The Trove is an ideal platform for a bikepacking style that begins right in the city.

It retains the easygoing ride of an urban cruiser, but adding a rack, saddlebag, or other carrying equipment can transform everyday trips into small adventures. From shopping, commuting, and spontaneous detours to light gravel rides at the weekend, the Trove makes it easy to carry what you need and go a little farther.

Bikepacking does not have to mean a long-distance journey. There are plenty of moments in everyday cycling when carrying luggage makes life more convenient.

That is why the Trove works so well for city riding and a little more. It looks clean and uncluttered, yet carries plenty when needed. That contrast is part of its appeal.

As a practical example, this article introduces a custom build equipped with carrying systems at both the front and rear. This is bikepacking that begins with everyday life.

【OUTLET】Lit Trove Custom Ver. II

【Price】¥175,000 including tax ⇒ SALE ¥148,000 including tax
【Color】Pale Gray
【Size / Recommended Rider Height】420 / 158-173cm

The Standard Trove: Japanese City-Bike Thinking with MTB Inspiration

The Trove takes inspiration from the approachable Japanese mamachari, or everyday city bike, while adding wide 26-inch MTB-standard tires, front and rear caliper brakes, bottle-cage mounts, and a dedicated center-stand mount.

These details give it the durability to handle gravel and unpaved roads as well as asphalt, together with practical features that make carrying luggage easier.

In its standard form, the Trove has a clean and understated appearance.

Fenders, baskets, and chain guards, which are commonly fitted to conventional Japanese city bikes, are deliberately left off to keep the design light and uncluttered.

Of course, the frame is designed so these practical accessories can be added later.

As shown in our “Urban Life Cruiser Style” build, sport-style fenders and racks can also be fitted.

The Trove is already appealing in its standard form, but its simple construction and use of classic component standards also make it an excellent base for customization.

Adding optional parts to match the way you ride and live opens up countless possibilities for creating a bike that feels entirely your own.

We hope you enjoy building your own original Trove.

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Bikepacking That Begins in the City: An All-Terrain Custom Build

This build starts with an all-terrain setup that combines a flat handlebar with semi-knobby tires, making it enjoyable on everything from paved roads to light gravel.

We then added carrying equipment at the front and rear to create a bikepacking style that begins in the city.

▼Custom Parts List

• Grips: ERGON｜GP1 BIO CORK
• Handlebar: NITTO｜B802 AAF-HT Riser Bar - Silver
• Saddle: SELLE ANATOMICA｜H1 Leather Saddle - Black
• Tires: SimWorks by PANARACER｜The Homage 26″ - 26×1.95″
• Pedals: MKS｜Pretzel Pedal BL Special - Silver Body / Black Cage
• Brake and Shift Housing: NISSEN
• Front Rack: Jack｜The Bike Rack
• Rear Bag Support: VIVA｜DX Bag Supporter
• Bottle Cage: KING CAGE｜Stainless Steel Cage
• Center Stand: ESGE｜PLETSCHER Double Leg Center Stand

Grips

• 

• ERGON｜GP1 BIO CORK
  The GP1 is one of the signature products from German ergonomic component brand ERGON.
  Its broad support platform distributes pressure across the palm and creates an exceptionally natural fit, significantly reducing fatigue during longer rides.
  
  This version also uses natural cork material.
  In addition to its warm, organic appearance, the cork surface remains comfortable and less sticky even when your hands begin to perspire.

Handlebar

• 

• NITTO｜B802 AAF-HT Riser Bar - Silver
  This trusted riser bar is made in Japan by NITTO.
  It is heat-treated to increase strength and durability, giving it the performance needed for serious everyday use.
  
  Its carefully shaped 50mm rise makes it easy to achieve a relaxed position and supports comfortable riding.
  The 25.4mm clamp diameter also gives it an appealing old-school character that pairs naturally with classic bicycles.

Saddle

• 

• SELLE ANATOMICA｜H1 Leather Saddle - Black
  Leather saddles from American brand Selle Anatomica are widely praised among gravel and touring riders for the exceptional comfort created by their flexible hammock-like construction.
  
