Wheels Manufacturing lurks in the chasms from product left behind in the industry’s never-ending march towards The Modern Standard. While many ignore or avoid the troll-filled forums and poisonous comments sections of blogs full of unhappy customers who are just trying to make their bikes work, the dedicated team at Wheels Manufacturing pour over them looking for inspiration for new, ultra-functional solutions. They keep throwback product on the road and challenge existing standards if they feel they can improve on the theme. It’s this ingenuity that makes them one of the great un-sung heroes of cycling. And, as you can see, they do it with class.
Nick Lasar, Wheels Manufacturing Professional Customer Service Representative, is often the first line of feedback from IBS service departments or from garage wrenches through their extremely responsive online support chat, and he was excited to show off some game-changer product this Interbike. “We are dedicated to addressing the inherent issues with the pressfit system,” Nick proclaimed as he shuttled me over to their end-all be-all solution to the squeaky bottom bracket…
Introducing the threaded pressfit bottom bracket. Rather than depend on the tolerances of the frame being en pointe, Wheels created a two part system where thin cups thread into one another on the inside of the shell. The threads ensure proper bearing alignment for easy crank installation and a tight fit. Both PF30 and BB86/92 configurations will be available October 15th through the Wheels Manufacturing website for $74 a pop for standard Enduro ABEC-3 bearings, $99 for angular contact, or $175 for ZERØ ceramic bearings (if you’re fancy).
Also new and exciting is the eccentric BB adapter with versions covering both PF30 and BB30 bottom bracket shells. These come standard with Enduro ABEC-5 Angular Contact sealed bearings and work across 68mm to 73mm shells with all 24mm cranks. And they come in red.
New for the season are seven new contributions to their extensive derailleur hanger collection. At the time of the show, we were assured that even more were on the way and that “we have a hanger meeting next week.” The hangers, as everything seen seen above, are precision machined in the USA.
