One day, an email arrived at the shop.
When I opened it, it said,
“I want to order a bike with the same specifications as this one.”
The attached photo was of my own BIKE FRIDAY.
It made me so happy... that is one of the moments I truly cherish about working at a bike shop.
Since the owner was an international customer, we continued our conversation via email to go over their riding style and specific requests in detail.
One of those requests was: “I want to take it on airplanes and ride it in various countries.”
I would like to do a BIKE Check of this owner’s bike.
BIKE FRIDAY, built for “travel.”
BIKE FRIDAY offers handmade, custom-built, made-to-order folding bikes.
The model the owner chose was the same as mine: the “New World Tourist.”
Their main use is city riding. On top of that, they want to go on adventure rides from time to time. They intend to tackle roads with elevation changes, long paved stretches, and occasionally gravel paths. And of course, they want to travel with it. That is how they plan to use it.
It needs to be easy to disassemble for transport. It must ride comfortably in changing environments. Furthermore, it needs to be comfortable for long hours in the saddle, with minimal maintenance issues.
What the owner was looking for was a bike that would allow them to ride with peace of mind and joy, even in far-off destinations.
For someone who says, “I want to do everything with one bike,” I believe the New World Tourist is the perfect solution.
Specs that can handle everything from “daily life” to “destinations abroad.”
I kept that in mind when assembling the parts.
And the highlight of this build is the travel trailer.
With this added, this BIKE FRIDAY is truly “travel-ready.”
Packing the bike into the trailer and checking it onto a flight—the ability to do this drastically changes the freedom and range of your travels.
You can disassemble the bike and pack the frame into a travel case. Furthermore, when moving from point to point at your destination, the travel case easily converts into a fully protective travel trailer. It has a storage capacity of over 80 liters.
This is a massive appeal.
You don’t have to give up on a destination just because of your luggage. That means your freedom to travel just leveled up.
The appeal of handmade, custom-made quality
BIKE FRIDAY is handmade and custom-made. Taking into account the owner’s physique, riding style, habits, and requests, a bike is built specifically for the owner—and only the owner.
I experienced the true charm of this custom-order process just recently.
I previously went on a Tomei RIDE from Tokyo to Nagoya on my BIKE FRIDAY, and I was amazed at how little fatigue I felt on the long ride.
It felt as if the bike had become an extension of my own body. Even though I should have been tired, my body didn't ache, and my breathing remained steady. I felt like I could just keep riding forever; I was able to keep pedaling in a state of pure flow.
Riding a frame that fits your exact size eliminates stress and feels incredibly amazing.
You don’t have to adjust to the bike; the bike adjusts to you. I highly recommend this experience not only to veterans who have ridden many different bikes, but especially to beginners who aren't yet used to cycling.
Preparing to ride the world
The owner chose a BIKE FRIDAY as their partner for riding through various countries.
Even though it’s the same type of bike, I’m sure it will see much wider horizons than I ever have. (Someday, I want to take my BIKE FRIDAY abroad too.)
A bicycle is a means of transportation, but it can also be the “reason” for travel. I hope this one bike connects many countries and landscapes for them.
I’d love to hear stories of those travels someday.
Why don’t you try combining cycling and travel? The experience of riding your favorite bike in a new place is truly special. You don't even have to cross a border to go on an adventure.
Load it into your car for a short trip, take it on a train for a journey, and ride in places you’ve never been before. I would be honored to help you prepare for such special experiences.
Circles Tokyo accepts BIKE FRIDAY orders at any time. If you’re even slightly curious, please feel free to reach out and consult with us.