Wheels mfg Blog
popular categories
latest articles
The Bike That Almost Wasn’t! Our Colorado Copper Sanitas Finally Made It Home
The Bike That Almost Wasn’t! Our Colorado Copper Sanitas Finally Made It Home
We had big plans for the Philly Bike Expo this year. Front and center in our booth was supposed to be a one-of-a-kind Sanitas Cycles titanium Pistil Soft-Tail fully decked out in our Colorado Copper anodized components. A clean, bold build that showed off the best of what we make, all in our signature colorway.
Then… it disappeared.
Somewhere between Colorado and Pennsylvania, it vanished. Lost in transit. Despite days of searching, tracking updates, and a few panicked phone calls, the bike didn’t make it to Philly. We were bummed. So was the Sanitas crew. This build deserved a spotlight.
But here’s the happy ending: the bike finally made its way back to Sanitas HQ, safe and sound.
And now, we finally get to show it off.
This is the Colorado Copper Sanitas build that almost wasn’t. A clean titanium frame brought to life with our anodized components:
SOLO-XD Single Speed Kit – simple, fast, and coppered out
T47 Bottom Bracket – built for longevity and smooth power transfer
Headset Spacers + Top Cap – the little details that tie the whole build together
Wheels MFG Thru Axles – because solid connection matters
Seatpost Clamp – clean, secure, and color-matched
A huge thanks to Sanitas Cycles for the build and for rolling with the punches when the bike went MIA. It didn’t hit the Philly show floor, but it’s too good not to share.
New Seatpost Collars Are Here. Lock It Down in Style!
We’re excited to officially launch our brand-new Wheels Manufacturing Seatpost Collars, available April 7, 2025. Built with precision and designed to add a clean, finished look to your bike. They’re ready to order and ready to ride.
Designed to blend simplicity, style, and rock-solid performance, these collars use a bolt and barrel-nut closure for a secure fit and come in three sizes — 28.6 mm, 31.8 mm, and 34.9 mm — to fit a wide range of frames. With seven anodized color options — Black, Red, Orange, Teal, Blue, Purple, Green — there’s something for every rider’s style.
Even better, the colors match our other anodized components like bottom brackets, derailleur hangers, and single-speed kits for a clean, cohesive look front to back.
Buy Now
These collars offer an affordable way to personalize your bike without sacrificing performance.
Here’s what makes them stand out:
Lightweight CNC-machined 6061 aluminum with stainless steel hardware
Bold anodized color options to match or contrast existing builds
Secure bolt and barrel-nut system for a no-slip grip
Three versatile sizes to fit most modern frames
Bonus Tool Alert
Need to know which seatpost your bike uses? Our new Seatpost Gauge is made from durable acrylic and quickly measures the inside diameter of your seat tube. It covers sizes from 25 mm up to 34.9 mm, and at just $9.99 MSRP, it’s a handy addition for any shop, mechanic, or home wrench.
Buy Seatpost Gauge
Neuhaus Metalworks Hummingbird Ti SS Showcases Wheels Manufacturing's Colorado Copper Components
Neuhaus Metalworks Hummingbird Ti SS Showcases Wheels Manufacturing’s Colorado Copper
We’re pumped to share our latest collab with Neuhaus Metalworks that hit the stage at the 2024 MADE Bike Show. Their Hummingbird Ti SS—a progressive XC/Trail single-speed—was dressed in our new Colorado Copper components. The frame was custom anodized to match, making this bike a real standout.
The Hummingbird Ti SS
Handmade in Marin County, CA, the Hummingbird is built for lightweight responsiveness and all-day fun.
