ROTOR has been upping their game over the last few moths, and unfortunately we have been behind in sharing that with you. That ends today with a first look at three new products coming from ROTOR.
ROTOR 2INpower
Last year ROTOR introduced their INpower power meter. Featuring a universal bottom bracket, tool-free battery replacement, and electronics hidden inside the axle – INpower was meant to be one of the easiest power meters on the market to live and ride with. INpower also featured optimization for Q-Rings (other power meters sometimes have issues with non-circular rings). However, the original INpower was designed to measure left-leg power only. 2INpower (twin power) changes that – doubling up and supporting both legs.
Two additional sets of strain gauges have been placed in the right crank arm, which will measure power exclusively in the right leg. 2INpower’s four strain gauges are located in the crank axle and measure the left leg’s power output. New to 2INpower are Bluetooth Smart functionality (previously ANT+ only) and a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery, which are features in addition to those of the original INpower.
“A person with a 50/50 balance in his or her power output is extremely rare, if even that person exists,” explained Irene Albacete, lead engineer for 2INpower. “We knew that the next step was to take advantage of INpower’s technology and accuracy to develop a dual-sided power meter with the same features as INpower, but which could provide power data equally in the right leg as in the left.”
Last spring ROTOR introduced TORQUE 360 and Optimum Chainring Angle (OCA) pedal analyses, which help cyclists precisely and accurately assess force variations in their pedal stroke. The values resulting from TORQUE 360 and OCA would enable cyclists to orient – or time – their oval Q-Rings around their distinct pedaling characteristics in order to take advantage of their most productive zone.
The aluminum crank arms are available in 165, 170, 172.5, and 175mm options. The 172.5mm option has a claimed weight of 645g and a Q-Factor of 148mm. 2INpower will be available in April for a suggested retail price of $1,500.
Rotor Qarbon
Qarbon, as the name suggests, adds high modulus carbon fiber to its aluminum QRings to reduce weight and increase stiffness. Qarbon Q-Rings feature 10% ovality as well as five Optimum Chainring Positions (OCP) to optimize the pedal stroke.
Qarbon bonds a 3k woven high modulus carbon fiber sheet to the Q-Ring´s exterior side, allowing for a more aggressively machined aluminum section and increasing lateral stiffness while improving shift quality. The result is an 8% lighter chainring with 20% increased stiffness.
Qarbon retails for $239 and is available now in 50,52, and 53 tooth options.
Rotor QX1
QX1 is specifically designed for 1X setups (such as SRAM’s Force 1). The chainrings are compatible with all BCD 110 cranks and feature a specific alternating thick/thin, single-speed tooth profile that avoids chain drop.
QX1 rings feature 12.5% ovality and, like Qarbon, feature five Optimum Chainring Positions.
“OCP settings were actually determined by the old ROTOR System,” said chief engineer, Pablo Carrasco. “The system would respond precisely to the legs´ ability to deliver power within a pedal rotation we just identified the five most common points where power was at its peak and these are what we call ‘Optimum Chainring Positions.’”
QX1 retails for $115 in 46,48,50, and 52 tooth options. Like Qarbon, the QX1 should be available now.
Wrapping Up
We’re looking forward to testing a 2INpower setup with either Qarbon or QX1. After all, we’ve been fans of non-circular rings for some time, with at least one of our editors swearing by them. However, shifting and proper power measurements can sometimes be a challenge with them. QX1 and 2INpower certainly solve that (albeit by eliminating shifting, but who can blame a winning strategy). Check back with us as we get a chance to put all of these great new products through their paces.