The Robert Axle Project

What The Robert Axle Project does

The Robert Axle Project is a Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer of precision thru axles for bicycles, founded in 2013 by co-owners Chris Kratsch and Katy Bryce and operated as a privately held, bootstrapped LLC. Its core competency is CNC machining of 7075 aluminum (hard black anodized) with stainless steel axle ends into bike-specific thru axles, with every batch tested to failure for torque and shear strength. The portfolio spans Kid Trailer Axles, Lightning Bolt-On lightweight replacements, Thunder Bolt-On heavy-duty axles for heavy loads, Chris King hub axles, Bike Trainer and Wahoo KICKR adapters, BOB Trailer Axles, Cargo Rack Axles, Hexlox-compatible Security Axles, derailleur hangers (including SRAM UDH), and specialty retrofit axles for proprietary systems such as Trek Thru-Skew, FOCUS/Cervelo/Merida/Centurion/Polygon R.A.T., Mavic Speed Release, and NAILD. The August 2019 acquisition of Old Man Mountain Products added a complementary bicycle cargo rack line that operates as a separate sister brand but shares thru-axle expertise.

The company's primary product-discovery mechanism is a proprietary online Axle Finder wizard that collects bike brand, hub size, axle type, and e-bike status with a 100% fitment guarantee, supporting a product-led growth model across both consumer and dealer channels. Pricing is per-unit at $12-$80, with no recurring component. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via robertaxleproject.com (flat-rate US shipping at $7.50 USPS or $9.90 FedEx 2-Day; $23.00 FedEx international), supplemented by a dealer/distributor network (with annual presence at the CABDA Expo), an AvantLink affiliate program paying 10% commission on a 30-day cookie, and limited apparel/accessory sales (socks, a Mountain Bike Bend guidebook, axle plugs, bobbins).

Customer concentration is dispersed: named compatibility partners such as Burley, Thule, and Wahoo Fitness are reference integrations rather than bulk purchasers, while most revenue is derived from long-tail individual cyclists across primary segments including cycling families with trailers, indoor trainer users, performance/carbon bike owners, R.A.T.-system bike owners, bikepackers/tourers, and e-bike/heavy-load riders. The company has accumulated 2,000+ five-star reviews and millions of miles of real-world use across mountain, road, gravel, fat, and e-bikes shipped to the US, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and other international markets. The operation remains small (1-10 employees) with no external institutional funding disclosed, and the legal entity is The Robert Axle Project LLC, registered in Oregon with principal operations at 747 SE Business Way STE 1, Bend, Oregon 97702.

Name

The Robert Axle Project

Legal name

The Robert Axle Project LLC

Website

https://robertaxleproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Robert Axle Project is a Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer of precision CNC-machined thru axles and adapters for bicycles. Founded in 2013, the bootstrapped company sells direct and through dealers, serving cyclists needing trailer/trainer compatibility and replacements for proprietary axle systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bicycle Thru Axles & Components

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Bicycle thru axles
• Bike trailer adapters
• CNC machined components
• Indoor trainer axles
• Cycling replacement parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Thru Axle Hardware Sales: One-time hardware sales of precision-machined thru axles and adapters. Products include kid trailer axles, lightning bolt-on replacement axles, thunder bolt-on heavy-duty axles, trainer axles, BOB trailer axles, and specialty adapters. Prices range from $12 to $80 per unit. Revenue is purely transactional with no recurring component.
2. Accessories and Apparel: Sale of cycling accessories including socks ($20), the Mountain Bike Bend guidebook ($18.95), axle plugs, and apparel. Complementary products leveraging the brand's cycling community presence.
3. Affiliate Program Revenue Share: Earns 10% commission on sales through the AvantLink affiliate network when partner sites refer customers. Affiliate tools include banner ads and datafeeds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Robert Axle Project designs, CNC-machines, and sells precision thru axles and adapters for bicycles. Its products cover kid/dog/cargo trailer hitch axles, lightweight and heavy-duty bolt-on replacement axles, indoor trainer axles, derailleur hangers, and adapters for proprietary axle systems (R.A.T., Trek Thru-Skew). All axles are made from 7075 aluminum with stainless steel ends and are independently tested to 3–4× the shear strength of stock axles. The company also operates the proprietary Axle Finder tool to match customers to the correct axle.

