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?
13 thoughts on “Paul Components launches blue anodised components”
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Da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa, da ba dee da ba daa
I don’t think they’ve ever
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 …
Has someone turne the clocks
Has someone turne the clocks back to the 1990s?
This all looks hideous to my eyes.
DrG82 wrote:
Really? I think they look gorgeous…
I have good memories of their
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…
I really want to know the
I really want to know the price of their mechanical disc brakes but I know I’ll probably actually soil myself if I do
.
Wow..looking at the price of
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-/222474535129?hash=item33cc8400d9:g:lsYAAOSwmgJY1iUz
Chris Hayes wrote:
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)
The blue anodising adds 200
The blue anodising adds 200 watts to your FTP.
Yeah!
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.
If Park Tool made components.
If Park Tool made components.. this is what they might look like.
One problem with bright blue
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.
Jamminatrix wrote:
Maybe, but those of us in the UK would be fine, then (“year round sun”? Are you having a laugh??)