Dirt Works was founded in 1994 by Wayne Chapman & Richard Powell with the purpose of providing Australian bicycle dealers with a higher level of technical product knowledge and back-up product support for the emerging area of bicycle suspension and suspension upgrades. (since then we have grown to cover all aspects of the cycling industry)

The first 18 months were spent working full time (in "real" jobs) and working on Dirt Works in the evenings. With Wayne based in Newcastle and Richard in Sydney, late night and early morning phone calls were the order of the day.

By August 1996 the business had grown enough that Wayne started working for Dirt Works full time. Based in a small 30m^2 office/storeroom in Newcastle. He spent hours working on flyers (the “Dirt Worker”), photocopied pricelists and… waiting... and waiting... for the phones to ring. Eventually they did, and slowly, the business grew.

In 1997, Dirt Works purchased all the stock and agencies of Hi Performance Bicycle Components, a subsidiary of Bianchi Bicycles Australia. Shortly after this, Richard left his job and started commuting to Newcastle to work in Dirt Works full time.

In 1998, the chance to purchase Ken Evans Imports (the Melbourne based distributor of Ritchey and DT Swiss) was too good to pass by and the decision was made to merge both businesses in Sydney as this was more central for shipping and service. At this point we became Dirt Works Australia Pty Ltd and gained a 3rd director in Chuan Chew (whose family were the previous owners of Ken Evans Imports). I can still remember trying to learn all the different tread pattens of Ritchey tyres and the range of DT Swiss spokes confused us to no end. A few months later, we needed to hire our first employee.

In 2001 we purchased the stock of QLD-based DT Swiss distributor Bike Tech and moved their stock into the Sydney warehouse. In November 2001 we started Wheelcraft, a professional wheelbuilding facility based in the warehouse next door.

Now it’s 2009 and we’ve outgrown both warehouses and we're rapidly stretching the limits of shelving in the new one. Richard and Wayne still answer sales calls, but we now have a large number of warehouse, phone sales, accounting, technical and wheelbuilding staff (and they all ride bikes) and love what they do.

15 years, 6 warehouses and 22 employees later, Dirt Works Australia continues to offer the racer, enthusiast or casual rider an unmatched range of triathlon, touring, BMX, road and mountain bike equipment.

People ask me if we ever thought about changing our name from Dirt Works, (seeing as we now handle a complete range of cycling products from every aspect of our sport). To be honest, the thought has crossed our minds more than once. But we look at it like this:

Dirt Works has been proud to be a part of the Australian bicycle wholesale industry for almost 15 years now, and we're kind of attached to it. Besides... it's just a name.

The Dirt Crew

We have unique and varied bunch of people here. I've asked each of them to write a few words about themselves. (and those that were too slow... I wrote myself)

It was in 1981, at the Newcastle Velodrome BMX track and riding a yellow Redline Mk II BMX, that a then 14-year-old Richard Powell first met Wayne Chapman. As they settled into conversation, little did they know that this encounter would be the start of a lifelong friendship (much like Jay and Silent Bob's) and an eventual business partnership.

Richard's main claim to fame was when he rode his fully-rigid Mantis with Pepperoni forks and drop bars in Sport Men's DH at the 1998 Nationals. Today, aged 42, he's a road rider and a Pugsley rider, prone to embarrassing younger, fitter riders on lighter bikes, as well as a proud father of two.

Life just got even better as he recently married his fiancée!

Wayne "Elvis" Chapman, Director of Marketing, Customer service/outback traveler

"I first heard of mountainbikes in 1982 in the pages of a magazine called Action Now. I wasted no time in converting my 24" Mongoose cruiser with Suntour Mountech deraileurs & thumbshifters. Over the next 9 years a range of custom & off the shelf mtb's followed. Until, in 1991 I went on an extended off-road cycle-tour of the top end and down the west coast.

When I returned I decided that I wanted a sweet dual suspension bike. It was 1992, so I ordered the then cream of the suspension market, a Mantis Pro Floater. Forward to 1995, one year after starting Dirt Works and the touring bike was out again for a trek from Cairns to Cape York.

Now it's 2009, I'm 45 and Dirt Works is 15. While I still dream of the open road, I'm content now. I'm very lucky in that I wake up every day and I just love to go to work. The people I work with are fantastic and the customers that we have are as addicted to bikes as we are. I love it.

The "quiver" has expanded too (along with the waistline). I've still got that original Mantis Pro Floater (still ridable too, now with Dura Ace/Pauls components thumbshifters), plus... a Fisher CR7 (with Yeti cro-mo forks and a WTB drop-flared bar), a Salsa Fargo (in full touring kit), a very sweet Salsa El Mariachi Limited Edition full rigid singlespeed 29er, plus my new pride and joy: a Surly Pugsley.. . and... a nice "new" 1995 model Mantis Pro Floater that is the subject of an ongoing restoration project.

I recently re-discovered the fun of commuting and riding in general, and completed the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge in 2008 and 2009. (signed up again for 2010 too)

 The short version: I'm 45 years old, with a wonderfull (patient) wife who lets me indulge my love of expensive bikes, I like country music, outback traveling and I want to ride more.

I'm happy"
- Elvis

Chuan "secret training" Chew, Director of Sales/recent father.

"Back in the day, I had a couple of stints as a bike mechanic in the Great Victorian Bike Ride just to earn some vacation money, en route to some vaguely imagined suit- or lab-coat-wearing professional career. Like a couple of my GVBR wrenching mates who maybe had similar lofty ambitions, I became a bike industry lifer instead. D'oh! Well OK, in reality it's been great. I've been able to make a living out of something I enjoy, and to meet every day with lots of cool people who ride bikes.

