Let’s face it, the biking business loves making an attempt to eke out marginal drivetrain effectivity features with outsized pulley upgrades and ceramic bearings, however these items are extremely costly. So, Kogel simply launched a extra inexpensive model of the outsized derailleur cage – the Kolossos ST. You get a lot of the identical advantages because the top-tier premium Kolossoses, however at a 30% cheaper price. Not fairly inexpensive but, however extra inexpensive.
Rather a lot much less cash, for only a smidge extra drag.
Kogel Kolossos ST outsized derailleur pulley improve for much less
Kogel’s new Kolossos ST makes use of the identical pulley cage design and supplies and the unique Kolossos, however substitutes that cage improve’s pulley wheel’s hybrid ceramic bearings with stainless-steel, leading to a 30% value lower. The stainless-steel bearings of the Kolossos ST use almost all the identical elements because the top-of-the-line hybrid ceramic bearings. Solely the ceramic balls are changed by ‘super-hardened’ stainless-steel balls that match the already stainless corrosion-resistant races.
Tech particulars
The highest pulley has 12 tooth and the underside pulley has 19, so your chain takes a extra mild arch across the decrease pulley, lowering friction. One other claimed sensible good thing about most outsized pulley programs – and particularly the Kolossos ST – is how simple the pulleys are to wash in contrast with inventory pulley programs. Contemplating extreme muck on the pulley wheels can greater than negate any watt financial savings from their larger dimension, the cages’ open design and the pulley’s minimal mass are each key to making sure optimum efficiency for many who are attentive to cleanliness.
In keeping with Kogel, that 30% discount in value will solely improve drivetrain friction by “a fraction of a watt”, making the Kolossos ST extra of a extra accessible worth proposition, moderately than a downgrade or compromise in comparison with its ceramic bearings counterpart. The advantages of outsized pulleys – diminished friction, improved shifting accuracy, and enhanced chain retention- are why Kogel determined it was necessary to deliver the Kolossos to a broader viewers.
Sensible Bling: ST Pricing, choices & availability
“Kolossos” is the Greek phrase describing a statue that’s a lot bigger than its unique topic, and the applying right here is apt. The CNC-machined aluminum cage is very large. And the shiny gold anodized possibility will deliver your bike lots of bling, along with the discount in drivetrain friction. For extra traditional seems, although, black and uncooked silver spherical out the colour decisions, too.
The brand new Kogel Kolossos ST cage is obtainable just for street bike drivetrains just for now – appropriate with all Shimano 11- & 12-speed and SRAM 12sp AXS street derailleurs. The Kolossos ST retails for $325, and is out there now.
That’s 30% cheaper than the opposite comparable truss-shaped Kolossos cages for numerous street, gravel & MTB drivetrains. However it’s additionally 35% cheaper than their latest Velocity Kolossos, which is now the one different possibility for these identical Shimano & SRAM street derailleurs.
