The SKLAR gravel frame I ordered in 2017 as my very first custom-order frame.
These days the SKLAR brand is focusing on its production frames, but this bike laid the groundwork for the Super Something. Lately I'd been riding it monster-cross style on 27.5×2.22″ tires, but since I got a PBJ, I decided to take it back to a purer drop-bar gravel bike. I made quite a few changes along the way, so here's a recent look.
Sklarbon Fiber Carbon Gravel Fork
The old ENVE Cross Fork Disc I'd been using was pretty worn out, and its tire clearance topped out at 45mm, so with this fork's release I took the plunge and swapped forks.
Above all, the max tire clearance of 2.25″ (about 57mm) is hugely appealing. I actually wanted to run ULTRADYNAMICO's new Brut JFF, but my SKLAR frame from the custom-order days was, unsurprisingly, never designed for that much clearance, so I had to give up. The fork fits them with no problem, though, so I plan to keep exploring here (I've got a bad case of wanting-the-fattest-tires-possible).
Since switching to this fork, I've taken it on both gravel and road rides. It's comfortable on long rides, of course, and on gravel it gives me the confidence to hold exactly the line I want. It's been great to use.
Since I started riding the PBJ, it's been my go-to for touring-type rides, but every once in a while I still do some bikepacking-style fun on this bike, so I'm glad the fork has three-pack mounts.
The fork was designed for the Super Something, but its flip-dropout design lets you change the offset, so I think installing it on other bikes, like in this case, is totally doable.
For reference, the ENVE fork I had on before was Axle to Crown: 395mm and Rake: 47mm, but for now I'm deliberately running it at 56mm to prioritize handling. Setting it to 49mm brings it closer to the original and, compared with 56mm, leans toward stability, so it could be fun to switch to that for long-distance rides. That's the kind of fun only a flip design gives you.
SIMWORKS With Me AL Tapered Spacer
With the fork swap, I also rethought the steerer spacers.
I raised the bar height just a little, so I used a SIMWORKS tapered spacer to smooth out the transition from the headset to the stem. I used the 20mm one, but it's nice that there's also a slim 5mm option.
SIMWORKS Stainless Outer Cable “CRISPER”
I also took this chance to go back to a drop bar, so all the cables and housing are now ”CRISPER.”
I use PAUL COMPONENT Klampers for brakes, and because the housing is built to minimize stroke loss (lost travel from compression), the brake feel is crisp and easy to control.
I'd especially recommend it to anyone running 12-speed mechanical groupsets or mechanical disc brakes like PAUL COMPONENT or GROWTAC. The SIMWORKS blog also has a detailed post on prepping it for installation, so be sure to check that out too.
GREPP Gripper Handlebar Tape
For bar tape I chose GREPP, which I'd been wanting to try.
If you want function from your bar tape, things like grip and cushioning are what you'd focus on, but this time I deliberately set those aside and chose this tape because it's reusable and develops character the more you use it.
I thought it might be slippery, but surprisingly it doesn't bother me, and so far it's been comfortable. The color is already fading on the tops where I grip most, and though I didn't plan it, it's getting closer to the fork's Golden Hills color, which looks great.
ASTRAL CYCLING Outback Rim
When rebuilding the 650B wheels as 700c, I chose ASTRAL's Outback. It's on the pricier side for an aluminum rim, but considering the tire widths I had in mind and the balance of weight and strength, it's an appealing rim that inevitably makes the shortlist.
Personally, I'd been a fan of HED's Belgium series aluminum rims, and what I love about this one is that it's just as stiff and really picks up speed on descents.
The Stealth Grey option is already sold out in 700c, but the basic black and polished silver options are still available, so if you're thinking about a wheel build, take a look.
VITTORIA Terreno Pro T60 Mixed TLR
As I mentioned, I couldn't fit ULTRADYNAMICO's new Brut JFF, but my second choice was this new tire from VITTORIA.
The Terreno Pro is billed as a gravel racing tire, and I chose the brown version, which uses a newly designed organic cotton casing and the eco-conscious Eco Race Formulation compound. It's as supple as you'd expect, and the shakedown gravel ride had me grinning the whole way.
Among the tread patterns classified by VITTORIA's own Gravel Terrain Score, the T60 pattern for Mixed Terrain is said to be the one Tom Pidcock used at the 2025 Gravel World Championships. I chose this pattern with the gravel I usually ride in mind, but surprisingly I don't feel much of a downside in rolling on pavement either.
I'm a proponent of the theory that “good tires smell good,” and this one smelled good too.
Circles also stocks the T10 with a different pattern, so check it out.
So that's it: it had been a while since I'd made a proper round of spec updates, so I wrote it up here on the blog.
With this bike and the PBJ, how I split my riding between the two is clearer than ever, so I'm going to get out and enjoy some long rides on this one right away!
