Do y’all know about Onyx Racing Products?

They are bicycle component manufacturers based in St. Augusta Minnesota, which is about 100km away from Minneapolis, where Surly is based.

Their headquarters – Christianson Systems – are located in Blomkest Minneapolis, which is a very small town, where the population is about 150 people. It’s such a small town, that I couldn’t even look at the street view from Google Maps.

The founder, Jim started making one-off BMX racing parts for his son, and eventually founded Onyx Racing Products in 2012. It’s pretty crazy to think that Jim could just make a bicycle hub like that and it’s such a lovely story.

Their hubs with the unique “Sprag Clutch” (patented) mechanism are one of their most famous components. One way clutch systems are often seen on car transmissions and conveyor belts. It makes sense that their products are beloved by pro racers.

Again, their Sprag Clutch hubs are famous, so their track hubs are I think one of the most underrated products.

・Made in U.S.A.

・Titanium bolts

・7075 Aluminum hub shell

・EZO Bearings from Japan used (hell yeah!)

See? I get excited just looking at these specs.

Check out this unique drilling on the hubs! I’m a huge fan of weight reduction details like this on racing products. I’m also a big fan of their painted hubs.

These hubs remind me of these cars, and puts a big smile on my face.

*LA MARCHE* track (53)

*LA MARCHE* track (53)

*MASH* steel (S)*MASH* steel (S)*AFFINITY CYCLES* lo pro (S)
*AFFINITY CYCLES* lo pro (S)

Here are some build samples with the hubs that makes me happy when looking at them.

And here are the new color hubs that I got to choose the colors!

 

*ONYX* Helix track hub front (baby blue)

*ONYX* Helix track hub rear (baby blue)

Flange : Baby Blue / Axle : Pewter

This color evokes the Porsche 911 Type 993’s original “Riviera Blue”, that has a refreshing feel with just a touch of ruggedness.

I chose gray for the axles. Since it’s not too flashy, adding a subtle touch of it to an all-black bike should give the bike some steeze.

Damn, they look great on bright color frames too!

 

*ONYX* Helix track hub front (kawasaki green)

*ONYX* Helix track hub rear (kawasaki green)

Flange : Kawasaki Green / Axle : Green

Yes, the color was inspired by Kawasaki, the motorcycle manufacturer.

In Western countries, green was apparently considered an unlucky color in racing, but it became established as the team’s signature color after they deliberately chose green for the 1969 Daytona 200 Mile Race as a statement of intent: “We’re the underdogs. We’re going to make it in the world stage from Asia!” I chose green axles to match the flanges.

Look how good it looks on the similar colors…

(Look how I’m smiling)

The drilling for these are both 24H. I want to recommend light rims to match these lightweight hubs.

They’re available in stores and online.

It’s almost summer! Get out there and ride your asses off!