Product overview

The Robert Axle Project is a bicycle component manufacturer specializing in precision thru axles and related accessories. The product portfolio centers on thru axle systems for various applications including kid trailers (Kid Trailer Axles), lightweight replacements (Lightning Bolt-On, Thunder Bolt-On), indoor trainers (Trainer Axles, Wahoo KICKR Adapter), cargo solutions (Cargo Rack Axles, BOB Trailer Axles), and proprietary systems (Chris King Thru Axles, R.A.T. Replacements, Thru-Skew Adapters). The company acquired Old Man Mountain Products in 2019, adding cargo racks to their lineup. All products are designed, machined, and tested in Bend, Oregon, USA. The company also sells accessories including derailleur hangers (SRAM UDH), axle plugs, apparel (socks, guidebooks), and various adapters. Products are distributed through the Axle Finder tool to help customers select the correct axle for their specific bike.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Old Man Mountain: Bicycle cargo rack brand acquired in 2019. Produces adaptable gear-carrying solutions that attach to thru axles without requiring eyelets on the bike. Continues to operate as a separate brand from The Robert Axle Project.

Products and services

• Kid Trailer Hitch Axles Precision thru axles ($58) that fit 12mm thru-axle bikes and allow attachment of hitch-mounted child, pet, or cargo trailers. Stainless steel axle ends and 3–4× the strength of stock axles.
• Dog Trailer Hitch Axles Thru axles ($58) purpose-built for hitch-mounted pet trailers, including the BOB Ibex.
• Cargo Trailer Hitch Axles Thru axles ($58) designed for hitch-mounted cargo trailers and rolling coolers.
• Lightning Bolt-On Axles (Front & Rear) Lightweight, low-profile replacement thru axles for road, cross, gravel, e-bikes, and mountain bikes. Lightning Front 15mm axles are $42; Lightning Rear 12mm axles are $48.
• Thunder Bolt-On Axles Heavy-duty solid aluminum replacement thru axles for Clydesdale riders and heavy loads. Marketed as the strongest thru axle on the market for 12mm hub standards including fat bikes.
• Chris King Thru Axles Precision thru axles ($65) engineered for compatibility with Chris King hubs, available in front and rear configurations.
• Bike Trainer Thru Axle Trainer thru axle ($58–$80) that enables thru-axle bikes to be mounted on indoor trainers from Wahoo KICKR, Tacx, Kinetic, Blackburn, Cyclops, 1up, and BKool; a Cervelo R.A.T. variant ($80) includes a derailleur hanger.
• Wahoo KICKR Thru Axle Adapter Kit Adapter kit ($58) for Wahoo KICKR trainers that firmly holds the trainer-side adapter in place for easier bike attachment/removal.
• BOB Trailer Axles Single-wheel trailer axles ($62) for BOB trailers — the original product that founded the company in 2013 to attach BOB trailers to thru-axle bikes.
• FollowMe Tandem Axles Coupler systems that turn a child's bike into a trailer bike, allowing switching between independent riding and being towed; attaches at the rear-wheel center and fits 12–20 inch tires.
• Security Axles (Hexlox Compatible) Thru axles compatible with the Hexlox security system for bike-theft deterrence.
• Cargo Rack Axles Thru axles designed for cargo rack applications on bikes, including Old Man Mountain racks that attach at the wheel center.
• Thru-Skew Trailer Hitch Adapter (ADA010) Proprietary adapter ($45) that lets kid and cargo trailers attach to Trek Thru-Skew-equipped bikes via the rear dropouts.
• R.A.T. Replacement Axles Replacement thru axles and related parts for bikes with R.A.T. (Rapid Axle Technology) from FOCUS, Cervelo, Merida, Centurion, Marin, Polygon, and Argon-18; includes derailleur hanger replacements for Cervelo.
• Universal Derailleur Hanger (SRAM UDH) CNC-machined replacement derailleur hanger ($32) compatible with SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger standard.
• Cervelo Derailleur Hanger (Exterminator) Replacement CNC-machined derailleur hanger for Cervelo bikes (Exterminator).
• Axle Plug Tubeless tire plug ($34) for mountain bikes that allows quick sealing of punctures.
• Evil Bikes Evil Nut Precision CNC-machined replacement axle nut ($12) for Evil bikes.
• Bobbins BOB trailer replacement bobbins ($20).
• Trailer Hitch Adapters (QR Skewer, IGH, eBike Hub) Various hitch adapters ($25–$30) including QR Skewer, Internally Geared Hub, and eBike Hub adapters for connecting different trailer types to thru-axle bikes.
• Robert Axle Project Socks Cycling socks ($20) made by The Athletic; 7-inch height, 60% nylon / 39% recycled polyester / 1% lycra, made in North Carolina, USA.
• Mountain Bike Bend Guidebook Guidebook ($18.95) authored by co-founder Katy Bryce covering 46 singletrack routes in Central Oregon, with maps, directions, and difficulty/intensity ratings.
• Old Man Mountain Cargo Racks Bicycle cargo racks from the Old Man Mountain brand (acquired August 2019). The first bicycle cargo rack designed for suspension bikes; attaches at the wheel center using thru axles and requires no eyelets on the frame.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-4x stronger than stock axles (shear strength testing)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Old Man Mountain ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Robert Axle Project owners acquired Old Man Mountain Products of Santa Barbara, California in August 2019. Old Man Mountain, founded in 1996 by Channing Hammond, pioneered the first bicycle cargo rack to fit suspension bikes. The acquisition complements Robert Axle Project's product portfolio - both companies make products that attach to thru axles. Both brands continue to operate separately. Robert Axle Project had been supplying Old Man Mountain with thru axles for the past five years prior to acquisition.
• AvantLinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate network partner managing the Robert Axle Project affiliate program. Publishers and influencers in cycling, outdoor, family, and camping verticals can join through AvantLink to earn 10% commission on sales with 30-day cookie tracking. AvantLink provides affiliate tools including banner ads and datafeeds.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Shimano: Global incumbent in bicycle components including thru axles, drivetrains, and hubs. Comparable as the dominant supplier whose component ecosystems define the standards RAP must integrate with.
• SRAM: Global cycling component incumbent whose standards (including SRAM UDH) shape the thru-axle and derailleur hanger market RAP serves. Comparable as the broader ecosystem leader RAP must remain compatible with.