  The distinctive central opening, known as THE SLOT, allows each side of the saddle to move independently with the rider’s sit bones.
  This helps distribute pressure more effectively and greatly reduces discomfort during longer rides.

Tires

SimWorks by PANARACER｜The Homage 26″ - 26×1.95″
The Homage is a versatile ATB tire jointly developed by SimWorks and Panaracer, based on Panaracer’s classic Mach SS cross-country tire.

Its distinctive tread pattern uses lower center knobs and taller shoulder knobs, providing smooth rolling on paved roads while maintaining reliable grip on gravel tracks and forest roads.

It is a dependable choice for everything from everyday city riding to more adventurous outings.

Pedals

• 

• MKS｜Pretzel Pedal BL Special - Silver Body / Black Cage
  This special pedal is based on the classic MKS GAMMA and features an even wider platform.
  The broad surface and raised pins hold the sole securely, creating stable and confident pedaling even on unpaved roads.
  
  Its distinctive looped shape resembles a pretzel, giving it playful visual character as well as practical performance.
  A gently concave profile helps the foot settle naturally into the pedal, improving grip and providing a reassuring feel.

Brake and Shift Housing

• 

• NISSEN Cable
  NISSEN is a trusted Japanese cable manufacturer based in Kishiwada, Osaka.
  Its exceptionally flexible housing places less unwanted force on the inner cable than many conventional products, resulting in light and smooth operation.
  
  Another major attraction is its exceptionally broad color selection.
  The housing can be coordinated freely with almost any bicycle, making it a component that offers visual customization as well as dependable performance.

Front Rack

Jack｜The Bike Rack
This universal front rack can be fitted easily without tools.
Its simple mounting system uses dedicated straps to secure the rack to the handlebar and stem or steerer, making it compatible with a wide variety of bicycles.

It can even be used with suspension-fork mountain bikes that are difficult to equip with conventional front racks.
The durable stainless-steel construction supports loads of up to 5kg, providing ample strength for everyday carrying.

Rear Bag Support

• 

• VIVA｜DX Bag Supporter
  This stainless-steel support attaches to the seatpost and stabilizes a large saddlebag.
  Based on a classic model with approximately 50 years of history, it uses solid 7mm stainless steel for excellent durability and resistance to corrosion.
  
  It helps prevent a saddlebag from sagging or swaying, making it a dependable accessory for touring and bikepacking.

Bottle Cage

• 

• KING CAGE｜Stainless Steel Cage
  This celebrated bottle cage is handmade one at a time in Durango, Colorado, USA.
  Its stainless-steel construction provides excellent strength and durability while remaining lightweight.
  
  The distinctive shape is simple yet full of character, combining practicality with refined design.
  Because it flexes less than many aluminum cages, it also holds the bottle securely and inspires confidence on rougher roads.

Center Stand

• 

• ESGE｜PLETSCHER Double Leg Center Stand
  This Swiss-made double-leg center stand combines a rugged appearance that appeals to steel-bike enthusiasts with outstanding stability from its metal twin-leg design.
  
  When parked, the two legs support the bicycle securely. When riding, they fold together and tuck neatly beneath the left chainstay.
  The design avoids interference with the pedals and chain, making it a reliable choice for loaded touring and bikepacking.

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Custom Build Summary and Ideas for Use

What do you think of the finished build?

The frame, drivetrain, wheels, and other major components remain in their standard configuration, yet changing the handlebar, saddle, and surrounding parts has completely transformed the bike’s character.

Its roots may lie in the familiar Japanese city bike, but the use of 26-inch MTB-standard tires gives the Trove a presence that easily moves beyond that category.

A bike like this is ideal for commuting along the Kamo River or across the gravel paths of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. At the weekend, it also invites you to travel a little farther from home.

With more campsites now appearing near urban areas, loading a compact set of camping equipment and enjoying an urban camping ride is another appealing possibility.

The Trove offers almost unlimited potential through customization.

As this is our original model, it is available through all eirin stores, with the exception of certain individual parts. Please contact your nearest location for further information.

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▼ Lit Trove Custom Features