Many of you in the North American cycle trade are planning to attend one or more of the CABDA shows—San Diego, Chicago, New York, and Denver—across the calendar in 2020.

I’ll be presenting at the PBMA Technical Clinics that precede each show: San Diego (Jan 14), Chicago (Feb 11, 12, 13), and New York (Mar 10). Denver’s tech sessions are not yet final.

Here is a rare chance to experience the latest tools and gadgets you see, hear, and read about. Learn how they work and try them out. It may affect your own equipment plans and certainly empowers anyone aiming to be a tech resource wherever they are. I’ll be showing much more than Wheel Fanatyk devices—it’ll be as broad and impartial as I can get.

There are big trends in wheel building, part of massive change occuring in our sport and industry. Give yourself a step ahead and register for these clinics. Face to face and hands-on cannot be shared in a blog! See many of you there!

Visited a clever wheelbuilder last month (10/19) and, guess what—I learned all sorts of new stuff. Ryan Kereliuk treated me to terrific vegan food in Victoria and shared some of the mischief he’s been up to. So many cool wheels and innovations from one shy guy. Check his pics for a glimpse.

You know Ryan from his wonderful wheel tension utility that seamlessly mates with our digital tensiometer.Meanwhile, he’s reinventing truing for the 21st century, but that’s for another time.

Look at the mighty stand he is using.

Rigid and room for storage.

I’ve recommended a wood bench by IKEA before but 15 years later, we can do better. Steel cases are vastly stiffer and provide secure storage. The IKEA is 30lbs (14kg)—USD$60. The steel stand is 60lbs (27kg)—USD$256. You deserve the stiffness of the steel base. They are built to support small mills weighing 200-300lbs (90-136kg). The overbuild is super for stable spoke cutting.

Tops are optional, Ryan chose wood (see below). Each is about 33″ (83cm) high (as the IKEA bench), room for a top and good for leverage and comfort.

Ryan’s (Canada) and a Grizzly (USA)—virtually identical stands.

Watch how he fabricates a special wood top. Below is his scrap bucket and underneath is where it empties between recycling runs.

Notice a sponge (yellow) in place of a drip pan.

Does your spoke cutter deserve a rock solid base? I’m getting one, how about you?

Thanks, Ryan!