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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Bike That Almost Wasn’t! Our Colorado Copper Sanitas Finally Made It Home

By James Flanagan on April 14, 2025

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.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

New Seatpost Collars Are Here. Lock It Down in Style!

By James Flanagan on April 07, 2025

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

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Bespoked Manchester Recap. Orange You Glad You Stopped By?

By James Flanagan on April 29, 2025

Bespoked Manchester Recap. Orange You Glad You Stopped By? We just got back from the Bespoked Handmade Bike Show in Manchester, and to say we’re buzzing would be an understatement. This event always brings out some of the most passionate builders, riders, and brands in the cycling world, and this year, we teamed up with Chumba to create a showstopper of a bike. A Slackr With Some Serious Attitude Chumba’s Slackr Steel MTB is already a beast of a bike, designed for hard-hitting trail riders who want steel’s ride quality without compromising on modern geometry or aggressive capability. But for this show build, we cranked it up a notch. The frame was dressed head-to-toe in Wheels Manufacturing components in a striking orange anodized finish, making it impossible to miss. Here’s what we added to the mix: SOLO-XD Single Speed Conversion Kit Thru Axles Water Bottle Cage Bolts Headset Spacers and Top Cap T47 Outboard Bottom Bracket This wasn’t just a display of parts; it was a bold, clean build that showed how dialed your bike can look when your components are matched and made to last. Sneak Peek: SOLO-HG Prototype While the Slackr got most of the stares, those who stopped by our booth also got a behind-the-scenes look at something new. We unveiled a prototype of our revamped single speed conversion kit for Shimano HG-style freehub bodies, the SOLO-HG. This is not just an update. It’s a full overhaul, with refined design, narrow-wide tooth profiles, and improved chain retention. Launch is still a few months out, but we were stoked to get feedback directly from builders and riders on the ground. Spoiler alert: they’re into it. Why Shows Like Bespoked Matter Bespoked is more than a trade show. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and community. Getting to partner with frame builders like Chumba reminds us why we do what we do. When our components end up on bikes this rad, it’s a win for everyone who believes that performance and aesthetics can coexist. Big thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat, geek out, and sneak a peek at what’s coming next. If you missed it, don’t worry, we’ve got more in store for 2025.

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Travis Jolly Conquers the 2024 Trans North Georgia Adventure with Solo-XD Power

By James Flanagan on September 16, 2024

TNGA Winner Travis Jolly Rides Solo-XD to the Top The Trans North Georgia Adventure (TNGA) is a beast — 350+ miles of steep climbs, rugged terrain, and relentless challenges. This year, Travis Jolly tackled it head-on and came out on top. His secret weapon? The Solo-XD Single Speed Conversion Kit from Wheels Manufacturing. Why Single Speed? For a race like TNGA, gear simplicity can be a game-changer. With fewer components to fail — and the mental clarity that comes from riding one gear — Solo-XD lets riders focus on what matters most: pedal power. Travis used that simplicity to move fast through mountains, forest, and river crossings. The Gear Breakdown Travis’ bike was a single-speed masterpiece. The Solo-XD conversion turned his rig into a bulletproof, ultra-reliable machine. Built for XD/XDR hubs and harsh conditions, Solo-XD isn’t just about reducing mechanicals — it’s about delivering efficiency and confidence when the course gets ugly. Want the full spec? Check out the in-depth bike check on Bikepacking.com. Ready to simplify your ride? Grab the same kit Travis trusted at TNGA. Shop Solo-XD Photos by Shane Hunter (@askforshane)

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New Anodized 1x Chainring Bolt and Nut Sets

By James Flanagan on March 03, 2023

The Newest Addition to Our Chainring Bolt Line Meet our 1x single-chainring optimized bolt sets. Precision-crafted to exceed industry standards, these bolts feature a 5 mm hex socket on the bolt and a 6 mm hex socket on the nut, so you can install and service them without a spanner. Available in 8 anodized colors. At 6 mm overall length, they’re a perfect fit for bolt-on single chainrings without threaded standoffs. Upgrade to a reliable, durable setup that stays quiet and tight. Tech Specs Thread: M8 Overall length: 6 mm Material: 7075-T6 aluminum Interfaces: 5 mm hex bolt / 6 mm hex nut Tired of loose, creaky bolts or juggling a spanner? Use this simple guide to install Wheels Manufacturing 1x single-chainring bolts: Installation Guide Step 1: Get Your Tools Ready Gather a 5 mm hex wrench, 6 mm hex wrench, and a torque wrench. Step 2: Remove the Old Bolts Using the correct hex size for your current hardware, turn counter-clockwise to remove. Keep track of any washers. Step 3: Clean the Chainring Wipe mating surfaces with isopropyl alcohol or degreaser to remove grime that could cause creaks or loosening. Step 4: Install the New Bolts Lightly grease the threads. Insert bolts so the heads sit flush. Hold the nuts with a 6 mm hex and snug by hand. Step 5: Torque Evenly Using a torque wrench, tighten to 8 Nm in a star pattern. Do not over-tighten. Step 6: Test and Recheck Confirm each bolt is at 8 Nm. After your first ride, recheck torque. Make the upgrade and enjoy a quieter, cleaner, easier-to-service setup. Upgrade your ride with our new anodized 1x chainring bolt & nut sets! Buy Now Prefer a direct link? Visit: /collections/fasteners-ferrules-brake-rim-parts

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Wheels mfg Components

The Bike That Almost Wasn’t! Our Colorado Copper Sanitas Finally Made It Home

New Seatpost Collars Are Here. Lock It Down in Style!

Bespoked Manchester Recap. Orange You Glad You Stopped By?