Sklar's Super Something May Just Be the Most Versatile Adventure and Gravel Bike

Folks, Sklar Bikes may not be the sort of brand that rings any bells on the international cycling stage, but this little owner-operator shop has been in the market since 2014, often building bikes by hand. However, 2019 brought a change for Adam Sklar and his business; he took a step back from custom one-offs to build small-run production bikes that still have his touch of ingenuity and know-how.

This brings us to the ravishing creature before us today, the Super Something. There's no clear indicator of why Adam dubbed this version as is, but everything makes a whole lot of sense if you end up on the manufacturer's website. Don't have time for that? That's why I'm here: to sum it all up in three to five minutes.

Now, the idea behind the Super Something is simple, to craft an "incredibly versatile platform" with which riders, newbs and veterans alike, can do whatever they wish with it. Well, as I explored this $1,600 (€1,500 at current exchange rates) hunk of double-butted chromoly steel, it became apparent that, yes, it really is "Something" else.

You've already picked up on the fact that chromoly steel is used to bring each frame to life, but that same material is also used for the fork. One aspect I found rather neat about the frame is the curved top tube, giving this bike not only a rather mean demeanor but also hinting at your riding position, headfirst and as fast as possible. I also can't shake the fact that it looks downright inspired by Trek's Madone.

Yet, speed may not necessarily be the goal with this bike. After all, it's more like a diesel, starting off slow but going and going and going and, you get the idea. This is because the Super Something is built around 700 x 55c tires, or 27.5 x 2.1 inch, so it's quite MTB-ish if you ask me.

Sure, a larger contact patch and knobby tires are going to slow you down a bit, but then again, they also open up new avenues of exploration. In short, off-road trails won't be a problem for this bugger, nor will rides to work and around town. Luckily, tires don't cost a whole bunch to replace, so if you have a preferred brand and tread design in mind, go for it.

However, the Super Something's real potential is only unlocked the moment we throw on a couple of cargo bags, water bottles, and load it up with all the essentials we need for a one to two-day trip, even more! It all depends on how comfortable you are in the saddle. To do so, the Super Something is covered in cargo mounts. From the down tube to the fork, tube, and seat stay, all of this bike gives you the possibility to ride long and far.

But the adventure story doesn't stop there, either. I realized a little something as I was getting to know this bike: if I can resist the cold, this thing should be just fine for any winter riding around town or roads without ice. Water's no issue if you've chosen the proper tires. Just be sure to add a fender, as things are sure to get messy.

Another aspect that you need to be aware of, if your interest has been sparked, is this frameset's versatility, not only in the sort of terrain it can tackle but in the components you can add to it. If you've managed to check out the image gallery already, then you've noticed this bike in an array of configurations.

I've seen a flat bar mounted to one and drop bars, too. I noticed that some of the bikes run a 1x drivetrain, but the FAQ section states that a 2x chainring setup is also possible. Oh, it can be equipped with a gear cassette at the back or just a simple single-speed; the frame has clearance for up to a 44T chainring.

There's just one itsy-bitsy catch to all of this, and for some, it might actually be a deal breaker; a damn shame, I tell you, a damn shame. The price I stated at the beginning of the article is what you pay for nothing more than a frameset. This means a frame and its fork, so the rest of your dream Super Something is still going to require that you pump some cash into it.

By the time you're done, yes, you'll be looking at a machine that may have doubled in price, depending on the gear you add to it, but the tradeoff is a bicycle that riders have clocked in thousands of miles with. Oh, and if you'd like to get a complete bike, give Sklar a call and see where things go from there. Have that checkbook ready.