From petroleum to bikes, I think that's good karma there

Paul Component Engineering. Photo: Stephen Lam/ Element.ly

When I was racing in the 2nd NorCal High School MTB League (yup, just dated myself) there was a kid in the expert class with a baby blue Soulcraft.

I remember him well. Not only because he was insanely fast and his dad carried the bike for him to the start line like a boss at the 2003 state championship to avoid the thick sticky mud in Nevada City, but he had some v-brakes I have never seen before.

Various types of brakes Paul made over the years. Photo: Stephen Lam/ Element.ly

In the times where XTR M-950 and Avid Arch Ultimate were rampant, this kid had Paul Motolites. Cool like that one Macintosh user when everyone was about having an Intel Inside machine.

That was my first encounter of Paul Components. And now I finally got a chance to peek inside Paul’s shop, as well as the Paul behind the company, Paul Price.

Paul Price. The man behind Paul Component Engineering. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

After starting from his home garage in 1989, the company is now situated at a former Texaco petroleum distribution facility next to a bike path that was once a railroad track.

“From petroleum to bikes, I think that’s good karma there.” said Price as he led a dozen journalists around his shop.

Found at a metal scrap yard and now a prominent piece within the employee bike shop. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

To the uninitiated, it’s merely a nondescript warehouse with a bunch of machines running. Looking deeper, however, it’s evident that it’s more than your average machine shop. It’s a testament to Paul’s deep passion for cycling: From the giant CNC machine humming away in the distance, the freshly machined cable barrel adjuster, the collection of vintage bikes high up on the wall, and to the manual machine in Paul’s R&D shop where he paid $500 for from a high school, they all speak volumes on the journey and dedication behind the brand.

Some might say the dude’s goofy, but I think Paul’s a total badass and knows exactly what he’s doing. So here’s an inside look of what goes on inside Paul Component Engineering.

Office bulletin board at Paul. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Metal stock was once cut by hand but it's now automated. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Here comes a freshly cut block of 2024 aluminum to be turned into a stem. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

All the metal from manufacturing is collected and recycled. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

precursor to the cable adjuster. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Paul likes his shop to be tidy so they machined a few of these tool holders for a few stations at the shop. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

This machine was making Cross Levers when I was there. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Inspection. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Paul stopped one of the CNC machines for us to take a peek. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Raw aluminum bar (top) to finished quick release levers. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

A painting of Mt. Diablo by Paul's mom who is an artist. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Some of the tools at the machine shop. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

A batch of hubs waiting to be drilled for spoke holes. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Few of the vintage frames on the wall. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly

Paul fabricated this fixture on the left to prevent dings while polishing their Boxcar stems. Over at the right is a smaller polisher for smaller parts. Photo: Stephen Lam/ element.ly