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AbsoluteBlack will only let you buy its “extraordinary” titanium oversized pulley cage if your bike is good enough

Priced at £839, the Hollowcage Titanium is for Shimano Dura-Ace 9250 groupsets and "the finest bicycles" only

AbsoluteBlack, best known for its distinctive oval chainrings, oversized pulley wheels and wax lubricants, has released a titanium oversized pulley cage, which it claims is the first of its kind and "guarantees both performance and quiet efficiency". However, there are some catches: it's priced at £839, it's only compatible with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, and you'll need to send a picture of your bike to AbsoluteBlack to ensure it's beautiful enough for the "exceptional calibre" of the product. 

The Absolute Black Hollowcage caused quite the stir when it was first released in 2021, and the new Hollowcage Titanium Ceramic Oversized Pulley Cage is likely to be no different.

2024 AbsoluteBlack Hollowcage Titanium oversized pulley cage

Described as the "ultimate upgrade", the Hollowcage Titanium is said to be the first of its kind with a full titanium mono-plate construction, rather than being 3D-printed, designed to provide "unparalleled precision and strength". 

AbsoluteBlack's oversized pulley cage systems aim to improve performance and reduce drivetrain noise. The Hollowcage Titanium, in particular, features the brand's X-ring silencing technology, which reportedly reduces noise by 40% (5-7dB) compared to standard Dura-Ace pulleys.

According to the brand, this reduction is due to X-ring rubber bands that are said to absorb the chain’s impact on the guide pulley teeth, reducing engagement noise.

2024 AbsoluteBlack Hollowcage Titanium oversized pulley cage back

> When to replace your jockey wheels 

AbsoluteBlack promises that your ride will be "quieter than ever". Jamie was indeed impressed with just how quiet the Absolute Black Hollowcage Carbon Ceramic Oversized Derailleur Pulley Cage was when he reviewed it in 2021.

The Hollowcage Titanium also features ceramic jockey wheel bearings, which AbsoluteBlack claims have undergone X-ray diffraction analysis for enhanced performance.

£839 is enough to buy a decent bike with, but you can choose from five colours for your money: PVD rainbow, black, titanium, red, or gold. The weight is a claimed 77.5g, it's for Shimano Dura-Ace 9250 groupsets only and fits up to a 34T cassette.

2024 AbsoluteBlack Hollowcage Titanium oversized pulley cage gold

> Your complete guide to Shimano road bike groupsets

If the price hasn't put you off yet, be prepared for a bit of vetting before you can purchase the Hollowcage Titanium. You'll need to send photos of your bike to AbsoluteBlack, as this oversized pulley cage is "for the finest bicycles only".

According to the brand: “Owing to the limited and very complicated production of our latest creation, only selected requests will be considered.

"Should your masterpiece reflect the exceptional calibre of our design, you may be extended a personal invitation to purchase. This is our way of honouring those who have invested in creating something truly remarkable."

Would your bike qualify for the AbsoluteBlack Hollowcage Titanium? Let us know what you think and whether you'd buy one in the comments...

Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.

Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…

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34 comments

Avatar
levestane | 1 month ago
0 likes

I wonder if this has the same weakness as another RD with a large diameter pulley centre

https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/suntour_mountech_derailleur_4900.html

Avatar
blinddrew | 1 month ago
1 like

Can we agree that a manufacturer refusing to sell you a component if your bike isn't good enough means we've finally reached peak bike snobbery? ;¬)

Personally I think it looks lovely but I wouldn't buy one even with a lottery win.

Avatar
anke2 | 1 month ago
5 likes

Not being a bearing expert, I wonder how much extra weight and friction such a bearing will cause (apart from the need to clean it meticulously...)

But the thing also looks a little silly - like these ear lobe stretching rings: https://koolsvilletattoolv.com/the-art-and-appeal-of-ear-gauges-and-stre...

But I don't want to be all negative: A bike-lock can be put through this ****-ring!

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Barraob1 replied to anke2 | 1 month ago
1 like

Absolute cack. Chasing the more money than sense market

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Gbjbanjs | 1 month ago
8 likes

The Emperor's new pulley wheel.

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espressodan | 1 month ago
5 likes

What an absolute bunch of wank.

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cyclisto | 1 month ago
1 like

The City accountants make too much money I guess.

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AidanR | 1 month ago
3 likes

Given my last bike cost less than this, it probably doesn't qualify.