A dedicated road racer until 1997 (which coincidentally is when I joined a fledgling Dirt Works), I discovered hitherto-unexplored depths of non-training when mountain biking's easy camaraderie beckoned. Still, having fun on dirt instead of being serious on bitumen isn't always a bad thing.

My current rides are an Ellsworth Truth, a steel 1997 Ritchey Road Logic and an aluminium single-speed XC hardtail. They rock! Or at least, they give a rocking sensation on bumpy terrain." - Chuan

Jane Hao, admin/accounts/Imports Liaison/innocent bystander

Jane handles all our Taiwan based correspondence and keeps an strict eye on the accounts. She's told us that she wants to get a bike and come on rides with us. We can work with that!

Phillip Learned, Technical Services/4wd Xtreme dood 

Phil' is new. He comes to us from Blackman Bicycles in western Sydney where he was respected as a suspension technician. Phil' likes the phrase "slim line salad dressing" and is currently converting a Toyota 4Runner into a 4wd.

Phil' and his workshop co-conspirator Magnus are known around the office as the weightbench gods.

Mark "no nickname yet" Sangkuhl, General Manager, converted roadie

Mark is new. Very new. So I'll give him some time to write his own bio and provide a pic.

Mark's first foray into the world of mountain biking was at the 2007 Dirt Works 100k Classic. He rode... and completed the entire 100km. He's now issuing grudge matches around the office for the BMC 100, Dirt Works 100 and BMC Mountains to Beach.

A recent "issue" with a Mazda Tribute, a planter box and a 3ton pantec truck has resulted in Mark's new road bike... a stunning BMC Team Machine SLT01. he's just aquired a new mountainbike as well. A hot BMC Traiffox02 with a seriously custom build!

Gary "broken" Theiss, Logistics Manager, customer service

“I’ve been riding MTB since 1997, initially to get fit for scuba diving. Currently I own 3 bikes – 2004 Santa Cruz Blur, an Ellsworth Moment with a distinctly freeride build and a trick Salsa Scandium Las Cruces cross bike (with disc brakes) for commuting.

I hit the trails most weekends, mainly on the south of Sydney. I even commute the 32km each way to the Dirt Works Emporium. Sold the dive gear years ago, ‘cause I was riding too much.

Short version
I’m 44, I ride lots, and I own bikes - Gary

Pat "hard-man" Howard, random brand manager / legend

Give me my wife, a basketball or a bike and I'll be happy. Fortunately I get all three. I worked in retail whilst accumulating my HECS debt, and now find myself at Dirt Works. Back in my early teens I was a super keen grommet, then drifted away for a while before the single track lured me back.

Give me an XC event, be it 30 minutes or 24 hours and I'll be in it if I can; otherwise I'll be riding somewhere around Sydney putting together long and interesting rides with stupid names like the ‘Iron Granny’ and ‘Everywhere Ride’ via my patented navigational system, the Pat Howard Link ™  (PH-Link for short). Say hi when you ride past me, I'll be the guy on the Niner/Salsa looking flogged and accidentally taking sketchy lines. See ya in the saddle! - Pat

Dale "Marlboro Man" Collins, brand manager: Eastern bikes, customer service

"I've always ridden bikes, mainly just for transport, that was until I was taken on my first trip to "The Oaks".

After that my thirst for dirt has become quite consuming. I live and ride in the Blue Mountains and currently own an Ibis Carbon Mojo SX.

When I’m not riding I can be found watching the Rugby, Cricket and Fuel TV, tending to my carnivorous plants and herb garden or playing the Grand Theft Auto series."

Craig "megafish" Fisher: Queensland sales manager.

Fish' is a big boy. And an exceptional customer service specialist. Craig comes to us from Bikecorp (the Tioga and Maxxis people). He's recently moved his whole family to sunny Queensland where he'll be Dirt Works' man on the ground.

He's been around the game as long as Dirt Works have. In the 80s he raced BMX and was a legend in his own time. Then, when he made the move to mountain bikes, he raced for the Mountain Cycle team in the mid 90s before beginning his career at Bikecorp.

Oh... and he has a long history competing in both BMX (AA Pro) and DH MTB (Elite).

*NEWS FLASH* Craig wins the WORLD BMX cruiser class (40-44) Championships. Realising a 28 year long dream!

Brian "Big Dawg" Price, NSW sales manager/ injury magnet

How would you describe your riding? Every time I see another tall guy riding they look really clumsy, so I suppose I do as well. I try to be as smooth as possible.

What is your routine before competition? I tend to race well if I have pizza the night before which is a little weird but it works for me!

Who do you like to ride with/against? I really enjoy going on rides with my friends who just ride for fun, helps remind you why you ride in the first place. As far as competition goes, everyone is pretty cool to race with, except Trev. He knows too much…

What is your most memorable ride? It was either the 6 foot track out and back and blowing up so badly I fell asleep in the shower, or doing a 200km road ride with Trev on New Year’s Day 2006 -the hottest day in over 60 years!

(action image thanks to Softwick pixs)

Ame Bagg: warranty.

Ame has been with us a while now. She recently moved into the warranty processing role. 

Mark "Joe Dirt" Russell, shipping

Mark is new. Too new for me to be so cruel to make up a bio. We'll give him a few days to write his own.