(Photo above: Robert Axle Project allows cyclists to attach trailers to modern bikes | by Chris Kratsch)
When 19 year Bend residents Chris Kratsch and Katy Bryce bought new mountain bikes in late 2012, they quickly realized they had a problem. The new carbon bikes had 12mm thru-axles that attached the wheel to the bike frame, unlike the older style quick release skewers.
They were unable to attach their BOB Trailers, which they used for bike touring and trail building. So they decided to solve the problem themselves by starting The Robert Axle Project. They made a few axles, created an e-commerce website and made their first sale in May 2013.
As one of those “started in the garage” stories, Kratsch and Bryce realized that not only could they produce their axles in Central Oregon, but they could sell them all over the world. In July of that year, they received their first inquiry from a large bike parts distributor in Switzerland. Today, they sell their products in over 35 countries. Their thru-axles are sold direct-to-consumer off their website, direct to dealers (bike shops) and through the largest bicycle component distributor in the U.S., Quality Bicycle Products (QBP). They also have large-scale distributors in Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, the UK, and South Korea. Over 50 percent of their sales are outside of the U.S.
Robert Axle Project thru-axles allow cyclists to attach trailers, such as BOB Trailers as well as kid-carrier style trailers (Thule/Chariot, Burley, etc.) to their modern bikes. They also make thru-axles to attach cargo racks or use indoor bike trainers. In addition to selling their own products, they partner with a large German bike trailer company and a California-based cargo rack company to produce “original equipment manufacturer” (OEM) axles.
Those axles are co-branded with both companies, a unique partnership in the bicycle industry. They also are currently in negotiations to manufacture products for the largest bike trailer manufacturer in the world.
The axles are designed, machined and tested in Central Oregon. The couple also works with various local freelancers and businesses to help them with graphic design, website development, assembly, packaging and other processes. The only process that is not done here is anodizing of the axles. Bryce says, “We have not found a quality anodizer yet that meets our needs here, so we send our products to Portland for anodizing.”
Bryce credits much of their success to being based in Bend. “We are long time mountain bikers, trail builders and we love bike touring with BOB Trailers. We can literally walk to 10 different bike shops from our house, so we were able to look at virtually every bike brand that exists in the U.S. to make sure our axles would fit all brands. The local shops have been so helpful and accommodating.”
The Robert Axle Project participated in the second cohort of the Bend Outdoor Worx, the outdoor industry accelerator. “We were fortunate to be able to be in this unique mentorship program led by some of the most accomplished outdoor industry veterans.”
The couple has big plans for the future to grow the business, including new products to be introduced early next year. “We’ve established ourselves as the thru-axle authority in the bike industry, so we have a good base to grow from. We’ll continue to work closely with our partners to bring quality bike parts to all cycling adventurers. That’s what gets us stoked—helping people set out on adventures on their bikes, whether it’s a trip to the park with your kids or a round-the-world bike tour.”
he Robert Axle Project makes 12mm thru axles for bike trailers, trainers and accessories to make your best bike fun and functional. Our vision is for everyone to experience adventures big and small. We believe that the bicycle is not just a two-wheeled vehicle, but also a tool for you and your family to explore your community, an entire country or the world. Our products allow cycling families, adventurers, commuters and enthusiasts to enjoy traveling by bicycle without leaving their cargo behind. With our thru axles, you can attach your favorite bike trailer—Burley, Chariot, Thule, BOB and more—to any bicycle that has a 12mm thru axle. We have 12mm thru axles that fit mountain, fat, road, cross, and electric bikes.
