Category: Uncategorized

  • Getting more kids on bikes

    Getting more kids on bikes

    White Industries × NorCal League

    Some projects start with a product.
    This one started with a purpose.

    A small product with a bigger purpose.

    At White Industries, we’ve always believed that the future of cycling depends on access—on getting more people on bikes and keeping them there. That’s what led us to partner with the NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League, an organization that’s been doing exactly that for years.

    Their work is simple in principle, but powerful in impact: give kids the opportunity to ride, and everything else follows.

    Where Craft Meets Expression

    To support the NorCal League, we wanted to create something small, intentional, and meaningful.

    We partnered with Ashley Anodized It, known for transforming precision-machined parts into one-off pieces through custom anodizing. Each finish carries subtle variation—color, depth, and character that can’t be replicated at scale.

    The result is a limited run of custom top caps.

    Each one starts as a White Industries top cap—machined with the same attention to detail as the rest of our components—then finished individually. No two are exactly alike.

    When they’re gone, they’re gone.

    More Than a Finish

    This project isn’t just about color or customization.

    A portion of proceeds from every top cap goes directly to the NorCal League, supporting youth cycling programs across Northern California—helping fund coaching, equipment, and access for the next generation of riders.

    It’s a small part, but it connects to something bigger:

    • Supporting youth participation in cycling
    • Investing in long-term growth of the sport
    • Keeping riding accessible and inclusive

    Photo credit: Briana Marie Photography from the NorCal League

    Why It Matters

    Cycling doesn’t grow on its own. It grows through communities, programs, and opportunities—especially for younger riders.

    The NorCal League has been a driving force in that effort, creating a space where riding is about more than competition. It’s about confidence, connection, and time spent outside.

    That’s something we’re proud to support.

    Photo credit: Briana Marie Photography from the NorCal League

    A Limited Run

    This is a strictly limited release.
    Each piece is individually finished. Each top cap is unique. They come in two finishes: Oil Slick and Spreckles(Splatter/ Freckles).

    It’s a small detail on your bike—but one that carries a story.

    Ride It Forward

    If you pick one up, you’re not just adding a unique part to your build. You’re helping support the next generation of riders.

    And that’s something worth building for. Get yours while you can.

    Photo credit: Caroline Dezendorf

  • A Lifetime on Two Wheels: Tim Shaffer’s 1993 Fat Chance Build

    A Lifetime on Two Wheels: Tim Shaffer’s 1993 Fat Chance Build

    For Tim Shaffer, bikes have always been part of the story.

    Like a lot of riders, it started early—childhood days spent on two wheels, riding everywhere, all the time. And like many, that chapter paused during high school. But bikes have a way of finding their way back.

    For Tim, that moment came in 1986.

    Discovering Mountain Bikes

    When Tim first discovered mountain biking, it wasn’t just another way to ride—it was a whole new world.

    “I saw it as a way to explore, discover and most of all slide, jump and go fast on dirt trails, like a kid again!”

    That feeling stuck.

    By 1989, he entered his first NORBA-sanctioned race, and from there, he was hooked. His racing career spanned through the 1990s until retiring in 2002—a period he describes as the “glory years” of mountain bike innovation.

    The Era of Small Shops & Big Ideas

    Back then, mountain biking looked different.

    Before mass production and global supply chains dominated the industry, there were small machine shops across the country creating aftermarket components—parts that made bikes lighter, faster, and more personal.

    “Most of all cool and unique.”

    It was an era defined by experimentation, craftsmanship, and individuality. Riders weren’t just buying bikes—they were building them.

    Tim leaned into that fully, creating what he describes as “amazing, tricked-out race bikes” throughout those years.

    Still Building, Still Riding

    Fast forward to today, and not much has changed—except now, the builds are rooted in history.

    Tim still enjoys curating bikes from that era, bringing together components that defined a generation of riding.

    Which brings us to his latest build.

    The Bike: 1993 Fat Chance Wicked Lite

    At the center of this project is a 1993 Fat Chance Wicked Lite in gloss black.

