- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
TECH NEWS
blue_groupshot.jpgPaul Components launches blue anodised components
Paul Components was an iconic US component manufacturer during the early years of mountain biking when the sport blossomed from the repack scene in California to a global business. The company never really went away, though it certainly went quiet, but it’s having a bit of a push and has just launched a range of blue anodised components, following the relaunch of its even more iconic purple components last year.
The range of components are made in the USA and includes the Boxcar stem, Tall and Handsome seatpost, Canti Lever, Love Lever, Cross Lever, Quick Release Skewer, MiniMoto, Touring Canti Lever, Neo-Retro and Klamper. With the rising popularity of cyclocross, gravel and adventure bikes, we can certainly see the Klamper disc brake being a popular choice.
Paul is planning to produce these parts in small batches for the next six months, before retiring them and unveiling another colour next year. It also offers a standard silver, black or polished for all the parts. Pre-order is now open with delivery expected in 4-6 weeks.
The 1990s was an exciting era of innovation and CNC-machined aluminium components represented the cutting-edge, and this is where Paul Components gained its reputation, that made its products extremely lust-worthy. Paul Components launched in 1989 and its brakes were a must-have product, but it is arguably the beautiful rear derailleur - only 1,500 were made - that was its most defining product. Anodising was also all the rage during this CNC boom, and a wide palette of colours was available providing ample opportunities to customise your bike.
Original Paul products go for lots of money on eBay and retro mountain bike websites. Here's an original rear mech going for $700! Or the famous Rasta version rear mech for nearly $400.
Do you remember Paul Components and did you have any parts on your bike?
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
Latest Comments
- Geordiepeddeler 48 min 32 sec ago
Cycling infrastructure does not force drivers to break the law, drivers are the reason they break the law, no one else.
- chrisonabike 1 hour 1 min ago
Ah but taking pictures of things to defy the man (avoid a fine) is righteous. Taking pictures of people to grass on them to the cops (perhaps...
- ktache 2 hours 51 min ago
But getting paid for it is the very definition of professional....
- ktache 2 hours 59 min ago
Never had a Shimano QR fail on me. They just work. And the top end ones look good too....
- Backladder 3 hours 46 min ago
If you're only looking at the guy in front of you then you're going to crash whatever brakes you have, you need to look beyond them to anticipate...
- jaysa 4 hours 11 min ago
As a woman, this works great for me! My chain broke once, and a kind guy stopped with a chain breaker and sorted it all out for me. We stopped at a...
- andystow 5 hours 2 min ago
Same. I also have gone through a bunch of their tyres, and only the extralight disappointed (torn sidewall) but the standards are fantastic....
- chrisonabike 7 hours 15 sec ago
Indeed - but it's no more inconsistent than our current road design - very often UK high streets are "for shopping" and also a busy through route....
- mike the bike 8 hours 30 min ago
If you ask the world's leading economic commentators how many people have been rescued from abject poverty by capitalism the average answer would...
Add new comment
13 comments
One problem with bright blue anodizing is it fades quick if you live somewhere with year-round sun and UV. In a little over a year you'll really look like you're rocking vintage parts.
Maybe, but those of us in the UK would be fine, then ("year round sun"? Are you having a laugh??)
If Park Tool made components.. this is what they might look like.
I love anodized components.
I've been very happy with the Paul's that I have had in continuous service for years: Royal Flush chainring and crank, Neo-retro cantis, Touring cantis.
Just good, solid stuff. Like Chris King it's pricy, but it's worth it.
The blue anodising adds 200 watts to your FTP.
Wow..looking at the price of some of the O'Level metalwork I should have stuck at it! Think I'll go and make a lego derailleur now and stick it on eBay for USD 400....
This is what Shimano was doing in the 1990s whilst these guys were messing around with lathes...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dura-Ace-7700-25-year-anniversary-group-set-/222...
Yeah, me too..not impressed.
Looks a bit Heath Robinson...pipes and cardies in an old shed somewhere....then some nipper came in from a chemistry course and decided to attempt anodising it....(paul, not Shimo)
I really want to know the price of their mechanical disc brakes but I know I'll probably actually soil myself if I do
.
I have good memories of their gear from my early mtb days, had a look at their web site and thought I might buy a couple of t-shirts for old times sake.
2 x t-shirts = $51
Postage = $50
I think I'll leave it thanks...
Has someone turne the clocks back to the 1990s?
This all looks hideous to my eyes.
Really? I think they look gorgeous...
I don't think they've ever really gone _that_ quiet have they?
Their components often show up on bespoke bikes. I've had their skewers holding the wheels on my road bike for the past couple of years, and ummed and ahhed about using their seatpost, stem, and disc brakes on my latest CX build. Pockets weren't quite deep enough in the end, mind …
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa