Kuota Kharma
leedow19
Posts: 29
Has anybody had any experience of this bike yet? There don't seem to be any reviews anywhere yet. Seems a good bike for reasonable money. I'm looking for a bike that is capable of the long rides (or maybe capable of carrying me through the long rides!) and climbs also. I was looking at the Orbea Orca, which itself seems a good value bike, but saw the Kharma yesterday and was slightly smiten. Opinions please.
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I've got a previous model Kharma ('05 model I think) and can't fault it - I don't think I've ever seen a bad review of any Kuota to be honest. If you're looking at the new design with the Aero post it may be a little less forgiving a ride than a standard post, but I don't imagine it would be a massive difference..
If I need another carbon frame in the future I'll probably stick with Kuota
Can't you get a test ride?Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos0 -
To be frank, I don't think there are any bad bikes out there at that sort of price...0
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I'm waiting for a Kharma to be delivered to my LBS, hopefully this coming week. I've upgraded the wheels,bars and stem.
Hopefully I'll be riding it by Wednesday.
I have a Kuota KOM which rides lik a dream, Agritubel rode a KOM to a stage win in the TdF so their quality is not in question, and at the side of Pinnarello's,Looks etc they're top value for your money.Tail end Charlie
The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.0 -
I have the 07 model bought from Paul Hewitts. Love the bike, 1st ever Carbon frame. I'm not an expert but does the job for me:-)0
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Hi Leedow
Got mine last Sept from LBS (Henry Burton's @ Stafford) and can't fault it one bit. I would suggest going for the best wheels you can afford and a proper fitting which I feel is essential if you're to get the most out of any new bike. 105 groupset and XeroLite XR1 wheels on mine if that helps. Good luck.0 -
Is it comfy for long rides?0
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I picked up my Kuota Kharma last week and finally got round to riding it yesterday. Its an '07 model with 105 and is standard except that I swapped the seat for a Brooks (makes it look a little less 'racey', but I'd rather be comfortable). First impressions are good - it looks good and rides well.
Not sure what you mean by long rides, but I intend to use it for audaxing events up to 600km and probably even for the 1001 Miglia Italia (1600km) and PBP (1200km). I'll have to do some tweaking yet as on yesterdays 120km ride it was comfy, but I could tell there'd be some niggles beyond 200km. As with any bike its only going to be comfortable when its set up properly and that requires either a proper bike fit or tinkering yourself (if you've done it before its much, much easier to get it right for another bike).More problems but still living....0 -
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If your kharma comes (or is offered with) the continental sport tyres - upgrade straight away these tyres are an outrage on a £1500 bike - and stiffle its performance. I put pro races 3's on - big difference !
The bike is reported as heavy, thats not my experience, although I have Ultegra and Xero wheels - very light and a great climber.
If I have a gripe, the bikes doesn't accelerate as well as my alu pinarello (or doesn't seem to) However the spending embargo has been lifted, and I will be fitting a computer - so a true comparission will follow in due course. The bikes a stunner to look at - and gets loads of comments, which isn't always good when your off the back at 16mph !0 -
kingrollo wrote:If your kharma comes (or is offered with) the continental sport tyres - upgrade straight away these tyres are an outrage on a £1500 bike - and stiffle its performance. I put pro races 3's on - big difference !
The bike is reported as heavy, thats not my experience, although I have Ultegra and Xero wheels - very light and a great climber.
If I have a gripe, the bikes doesn't accelerate as well as my alu pinarello (or doesn't seem to) However the spending embargo has been lifted, and I will be fitting a computer - so a true comparission will follow in due course. The bikes a stunner to look at - and gets loads of comments, which isn't always good when your off the back at 16mph !
Bar tape should be white. That's what I've got on mine. Your red tape looks a bit odd. Just my opinion....More problems but still living....0 -
amaferanga wrote:kingrollo wrote:If your kharma comes (or is offered with) the continental sport tyres - upgrade straight away these tyres are an outrage on a £1500 bike - and stiffle its performance. I put pro races 3's on - big difference !
