Wilier Izoard v Kouta Kharma

kingrollo
kingrollo Posts: 3,198
edited June 2009 in Road buying advice
I have long been an admirer of the wilier izoard - but another thread has suggested that the Kouta Kharma is a comparable bike for less money ......anybody in a position to compare the two ? - or offer any info on either ?

Comments

  • Frank the tank
    Frank the tank Posts: 6,553
    Just took delivery of a Kharma but I've upgraded the wheels, bar and stem.

    Went out for a ride just to check out the ride and see if there were any creaks/clicks or owt.

    It ran like a dream. Got good flat out speed and climbs well on the bumps I rode today, but I will give it a more thorough work out later. I must say I also own a K.O.M. so I'm biased towards Kuota's.
    Tail end Charlie

    The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.
  • Mount Pleasant
    Mount Pleasant Posts: 34
    Hi Kingrollo

    Someone was asking about the Kharma a couple of days ago in this section. Might be worth a look. +1 with Frank from me but it might just come down to what deal you can get on groupset/ wheels etc and your personal view once you see them both up close. Good luck.
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Very happy with my Izoard ride-wise (though I think I may too be starting to suffer from the fading white paint syndrome on the top tube) but I really only have my Allez to compare it too.

    That said, was it the Kuota Kharma Ultra that was in CW the other week for about £1,500? That looked a sweet bike. Got the magazine around here somewhere just can't put my hands on it.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    I have a Kuota - will buy another if I ever need (want) another carbon bike. It is superb, although I've not ridden the Wilier to compare. I bought the frameset and had it built up with the spec I wanted rather than an off the peg build.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Slightly off topic - but a bloke came past me on a kuota it was blue and really looked the business - any idea what it could be ?
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Have a dinks over to the Kuota site.
    Not the best of websites IMO. Lets you view the different colourways but only represents particular frames in those colours. I wouldn't have thought the Kebel in blue would have the same/similar paint job as a Kharma in blue. I suppose it gives an indication of the colours nonetheless.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • johncp
    johncp Posts: 302
    Lagavulin wrote:
    Very happy with my Izoard ride-wise (though I think I may too be starting to suffer from the fading white paint syndrome on the top tube) but I really only have my Allez to compare it too.

    Have you spoken to dealer about paint work? Epic replaced the frame last year for me when this happened after only a couple of months
    If you haven't got a headwind you're not trying hard enough
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Johncp wrote:
    Have you spoken to dealer about paint work? Epic replaced the frame last year for me when this happened after only a couple of months
    Not yet no. I've had the bike since June but only just noticed it the other day. I pm'd a couple of people on here who have had the issue wondering who was their first point of contact (Wilier/ATB or point of sale) but no responses so far. I'll give the shop a ring on Monday.

    Did you ever find out how or why it happens? Despite owning the bike since early June - with me being over protective of it - it had limited running what with last summer being rained off. Bike has always been stored in the house and away from windows/direct sunlight.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • Frank the tank
    Frank the tank Posts: 6,553
    Took the Kharma out for a "proper ride" today, absolutely toptastic pop pickers. :D:D
    Tail end Charlie

    The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I am edging towards the Kuota with a wheel upgrade - anybody know a reputable kuota dealer - who preferably does cyclescheme

    Any suggestions for a flashy wheel upgrade ?
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I really can't make up my mind - the fact the the kuota comes in so much cheaper is tilting it

    With cyclesheme - the kouta would cost me £1190 or £1320 with a wheel upgrade.

    Epic cycles have the cheapest Izoard, unfortunatley they charge 10% (£100) to use a cyclescheme voucher - a 105 izoard comes in at £1700
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    kingrollo wrote:
    I am edging towards the Kuota with a wheel upgrade - anybody know a reputable kuota dealer - who preferably does cyclescheme
    Any suggestions for a flashy wheel upgrade ?

    Not sure where you live but Lucianocycles. Clapham. London. Dudley, the owner is a top bloke. You can test ride their bikes for the weekend. Hope this helps.
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    kingrollo wrote:
    I really can't make up my mind - the fact the the kuota comes in so much cheaper is tilting it

    With cyclesheme - the kouta would cost me £1190 or £1320 with a wheel upgrade.

    Epic cycles have the cheapest Izoard, unfortunatley they charge 10% (£100) to use a cyclescheme voucher - a 105 izoard comes in at £1700

    How do you rate Campag Centaur against 105? I'm guessing you'd come out in favour of Centaur.

    My LBS were selling Centaur equipped Izoard 2008 for £1,899, and I got it for a bit less than that. I think they also do Cycle Scheme, but I think they only had a limited stock of Izoard left.

    PM me if you want their details to enquire to see whether they could sort you out.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Any more thoughts on this guys - Ive come prettty close to ordering the kuota a couple of times - but something keeps stopping me form taking the plunge.

    the kuota comes in £1660 - with Easton EA 50 Wheels 105 gruppo

    The izoard costs 2k - but one overseas supplier has had price reductions through - so I am guessing - this could bring the price down to around £1800.


    Will get £300 of RRP'S and maybe sales prices through cyclescheme. One shop has offered to custom fit me to the kuota - but there leads times are around 3 weeks + 2-3 weeks to get cyclesheme sorted - means I will be pretty close to the september sales ?

    So choices are:-

    Order Kuota now
    Wait for a reduction on the izoard
    Just wait until September - and see !

    Any thoughts ?
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    No idea on most of those questions, but I did notice that Edinburgh Bike Co-op had their Izoard's reduced to £1,800-ish the other day.
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    I am going for the Kebel from Kuoto -- a custom build at Strada Cycles in Bristol - amazing service and collecting Friday. Would imagine that the slightly more relaxed geometry of the Kharma will be one sweet bike.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    bristolpete wrote:
    I am going for the Kebel from Kuoto -- a custom build at Strada Cycles in Bristol - amazing service and collecting Friday. Would imagine that the slightly more relaxed geometry of the Kharma will be one sweet bike.

    What made you choose the kebel over the kharma ?

    What difference do you think the relaxed geometrey makes ?

    I ride an alu pinarello at the moment - very race orientated - I have looked at the kebel - but those very oversized tubes don't do it for it me.

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