Holy milled part!: The 13 coolest CNC parts

Technically speaking, CNC milling is a machining production process. The three letters stand for "Computerised Numerical Control". In metal processing via CNC milling, which is particularly important for the bike industry, material is removed from a raw part, such as a block of aluminium, until the desired shape is achieved. Computer-controlled milling machines are fed with data from your CAD programme. The end result of this sober engineer's description are MTB parts that many bikers lick their fingers for. With their angular details, CNC-milled seat clamps or cranks get the blood of many a technology freak boiling. "Milled porn" is the colloquial, disreputable term for the finest bike parts made from aluminium. The mechanical engineering charm of milled metal parts stands in stark contrast to smooth, organic shapes made of carbon. Manufacturers such as Actofice, Nicolai and Pole use CNC milling on a large scale to produce MTB frames and parts, such as rocker arms, from aluminium. But even much smaller CNC parts have the potential to inspire many bikers. Here are the eleven hottest candidates from the CNC milling machine.

1st Ignite Catalyst crank

Never heard of Ignite Components? The milled look of these cranks made such a big splash on social media that the small manufacturer from New Jersey is struggling to keep up with orders. Owner Ian Colquhoun has already milled parts for skyscrapers and motorsport. If the CNC look is too boring for you, Ian conjures up the craziest custom looks on the crank, which weighs just 510 grams. Those interested in buying must order directly in the USA and bring 529 dollars with them. This comes with a lifetime guarantee.

2nd Hope Tech 4 V4 brake

Hardly any other manufacturer is as well known for CNC-milled bike parts as Hope. The British have made a name for themselves as masters of aluminium milling. Every detail of the Tech 4 V4 brake is worked on intensivelyto create the characteristic look. Details in the familiar anodised colours make the stoppers a real eye-catcher. But the aluminium is also technically relevant, for example the long, stiff brake lever should contribute to a better grip and more braking power. The solid, milled brake calliper promises excellent heat dissipation in tough enduro and downhill use. This much milling art is not cheap, but all parts can be replaced individually in favour of sustainability. Price for the front and rear brake set: 580 euros.

3rd Actofive Signature crank MTB

Actofive regularly causes a stir among technology fans with its incomparably fascinating fully milled aluminium frames. But owner Simon Metzner can do more than just frames. In Dresden, he mills the Signature MTB crank in a limited small series. The crank is made from two separately CNC-milled aluminium parts, which are glued together. Thanks to their high-strength yet lightweight construction (470 grams), the cranks are ideal for the next enduro dream build. They start at 799 euros.

4. title ST1 stem

Behind the Title brand is none other than slopestyle ace Brett Rheeder. The freerider promises maximum stability values for his ST1 stem milled from robust 6061 T6 aluminium - after all, he has to be able to rely uncompromisingly on its durability during his breakneck stunts. With a length of 35 millimetres, this gem weighs 177 grams. The sparkling polished chrome finish makes the edges stand out particularly well. Rheeder charges 99 euros for his signature stem.

5th Garbaruk Round Direct Mount chainring

Garbaruk uses the precision of CNC manufacturing for particularly sophisticated aluminium chainrings. The poles not only mill a narrow-wide tooth profile for better contact with the chain, but also special edges and wide gaps to prevent the chain plate from clogging up in mud. A little more height in the design of the individual teeth is intended to guide the drivetrain safely even on rough terrain. Garbaruk's "Variable Chain Line Technology" (VCLT) provides for a chain line that depends on the number of teeth in order to optimise the transmission ratio. With 32 teeth, the direct mount chainring for Shimano weighs 61 grams and costs 60 euros.

6. 77designz Crash Plate

Not only beautiful, but also practical: the 77designz Crash Plate can protect the chainring and frame from nasty damage. Impacts cannot always be avoided in enduro use. So it's a good thing that the protection is milled from high-strength 7075 T6 aluminium. Nevertheless, the thinly applied crash plate still leaves sufficient ground clearance. Available in eight different colours and four sizes, the small part can protect pretty much any bike. Cost of the plate, which is CNC-milled in Germany: 34.95 euros.

