Do you have a nice lightweight track bike or fixie conversion, but you are hauling around like 3 extra pounds of 1/8″ chain and the requisite meaty steel track cog to go with it? Well the engineers at Kappstein have got a solution for you in their new Pro Line. Designed with the German Institute for the Research and Development of Sports Equipment (FES) that develops products that the national track team races in international competition, the new track setup takes advantage of the narrow spacing and reduce chain pin length of 11 speed chains.The concept behind the new narrow setup is reduced aerodynamic drag, reduced weight, and reduced friction in the chain’s rotation. Don’t fret, FES tested the breaking strength of 11 speed chains against 1/8″ track chains, and while the narrower chain was a bit easier to break than the wider ones, it could still withstand far more force than even the best track racers in the world could generate…
The Kappstein Pro Line chainrings and cogs were raced by the Germans in Rio where Kristina Vogel won gold in Women’s Sprint, and picket up a Bronze in the Team Sprint together with Miriam Welte. Obviously the ring and cog then have been designed to handle the most extreme forces on the track, so paired with a top-notch 11 speed chain, they should be up to the task of cruising around town under your non-Olympic medal winning legs.
The system is made up of two parts by Kappstein: the new Sprocket and the new Rufus chainring, both manufactured in their Gotha, Germany facility. The third part is any 11 speed – 1/2″ x 11/128″ chain.
The specially hard anodized CNC machined 7075 T6 aluminum Rufus Pro Line chainring is available for 150€ in 49 & 51 tooth sizes for 5-bolt 144mm BCB. And the 57€ CNC machined stainless steel Sprocket Pro Line is available now in 12-17 teeth, with and 18 & 19 in the works.
