“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>
Black Friday seems to come earlier and earlier every year, and 2025 is no exception. It’s a time for companies to discount previous year’s gear and items. And for This Week in Bike Tech, that means there isn’t a whole lot of new stuff to share. What’s here, however, is worth talking about.
The flashiest new release has to be the Baumier B01, its flagship all-road bike with 3D-printed titanium lugs and carbon tube sets. Ratio Technology has a new derailleur that promises compatibility with nearly every modern mechanical groupset. Ritchey has a new carbon fiber Break-Away bike called the Septimer, too.
Meanwhile, MAAP and Kask partner on a special edition helmet that you’re almost certainly going to see on your Instagram feed. Pirelli introduced Italian-made versions of its Cinturato Gravel tires, too.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know, This Week in Bike Tech. Oh, and if you’re looking for Black Friday deals, we have them for road bikes and gravel bikes alike.
Ratio Technology just dropped the most interesting rear derailleur we’ve seen in years
Table of Contents
- Ratio Technology just dropped the most interesting rear derailleur we’ve seen in years
- Baumier introduces its first 3D-printed titanium and carbon fiber road bike
- MAAP and Kask release a special edition Elemento helmet
- Pirelli moves its top-end Cinturato Gravel tires to its Italy-based factory
- New Ritchey Septimer Break-Away makes it easier to travel with your bike
- Enve’s latest handlebars cost just $750!
Ratio Technology has launched the Mech 1x, a mechanical rear derailleur. The Mech works with both direct-mount (UDH) and traditional hanger mounting, it’s convertible between the two systems, and it’s designed to work with most 12 and 13 speed drivetrains now, with further 11 and 12 speed options to come, thanks to its adjustable cable pull options..
Unlike SRAM’s T-Type direct mount system, which locks you into their cassettes, Ratio includes B-screws and limit screws, allowing it to maintaina consistent B-gap across different cassette sizes. It’s available in cage lengths for 46t or 52t max cogs. Interestingly, Ratio claims the system rivals electronic systems in speed and precision at a lower weight, saying that derailleur bushing friction causes poor mechanical shifting. To combat it, Ratio Technology uses stainless steel bearings to minimize friction and includes a Cage Stop feature that locks the derailleur for easier wheel removal. Better still, the Mech 1x can be fully rebuilt with just a multi-tool.
I know we don’t talk much about mechanical derailleurs around these parts, but we’re still big fans of many systems available that work. And while we haven’t gotten our hands on the derailleur ourselves, Ratio has a track record of offering well-considered, valuable solutions to things that aren’t currently on the market. Mech 1x is certainly clever enough, and the sheer compatibility is excellent to see.
The Ratio Mech derailleur is priced at £295 / $388 and available now at ratiotechnology.comlaunching in black with a silver option coming later.
Baumier introduces its first 3D-printed titanium and carbon fiber road bike
Baumier has launched the B01, its flagship all-road bike that combines 3D-printed titanium lugs with braided carbon fiber tubes. The frame is manufactured and assembled entirely in Quebec, Canada, with delivery starting in early 2026. This is Baumier’s first complete bike, following the brand’s recent entry into high-end wheelsets for road and gravel.
The B01 uses braided RFC carbon tubes injected with bio-based resin and seamless 3D-printed Grade 5 titanium lugs at each junction. Variable wall thickness in the titanium allows Baumier to tune ride characteristics throughout the frame. Maximum tire clearance is 42 mm across five sizes from 50 to 60 cm. All bikes come with Baumier’s house-made wheels and components like Darimo or 5DEV cranks and Gemini forged carbon chainrings. Each frame is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
The combination of materials here is compelling. Theoretically, you get carbon’s weight and stiffness where it matters, while the titanium lugs add durability and a unique aesthetic. What stands out is Baumier’s commitment to manufacturing everything in-house in Montreal, from the carbon layup to final assembly. It’s rare to see a brand control the entire process like this, and its cool to see it done here in North America.
Three configurations are available: Hors-Catégorie with Shimano XTR Dura-Ace Di2, Lifetime with GRX-827 Di2, and Timeless. Expect to pay an $1,800 initial deposit price, with a final price ranging between $18,000 to $25,000. Pre-orders are now open at baumier.com with deliveries expected in early 2026
MAAP and Kask release a special edition Elemento helmet
MAAP and KASK have released a special edition version of the Elemento helmet, combining KASK’s award-winning design with MAAP’s distinctive graphics. The Elemento SE uses the same performance technology as the standard Elemento but adds MAAP’s visual identity to the shell design that complements the helmet’s ventilation structure. Its a helmet we’re sure will be all over your Instagram accounts (if you haven’t already seen it).
