fulfill those desires. Yet, here is why I chose these wheels.
When I ordered my SYCIP, my request was for an all-road bike that is primarily for on-road use, but capable of handling gravel and rough forest trails as well. As a hobby racer, comfort and the freedom to ride wherever the mood takes me are more important than absolute speed.
I talk to many customers at the shop who feel the same way—I see it in the feedback we get for the DOPPO Wonderer, which is slated for release from SimWorks.
Honestly, I didn’t think I needed to put anything as high-performance as carbon wheels on my SYCIP. But after reading Kim-niisan’s review and feeling them for myself, I wanted to give them a try and bought them—and it was definitely the right choice!
If you mount 30-32c tubeless tires, you can ride over flat dirt sections on riverbanks without a second thought since they are built with gravel in mind. On the road, they make the surface feel as if it has been newly paved, making you want to ride further than planned; they simply make riding fun.
Of course, since they are Chris King hubs, small spare parts are available, and the rims come with a crash replacement program so you can enjoy them for a long time. There is also the appeal of Chris King’s philosophy regarding the bicycle industry and sustainability. To borrow Kim-niisan’s words, while they are certainly “reasonable,” the one thing I want to say in closing is that the sheer joy of riding them makes all those practical justifications feel secondary.
Please try them out for yourself.
