Spank might seem an unusual name for a mountain bike component brand, but its aluminium handlebars, pedals, rims and handlebars are proven.

Although based in Taiwan, Spank has a strong South African connection. Its founder and chairperson is former Gqeberha mountain biker, windsurfer and extreme sports advocate, Gavin Vos.

Spank is notable among mountain bike component brands for its resistance to carbon-fibre. Spank grades the 21st century’s wonder material as too unrecyclable. Therefore, all Spank products are made from aluminium, which offers some of the best recycling pathways available.

Spank has released a limited edition range of stems and pedals to draw attention to environmental issues. These unique versions of the brand’s Oozy pedals and Split stems feature an iconic 'oil slick' finish.

An oil slick look is usually seen on metal frame welds, with fabricators purposefully overexposing tube joints to heat, for custom bike build projects, in steel.

Mountain bikers love unusual colourways and graphics. The oil slick theme has rebounded strongly during the last few years, but using a very different method to achieve the look, on aluminium components, instead of steel.

Spank’s oil slick components are treated with an iridescent coating, to achieve the shimmering oil slick finish.

Considering his windsurfing background, it’s unsurprising that Gavin Vos has steered Spank’s production methods, to be kinder to our oceans.

His company uses biodegradable packaging and the best Japanese CNC machines, which have nearly indefinite water recycling loops, when milling aluminium components.

The limited-edition oil slick component range will not only complete that custom mountain bike build, but it intends to help raise awareness about ocean pollution.

Spank’s limited edition oil slick Oozy flat pedals are priced at R2600, with the similarly themed split stem, retailing for R2100.

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