Chainrings
"ProLine" - Fixed Gear with an 11-speed chain
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What does ProLine mean?
“ProLine” refers to a new product line that has been specially developed for competitive sports or for extremely high-performance requirements. All products that are labelled with the add-on “ProLine” have been optimised accordingly. These optimisations include, among other factors, weight, stiffness, durability, functionality, coating or the choice of material. The weight reduction, aerodynamic advantages and improved performance are mainly due to the fact that all ProLine products are designed exclusively for the narrower 11-speed chains (1/2" x 11/128"). We have set new standards in professional cycling equipment with our special coating processes and unique “Round-Teeth-Design” technology (see next article) which is used in the entire ProLine series.
The first product of the series was our Sprocket ProLine, which was developed in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games in close cooperation with the FES (Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment). In the same year, the “Elite” track chainring and the design classic “Ruphus ProLine” for the front drive train followed. With the development of track cycling, more and more professional athletes are using Kappstein's ProLine series components, most notably Kristina Vogel and Stefan Bötticher. The 8bar team competes using Kappstein ProLine chainrings and sprockets both on the road and at various critical mass events. The athletes repeatedly emphasise the ProLine drive's extreme smoothness and durability. -
What is Kappstein's “Round-Teeth-Design”?
The Kappstein “Round-Teeth-Design” is the evolution of the usual pointed tooth design. Compared to other chainrings, the tooth contour of Kappstein chainrings & sprockets clearly reveals that the teeth are wider and less pointed. The result is more efficient power transmission with an optimal chain fit. Furthermore, this also increases durability, as the chain can be caught and guided by the teeth more easily. The “Round-Teeth-Design” is used for all Kappstein chainrings and sprockets.
ProLine Elite chainring
The Elite Chainring was developed in cooperation with FES, the Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment. It was developed especially for the demanding requirements of professional track cyclists and their frames. Meanwhile, top athletes are using up to 60T chainrings on their hunt for the best times. With chainrings of this size, it is extremely important to guarantee the rigidity of the chainring when subjected to high loads. Thanks to special struts on the interior, it has been possible to achieve the necessary stiffness while simultaneously reducing weight. Only high-quality 7075/T6 aluminium is used as the raw material.
Olympic Technology
The basic idea was to reduce the power losses and wear to a minimum. A special coating is applied to the raw material to ensure that the chain glides optimally through the gaps in the toothing. The hard-anodising treatment and the additional PTFE coating are particularly resistant on the one hand and reduce friction on the other. The Elite Chainring is manufactured exclusively using the “Round-Teeth-Design” and ProLine toothing and is therefore only compatible with 11-speed chains.
The chainring was used for the first time in 2016 at the Olympic Games in Rio. All the nominated track bike athletes were equipped with this aluminium masterpiece. Many of the German track professionals are using this unique chainring, more specifically the Kappstein ProLine drivetrain.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 5 x 144 mm |
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ProLine Ruphus chainring
This chainring is the counterpart to the Sprocket ProLine. So, for anyone looking to benefit from the advantages of an 11-speed chain, the Ruphus ProLine is the right gear for your crankset. Compared to the standard version of the Ruphus, the ProLine features an additional coating. Thanks to the hard-anodising treatment, the surface of the chainring is up to three times harder than that of conventional aluminium chainrings. As a result, the degree of hardness therefore roughly corresponds to that of a Kappstein stainless steel pinion.
The Ruphus design
The Ruphus was designed by Raphael Krome, a young Munich-based product designer and artist, who had already been involved in projects for a well-known car manufacturer from Bavaria. He is also a member of the notorious Hardbrakers Gang from Hamburg and therefore a real bike enthusiast. This chainring is also produced almost completely in-house at Kappstein. Only the coating is carried out by specialised companies from the region.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 5 x 144mm |
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Standard Ruphus Chainring
With the Ruphus chainring, not only do we offer the Sprocket, but also, a solution for the crank. This stylish and also very light chainring is CNC milled from a 5mm thick 7075/T6 aluminium plate. Despite the low weight of only 111g (49T), the Ruphus offers excellent rigidity and is therefore an obvious choice for anyone who values both design and performance. This setup is a great way for the fixed gear enthusiasts among us to get more out of their bikes.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 5 x 144mm |
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Standard Remus
The Remus is the latest chainring from the Kappstein portfolio. The design was created in collaboration with product designer Raphael Krome, who has already given our Ruphus its unique look. Although it looks rather filigree due to its narrow struts, it is very stiff and thus defies all high demands in fixed gear use.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 5 x 130mm |
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The Remus is the first Kappstein chainring that serves the 130 bolt circle diameter widely used in the fixed-courier scene. Also with this chainring the Kappstein "Round Teeth Design" is used. It is available for single speed chains (1/2 "x 1/8") and in the four colors black, red, gold & blue - the perfect extension of the Kappstein product range.
Narrow wide Ridge
The Ridge ("mountain" or "mountain range") is the first Gravel chainring made by Kappstein. It differs especially in the tooth design. Since the Ridge was designed for the, in Gravel widespread 1x11 drive train, we constructed a "narrow-wide design", which is typical for this purpose. Alternating thicker and thinner teeth ensure that the chain stays where it belongs - on the teeth. It is available for bolt circle 5 x 110mm, as well as for asymmetric standards such as 4 x 96mm and 4 x 110mm. Engraving on the front is made by designer Alice Kuczminski. With a little imagination You can see the traces of a tire profile getting visible in the dirt. The noble look is created by the fact that the chainring is not engraved as usual after, but before the coating process.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 5x110, 4x96, 4x110mm |
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Doppio 32T chainring
With 32 teeth and the 4 x 104 bolt circle, this chainring was specially developed for use with our Doppio bottom bracket gearing system. Thanks to special milling on the rear, it adapts perfectly to the Doppio's spider, ensuring an elegant look. Like all other chainrings, the 32mm Doppio chainring is CNC milled and measured at our in-house production facility in Gotha.
SPECIFICATIONSBolt circle diameter: 4 x 104mm |
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