Kinesis KIC2 - alternatives..?

softlad

morning all

I would be very grateful for any throughts on this:

I am very close to buying a Kinesis KIC2 frameset as the basis for my next road bike - the 'price is right' and so are the measurements, angles, etc.

But, given that I have been effectively out of the road scene for about 6-8 years, its quite possible that I may not be considering all available options. So, are there any other similarly priced frames (any material) between £350-500 which I should also be looking at?

thanks in advance

softlad

so nobody here has ever built up a bike from a frame in this price range and nobody here has ever owned or ridden a KIC..??

Surely not...?

System_1

I've got a KiC2. Absolutely love it. A very very good bike for the price.

El Gordo

I built up a KIC2 earlier this year with Aksium wheels, an ITM fork, and a right mix of other bits. It's a nice frame. Fairly complient but quick on a climb - much better than my previous aluminium Trek anyway.

It did however try to kill me with a horrible speed wobble at about 50mph resulting in a rapid encounter with the Armco. There's far too many variables to be able to point the finger at the frame though.

shmo

System made me buy a KIC2 (to be fair it was high on my list to begin with!) which I built up with Shimano 105 and RS-20 wheels. It's super stiff, very racey, I like it a lot. Feels great particularly when sprinting, it's like it craves to sprint, hard to resist going all out for the next signpost.

If you buy the frame then don't forget (like I did) that you need a band mount for the front derailleur and I don't think it came with those little metal ferals for the rear brake cable though I may have lost them somewhere.

Pic of mine:

softlad

thanks for the replies fellas..

before you bought the KIC, did you consider any other frameset - if so what..?

TBH, I'm reasonably set on the Kinesis, but I want to be sure I'm not missing any other options...

shmo

I was considering a lot of frames around £300 to £400, Cinelli and Botecchia over on fatbirds, and some other italian makes that I forget the name of from racescene. Was trying to stay away from the biggest named brands as I wanted something a bit less common.

It was very hard choosing between them and for the most part they were entry level for the brands I was looking at. Chose the KInesis because it offered a bit more with the carbon seat stays and came in at a good price with carbon forks from merlin (System pointed out that deal to me). Also a couple members of my club own Kinesis frames and the guy who helped me build it up who really knows his bikes told me to look at them when I first mentioned I was after a training bike.

System_1

El Gordo wrote:

I built up a KIC2 earlier this year with Aksium wheels, an ITM fork, and a right mix of other bits. It's a nice frame. Fairly complient but quick on a climb - much better than my previous aluminium Trek anyway.

It did however try to kill me with a horrible speed wobble at about 50mph resulting in a rapid encounter with the Armco. There's far too many variables to be able to point the finger at the frame though.

Out of curiosity, do you know what rake the ITM forks uses? Kinesis suggest 43mm for their frames. I had a 45mm rake Columbus Tusk on mine for a couple of days while I waited on my Kinesis fork and it didn't feel quite as stable at speed as it does with the Kinesis fitted. Never lost control at 50mph though. :shock: Sounds nasty.

System_1

Shmo wrote:

...came in at a good price with carbon forks from merlin (System pointed out that deal to me). .

Looks like they've still got a few left. It a pretty good deal.

El Gordo

System wrote:

El Gordo wrote:

I built up a KIC2 earlier this year with Aksium wheels, an ITM fork, and a right mix of other bits. It's a nice frame. Fairly complient but quick on a climb - much better than my previous aluminium Trek anyway.

It did however try to kill me with a horrible speed wobble at about 50mph resulting in a rapid encounter with the Armco. There's far too many variables to be able to point the finger at the frame though.

Out of curiosity, do you know what rake the ITM forks uses? Kinesis suggest 43mm for their frames. I had a 45mm rake Columbus Tusk on mine for a couple of days while I waited on my Kinesis fork and it didn't feel quite as stable at speed as it does with the Kinesis fitted. Never lost control at 50mph though. :shock: Sounds nasty.

I'm pretty sure they are 43mm. I'd had the bike into the 40's quite a few times and it was rock solid so I wasn't expecting anything to happen on this particular hill. I think it's all down to a subtle combination of frame, wheels, fork, road surface (smooth is bad apparently), etc. etc. etc.

To the frames credit though it survived the crash with nothing worse than a scratch on the seat tube so it must be pretty tough.

Mettan

Another possible option for £400 - Ribble Nero Corsa 12K Carbon (designed and developed by Deda).

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... IBBFRAR910

RedDraggon did a bike build around one recently from what I remember? - he should be able to tell you more. You could also Google for some reviews on this frame.

(I'd be happy on either in that price range).

morrisje

What about one of these. Although a few years old it is new and was a more expensive frame that the Kinesis

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24206

broachboy

KiC2 is just awesome 8) take a look at my thread on my KiC2, has some pics and a review at the end

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... c2&start=0

you won't regret it, the frame is awesome VFM

broachboy

oh and here....

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... c2&start=0