Bada

A Legacy Built on Balance: The Bada Story

Few names in the automotive service industry carry the weight — literally — that Bada does. Founded in 1945 in Pasadena, California, by Fred Bagaman and Vernon Dapper, the BADA brand was born when the two entrepreneurs combined the first letters of their last names to create what would become one of the most respected names in wheel balancing. When Fred Bagaman and Vernon Dapper combined the first letters of their last names in 1945 to form BADA, Inc., they established a leading reputation as a premium quality supplier of wheel balancing weights and related wheel balancing products.

Over the decades, Bada grew into a national institution for tire shops, dealerships, and automotive technicians. After considering several locations in the eastern half of the US, the decision was made to move BADA operations from Pasadena to Bowling Green, KY in the summer of 1973. The brand continued to evolve with the industry, responding to environmental concerns by expanding its material offerings. The "Micro Line" weights were produced exclusively for many years until the introduction of adhesive weights in 2004 and steel clip weights in 2005 in response to environmental concerns.

The Bada Legacy Continues with Cascade Wheel Weights

After more than 75 years of continuous production, the BADA name lives on through Cascade Wheel Weights, which acquired Bada's machinery and manufacturing technology in early 2023. Cascade acquired BADA's machinery and technology and moved production to a new facility in Auburn, Kentucky, and the team — including engineers, sales managers, and machine operators — all have a wealth of experience from their time working at the old BADA company. The result is a seamless continuation of the craftsmanship and precision that professionals have trusted for generations.

For more than 75 years, BADA provided one of the most comprehensive selections of wheel weights in the world, and today Cascade Wheel Weights proudly carries that legacy forward, producing high quality, American-made products with the same trusted standards.

What Makes Bada Wheel Weights Stand Out

Bada's reputation is built on engineering precision and real-world durability. Whether you're working on a daily driver or a heavy-duty light truck, the right Bada wheel weight makes the difference between a smooth ride and a vibration-plagued one. The product lineup includes steel clip-on weights and steel tape-a-weights, all engineered for demanding shop conditions.

• Steel Clip-On Weights: Designed with exact measurements and a clip recognized in the industry for its reliable strength, Bada's bang-on weights fit a variety of vehicles, from passenger cars to light trucks.
• Steel Tape-A-Weights: Proudly made in the USA with an all-season tape designed for the toughest weather conditions, each weight is completely coated — providing superior rust resistance — and available in sleek gray or matte black.
• Lead Adhesive Weights: Cascade Wheel Weights is committed to carrying on the legacy of BADA and providing customers with a selection of wheel weights that can be relied on in the toughest of weather conditions.

Bada's coating technology is a key differentiator. Their coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance — unlike glossier competitor weights that rely on flash zinc electroplating with a polymer coating, which can leave incomplete coverage and allow rust to form. Complete coverage is key, and Bada weights achieve that over the entire weight surface.

Trusted by Professionals Across the Industry

From independent tire shops to large-scale dealership service centers, Bada wheel weights are found in professional environments throughout North America. All steel tape-a weights and steel clip-on wheel weights are now produced in Auburn, Kentucky — keeping production domestic and quality consistent. For technicians who demand reliability in every single install, Bada remains the benchmark.