Fork travel: 80–130 mm by frame size (rigid for this show build)
Head tube angle: 66.5° — agile yet stable
Wheels: 29" for fast rolling
Geometry: Progressive XC with trail attitude
Colorado Copper Components on the Build
SOLO-SPLINE Single Speed Conversion Kit — for Micro-Spline hubs, simplicity, and performance
T47 Bottom Bracket — smooth, efficient, built to last
Pro Headset Spacers & Top Cap — clean cockpit details in copper
Thru Axles and Water Bottle Cage Bolts — the small accents that tie it all together
About Neuhaus Metalworks
Neuhaus builds bikes that make you want to ride more—prioritizing fit, handling, and durability over trends.
Respect for riders: short lead times so you’re not waiting to shred
Precision: rider-specific geometry and tubing; constant testing and refinement
Inclusive sizing: one of the widest size ranges in the industry
Support: lifetime manufacturing-defect warranty and crash-replacement policy
Questions? Reach out to Neuhaus at Info@neuhausmetalworks.com or visit their Novato, CA shop.
Get Your Hands on Vise Shaft Clamps "Soft Jaws" Today!
Get Your Hands on Vise Shaft Clamps “Soft Jaws” Today!
Our upgraded Vise Shaft Clamps—aka “Soft Jaws”—are here. Precision-machined aluminum with
integrated magnet inserts keep the jaws parked in your vise while you service dropper posts,
suspension parts, and axle components. Secure clamping, no slipping, less drama.
Key Benefits
Secure, stable clamping for precise maintenance
Fast setup in a bench vise thanks to strong magnet inserts
Available Sizes
ST0007 — Common dropper post shafts: 30.9 mm, 31.6 mm, 34.9 mm
(shop tools)
ST0008 — Axle & suspension shafts: 8, 9, 10, 12.7, 15, 15.9, 16.7 mm
(shop tools)
ST0009 — Axle & suspension shafts: 17.5, 18.7, 19.5, 21, 22.2 mm
(shop tools)
ST0010 — Suspension shafts: 23.8, 25.4, 28.6 mm
(shop tools)
Shop Now: /collections/new-products
Questions? Email info@wheelsmfg.com. These clamps move fast—grab yours while they’re in stock.
The Importance of Having the Proper Tools
Anyone who's ever tried to press a standard screwdriver against a Phillip's head screw knows the importance of having the right tool for the job. With bicycles and components becoming more specialized all the time, having the proper tool at hand for a given repair has never been more important. Having the right tools helps in several ways:
Increased Customer Confidence.
Let's be honest cyclists can be very protective of their bikes; among the things that will quickly erode customer confidence is seeing a mechanic tackle a bottom bracket install with a block of wood and a rubber mallet. With today's ever lighter carbon frames there really is no reason to resort such medieval measures when high-quality precision tools are available. Having the proper tools lets your customers know that your shop can tackle any mechanical issue they may have.
Quicker Turnaround Time.
A good service business is becoming critically important to a bike shop's success. Bike shop owners know service is where you make your money. Having the right tools at the right time can make all the difference. Searching the shop for the proper tool, or worse yet having to special order a tool while repairs are put on hold not only inconveniences the customer but eats into valuable service income. Bikes hanging out waiting to be repaired are not bringing in money, they're just taking up space. Why waste time running around looking for the perfect sized socket to install a sealed bearing when what you really need is a sealed bearing press.
Less Stress for Mechanics.
Not much will drive a mechanic crazier than running around for half-an-hour trying to find the right tool, or cobble together a tool, to do a thirty-second job. Stressed out mechanics usually aren't happy mechanics and unhappy mechanics don't tend to stick around long. Quality and continuity in the service area is key. A well-equipped and staffed service department only adds value to the services you offer.
With so much of a shop's income being reliant on service an investment in having a well-equipped service department is an investment in a shop's future. Well trained and equipped mechanics help keep their customers on the road or trail longer, inspire confidence, and build loyalty to your shop.
Over Axle vs. Open Bore Adapters
What do I need, Over Axle or Open Bore Adapters?
