How light are your brakes? Or your cassette? Not perhaps questions many people will lose much sleep over, but for those who do, KCNC have the answer. The company has been producing high quality and light weight components for over 10 years, with its range covering everything from stems to handlebars, seat posts and clamps, cassettes, brakes, skewers, bottom brackets and headsets.
The family run business is clearly a unit well experienced with a CNC machine, as the components RCUK have just been sent for review are meticulously engineered and the level of finishing is of the highest level. It’s all extremely light too – absurdly, the packaging weighed more than the components nestling inside.
Top-end materials such as titanium and scandium are used in large quantities to drive down the weight. It’s not all low weight at the expense of performance though, as the products aim to improve on the stock components they’ll likely be replacing on your bike.
In for test we have a 10 Speed Cassette, which makes use of two titanium, four scandium and four 7075 hard anodized sprockets to deliver a weight of just 103g (11-23), which is some 60g lighter than a Shimano Dura-Ace equivalent. You’ll pay handsomely for the low-weight though, yours for £131.99. A range of ratios are available.
More impressive weight savings come with the CB1 Brake Calipers, which look fantastic and come in a range of colours. CNC machined from a lump of 7075 aluminium, titanium hardware helps reduce the weight of the dual pivot callipers to just 164 for the pair – including pads. A smooth quick release cam makes for simple wheel removal. Triple compound brake pads (as pictured) come fitted for use with alloy rims and carbon-specific brake pads are supplied in the box. £164.99.
KCNC’s Jockey Wheels are made from 7075 aluminium and anodised with various colour options. Sealed ceramic bearings and anodised dust covers should reduce drag in your drivetrain and they're available for Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo setups. Various teeth choice are available: 10T, 11T, 12T, 13T. 9g each and £29.99.
Finally, completing the look is a pair of feathery light 42g (pair) Titanium Skewers. A 6/4 titanium axle and hollow 7075 levers clamp your wheels in place, and of course, a range of colours to match your bikes colour scheme to choose from. £34.99.
Find out more at www.kcnc.com.tw. KCNC are distributed in the UK by Clee Cycles. www.clee-cycles.co.uk. They’ll be at the London Cycle Show if you want to check them out.
Full reviews soon...
