When we talk about manufacturers committed to "Made in USA" craftsmanship, there are many, such as Chris King, Paul Component, and Philwood. While each has its own unique philosophy, they all seem to share one common goal: the desire to create better products that you can maintain and use for a long time.
Similarly, when it comes to "Made in USA," we cannot forget White Industries, based in Petaluma, California. Many of you are likely familiar with their components, such as ENO cranks, eccentric hubs, and freewheels, which allow single-speeders to ride with peace of mind. Based in California, they have close ties with local frame builders—much like Paul Component—and you can see their parts assembled on many of the show bikes from Northern California builders at events like NAHBS.
Today, I’d like to introduce some long-awaited arrivals from White Industries.
This headset was finally released after being announced at the 2017 NAHBS. Their dedication to creating only the best is reflected in this product as well. With cups machined from select aluminum, high-durability/high-strength stainless steel bearings, and a simple structure that is easy to maintain and adjust, they’ve created a truly excellent headset.
Thanks to the clean cup design, the weight is kept under 100g, and its slim form looks fantastic on steel frames. Many will also be pleased that it's available in purple, a color that is no longer offered by Chris King.
And one more long-awaited item: White Industries is also known for its beautifully finished cranks, which many of us dream of using someday. While the traditional ENO and VBC cranks were designed for square-taper bottom brackets, we have now received 30mm spindle-type cranks that are compatible with various modern BB standards.
R30 Crank
G30 Crank
M30 Crank
With the introduction of these cranks, you can now use White Industries cranks on various bikes with modern standards. By utilizing a different spindle system than the traditional square-taper BB, they also deliver higher riding performance.
The lineup includes the R30 for road bikes, G30 for gravel bikes, and M30 for mountain bikes, each with a different Q-factor. They come with the crank arm and the corresponding spindle; you just need to choose your chainring based on how you intend to use them, and the appropriate bottom bracket for the bike you are installing them on.
This time, we have focused specifically on setups for 1x drivetrains in our chainring selection.
The TSR chainring, with its beautiful machined finish, is a 1x chainring compatible with the R30/G30/M30 series. The unique method of securing the chainring to the crank via splines provides a clean look and a secure fit.
"TSR" stands for "Tall Short Ring," a design developed after extensive research into narrow-wide chainrings. Not only is it perfect for 1x setups, but it is also machined for quiet operation while remaining lightweight without sacrificing strength.
There are two versions: standard (left) and Boost (right). The Boost version, with a chainline extended outward by 3mm, is designed to be compatible with Boost-standard MTB frames.
I am using the G30 and TSR chainring combination on my own Sklar bike, and I've been enjoying gravel rides without any chain drop issues. The beautiful crank arms have collected some scratches here and there, but they are easy to maintain. Plus, unlike square-taper cranks, this system is very rigid, allowing me to really put the power down, which fits my riding style perfectly. They've become a favorite of mine.
As you can see on the bike in the photo, with fat 650B tires, wide drop bars, a 1x drivetrain with a wide-range cassette, and a dropper post, you've got a free-spirited bike that can take you anywhere. Curtis from Retrotec, the builder of this bike, also has a very close relationship with White Industries and is always bringing new ideas to his frame building.
Aside from headsets and cranks, we carry a wide variety of their parts, so please feel free to ask us about anything related to White Industries.
