Who Builds Good Bikes? Shige Builds Good Bikes!
Launched on “Sim Day” (April 6th), this ongoing series shines a spotlight on the individuals who “build” bicycles.
For our inaugural installment, we invited Toyoshige “Shige” Ikeyama—one of the longest-serving veterans at the Nagoya-based bicycle shop, Circles—to share his story.
We delve into the creative process behind his bike builds—work that not only embodies the signature style of Circles but also involves conceptualizing the bikes used to launch new SimWorks products.
Today, I’d like to delve into the background behind Shige’s bike builds. Thanks for joining me. So, how many years has it been since you started at Circles?
Great to meet you! My time at Circles—which is also the length of my career as a bicycle mechanic—has now reached 17 years!
I imagine you assemble a wide variety of motorcycles as part of your work; is there any particular one you’ve built over the past year that really stands out in your memory?
I have a variety of things to share, but this time I’d like to introduce a build I put together at the request of a customer at Circles. It’s a Bike Friday Diamond Llama.
Bike Friday is also responsible for consolidating all the orders and coordinating directly with the manufacturer, isn’t that right?
That’s right. This particular case began with an email exchange with a customer residing in Hokkaido. Although I don’t work on the sales floor these days, my work does sometimes start with handling inquiries like this.
How do you go about building a bicycle for someone you’ve never actually met in person?
Since this customer traveled all the way to Nagoya twice—once to finalize their order and again for the handover—we actually met in person on two separate occasions. They were the kind of person who truly knew how to enjoy the entire experience, including all those little details. In fact, by immediately packing up the bike for air travel and taking it home right after the handover, they instantly embodied the very essence of what makes owning a Bike Friday so enjoyable.
The customer had previously ridden a variety of bikes—including Surlys—and while they envisioned their next bike being a Bike Friday that could be easily transported by car or plane, they hadn’t yet settled on a specific model or component configuration. Although they were also considering the New World Tourist, I ultimately recommended the Diamond Llama, taking into account the need for robust off-road capability to handle the rugged, wild terrain of Hokkaido.
I get the impression that the client is someone who has a solid understanding of how to use the bike—both in terms of riding technique and how to properly care for the equipment. Their approach to shopping—specifically, making the effort to travel all the way to a distant shop—strikes me as quite stylish, too.
How did you go about determining the specific component spec? I notice some distinctive choices, such as the single-chainring setup up front and the use of thumb shifters. Was there any discussion regarding a budget as well?
Since the bike is designed to handle rough terrain, I wanted to give it a wide rear gear range; however, to prevent the derailleur from striking rocks or other obstacles, I opted for a short-cage model—specifically, the Microshift/Advent. As for the tires, I chose the Schwalbe “Little Joe” model. Although this particular model isn’t typically available in Japan, we wanted to carry it at Circles, so we took this build as an opportunity to specially import it.
Apologies that the handlebars aren’t SimWorks! (Laughs) They’re actually Surly Open Bars. I opted for a width that isn’t too wide, keeping the folding mechanism in mind. The build itself is fairly basic, but I routed the cables with a bit of extra slack—again, specifically to accommodate the folding function.
Although no specific budget figures were discussed, we took into account the possibility of repurposing parts from their current bicycle and therefore presented a proposal with a conservative budget right from the start.
Roughly how many rounds of back-and-forth communication does it take for things to be finalized in this way? Also, what kind of discussions do you have, and how do you go about making your proposals?
It took about six months from our initial email exchange until the vehicle was delivered. During that time, we exchanged over twenty emails, spoke on the phone, and even met in person twice.
What I always prioritize is visualizing—as concretely as possible—the kind of riding the client desires, the destinations they wish to visit, and how they intend to enjoy their daily life and leisure; I then ensure that the design incorporates the functionality necessary to bring that vision to life. There are times along the way when both the client and I may find ourselves wavering, but whenever that happens, we always return first and foremost to that fundamental premise.
To build a bike that truly enables a client to realize their aspirations—to do exactly what they want to do—it is essential to get to know them deeply: not only their specific requirements for the bike’s performance, but also their local environment, their daily lifestyle, and even their personal philosophy regarding their tools and gear.
When you build a bike in this way, do you ever find yourself wondering—after it has been delivered—whether the finished product lived up to their expectations?
Of course, it does weigh on my mind to some extent. However—as is the case with most bikes we build here at Circles—our approach isn’t about delivering a “perfect, 100-point” build right out of the box. Instead, we aim to leave a certain amount of “breathing room”—space that allows the owner to freely customize the bike to their own liking down the road. After all, once you actually start riding, you’re bound to discover areas for improvement; and the ability to make those customizations yourself is, in my view, one of the great charms of cycling. Naturally, we do adjust the extent of that “breathing room” based on whether or not the client is comfortable or adept at handling such customizations themselves.
