M2RACER
Founder - Brand, Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, & Sales
From 2000 - 2006, I founded and ran a business dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and distributing the world’s lightest road bike components. Our target users, “weight weenies” were obsessed with scraping grams off their amazing road bikes.
The 2 m’s
The story of M2RACER begins with me (designer) and my Dad (engineer). We would often go on rides and spitball all sorts of ideas as the miles passed. On one particular ride, we discussed the idea of axial float for a clip-less bicycle pedal. That sparked the exploration of many subsequent sketches, prototypes, phone calls, and ultimately to the formation of the company that manufactured and sold the idea around the world.
ORB Pedals
The ORB pedals were M2RACER’s flagship product. Designed, engineered, and tested for over 6 years, they evolved into (& still are) the lightest clip-less, free-float bicycle pedals in the world.
Universal
engagement
Nearly all pedals have 2 sides, the ORB pedals have infinite sides, allowing you to clip-in at any position. A wedge shaped cleat spreads two pedal halves open. Once the head of the cleat clears the pedal halves, the internal compression springs clamp the pedal halves closed. A simple 15 degree twist of the rider’s foot releases the cleat from the pedal.
Ridiculously light
Made from 6-4 Titanium, the ORB pedals effectively use every gram of material mass for strength and performance. The set of pedals weigh in at 99 grams.
Lightest bike in the world
Every October, M2RACER would showcase their products at Interbike, the national trade show dedicated to bicycles. Our “Light Bike”, for multiple years, was the lightest 14-speed bike in the world, and triggered lots of conversation among our retail and wholesale customers.
Carbon/Kevlar Saddle
Utilizing a highly unique, ultra high-pressure molding process, sandwiched layers of prepreg carbon and kevlar are compressed together under heat to produce a bicycle saddle with unheard of strength-to-weight properties. Weight, ~43 grams.
Solid titanium axles with rolled threads, hollow titanium levers, and anodized 7075 Aluminum cams, pins, washers, and nuts.
Quick-Release
Weighing in at a scant 38 grams per set, the Titanium Wheel Skewers provide ample clamping force by maximizing some amazing metal alloys.
On-the-Fly
Designed for cyclists and triathletes, the Power Module allows for on-the-fly bike geometry adjustment. Unlock the quick-release lever and shift forwards for Power - Time Trials, shift backwards for Endurance - Stage Racing. Angled support rails ensure consistent seat heights across all positions. Weight, 126 grams.
Power Module
Designed to utilize the hybrid nature of our muscular system, the Power Module allows you to shift your saddle forward or backwards, while riding, to selectively engage your fast- or slow-twitch muscle fibers.
Fail to learn
M2RACER operated under the tightest of tolerances and intentionally brought designs to failure in order to understand where to add more material mass. A diverse test rider group was established early on during development which provided valuable information. M2RACER products were vigorously tested in the field & in the lab. Operating at the fringes of racing, our products competed in 350 mile Alaska backcountry races (Iditarod Trail Invitational) as well as ridden by a Tour de France stage winner climbing Mt. Washington, where weight is a key to winning.
Direct to consumer
In addition to designing, manufacturing, and testing all of M2RACER’s products, I also created an e-commerce website which allowed us to sell directly to consumers around the globe. Sales targets for 2006 were around $1 million.