Direct peers

• Chris King Precision Components: U.S. manufacturer of premium bicycle hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets with a matching thru-axle product line. Comparable as a Made-in-USA precision-machined component specialist serving the high-end aftermarket that RAP also targets.
• Wheels Manufacturing: U.S.-based manufacturer of bicycle derailleur hangers, BBs, and thru axles. Directly comparable as a niche, precision-machined aftermarket component maker with a similar focus on fitment-specific SKUs.
• DT Swiss: Premium Swiss manufacturer of hubs, spokes, and rims that also produces precision thru axles and quick-release systems for road, mountain, and e-bikes. Highly comparable as a high-end bicycle component specialist with direct thru-axle product overlap.
• Problem Solvers (by Quality Bicycle Products): Aftermarket bicycle accessories brand offering thru axles, adapters, and trailer/cargo attachments. Comparable to RAP's adapter and trailer-compatibility product lines for the thru-axle-equipped bike market.
• Paragon Machine Works: U.S. manufacturer of bicycle sliders, axle blocks, and precision machined components for mountain and BMX. Comparable as a niche CNC-machined component specialist serving bike aftermarket customers.
• Old Man Mountain: Sister brand acquired by RAP in 2019 that pioneered the thru-axle cargo rack. Comparable as a directly-owned sibling product line and reference point for the cargo/bikepacking customer.

Regional players

• Burley Design: U.S. manufacturer of child bike trailers and cargo accessories. Comparable as a complementary ecosystem partner whose products depend on RAP thru-axle compatibility for the modern bike fleet.

Emerging players

• Kogel Bearings: U.S.-based precision bicycle bearings and component specialist. Comparable as a small, premium, independently-owned aftermarket component brand with similar customer profile and DTC motion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/robaxleproject
• Facebookfacebook.com/RobertAxleProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-robert-axle-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Robert Axle Project