    Originally built as a “wife’s bike,” it was found on Marketplace in remarkably good condition—low miles, well stored, and equipped with Shimano XT/DX components.

    A perfect starting point.

    Building It Right

    Tim approached this build the way many riders did in the early ‘90s—thoughtfully, intentionally, and with an eye for both performance and aesthetics.

    Front End & Wheels

    An early ‘90s Bontrager Switchblade fork sets the tone up front.

    The wheels are something special:

    • Custom-built with Nuke-Proof hubs (carbon front, titanium rear)
    • Laced to WTB Power Beam rims
    • Finished with polished Ringle Holy Stix skewers and matching seatpost binder bolt

    Drivetrain

    At the heart of the build is a full White Industries LMDS shifter/derailleur system, paired with:

    • Custom polished billet crank arms
    • Speed Metal titanium crank bolts
    • Adventure Components 38T chainring
    • Shimano HG chain
    • Shimano XTR 8-speed cassette
    • White Industries titanium bottom bracket

    It’s a setup that blends precision, durability, and unmistakable character.

    Braking & Details

    Braking is handled by Paul Components Stoplight cantilever brakes, front and rear, paired with Scott/Mathauser finned pads.

    Additional touches include:

    • Polished Ringle MOJO peace sign front hanger
    • Avid Tri-Align rear

    Details that feel right for the era—and still hold up today.

    Cockpit & Contact Points

    Up top, the build continues with carefully selected classics:

    • Chris King 1” polished headset
    • Ringle Zooka stem with 17° rise
    • Fat City Cycles handlebars
    • Paul Components Love levers
    • YETI grips

    The seat setup features a Syncros post paired with a mint Selle Italia Flite saddle.

    Rolling on Maxxis Holy Roller tires, with a Ringle H2O bottle cage to finish it off.

    The Result

    “What can I say? I think it came out awesome and it rides like a dream!”

    That’s really the goal.

    Not just a bike that looks right—but one that feels right. One that captures a moment in time while still delivering on the ride.

  • Sea Otter Classic 2026

    Sea Otter Classic 2026

    We’ll See You in Monterey

    Spring means one thing in cycling: Sea Otter Classic 2026 is around the corner.

    We’re looking forward to heading back to Monterey to connect with riders, builders, dealers, and longtime friends at one of the most anticipated cycling events of the year. The Sea Otter Classic has always been more than a trade show — it’s a gathering of the cycling community in all its forms, from racers to weekend riders to industry veterans. We’re at booth B21. Hope to see you there.

    And we’re excited to be part of it again.

    Showcasing What We Build

    At Sea Otter Classic 2026, we’ll be showcasing the components that define White Industries: precision hubs, cranks, headsets, bottom brackets, and more — all manufactured in Petaluma, California.

    This year, we’re especially excited to share:

    • Our latest hub configurations
    • Updated component offerings
    • Limited edition product
    • Service tools and small parts that keep bikes rolling

    If you’ve been wanting to see our products up close — this is the place to do it. There’s no substitute for holding a hub in your hands, spinning it, and seeing the machining details in person.

    Built in Petaluma, Shown in Monterey

    The Sea Otter Classic 2026 gives us the opportunity to showcase what it means to manufacture under one roof. From raw material to finished product, nearly everything we produce happens in-house. Bringing those products to Sea Otter is a natural extension of that process — face-to-face conversations about how and why things are built the way they are.

    We’ll be there to answer questions about compatibility, serviceability, and long-term performance. Whether you’re a framebuilder, a shop mechanic, or a rider planning your next build, we’re happy to talk details.

    More Than a Booth

    Sea Otter isn’t just about product. It’s about community.

    We’re looking forward to:

    • Connecting with our community
    • Meeting new riders
    • Supporting dealers and partners
    • Walking the venue and seeing what others are building

    The Sea Otter Classic 2026 continues to be one of the best places to see where cycling is headed — and we’re proud to represent a steady, deliberate approach to building components that last.

    Come Say Hello In person

    If you’re attending Sea Otter Classic 2026, stop by and see us. Spin a hub. Ask a question. Talk shop.

    We’ll see you in Monterey.