A Glenlivet-based family-run wheelbuilding business has scooped major success at a prestigious Scottish bike competition.
The recent Scottish National Cyclocross championships in Dundee saw every senior winner ride hand-built wheels made by Wheelsmith owner Derek McLay.
The Wheelsmith business moved to the Highlands from Larbert in July with Mr McLay wanting to escape the “rat-race” with the outdoors paradise nature of the Cairngorms a natural fit for the company.
With a philosophy of “if you can’t repair it, don’t make it,” Wheelsmith makes products for all from elite cyclists who want to circle the globe to keen amateurs looking to upgrade their existing machines.
“It was a change of scene, a fresh start for the family,” explained Mr McLay, whose wife Olivia is a Wheelsmith director and who also works at the Speyside Whisky Shop and runs her own dance classes, with 22 customers already signed up for a variety of styles.
Wheelsmith is MOVING!
We’re relocating to Glenlivet, Speyside. Up the road from the MTB trails.
If anyone has wheels needing serviced or repaired, get them round before July 20th.
See you in the Cairngorms!!!
Address will be posted nearer the date. pic.twitter.com/2qx63wxdKW— Wheelsmith (@WheelsmithLtd) June 30, 2022
Mr McLay has “deliberately downsized” the business which currently runs at 30% profit on £250,000 turnover, to enjoy the benefits of Highland life, but anticipates his children helping out with the company once they are older.
Circling the globe on Wheelsmiths
The business has supplied wheels to world champions, European champions, multiple British Champions and most recently to Jenny Graham, who circumnavigated the globe unassisted on a pair of 45mm deep carbon wheels built by Mr McLay.
“It is really top end levels we do for discerning amateurs, semi and professional riders,” said Mr McLay adding: “People are paying up to £3,500 for wheels – the cheapest we do are just £300 and are aimed at upgrading for a £1,000 bike.”
Mr McLay’s great-grandfather ran a bike shop and various members of the family with cycling in their blood have passed the tradition on to Derek who discovered there were not many bespoke wheel builds around: “It was a kind of needs-must,” he noted.
With the increasing popularity of carbon fibre rims, Mr McLay formed a relationship with a Taiwanese company and secured the import of unbranded rims to the UK which became “an instant hit.”
Wheelsmith’s advantage is it says there are no carbon fibre rim producers in the UK and although there are some in Europe and the US, they are on the pricey side particularly given the strength of the American dollar.
Brexit “hit us heavily” for exports said Mr McLay, adding: “Our European, Irish, Scandinavian sales have just disappeared.”
‘Better than any machine’
Those sales accounted for between 10%-20% of turnover but less demand allowed Mr McLay to move to the Highlands with slightly less pressure on his time, although he is keen now to make up any shortfall with what he regards as top-of-the-range products.
He said: “The wheels have always been reliable – I can’t build them any better. I use the best components available and build them I think, better than any machine would do.
“I can source components to suit the rider, so if for example someone was going to do a circumnavigation of the globe attempt with a heavy load or on a light bike, I could supply wheels to suit any requirement.
“People use my wheels, a world champion reads about them and he or she wants them. In the last 12-15 years, word has got around, those guys vying for podium positions at national and world events, they all want them.
“Without blowing my own trumpet, people come to me.”
Wheelsmith either supplies its products with its own branding or with the sponsor’s logo as required, while the rims are built with spokes from Belgium company Sapim and using brass nipples not with alloy, which caters more to salted Scottish winter roads.
Every wheel leaving the workshop is crafted by Mr McLay, which limits output but ensures “no loss of quality.”
Cyclocross is the last bastion of cycling camaraderie”
Wheelsmith owner Derek McLay
The Scottish Cyclocross Association was created by racers in 2007 in order to promote, encourage and organise cyclocross racing in Scotland. It works with race organisers to support grassroots racing and co-ordinate the Scottish Cyclocross Series.
“Scottish Cyclocross is quite a DIY sport – it is the last bastion of cycling camaraderie,” noted Mr McLay.
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