Hollow means lighter and lighter means faster. UK based Raceware Direct is now printing braze-on mounted ti chain catchers and brake-caliper mounted ti race-board holders. If you count grams, wattage, and body fat percentages, these unique ornaments are for you. Read on…
At a mere 10 grams Raceware’s chain catcher comes in at the same weight as the competition’s aluminum models. But its titanium fabricated hollow design makes it strong enough to be used under any application (read MTB). If you’re rocking a high-end carbon frame, 10 grams and 25 GBP (aprox. $43 USD) is cheap insurance against chain-crunched carbon.
Back in the 2010 Tour on that fateful Port de Balès climb, had Andy Schleck sported one of these catchers, maybe he would have triumphed over Contador and gone on to be more than the nominal winner of the Tour (Contador had to ultimately concede the win to Schleck due to doping charges). Regardless, history has been written. Just make sure to write your own and not make Andy’s mistake.
Slightly less sexy, but still winning points for being elegantly handy, Raceware’s number-board holder is also 3D printed titanium. Available in either a polished or matte finish Raceware’s number-board holder can be had for “only” 35 GBP (aprox. $60 USD); weight undisclosed. If you like this 3D printing trend as much as we do make sure you check out some of our past coverage here.
