About

What is Madrone Cycles?

Madrone Cycles is dedicated to keeping your drivetrain running precisely and smoothly. The goal of each product is to be rebuildable, precise, and compatible.

We see Madrone as a company that is participating in the right-to-repair movement, by making products that unlock compatibility barriers, last longer, are repairable, contain recyclable materials, and use minimal/recyclable packaging.

Our products are tested and proven in a wide range of riding and racing conditions, made from premium recyclable materials with tight tolerances for exceptional performance.

Our specialty tools and support center make rebuilding a derailleur a satisfying hands-on experience. We want to share our love of working on finely tuned mechanisms with everyone, but if you don't want to rebuild your derailleur, you can also ship it to us for a professional rebuild service.

We aim to empower riders with durable, serviceable products that enhance every ride, whether you’re hitting the trails, cruising the roads, or chasing adventure wherever it takes you.

Where are the products made?

Individual parts are made in China, and products are inspected and assembled in the US.

Our parts are made in Dongguan China at a manufacturer that Aaron has worked with for years. They have high tech CNC and manufacturing equipment, high quality, and excellent communication. Check them out here!

Individual parts are shipped to Madrone in Oregon USA, where we inspect, assemble derailleurs, kit products, and ship orders to our customers all over the world.

Background

Madrone Cycles was started by Aaron Bland in Ashland, Oregon in 2023. The name is inspired by the regional madrone tree - a resilient hardwood with stunning green and red bark that peels like paper, symbolizing our commitment to durability, uniqueness, and adaptability.

The catalyst for Madrone came after a small mountain biking crash when Aaron’s battery powered wireless derailleur was left seemingly straight and intact, but could not shift properly. The derailleur's sensitivity to typical mountain biking scenarios seemed wrong, considering the $600 replacement cost and environmental issues with electronic waste and composite plastics. That experience became the driving force behind our mission to make drivetrain products that are durable, rebuildable, precise, and more compatible.

Madrone Cycles launched at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic after a season of development and testing of rebuild parts and tools for SRAM derailleurs.

We believe in repair, sustainability, and innovation, and we’re just getting started.

The Madrone Team

  • Aaron Bland: Founder.
  • Aaron Bailey: Pro enduro racer, product destroyer, and social media manager.
  • Madrone Hype Squad: Consisting of Breeze Willis, Britt Hurst, Ola, Andrew Sergent, and Effie Bourgin.
  • Toby Pew, Wesley Newman, and Marcel Starbird: High school derailleur assembly and kitting team, and future engineers.
  • Emily Bland and Mara Bland: Emotional support team.
  • Raven: Chief rascal and trail dog.

Aaron Bland has been mountain biking for about 30 years, getting his start in XC racing. This transitioned to freeride and downhill racing in the early 2000s, but eventually came full circle back to XC, road, and gravel.

Back then...

These days...

Aaron is a mechanical engineer with a background in battery systems and 2-wheel chassis design. He’s been an integral part of some cool projects such as the Brammo electric racing motorcycles and Amazon Prime Air drone delivery service.