7. fray cage

The Fraezen tuning cages are produced on a CNC milling machine in Allgäu for rear derailleurs from Shimano and Sram. It doesn't matter whether the shifting is electronic or mechanical: Fraezen has a rear derailleur cage on offer that is designed to be lighter and stiffer than the original. Thanks to the one-piece design made of 7075 aluminium, the torsional rigidity in particular is at a particularly high level. In addition to a longer service life, this promises even more precise shifting than with the standard parts. On Sram cages, a second hole for the clutch spring should also reduce chain slap. The weights are between 79 and 85 grams. Cost point: 379 euros

8th Oak Root Lever

CNC-milled aluminium parts are characterised by a charismatic feel and high rigidity. Features that riders of Magura brake levers sometimes miss. Oak Components therefore mills retrofit levers for the MT series brakes. There is now also a counterpart for TRP stoppers. In addition to the new grip feel, the Root Lever with optimised lever ratios can provide greater braking power and reduce fatigue later on. The rotary screw for tool-free grip width adjustment is also made of aluminium near Regensburg. A set of Oak brake levers costs 139 euros.

9th Unite MTB V2 pedal

Hope is by no means the only company on the British Isles that knows how to operate a CNC milling machine. Unite mills the 133 x 102 millimetre body of its V2 flat pedals in Wales from 6065 aluminium and provides each side with 16 interchangeable pins. Their concave shape is designed to provide a particularly good grip on the shoe and a ceramic coating promises long-lasting durability. Although heavily CNC-machined, the closed flanks should make a comfortable weight compatible with a reduced risk of getting stuck on roots. A total of ten different colours are available. A pair of pedals weighs 435 grams and costs 134.99 euros.

10. tune lightweight seatpost

According to Tune, the unusual shape of its Leichtes Stück seatpost was inspired by half-timbered houses and bridges. Thanks to the special arrangement of the CNC-milled struts, the post can withstand high bending loads despite its light weight of just 155 grams and length of 340 millimetres. This design effectively withstands tensile and compressive stresses. The striking cut-outs alone account for a weight saving of 40 grams and require 20 minutes longer machining time on the four-axis CNC machine. The lightweight piece from Tune costs 229.50 euros.

11. SB One Enduro stem

Behind the small label SV One is another manufacturer of CNC-milled aluminium parts in Germany. Steffen Braungardt is a master precision mechanic and mills a neat enduro stem in Baden Württemberg. Due to the small series production, the part is only available in two colours, with a 35-millimetre clamp and a 40-millimetre length. The large clamping width of the torsion-resistant stem should ensure excellent steering precision even in tough enduro use. The CNC-machined work of art has so far sold for 114.99 euros. It's a shame that SB One wants to discontinue production in order to concentrate on other products. So if you still want to get your hands on a stem, you should strike quickly.

12. KCNC MTB SB11 seat clamp

KCNC already has the manufacturing process for many of its products in its name. Production in Taiwan enables low prices for the skilfully machined aluminium and includes this gem of a seat clamp. Its high precision is designed to ensure that the clamping force is evenly distributed. Six colours are available for the seat clamp, which weighs just twelve grams and costs 24.50 euros.

13. aluminium derailleur pulleys

In Poland, 250 kilometres to the south-west of the capital Warsaw to be precise, lots of stylish aluminium parts fall out of the CNC milling machine. The 7075 T6 aluminium of the derailleur pulleys is hard anodised after the milling process to make the small tuning parts for the drive system resistant to corrosion. The double-sealed deep groove ball bearings, which are designed to rotate smoothly for a particularly long time, come from Germany. To keep the chain reliably in line, the lower roller has a narrow-wide tooth profile. The pair weighs 22 grams, comes in seven different colours and costs 60 euros.