When it comes to building a truly complete machine—one backed by a clear vision and a firm budget—we often turn to the handmade bicycles featured in our “Circles Tailored” lineup. While a “dream bike” is undoubtedly magnificent, a bicycle you customize yourself—treating it as a playful tool to be ridden hard and put to the test—is every bit as magnificent.
This might be a bit of a cheeky question, but if you prioritize the client’s requests and the room for customization, doesn’t it become difficult to really bring out that signature “Circles” style—or the unique flair of Shige, the builder?
The true essence of Circles—what makes us unique—perhaps comes to the fore when we are deciding exactly what products and information to source. From within that curated selection, we listen to our customers’ requests and formulate proposals. Since the foundation of these proposals ultimately rests on our own personal experiences and knowledge, I believe that even for the exact same request, the specific approach we take will naturally vary from one person to another.
Therefore, I believe my true moment of truth lies in the process of engaging in extensive dialogue with the client to shape a shared vision, and then crafting that initial proposal—which effectively serves as the estimate.
I see. Indeed, looking through the Circles bike archive, I get the sense that their identity lies in the balance between the inherent appeal of the base bike and the “room for creativity” in how it’s built up—though I suppose that might be getting into somewhat advanced territory.
As I mentioned at the outset, a bicycle serves as both a tool for daily life and a means of recreation—essentially, a “fun tool.” Therefore, when it comes to bringing this concept to life, the process involves giving ample scope to creative freedom—or, conversely, precisely defining the specific details we wish to prioritize—and ultimately giving shape to the project through open communication.
I see. Thank you. Next, I’d like to ask about your philosophy regarding bike building—and where the inspiration for the actual style of your finished bikes comes from. How did your career as a mechanic begin?
It really feels like I just started working part-time at Circles back when I was a student. I’m now in my 17th year—my entire career has been dedicated solely to Circles. Back then, while I was busy with mechanical work, I would listen in on how Mr. Tanaka and SAL interacted with customers; I also used the ordering process as a way to visualize our customers, the bikes being built for them, and how those bikes would ultimately be used. The insights I cultivated through that experience—along with the fundamental “Circles style”—remain just as relevant today as they were back then.
Back then, I got my start with fixed-gear bikes; since then, however, I’ve participated in races, combined riding with outdoor activities like fishing, and gained a wide range of real-world riding experiences—all of which, I believe, now serve as valuable resources when I’m building up a bike.
You majored in design in college, right? And you used to be a delinquent, too—haha. Does that background serve as a foundation for your work as well?
I actually used to drive a car so low to the ground that I had to carefully angle it—even executing a three-point turn—just to pull into a convenience store parking lot! (Laughs.) I was deeply immersed in a culture where you didn’t just drive a car as you bought it; instead, you customized it to suit your own personal tastes.
At university, I majored in Architecture, Urban, and Environmental Design. However, the curriculum leaned much more toward design aesthetics than pure engineering. I was surrounded by many highly individualistic people, and I believe I was profoundly influenced by their approach to personal style—specifically, the meticulous attention they paid to everything from the clothes they wore to the tools they used.
The idea isn’t simply to impose that individuality on others; rather, it is to let our customers experience the possibilities of that freedom—filtered through the broader framework of “Circles,” through the products we have carefully selected, and through the insights we have gained from our own riding experiences.
You mentioned that Circles’ inventory serves as the foundation for the recommendations you offer customers; are there any specific sources you consult for information regarding particular bicycles, parts, or styles?
Naturally, I make a point of keeping up with sources like The Radavist, as well as updates coming out of the SimWorks USA sphere. Additionally—since I travel to the U.S. about once a year, and folks from over there occasionally come visit us—connecting with and following the unique individuals I meet during those encounters provides me with a wealth of inspiration. Ultimately, whether it’s craftsmanship, business, or simply staying informed, personal connections truly are the most valuable asset. I gather information on fishing and sneakers via social media, and I actually feel that those interests aren’t entirely unrelated to the craft of bike building.
Finally, what constitutes a “Good Bike” for Shige?
That’s right. Ultimately, I suppose it comes down to the bike becoming a true tool for the rider—something that gets thoroughly used and worn in, fitting perfectly with that person’s sensibilities and lifestyle. When I build a bike, my mindset is focused on creating that foundation.
Thank you very much!
