What’s the custom handmade Bike?
Seven Cycles, Breawinner, Sklar Bikes, Retrotec, Sycip Bikes, Desalvo Custom Cycles, Black Cat, Shin Fabrication…
These are the names of bicycle brands. They share a common trait—can you guess what it is? That’s right: they are all handmade bicycle brands where builders craft each frame by hand and accept custom orders tailored to the owner. When you hear the term “custom order,” whether it’s for a three-piece suit or a pair of rings, it’s easy to imagine that it’s something special.The same applies to bicycle frames: you can get a bike that’s the only one of its kind in the world—one that fits your size and purpose perfectly and is imbued with the builder’s experience and passion. That’s what a custom, handcrafted bike is all about.
Perhaps you’ve already been browsing Instagram or image search results , admiring the intricate and beautiful handmade bikes featured at NAHBS ( North American Handmade Bike Show) or Bespoked (the UK version of NAHBS) with a touch of envy.
Building your dream bike requires the experience you’ve gained from riding so far—and, of course, a modest financial investment. Because of this, the very idea of getting a custom bike might seem daunting, but don’t worry.What you need to remember is that the amount of passion you pour into that dream will have a huge impact on the final result. And choosing the right bike builder is key. Let’s talk about the key points: why, how, and what to look out for. With this information, you’ll be ready to find the bike builder that’s right for you and make your dream bike a reality.
Why go custom bike?
There are many reasons to choose a custom motorcycle, but let’s list a few of the main ones.

「FITTING / GEOMETRY」
Have you ever had trouble finding a bike that fits you, or felt that the proportions of a bike you’d already set up just didn’t quite feel right? With a custom build, we can accurately measure your body dimensions and use those numbers to fine-tune the geometry, size, and proportions—creating a bike tailored exclusively for you that fits your body and riding style perfectly.
"Owning a motorcycle made just for me (a one-of-a-kind bike)"
Choosing a custom, handmade bike crafted just for you—one that’s the result of time and passion—will deepen your attachment to and connection with your bike even further. It’s no exaggeration to say that for cyclists who purchase a custom bike, it’s almost certain to be a bike they’ll ride for the rest of their lives.


"Respecting Philosophy and Working Together with Trustworthy Builders"
In today’s reality, where globalization has become overwhelming and corporate ethics often fall short of general moral standards, don’t you feel that finding people you can truly trust is becoming increasingly important?
One of the main reasons many enthusiasts turn to custom bikes is transparency and what’s known as “authenticity” (a high level of trustworthiness).By commissioning a frameset from an independent frame builder with a proven track record and history, you gain a deeper understanding of where your money is going and how it’s being spent—and you have a solid reason to confidently support what you believe in.
A particularly important factor to consider when choosing specifications
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably spent a long time—perhaps even several years—carefully refining your vision for your ideal bike, both in your mind and during actual rides. I certainly believe that bike specifications depend entirely on your riding style and intentions. However, you shouldn’t forget to incorporate a fresh, objective perspective into your ideas from time to time.In other words, I think it’s a great idea to listen to the opinions of frame builders and experienced cyclists—especially those with experience working at bike shops. Since they are, of course, professionals, if you remember to make full use of their knowledge, something very good is sure to happen for you.

「自分のバイクに何を求めますか?」
For example, you might have a grand plan to get a “superbike that can do anything,” but in reality, you’ll probably end up riding in just one style 95% of the time. Doesn’t it feel like a bit of a waste to sacrifice that 95% for the sake of the other 5%?
And what about materials? There are plenty of options—chromoly, titanium, carbon, stainless steel, and more. For example, if you think chromoly steel is the right material for you, be sure to listen carefully to your builder’s advice when it comes to choosing a tube set.Also, don’t forget to consider the bike’s overall balance. If you don’t have an unlimited budget, instead of choosing an extremely fancy material, why not think about how you can use your money as effectively as possible? For example, I think it’s wiser to choose chromoly over stainless steel and invest the money you save in hand-built wheels equipped with top-quality components.
"Finally, let's think about painting."
This is just my personal opinion, but I think choosing a paint scheme is generally the hardest part. Since there are more endless options here than in any other aspect, you might actually just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. But the best way to make that choice is to simply collect anything you find or like.Photos of motorcycles you find through image searches, color samples from paint manufacturers, designs from your favorite sneakers, and so on (social media platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr are perfect for this). But don’t give up—the paint shop will surely enjoy taking on your challenge with all their might.


"Key Considerations When Choosing a Builder"
Over the past few years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in handmade frame building, and the range of options available has definitely expanded. Builders vary in their experience, style, and methods. Building a custom bike is similar to collaborating with a shaper when creating a new surfboard—trust is especially important.
While it requires a lot of communication, the entire process should be enjoyable. That’s why it’s important to choose a builder you click with and to ensure you understand each other.
Also, not every builder can create the dream bike you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking for a sturdy hardtail MTB, it’s not a good idea to turn to a builder who specializes in road frames—and the same goes the other way around.Some builders are known for their welding skills, others have a reputation for superb paintwork, and there are also team-based manufacturers that are highly organized and can produce the best titanium frames faster and more accurately than anyone else.
Circles has been cultivating relationships with frame builders for many years, so we have a deep understanding of each builder’s unique strengths—which means we’re confident we can introduce you to the builder who’s the perfect fit for you.

Learn more about the frame builders recommended by Circles.

SEVEN CYCLES
Boston, the birthplace of American culture, has been home to numerous handcrafted bicycle manufacturers throughout history, but among them, Seven Cycles stands out for its exceptional ability to produce nearly 2,000 custom titanium bikes annually, thanks to its advanced technical expertise and organizational strength.
The handcrafted custom bikes produced using their proprietary fitting method, known as “5th Element,” attract many cycling enthusiasts and are sure to guide you to the next level in your cycling journey.
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HUNTER CYCLES

RETROTEC CYCLE

BLACKCAT BICYCLES

DESALVO CUSTOM CYCLES

SYCIP BIKES

SKLAR BIKES

BREADWINNER CYCLES
A Portland-based handmade bike manufacturer for those who love riding every day, frame builder Tony Pereira—who has over 20 years of experience in designing and manufacturing custom frames—infuses his one-of-a-kind custom frames with his own unique style. Each frame is handcrafted using traditional frame-building techniques, with Columbus tubing carefully selected and positioned to suit the rider’s physique and preferences, resulting in a meticulously fine-tuned geometry design for every individual frame.
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