Sklar Bikes PBJ Touring Bike Production Model

The PBJ, or Performance Basket Jammer, has been a model in the Sklar Bikes lineup for some time now. But today, the San Francisco-based framebuilder and bike company announced a production run of these veritable “do it all” framesets ($1,399), so let’s take a more in-depth look…

Adam’s PBJ in steel, left, John’s PBJ in titanium, right, 2019

PBJ Beginnings

Initially launched in 2019 with Adam’s own custom steel bike and John’s custom titanium bike, the Performance Basket Jammer is a touring bike chassis with clearance for a 29 x 2.8″ tire and all the mounts you could want to take it on anything from an overnighter to a multi-month tour. John’s ridden his all over the Western US, from remote desert tours to mountainous romps in New Mexico and Montana.

Sklar Bikes PBJ Quick Hits

Made in Taiwan
$1,399
Frame Material: Double butted heat treated Chromoly Steel.
Chromoly steel fork, 110x15mm spacing, 180mm post mount, 1-1/8” steer tube, internal dynamo routing, 110x15mm boost spacing
Fork has cargo cage mounts on either side, as well as M5 bosses mid-blade, at the dropout and hole at the crown for a rack or fenders
148x12mm Boost Spacing
160mm Post Mount rear brake insert
Designed for 29” x 2.6” tires (clears some 2.8’s but this bike is meant for 2.4- 2.6″ tires)
31.6mm Seat post (stealth routing for dropper)
3 bottle cages, one under the down tube, 2 in main triangle
Designed for 482mm AC Fork (included), or 100mm suspension fork
73mm BSA Bottom bracket Shell
EC34mm/44mm Headset
Clearance for up to a 36T chainring
Full external Cable routing

Production models keep the straight top tube design, first implemented on Adam and John’s bikes, but offer sliding dropouts for singlespeed riding and chainstay length adjustment. Adam noted to John that the production samples would clear a 29 x 3″ Ranger on certain rims, but the official clearance would remain at 2.8″.

The PBJ can be ridden with a 100 or 120 mm suspension fork if you want it to be a hardtail, or an ENVE Mountain fork if you’d like carbon. We love the Sklar steel fork for ride-damping and touring accoutrements, though!

Geometry

The geometry is informed by modern mountain bike ideas designed around a slightly longer front center and a shorter stem, but designed with the intent to remain playful and nimble. Because it is a “touring” bike the reach is a little longer for those all day pedals. Pair this with a swept back bar like the PBJ bar and your hands are right near the steering axis where you want them for stable yet responsive handling. Comfort and capability loaded or unloaded, a bike built for fun.