The Elemento uses KASK’s Fluid Carbon 12 energy-absorbing composite technopolymer and 3D-printed Multipod internal padding for impact protection. KASK claims the helmet delivers aerodynamic efficiency without sacrificing ventilation, breaking the typical compromise between the two. The helmet includes KASK’s OCTOFIT+ fit system, Merino wool inner padding, and a polyester chinstrap. All of this is the same as the standard Elemento helmet.
So what’s the difference here? Graphics and colorway. That’s about it. Pas Normal has had its fair share of special edition Sweet Protection Falconer helmets, as has Rapha and many other popular cycling apparel brands. It makes sense that MAAP and Kask would link on a helmet like this.
The MAAP x Kask Elemento SE helmet is priced at $440/€415/£370/AUD $700.
Pirelli moves its top-end Cinturato Gravel tires to its Italy-based factory
Pirelli has split its Cinturato gravel tire range into two distinct lines: High Performance (HP-Line) and Performance (P-Line). The HP-Line tires are manufactured in Milan, Italy, using FSC-certified natural rubber and represent Pirelli’s top-tier gravel offerings. The P-Line provides a wider selection of gravel tires focused on balancing performance with versatility at a lower price point.
The HP-Line Cinturato Gravel H and M keep their existing tread patterns but add a new SmartEVO GR compound and 120 TPI casing with ProWALL Gravel protection borrowed from Pirelli’s latest MTB tires. Pirelli claims the H model offers 20% better puncture resistance and 10% lower rolling resistance on hard surfaces, while the M model delivers 7% better puncture protection and 15% lower rolling resistance on mixed terrain. Meanwhile, the P-Line gets a 60 TPI casing.
I figured it would be inevitable for Pirelli to launch top-end gravel tires made in its Italian factory. The improved speed and puncture resistance are nice to see for the top-end tires, but the move to a 60 TPI casing for the non-Italian tires is almost certainly a downgrade in performance and puncture protection. The previous generation tires came in at roughly $85, making the new HP-line tires a more expensive option than before.
The Pirelli Cinturato HP-Line is priced at $97.90 and the P-Line at $78.90, both available now in 40mm and 45mm widths, with 50 mm wide options coming by end of 2025. See more at pirelli.com.
New Ritchey Septimer Break-Away makes it easier to travel with your bike
Ritchey has launched the Septimer Break-Away Frameset, a carbon fiber all-road bike named after the historic Septimer Pass connecting Switzerland and Italy. The bike pairs a lightweight carbon frame and fork with Ritchey’s patented Break-Away system, letting you pack the whole thing into a travel case. Tom Ritchey calls it “a culmination of 40 years of thinking about how to make the ultimate bike,” and we’re inclined to agree.
The Septimer clears 700c x 48 mm tires (though we’ve seen bigger tires in person) and includes multiple mounting points for bags and gear. External cable routing makes maintenance and travel prep easier, and the bike works with both 1x and 2x drivetrains. The key component here is the Break-Away system, which allows riders to disassemble and reassemble the bike far more quickly than a standard bike, and in a smaller package overall, too.
I’ve never really worried about a travel bike not being tough enough to load up and gravel with, but I’m glad to see Ritchey’s focus here. Ritchey’s Breakaway bikes tend to stick around for a long time, and this feels appropriately updated. I wish there was a SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) here, but besides that, I think there will be plenty of happy Breakaway fans out there.
The Septimer Break-Away Frameset is priced at $3,499/€3399/£2958 and available at ritcheylogic.com.
Enve’s latest handlebars cost just $750!
Okay, bear with us here: Enve has released a new set of its Enve SES AR One-Piece Handlebar, one that’s made overseas rather than in their factory in Utah. But while those Utah-made handlebars cost $1200, these cost just $750. A bargain!
Enve says this new bar features the same shape and design as the more expensive bars (now called the SES AR Custom One-Piece), with compound-flared drops, ergonomic shaping, and an aero profile. 20 size combinations will be available, including widths from 38 to 44 cm, and stem lengths between 90 and 130 mm. A 40 cm/110 mm bar weighs in at a claimed 340 grams, decent but far from weight weenie status.
My take? Believe it or not, but while this is certainly premium pricing for a handlebar and stem combo, it’s not unheard of to pay this much. What I am surprised by is the lack of sizes narrower than 38 cm, however. My experience with similar bars revealed that they’re deeply comfortable and one of my favorite shapes on the market. Whether that’s worth the asking price is up to you, but there are plenty of alternatives available.
The Enve SES AR One-Piece Handlebar is priced at $750/£850/€999 with VAT.
