Unlocking the Future: 9 Exciting Technological Highlights from Rouleur Live

The Rouleur Live exhibition is like the grand finale of the cycling industry this season, where we can review the remarkable new products of the past year and witness the exciting moments of new products debuting for the upcoming year. It undoubtedly provides a significant stage for showcasing the entire industry. This year’s highly anticipated exhibition features various cutting-edge elements, among which 3D printing technology shines, presenting a dazzling array of innovative prototype products. There are also custom-painted bikes that are colorful and intricately designed, becoming a beautiful sight at the event. Let’s dive into this exhibition and explore the highlights that you cannot miss this year.

1. Mythos 3D Printed Titanium Alloy Axion Integrated Handlebar

The fully customizable Axion 3D integrated handlebar from Mythos is a great aid for cyclists, featuring powerful functionality that can meet various needs during rides. This integrated handlebar is priced at £1500, but note that it can only be purchased and installed through brand-certified retailers.

The length, angle, width, outward angle, and even internal cable routing of the integrated handlebar can be customized. The handlebar is divided into three parts, with the T-shaped handlebar stem and the curved part glued together.

Lee Prescott, the owner of Meteor Works and president of the International Bicycle Assembly Association, mentioned that Mythos’s product fills a market gap, as very few brands offer such a wide range of sizes for integrated handlebars. For instance, his personal requirement is 36mm wide, and only one brand can provide a 36cm wide integrated handlebar.

Lee Prescott is closely collaborating with Mythos to develop a new integrated handlebar.

2. Topeak Ratchet Rocket Essential

Topeak’s Ratchet Rocket series is the flagship product of the brand, with a 10-piece tool set that should meet most roadside repair needs.

The new Ratchet Rocket Essential is designed to replace traditional multi-tools, with an alloy ratchet that is 45% lighter than the steel version. The 10-piece tool set can be neatly stored in a knitted nylon wallet.

3. Trek Project One Pantone

The Project One Madone, launched by Trek in collaboration with Pantone, is one of the most eye-catching bikes at the exhibition.

The marble effect is created by Trek’s painters applying alcohol to the uncured paint, producing a shadow-like watery pattern.

In addition to the paintwork, the accessories are luxurious: a complete SRAM Red AXS group set and Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels perfectly match such a stunning paint finish.

4. Scope Artech 22 Wheelset

Scope’s uniqueness lies in the fact that almost every part is manufactured in-house. The hub shell Scalmalloy is made using 3D printing. They claim that 3D printing allows them to produce products that are lighter than forging or machining.

To reduce weight and complexity, the hub does not have preload adjustment; instead, there is a small amount of play in the hub, compensated by compression between the barrel and axle. The bushing behind the freewheel can be slightly compressed to offset excessive compression force. The coarse O-ring in the front hub serves the same function.

The 65mm rim height reportedly weighs only 1244g, which is very light for this rim height. The 22mm rim height climbing wheel is said to weigh only 965g, which is also very light for hookless disc brake tubeless tires.

5. Soudal-QuickStep Castelli Gabba

This Soudal-QuickStep Gabba team edition cycling jersey is highly coveted, combining Castelli’s ability to handle harsh weather with the legendary sponsorship brand.

It is said that determining the size of Gabbas for professional cyclists is very complex, as the heat generated when printing the sponsor’s logo on the clothing can cause shrinkage, and managing this shrinkage is crucial.

6. Tekkerz CC Volvo 850 Estate-inspired Aeroad

This Canyon Aeroad is produced in collaboration with the sponsored team Tekkerz CC, paying tribute to the iconic paintwork of the Volvo 850 Estate from the 90s British Touring Car Championship.

Highlights of the paintwork include custom silver lightweight wheels, a full Dura-Ace group set, and a replica car model.

7. 2024 Limited Edition Panaracer GravelKing and Custom Parlee Taos

Panaracer releases a limited edition colored GravelKing tire every year, and the color for 2024 is a charming purple and bright green, perfectly matching the custom Parlee Taos also on display at Panaracer’s booth.

The Taos was released earlier this year, marketed as a versatile gravel bike produced by Parlee at its partner factory in Europe.

8. George Fox’s Record-Breaking Argon 18 E119

Fox is an aerodynamics design and training expert for TT and triathlon. He won the national time trial championship riding this Argon 18 E119, using a standard drop handlebar paired with a time trial frame.

The appearance of this bike caused significant controversy in the UK time trial scene, with many claiming it violated the design spirit of this type of bike. However, the time trial special committee investigated and found that his bike fully complied with competition regulations, albeit just barely.

In pursuit of aerodynamic effectiveness, he meticulously sealed almost all holes with tape and used an oversized 66T Digirit carbon fiber chainring to match his powerful legs.