“A flip of the wrist and another big disk!”
It’s busy here at RBW HQ! Since December ’25 some big changes have taken afoot and I’m now comfortably settled in my brand new workshop space only moments walk from my home in Pontypridd.
I’ve been creating a new healthier way of working for myself and RBW is now a one man band once more. It’s meant a lot over the years to have been able to operate as a workers co-operative for 7 out of 11 years and I’m honoured to have been able to have provided employment for all the people who joined me during that period; it’s been a blast! I am however stepping into what it means for myself to operate as a neurodiverse ADHD’er in the world having been diagnosed about 3 years ago, and that means working solo once more.
I’m loving the new found freedom and sense of purpose and this means that there’s only ever one person with you, the rider, on your journey toward your new set of handbuilt goodies; me! Ryan!
Midsummer Madness!!
Spring 2026 has been a blast! The business has bounced back from a scary Winter season, I’m healthier and the workshop is as busy ever; all good things!
Temporarily therefore I’m hereby closing my custom order books until further notice. I’ve a trip to sunny St Malo with one of my wonderful partners come the Solstice period as well as time with my closest friends booked out and this means that the build queue’s lead time is currently 6th July onward; I’m a busy boy and I’m stoked that so many people want to order wheels from me! In the interest of serving current customers the best and getting ready to build even MORE wheels after this!
That means that anyone getting in touch with custom enquiries will be responded to with a hold message until I’m ready to start taking custom orders again. SHOP orders for my go to wheelsets and distribution of Velocity USA Rims to trade and public will continue as normal and I’ll be on hand to answer any questions about either of those whenever you need my help.
Onwards and Upwards! What Other new things lie in wait?
I’m excited about this down time in other ways too because I’m also consciously taking it in order to finish off several big professional projects that have been hanging over my head for way too long! Coupled with having recently and positively found better way to handle my ADHD I’m getting a lot done but this can’t come at the expense of burning myself out; if you want some of the finest handbuilt wheels in the land then having an exhausted wheelbuilder isn’t the best option; I want you to find me full of vim and vigour (and bristling with knowledge and enthusiasm to boot!)
Over the next few weeks before custom orders re-open you can look forward to:
- The BIG ASS VELOCITY USA RAFFLE! I’ve over £4000 worth of pre-build Velocity X RBW Wheelsets pre-built and ready to be won! A pair of these stunning hoops could be yours for as little as £2.50!
- Wheelbuilding Courses! I still love teaching! Only 6 spaces left for students this summer; check the dates and grab yours HERE!
- RBW Returns to YouTube! It’s been a while but I’m back baby! We’ve a great video ready for release as to why YOU should buy and ride handbuilt wheels and why that matters. I’ve a whole host of content ready to edit too from a guide on thread locking mechanisms in nipples (riveting!) to a mad day out on the British Pedal Car Racing scene with Team Royce!
- ROUNG THINGS ARE COMING! I’ve been teasing this for WAAAAY too long…my new website ‘RoundThingsDistribution’ will finally launch for all your Velocity USA needs (and more!) to both the trade and public.
- RBW YARDSALE! Be on the look out for a bit fof a clear out! This will will happen here, via my eBay shop, and on RoundThingsDistro! I’ve everything from random things that are lying aroudn going cheap, to fully built wheelsets, clearance rim stock and all the way to some exceptionally high end hubsets that need new homes (be on the look out for DT180’s, Italian goodies from Extralite, and even some Onyx hubs all at great prices
- New Drumkit! OK…this one really is more for me to look forward to ;-). I’m lucky to have a bunch (4!) kits in total but whilst I have some time off I’m going to recondition and sell them all and replace them with a single V-kit to keep here in the workshop that will allow me to play at all hours of the day (and save a bit of space to be fair!). If anyone reading this has a Roland TD-17KVX Kit (or similar / better) lying around that you’d like to part with then get in touch ;-). Hey…”All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” right?
Over and out wheel nerds! See you soon, Ryan(BuildsWheels!)