This is a question we get a lot in our tech calls. And the short answer is it depends on the type of axle your hubs use: shouldered or non-shouldered. A non-shouldered axle is smooth across the length of the axle, allowing for it to slide completely thru the bearings. If you can remove the axle from the hub or pivot completely without removing the bearing, you will use open bore adapters to press new bearings back in.
Non-Shouldered Axle
A shouldered axle has a shoulder, or a stop, that prevents the axle from sliding completely thru the bearings. When disassembling the hub or pivot, if you have to push the bearing out of its bore using the axle, you will need an over axle adapter to press in the new bearing.
Shouldered Axle
Open Bore Adapters
Wheels Mfg open bore adapters work by pressing on the outer race of the bearing, without an axle yet thru the bearing. The outer diameter of the adapter matches the outer diameter of the bearing you are pressing. The adapter will have a step down to match the inner diameter of the bearing. This step is critical to keep the bearing aligned properly while pressing.
For pretty much all hub applications, you will need at least one open bore adapter. Bearing replacement with a non-shouldered axle is a fairly simple and straight-forward process, and should require the use of two open bore adapters. Both bearings are pressed into the hub shell before the axle is installed.
The first step for either axle type is to remove the old bearings from the hub shell using a good quality bearing extractor. Next, you'll want to clean the bearing bore of any dirt or grease. Then you will want to choose the appropriate open bore adapter for your bearing size. Wheels Mfg bearing adapters are labeled by bearing size (6802, 6903, etc.). Make sure you accurately identify your bearing! Using the wrong size adapter for a bearing is a quick way to damage a bearing and possibly the hub or frame pivot.
Always press one bearing at a time. Use one adapter in the bearing you are pushing, and one adapter on the opposite side directly against the shell or frame. You will probably need an adapter slightly larger than the OD of the bearing that goes into the opposite side. Or, use an adapter with a step that matches the bearing bore in the shell to keep everything centered and in alignment.
For the second bearing, you leave the first adapter in the previously installed bearing and add the second adapter to the second bearing. Again, use adapters that match the bearing size exactly to keep the bearings straight and true while pressing. With the bearings now installed, you can slide your axle through the bearings and attach any seals, spacers, end caps and/or lock nuts.
Over Axle Adapters
Wheels Mfg over axle adapters are meant to be used with shouldered axles, or where the bearing slides over the axle first before it is pressed in. Over axle adapters will press on both the inner and outer races of the bearing. With a shouldered axle you'll follow the procedure above using an open bore adapter to press your first bearing into one side of the hub or frame, then from the opposite side of the hub you'll insert your axle into the bearing bore as seen in the photo below.
Looking at the photo you're probably thinking "Great, now what do I do? I still have to press the other bearing in, but the axle is in the way." That's where the over axle adapter comes in. From here you'll use two over axle adapters matching your bearing size. One adapter will be placed over the axle and bearing you've already pressed in. The second will be used to press in the other bearing.
For hubs or pivots where the axle is longer than the adapters you are using, you would need to use our Speed Spacers to extend the length of the adapter setup beyond the end of the axle, allowing the press to push the bearing in completely. Use a Speed Spacer with the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of your axle.
If your axle has a hole thru it that is 10mm or larger, you can use our PRESS-1 handles to press in the bearing. If the axle is for a quick release skewer or smaller than 10mm, you can use the PRESS-2 skewer as your press, or any QR skewer. The PRESS-1 rod is also drilled and tapped on one end so you can use a skewer thru the axle and threaded into the rod as your pressing mechanism.
So, there you have it. Replacing bearings isn’t as complicated as it looks and with the proper tools such as the Wheels Mfg. Large Sealed Bearing Press (PRESS-1), Small Sealed Bearing Press (PRESS-2) and our Over Axle Adapter Kit (PRESS-3) it makes the job even easier. It beats a hammer and a socket any day!
sign up for exclusive emails, discounts, promotions and a few surprises.
popular articles
Categories
Find your Derailleur hanger
hanger finder
Which bottom brackets fit your bike
bottom bracket finder