Video: Rotor Launches Kapic Cranks in Carbon
Rotor has today announced the launch of its latest XC race crankset, the Kapic Carbon. The Kapic, a portmanteau of 'Cape Epic', is the current crankset of choice for Specialized Factory, American Eagle and Absolute Absalon on the XC World Cup scene and they have been running this carbon version under the radar at the Albstadt and Nove Mesto World Cups. The crank has already tasted success with Simon Andreassen earning his first podium of the year in Nove Mesto in the under-23 men's race.
This is Rotor's first foray into carbon cranks and it's a big step for a company best known for their aluminum kit; even their Aldhu (Alpe D'Huez), high end road cranks are still machined from alloy. The change to carbon has dropped more than 100 grams from the aluminum Kapic crankset resulting in what Rotor is calling their lightest and stiffest crankset ever.
The crankset has a claimed weight of 429 grams, which is on the mark for a high end carbon crankset. Rotor are keen to highlight the ruggedness of this crankset though and claim it will survive "Powerful sprints, downhill singletracks, over drops and jumps" and the many kilometres of its namesake race.
The cranks are matched to Rotor's Q Ring oval chainring. The crank features a "proprietary spline interface connecting crank arm, axle and chainring," which Rotor claims allows for easy installation and means you can change out chainrings with one bolt.
The crank only comes in plain black, but a rainbow of rubber bumpers for the end of the crank means you can match it to the rest of your build.
The cranks are matched to Rotor's Q Ring oval chainring. The crank features a "proprietary spline interface connecting crank arm, axle and chainring," which Rotor claims allows for easy installation and means you can change out chainrings with one bolt.
The crank only comes in plain black, but a rainbow of rubber bumpers for the end of the crank means you can match it to the rest of your build.
Specification
Weight 429g (175 mm, 32t w/o BB)
Crank Lengths 165 mm / 170 mm / 175 mm
Axle Boost (L135) or SuperBoost (L144)
ChainringsQ RINGS DM: 26t - 40t, Redondo DM: 26t - 40t
Q-Factor 169.5 mm Boost / 178.5mm SuperBoost
Chain line 52 mm Boost / 56.5 mm SuperBoost
Color Gloss black / Choice of seven bumpers.
Compatibility BB92, BB89, BSA, BB30, PF30
Weight 429g (175 mm, 32t w/o BB)
Crank Lengths 165 mm / 170 mm / 175 mm
Axle Boost (L135) or SuperBoost (L144)
ChainringsQ RINGS DM: 26t - 40t, Redondo DM: 26t - 40t
Q-Factor 169.5 mm Boost / 178.5mm SuperBoost
Chain line 52 mm Boost / 56.5 mm SuperBoost
Color Gloss black / Choice of seven bumpers.
Compatibility BB92, BB89, BSA, BB30, PF30
The crank will retail at € 499 / $ 499 / £ 429 and will be available at the end of July. More info here.
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23 Comments
- 15 1
dominic54
(May 31, 2019 at 10:57)
'Downhill singletracks'... downhill as in, Downhill? Or as in the bit of an xc race which isn't uphill?
- 32 1
matt-15
(May 31, 2019 at 11:00)
Downcountry.
- 18 2
judgerider348
(May 31, 2019 at 11:02)
Crosshill
- 19 1
brianpark
FL Editor
(May 31, 2019 at 13:08)
Upduro
- 13 0
skylerd
FL (May 31, 2019 at 13:19)
@matt-15: Donkeykongcountry
- 2 0
enduroNZ
(May 31, 2019 at 21:33)
Crosshill
- 12 1
MOLDTRUTH
(May 31, 2019 at 12:08)
For those who want an ankle like Gwin's
- 10 0
FlysDown
(May 31, 2019 at 12:17)
Or want alloy in your ankles...
- 9 1
nowherenear
(May 31, 2019 at 23:20)
It's a pity to see a company like Rotor, which has a long history if CNC machining and manufacturing in Spain, moving on to plastic cranks made in Asia :-(
- 6 1
nowherenear
(Jun 1, 2019 at 0:06)
All the manufacturers claim to offer the stiffest carbon crank ever. Maybe they should think about making them more "compliant", so they don't crack as easily when you hit a rock?
- 2 1
Armand74
FL (May 31, 2019 at 11:15)
How is it compatible with BB92/86 and PF30/BB30? There are two different axle options ?
- 6 0
Kamba6
(May 31, 2019 at 11:27)
You just need a different BB, mate. My frame is BB92 and I run RF Sixc cranks with 30mm axle
- 2 0
Armand74
FL (May 31, 2019 at 12:19)
@Kamba6: I agree. Yet, the axle diameter isn't specified...
- 2 0
the-joe
(May 31, 2019 at 19:23)
@Armand74: its 30mm
- 2 0
DrPete
(Jun 1, 2019 at 6:04)
I got their alloy cranks and they have the same compatibility. It’s a 30mm spindle, Rotor makes a variety of BBs for the different applications, and every crankset comes with a bag of spacers and a chart showing where to put them based on the BB standard you’re running.
- 1 0
GeoMurph5
(Jun 1, 2019 at 8:32)
Rotor cranks are modular, both crank arms bolt to the axle and they offer a range of axle widths. I'm running the Raptor cranks and so far, they are great.
- 2 0
JohanG
(May 31, 2019 at 13:37)
I'll give you $155 for it, best I can do. They made a ton of these.
- 1 0
Kramz
(Jun 1, 2019 at 4:04)
I like your methods. If there's no demand, it costs nothing theoretically.
- 4 3
mhoshal
(May 31, 2019 at 10:53)
I hate how all carbon cranks look so generic.
- 2 1
Bakemaster
(May 31, 2019 at 11:35)
Have the heard of rocks yet?
- 2 1
IllestT
(May 31, 2019 at 11:53)
Definitely not rebranded Pazaz cranks. Oh no no no, definitely not
- 1 0
rezrov
(May 31, 2019 at 12:00)
That ad was a minute and thirty seconds too long.
- 1 0
AaronC99
(May 31, 2019 at 12:57)
Aaron Gwin ... now sponsored by rotor
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