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Miller | 1 month ago
3 likes

I would say the abs black prove your bike is good enough thing is meant in a tongue in cheek way. Not something to get bent out of shape about, effective in getting a bit of publicity.

It looks beautiful, not that I am in the market. They'll probably sell a few in Dubai.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Miller | 1 month ago
0 likes

Well, it's not possible to order on their website without sending a picture of your bike so...none of my bikes would be considered worthy, I'm sure, maybe someone with some really high-end bikes (mark1a, looking at you!) could test them with a photo and see if they really are serious about it?

Avatar
mark1a replied to Rendel Harris | 1 month ago
6 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

(mark1a, looking at you!) could test them with a photo and see if they really are serious about it?

Sorry old chap, my two "best" bikes (S-Works Venge and S-Works Roubaix Team) are clearly not good enough as neither have 9250 groups. It seems like I've failed in bike life. 

Nevertheless, I'm over it already as these kind of oversized jockey thingies have never appealed, it's a hard "no" from me. There's way better/useful things to spend £839 on.

 

Avatar
Cayo replied to mark1a | 1 month ago
7 likes

mark1a wrote:

There's way better/useful things to spend £839 on.

I'll send you my bank details.heart

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anke2 replied to Rendel Harris | 1 month ago
1 like

I'd bet that you can send them any photo of any old bike, and they'll be happy to take your money...

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Blackthorne replied to Miller | 1 month ago
1 like

The target buyer doesn't care about cost. But it is ironic that something designed ostensibly for ultimate performance will fall in the hands of those who will never realise the 2 watt benefits.

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Miller replied to Blackthorne | 1 month ago
0 likes

Blackthorne wrote:

The target buyer doesn't care about cost. But it is ironic that something designed ostensibly for ultimate performance will fall in the hands of those who will never realise the 2 watt benefits.

It's certainly an item of jewellery for bikes intended to be Instagrammed more than ridden. However... a road.cc feature on Pogacar's Giro bike noted the presence of Abs Black disc pads. His di2 however was on the stock pulley cage... maybe Pogi could have won the Giro with an even bigger margin had his bike been blinged out with this fancy thing?

The rest of the respondents to this topic need to chill out... it's all just a bit of fun not to be taken as a personal affront.

 

Avatar
andystow replied to Blackthorne | 1 month ago
4 likes

Blackthorne wrote:

The target buyer doesn't care about cost. 

The target buyer absolutely does care about cost. This is an example of a Veblen good.

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2old2mould | 1 month ago
18 likes

Not that I would ever condone such behaviour, but wouldn't it be interesting if their inbox was spammed with hundreds of thousands of images of knackered old pub bikes.

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Boss Hogg replied to 2old2mould | 1 month ago
1 like

Good idea!

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Blackthorne replied to 2old2mould | 1 month ago
4 likes

Or for additional troll points, a fat-tyred e-bike replete with rusty chain fitted with one of absolute black's other derailleur pulley offerings. 

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chrisonabike replied to 2old2mould | 1 month ago
4 likes

"Dear Absolute Black - please send me one of you puley cages for my Pendleton. Halfords say they can fit it for me."

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momove replied to 2old2mould | 1 month ago
1 like

Reckon my bike fits the bill?

That OSPW would look good on my bike!

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Cayo | 1 month ago
4 likes

Snobs!

 

But, as Groucho Marx allegedly said, "I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member!"

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Rendel Harris | 1 month ago
6 likes

Think this may be AbsoluteBollocks' Ratner moment...

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levestane | 1 month ago
3 likes

"...this reduction is due to X-ring rubber bands..." Do you have to wind them up first?

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NotNigel | 1 month ago
5 likes

Gimmicky company using gimmicky buzzwords to dupe stupid people in to buying gimmicky parts.

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wtjs replied to NotNigel | 1 month ago
3 likes

gimmicky parts

Unbelievably expensive gimmicky parts!

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nortonp | 1 month ago
3 likes

Absolute Black..... Absolutely ridiculous

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NotNigel | 1 month ago
1 like

I can seriously imagine them using social media presence in their prospective customer criteria, wether they project the right image and have a large followin etc...

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EraserBike | 1 month ago
6 likes

Can't wait for the Hambini video on this sh1t 

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The_Ewan | 1 month ago
13 likes

Quote:

Described as the "ultimate upgrade"

To be fair, it's certainly the last thing I'd ever do.

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