The bike is reported as heavy, thats not my experience, although I have Ultegra and Xero wheels - very light and a great climber.
If I have a gripe, the bikes doesn't accelerate as well as my alu pinarello (or doesn't seem to) However the spending embargo has been lifted, and I will be fitting a computer - so a true comparission will follow in due course. The bikes a stunner to look at - and gets loads of comments, which isn't always good when your off the back at 16mph !
Bar tape should be white. That's what I've got on mine. Your red tape looks a bit odd. Just my opinion....
it looks better since that photo - Ive put red pro race 3's on, red brake hudz, bottle cage to follow (red bikes are faster)0 -
Principalm wrote:I I've caught Cervello riders taking a cheeky look as I ride by.
It is well worth the money.
Well as a Cervelo owner, I still like looking at nice bikes and the Karma is one.0 -
I bought an 09 Kebel 4 or 5 weeks ago from Graham Weigh cycles.Fantastic bike and I got mine for a pretty good price.
They had the 09 Kharma in to which looked pretty nice to.
The only reason I went for the Kebel over the Kharma was I paid about the same price.
My Kebel feels more comfortable than my old Kic2 but it also feels much stiffer under acceleration as well.0 -
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As requested. Some Kuota pics.
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Hi guys,
I hope you accept some foreign input on this forum (i'm belgian).
I've been riding my Kharma since January now, and it feels just great ! I must say it is my first carbon project ever, but so far i've been loving every minute on this bike.
I've also upgraded the stem and bar (ITM Visia stem and Kuota Katch bar) and after a few weeks i've replaced the hard San Marco saddle by a Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow.
My best upgrade, however, are the wheels. My original Miche Connect wheelset is now for "bad-weather-use" and i've bought some amazing italian Ursus Miura C58's. You can't believe the difference this makes (and not only the looks
) Now, everything on my bike is Italian (I have the Campa Centaur groupset)
The Kuota brand still is rather unknown over here, but you should hear the comments i get, even from the Specialized, Cervelo and Pina lovers.
I don't know how to post a pic, but here's a link :
http://wznlza.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p ... g?download0 -
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Principalm wrote:Brozie, those wheels look awesome - I am not suprised you are getting looks everywhere. Your set-up is a real head turner.
You have some small italic writing near your headtube and at the back of your top tube near your seat post - is that a custom decal or was that added by the bike shop?
Thanks Principalm !
The decal near the headtube is the name of my bike shop, the one near my seatpost is my own name. So, both are added and not custom decals. The one in the front is bothering me also a bit, but since my LBS is so good, i didn't remove it (yet)0 -
I have a Kharma!
Got mine from Luciano Cycles. I went there to try out the Fondriest FP3 (which I didn't try), Wilier Mortirolo (which was comfortable) and the Kharma. I would say that the Mortirolo felt more comfortable than the Kharma, but I simply couldn't help but fall in love with the hard rigid and exciting ride of the Kharma.
I am constantly surprised with how lively it feel and how pointedly-reassuring the front end directs the bike - whether sprinting or going downhill.
I had my Kharma fitted with Ultegra SL and Fulcrum Racing 5.
I plan to fit white bar tape and two Kuota bottle cages.
Advice - upgrade the tyres, mine came with Conti' Ultra Sport, I've upgraded those to Conti' Attack/Force... it's like turning the bike up to 11!Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
They do white 'carbon' bar tape.... I think you just bought a tear to my eye...Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg0 -
Brozie wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:They do white 'carbon' bar tape.... I think you just bought a tear to my eye...
I'm sorry, but my english isn't good enough to understand this idiom ... :oops: :oops: :oops:
Means I like your suggestion so much it could make me cry, tears of joy!Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
Any word on the Korsa lite and it's price?Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
Why the f*** don't they do a red kuota.......it would sell shed loads.
Don't know about 2010 pricing, but bloke who sold me mine, said that kuota were ready to compete on a quality product basis now, as the brand is getting established - and the bikes would get dearer from now one. Mind you he reckoned they wouldn't do both the Kebel and the Kharma for much longer (ie they would do one or the other)0
