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Bespoked Manchester Recap. Orange You Glad You Stopped By?
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.
Introducing the Random Derailleur Hanger of the Month Club
From Wheels Manufacturing: Because There Are Thousands, and We Make Most of Them
Rear derailleur hangers: they’re small, oddly shaped, and absolutely essential to how your bike shifts. And here’s the kicker: there are literally thousands of different kinds.
Over the years, bike brands have developed unique hanger designs for different models, frame materials, axle types, and dropout geometries. The result? A never-ending catalog of aluminum widgets that all do the same job in slightly different ways.
At Wheels Manufacturing, we’ve spent decades cataloging, machining, and distributing rear derailleur hangers. Today, we make tens of thousands per year, precision CNC-machined right here in Colorado.
And now… we’re making them collectible.
Introducing the Random Derailleur Hanger of the Month Club™—a completely unnecessary but oddly satisfying subscription that delivers a new random hanger to your door every month. It might not fit your bike, but it’ll definitely start a conversation.
What’s in the Box?
One completely random rear derailleur hanger
A collectible spec card with “facts” like: “Allegedly fits a brand we couldn’t verify, possibly made during a lunar eclipse in the late 1900s.”
A monthly opportunity to say, “What the heck is this one for?”
And absolutely no guarantee it fits anything you own
The Hanger Hall of Fame™ Display Case
For true rear derailleur hanger aficionados, we’ve designed the ultimate shrine:
A beautifully finished 4-foot-wide walnut-paneled frame
200 velvet-lined micro-shelves to display your growing hanger collection
Built-in LED lighting to elevate each aluminum oddity
A locking glass door, because some things are sacred
Pricing:
$19.99/month$249.99/year (includes a “mystery bolt bag” and a sticker that says “Life is Short Buy the Hanger”)
Bonus: You can even sign up a friend without telling them. Confusion makes a great gift.
This April 1st, celebrate the obscure, the over-engineered, and the oddly essential. Because rear derailleur hangers may be small, but they matter. Why not make most of them!
Happy April Fools
No, but seriously—if you’re looking for the actual hanger that fits your bike, we’ve got you covered.
Visit wheelsmfg.com and use our Hanger Finder Tool to match your frame and get exactly what you need.
Wheels Manufacturing’s SOLO Kits Featured in The Radavist’s 2024 Favorites
Big news from The Radavist! Josh Weinberg featured Wheels Manufacturing’s SOLO-XD and SOLO-Spline kits in his “Josh’s Favorite Products, Experiences, and More from 2024” roundup. 🎉
Josh highlighted how these single-speed solutions simplify setup and boost reliability—especially noting the SOLO-Spline kit for Micro Spline hubs as a first of its kind. We’re stoked to see the kits resonating with riders and to be recognized by industry leaders like The Radavist.
His praise reinforces what we believe: real innovation starts by listening to riders. We’re thrilled these kits are helping single-speeders everywhere—and we’re just getting started.
Read the full write-up: theradavist.com/joshs-favorite-products-2024
Huge thanks to Josh and The Radavist team for the shoutout—honored to make the year-end list!
Wheels Manufacturing’s SOLO-Spline and SOLO-XD Kits Earn 2024 Bikepacking Gear of the Year Honors
Celebrating Innovation, Simplicity, and Performance
We’re proud to share that Wheels Manufacturing’s SOLO-Spline and SOLO-XD single-speed conversion kits have been recognized in Bikepacking.com’s 2024 Gear of the Year Awards. It’s a nod to our goal of building reliable, rider-driven components.
Why this matters: As freehub standards evolved—from long-running HG to newer Micro Spline and XD—few single-speed options existed for the newer bodies. Our Colorado-machined SOLO kits fill that gap with dedicated conversion solutions for both standards.
What makes the SOLO kits stand out?
Engineered for reliability: Designed and machined in Colorado for durability and precision.
Easy installation: Streamlined setup to simplify your drivetrain.
Replaceable cogs: Compatible with a range of chains to keep you rolling.
Great value: Long-term performance at a competitive price.
Riders and reviewers have put these kits through countless miles this year, and we’re grateful for the feedback.
Shop SOLO Kits Now
Thanks to the team at Bikepacking.com and to the cycling community for recognizing our work and sharing our passion for simpler, better rides.
Read the full awards article on Bikepacking.com.
Here’s to more adventures—and more award-winning gear—in 2024!
Sanitas Cycles' New Tap Root Ti Hardtail – Featuring Wheels Manufacturing Components!
Sanitas Tap Root Ti Hardtail featured on The Radavist
We’re thrilled to share a standout feature from the world of custom titanium hardtails. Our friends at Sanitas Cycles just landed a full review on The Radavist for their brand-new Tap Root Ti Hardtail—and we’re proud to be part of the build.
The Tap Root Ti is built for performance and reliability, with Sanitas selecting proven components for real-world riding. We partnered with Sanitas to supply our precision-engineered T47 bottom brackets, thru axles, and other Wheels MFG parts to keep the bike smooth and solid—whether you’re on technical trails or daily miles.
Read the full review: Sanitas Tap Root Ti Hardtail – “Silver Surfin’ Daily Driver”
We’re always stoked to support brands like Sanitas Cycles that push quality and craftsmanship forward—and to see how Wheels MFG components elevate the ride.
Photos: Spencer Harding
SOLO-XD - BIKEPACKING.COM EDITOR’S DOZEN
Bikepacking.com — Editor’s Dozen: Miles & Emily’s Favourite Gear of 2023
Our SOLO-XD single-speed conversion kit earned a spot on Bikepacking.com’s prestigious Editor’s Dozen!
We’re honored by the recognition—it reflects our commitment to simple, durable solutions for riders who want fewer moving parts and more smiles. The SOLO-XD is available for $120 at wheelsmfg.com.
Read the full Bikepacking.com article
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