ORNUS wants to put some “wood” in your gravel cycling with the launch of its new GRAIN and RADIX, the first high-performance wooden gravel bikes designed for riders seeking speed, precision and a responsive ride.
ORNUS was born from the research of MLK Innovazione Srl, a Tuscan startup based in Grosseto, which patented TimberTech technology — a system for producing FSC-certified wooden frames, guaranteed for life. This platform combines nature, technology, and industrial reliability, creating high-performance products scalable on a large scale. It’s a project that goes beyond the romantic idea of the artisan workshop, proving that wood, when engineered with scientific precision, can compete on equal terms with carbon and metal.
Two models, two souls of gravel
“Wood is an extraordinary material: light, strong, and naturally capable of absorbing vibrations in a way that no other technical material can replicate. With our TimberTech technology, we make it stable, safe, and consistent for industrial production. With GRAIN, we complete our vision: to prove that nature and innovation can travel at the same speed. With RADIX, we speak to those who see gravel as exploration and travel. With GRAIN, we speak to those who seek speed, reactivity, and a sporty ride. Today, gravel has many souls — ORNUS interprets them all, with a single wooden DNA,” explains Michele Cammisa, CEO of ORNUS.
TimberTech Technology: when wood becomes performance
TimberTech technology is the heart of ORNUS frames: CNC-machined wooden semi-shells joined by internal membrane joints and structural aluminum nodes, selected according to the stresses in the different areas of the frame. The result is a monolithic structure with controlled stiffness, capable of combining handling precision and vibration absorption.
Each frame passes the ISO 4210 tests, the international certification for bicycle frame safety. The wood undergoes vacuum-controlled drying and a waterproof treatment to ensure dimensional stability and protection against humidity and temperature changes, guaranteeing consistent performance over time in all riding conditions. In addition, ORNUS offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, confirming both the durability of the material and the reliability of the industrial manufacturing process.
GRAIN – The new wooden gravel race bike
The big news for the upcoming season is GRAIN, the most racing-oriented model in the ORNUS range. It’s designed for those who see gravel through a performance lens — racing, high intensity, and fast courses courtesy of a fully-integrated frame that was developed with FEM optimization, ensuring stiffness where needed and sensitivity in areas of controlled flex, while its compact geometry and short rear triangle maximize power transfer combined with the natural comfort typical of wood that reduces vibration and fatigue even on the longest of rides.
“GRAIN is not just a wooden bike — it’s a true gravel race machine, designed for riders seeking responsiveness, precise handling, and a style that blends nature and technology,” boasts Cammisa.
GRAIN is available both as a frameset — including frame, fork, stem, and headset — and as a complete bike, offered in the following configuration:
GRAIN is available in 5 sizes:
RADIX – Comfort, adventure, long distances
RADIX is the ORNUS bike designed for those who experience gravel as exploration, travel, and endurance. It’s built to cover countless kilometers with reliability and control, from white roads to the most remote trails. Its relaxed geometry and longer rear triangle ensure stability, comfort, and a smooth ride even under full load, making it ideal for bikepacking, adventures, and endurance races.
RADIX is available both as a frameset — including frame and fork — and as a complete bike, offered in the following configuration:
RADIX is available in 5 sizes:
Why choose an ORNUS bike
Choosing an ORNUS bike means riding a machine that combines natural comfort with high performance. Wood has an inherent ability to dampen vibrations, resulting in less fatigue, greater control, and longer hours in the saddle without muscle stress. This ensures precise handling and stability, even on technical gravel or uneven surfaces, with a predictable and safe response in all conditions.
The wood used comes from FSC-certified forests and is part of a low-impact, renewable, and sustainable supply chain. Each frame is an expression of Italian design: while the shape is industrial and replicable, the wood grain makes every bike unique and one-of-a-kind, like a natural fingerprint that cannot be duplicated.
ORNUS
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