【SKLAR BIKES】My PBJ

Introducing the first new arrival of the New Year: SKLAR’s new production model, the PBJ / Performance Basket Jammer.

For the backstory and design philosophy behind this bike, I highly recommend reading the blog post below.

Also, I heard from Adam last night, and thanks to some feedback, we have decided to add an XS size to the lineup! (This size is also designed for 29″ wheels.)

As mentioned in that post, Adam was kind enough to arrange for a sample frame early, so I snuck in a build for myself over the New Year holidays and started riding it right away.

In this blog, I’d like to share my first impressions of the bike while also covering some topics we didn't get to last time, so please read on.

Gravel Bike ≠ 90’s MTB

When I was talking to Adam about the untold story behind the PBJ’s design, he said this:

One thing that frustrates me on the internet is people insisting that “gravel bikes are just 90s mountain bikes.” They argue that you can get the same experience on a bike built 30 years ago with far less technology than what we have now.

I don't intend to deny that outright, but I actually want to applaud those people. Because fixing up old bikes and modifying them to be more fun and modern is how I got into cycling in the first place.

The model name, PBJ / Performance Basket Jammer, is meant to evoke the feeling I had when I was riding a bike exactly like that.

I, too, was taken all sorts of places on a Panasonic MTB from ’94 with a basket on it. But every time I hop on a modern bike, I am blown away by how good it feels.

Disc brakes are the best, bigger wheels are faster and more comfortable, and modern tubing is lighter and rides better. Even though the frame material is the same steel, I think these two eras of bikes exist in completely different worlds.

Both the MTB from the so-called golden era of the 80s and 90s and the modern gravel bike have their own merits, and they are both excellent bikes in their own right, but they are not the same thing.

When designing, an engineer might focus on how the frame flexes or what geometry is fastest or most efficient. But for Adam, the cornerstone of his design philosophy was to create a bike that is fun to ride anywhere—one that evokes that old-school feeling while providing solid support when things get real.

Passionate about bike touring, Adam went through a progression of bikes:

Hardtail bike
↓
Drop-bar gravel bike with 27.5″ fat tires
↓
Titanium hybrid bike clearing 29×2.1″ tires

He built and toured on various bikes, seeing the pros and cons of each. Those experiences ultimately led to the concept of the PBJ.

The Current Optimal Solution for an ATB

We have used the term ATB / All Terrain Bike a lot on the Circles blog. Its roots go back to before MTBs had suspension, but as the name implies, it refers to a bike capable of handling any terrain.

At the same time, I personally think of "ATB" as a mindset.

For example, "MTB" is a broad category encompassing cross-country, trail, enduro, and downhill—each with specialized bikes. While they perform excellently under specific conditions, if you take a step back from the obsession with speed and specs, you can still have a blast on an all-rounder like an ATB. I think the idea of enjoying things simply is exactly what the term ATB is all about.

Bikes built with that stance are often comfortable and fun, making you want to ride them every day. (I think this applies to many ATBs in the current market, not just the PBJ.)

Looking at the transition of various standards in the cycling industry, the 26-inch wheel size of the past has expanded to include 29 and 27.5 inches, and tire widths now range from "plus-size" semi-fats to the massive tires used on fat bikes.

Also, we’ve moved from an era where quick-releases were standard to today’s world of thru-axles and a variety of frame spacing standards.

The PBJ is based on a 29×2.6″ tire size and utilizes boost spacing and disc brakes. Adam took the ATB concept and riding style fostered by our predecessors and brought it to life using what he believes to be the best modern standards. This truly is the current optimal solution for an ATB.

My PBJ

I am 163cm tall with a saddle height of 66cm, so I ride a size S. Honestly, being on the shorter side, I was a bit worried about the size, especially since it was my first 29er, but I was able to build it up without the balance feeling off at all.

For the cockpit, I went with a 750mm Fun3 Bar and a 50mm Rhonda Stem. I actually considered a 35mm stem, but the 35-degree back sweep of the Fun3 settled me into a comfortable position. The style of a longer front center, shorter stem, and bars that sweep back towards you—I’ll be honest, I was initially resistant or unsure if it would feel right. However, I found that I can ride aggressively while maintaining a comfortable position, and I feel Adam’s signature style in this duality.

For tires, I chose the TERAVAIL Ehline 29×2.5″, which is just slightly under the standard 2.6″ clearance. I decided on this pattern because the unique tread, which isn't overly aggressive, fits the intended use of the PBJ well. Tires wear out, so I look forward to trying out various patterns as I go.

For long rides and bike packing, I prioritized ease of maintenance and went with mechanical disc brakes (I splurged on PAUL COMPONENT Klamper). With CHRIS KING bearings, I can’t deny I got a little over-excited since it’s my first new bike in a while, but there are no weak points in my parts selection. Of course, you could definitely make more practical choices depending on your budget.

Immediate Shakedown

So, once it was built up, I headed out for a shakedown ride at the start of the year.

The layout involved climbing unpaved double-track and descending single-track. I’d ridden this route before on my SKLAR MonsterCross, and I honestly couldn't complain about that experience, but riding it on the PBJ completely changed my perspective.

First and foremost is the benefit of the big 29-inch wheels. On climbs, it feels like I have an extra gear to spare, and on descents, the nimbleness makes me forget how large they are, with a level of traction that lets me clear drop-offs that I’d usually hesitate to tackle on a 27.5″ gravel bike. It almost made me mistakenly think, "Did I just get better at riding?"

Of course, it’s not as good as a bike specialized for downhill, but if you’re looking at it from the perspective of "having fun," it’s a bike that lets you enjoy mountain riding to the fullest. That unique feeling of floating when riding trails is largely due to the tires, and I think it really shows Adam's stance of seeking fun rather than speed in trail riding.

At the same time, it can handle bike packing gear and racks for touring, and has enough versatility to be used for daily rides like commuting—it’s truly a bike that can go anywhere. Once trout season begins, I’m really looking forward to using this for "BikeToFishing."

Beyond that, I felt Adam’s seriousness in his attention to detail, which goes beyond what you can see on a spec sheet. It’s impressive how he’s managed to carry over the intricate details he refined in handmade frames into this Taiwan-made production model.

We have a demo bike on display at the shop this weekend, so if you’re interested, please come by and hop on it. Seriously, it will change your world.

SKLAR BIKES PBJ Pre Order

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colors: Moss Green, Salmon

Pre-order period: January 7th (Tue) - January 23rd (Thu)
Expected arrival: Around June-July 2025
Price: 264,000 JPY (Tax incl.)

*January 10 update: An XS size has been added to the lineup! (This size is also designed for 29″ wheels.)