Wheel & Sprocket’s Company Timeline

1973 - Frank Tamel opened a small bike shop in a Hales Corner store with 1800 square feet. (Chris Kegel Starts as a mechanic 30 days after Frank opens the store).

1974 - Chris Kegel becomes store manager & W&S adds Ski Equipment to its stock. Frank holds down a second job to help ease the financial burden of the shop. 

1976 - W&S incorporates & Store Moves to Forest Home Avenue. 

1979 - Chris became a partner with Frank Tamel 

1981 - W&S moves its Hales Corners location expanding to a 7500 square foot area. 

1983 - W&S is selected as a member of Raleigh’s President’s Council. 

1985 - Brookfield location opens, becoming the 2nd W&S store. 

1986 - Tamel’s Bicycle World is bought out by W&S. The 3rd W&S location, South Milwaukee, is born. 

1988 - Glendale location is opened, becoming the 4th W&S store. 

1989 - Chris Kegel buys out Frank Tamel and the headquarters move to Glendale. W&S is the #1 Trek Dealer in the country. W&S is the #2 Giant Dealer in the country

1994 - Brookfield moved into the new current location.

1996 - Delafield location opened - becoming the 5th location. Hales Corners moved into an expansive new location (13,000 sq. ft of sales/service space).

1999 - Oshkosh location opened - becoming the 6th location. South Milwaukee closed for the winter with no specific plans for a new location at this time. And Chris made his last payment to Frank Tamel (100% ownership)

2001 - Appleton Location Opened.  Wheel & Sprocket is voted the #1 Advocate of the Year (a.k.a. The Brainy Award) - Awarded by the National Bicycle Dealers’ Associate, The Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, and Interbike.

2002 - Wheel & Sprocket is voted the #1 Bicycle Retailer in the Country! - Nat’l Bicycle Dealer Assoc. & Interbike

2003 - Wheel & Sprocket is voted the #1 Bicycle Retailer in the Country! - Nat’l Bicycle Dealer Assoc. & Interbike

2004 - Wheel & Sprocket is awarded the Trek Legend’s Honor (Trek’s Hall of Fame Award).

2010 - International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)-Platinum Retailer honor

2011 - Bicycling Magazine’s Top 100 Bike Shop in America. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Top 100 Workplace award. League of American Bicyclist (LAB) Bicycle Friendly Gold Award.

2012 - Gold Level Top 100 Retailer in America (annually for over ten years)-NBDA/INTERBIKE honor.

2013 - Evanston, IL location opens- Wheel & Sprocket’s first venture outside of Wisconsin. Brookfield expanded into the entire mini-shopping mall. Fox Point expanded with an upstairs fitting room and main floor bathrooms.

2014 - Wheel & Sprocket launches indoor cycling “Training Hub” program company wide

2015 - Wheel & Sprocket launches outdoor fat bike race series “Hugh Jass Fat Bike Series”

2016 - Wheel & Sprocket awarded National Bike Challenge Workplace Winner. Wheel & Sprocket ranks #3 out of 100 by Bicycling Magazine Best Bike Shop. Wheel & Sprocket launches first annual Chris’ Slow Roll to honor the work and dedication of owner Chris Kegel.

2017 -  Chris Kegel passes away at 64 years old. Ownership changes hands to Chris Kegel’s son Noel Kegel and daughter Amelia Kegel;  Oak Park, IL Location Opened, Wheel & Sprocket purchases Beeline Franchise in Chicago to offer mobile repair.

2018 - Wheel & Sprocket Middleton, Wisconsin opens 

2019 -  Wheel & Sprocket Franklin (formally Hales Corners) opens at the Ballpark Commons near Whitnall Park.

2020 - Wheel & Sprocket Bay View, Wisconsin store, Joy Ride Cafe, headquarters, and community center with partners Wisconsin Bike Fed, Chris Kegel Foundation, and Rails-to-Trails Route-of-the-Badger opens 

2021 -  Wheel & Sprocket opens third Chicagoland location in Park Ridge Illinois, Joy Ride Cafe in Fox Point store opens 

2022 -  Wheel & Sprocket opens second Madison-area location in Fitchburg

2023 -  Wheel & Sprocket turns 50!