Impressive spec build on to decent geometry
The new £375 Pinnacle Kapur hardtail takes its inspiration and features from its more expensive Iroko sibling.
Pinnacle Kapur need to know
- 6061-T6 heat treated alloy frame
- Suntour XCM HLO 120mm suspension fork
- Shimano Acera 24 speed drivetrain
- Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes
- 66.6° head angle
- 760mm width handlebars
- 45mm stem
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- SRP £375.00 from Evans Cycles
First of all though… Kapur?!
Pinnacle brand manager Scott Decker explains the name: “Our mountain bike model names are derived from different wood types and Kapur is a native hardwood to south-east Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The bike is produced in Indonesia so it seemed fitting to use a wood that comes from the same country. We also think that Kapur has a certain ring to it.”
Pinnacle Kapur geometry
“Good geometry is free”
Scott continues… “The main message of the Kapur is that good geometry is free and you shouldn’t need to spend £1,000 or more to have great fun on a bike. We want people to realise that Pinnacle doesn’t do anything different for the entry-level customer, and the Kapur is proof of that.
“We feel that many bike brands don’t put a lot of effort into their entry-level products — their priority is more often multiple thousand pound top-of-the-range models. However, at Pinnacle this area of the market is one of our strengths and we also really appreciate our customers looking at entry-level price points. We thought, why can’t we give those people the same bike as someone spending more? It costs us no more to make a bike with good geometry but it can revolutionise somebody’s experience of cycling.
“So the basis of the Kapur is the Pinnacle Iroko, which is our award-winning 650B hardtail. We decided we wanted to give those customers a bike that is more than capable of their initial experience but, as they grow in their abilities, the bike allows them to progress rather than hold them back. Then we can give those people who have a smaller budget and who want to get into mountain biking the same types of ride experience as someone who is spending over £1,000.
“The Kapur range starts with the Kapur 1, progresses to the Kapur 2 and finishes with the Kapur 3. All models share the same frame geometry, which is effectively long-reach, with a slack head angle, short stem, nice wide 760mm bar, low bottom bracket, long wheelbase, 650B wheels and 2.2in tyres. It’s all designed to create a proper trail-capable hardtail: it’s confidence inspiring on the descents but still provides efficient performance on climbs. It’s an all-rounder really.
“Then there were certain details — such as cable routing — that we’ve done with the Iroko but which add cost to the entry-level price point. However, we still wanted to give the customer a really capable bike, so all Kapurs are routed for an external dropper post. That meant we’ve used a shim in the seatpost. We’ve fitted a 27.2mm seatpost for comfort but then if the customer wants to add a dropper post later on, they can do.
“Every Kapur model comes with hydraulic disc brakes, too. We weren’t happy putting mechanical disc brakes on these bikes even though other brands would for cost-saving purposes — that’s a sacrifice we weren’t prepared to make. Then we’ve put a 120mm suspension fork on each model, which suits the capability of the bike. But on the other side of the coin, we’ve fitted triple chainsets, so that we’ve given it a full gear range suitable for the entry-level rider.
“We had a lot of conversations within our team about what riders at this level are looking for. They won’t be looking for this geometry, for example, because they probably won’t have any idea about what geometry they want. They’re not necessarily going to know what head angle they want, what reach they need, the importance of having a low bottom bracket. But the cumulative effect of all that becomes a bike that simply feels great once they’re riding it.
“What we want even more, though, is for the Kapur to stay relevant further down the line as the customer’s riding progresses and they start pushing themselves — perhaps going to trail centres, for example — and they increase with their skills. The Kapur won’t hold them back and then they’ll realise that all these other details that we built into the Kapur — such as the ability to fit better forks with tapered steerers — have their value. So rather than getting into mountain biking and, once you reach a certain level thinking you now need a £1,000 bike, the Kapur can grow with you.”