Kuota Bloata ?

kingrollo

I almost ordered a kouta kharma today - the shop wanted me to go in and do a cyclescheme voucher, rather than by email. Anyway I then stumbled on this review - which calls the kharma 'a bit of a porker' - but then also states its the best sprinter on test. I was going to upgrade the wheels to xero xr1 - so wonder how much weight this would shave off ?

The other bike I had considered was thewilier izoard - but the works at some £400-£500 more .......

heres the review ....

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bik ... 1-500.html

STEFANOS4784

My ol' Ksano is a bit of a 'bloater ' as well but is still the nicest bike i've ever ridden. I think the frame and fork is around 1200 grams then team that up with some RS10's and ultegra sl group i think it's not far off 10kg but that was on crappy bathroom scales.
Anyway to my point, hang on, i don't have one. Err sorry........

STEFANOS4784

.....P.s one day i'll have a KOM but not for a few years yet, my Ksano still has many miles left 8)

inseine

I think the frame and fork is around 1200 grams

Sorry to disappoint you, but your frame alone is more than 1200. It's more like 1750 frame and fork. Only a porker by some modern carbon standards though. If you like either of these frames the weight shoudn't put you off.

kingrollo

So The Kharma or the Wilier then chaps ?

Slow Downcp

If the current one is as good as my '05 model, the Kharma. Ignore the "bit of a bloater" comments - it's only half a pound heavier than other much more expensive frames.

kingrollo

Slow Downcp wrote:

If the current one is as good as my '05 model, the Kharma. Ignore the "bit of a bloater" comments - it's only half a pound heavier than other much more expensive frames.

Per the review its 4 pounds heavier than the boardman - but thats the complete bike - not the frame - I plan to upgrade the wheels to xero xr-1 or easton ea50 sl - total bike price £1650 (less £300 cyclescheme)

The izoard is £2050 - with fulcrum r5 wheels (again less £300 cyclescheme)

the other consideration is that it is getting close to september (given it will takes 4 or 5 to purchase through cyclescheme) which is when the 2010 bikes come out - and the 2009 get discounted.

Slow Downcp

My Kharma built up with Campag Centaur and Kysrium Elites is not what you'd call a porker (using the bathroom scales test it's around 17lb including pedals). As the review says, the frame isn't responsible for the excess bulk - can you buy a frame and custom spec it? Whilst on paper it may look like it costs more, it can be less than a complete bike as you don't then have to upgrade wheels, change saddle to suit etc.

Also, the Kharma is a seriously good looking bike! 8)

kingrollo

Yes it is a custom build. - But I prefer shimano - and 105 sits nice in my budget. The xero xr-1 wheel upgradge comes in a bit lighter. OK I could go the extra £200 and upgrade to ultegra - but then I am getting close to the cost of the wilier izoard -

After the wheels what else could I swap out - to shave a bit of weight off ?

Slow Downcp

Not sure what the spec you're going for is, but tyres and tubes are normally a good start. Bars, stem and saddle may give a weight saving as these can vary greatly for minimal additional cost.

Don't get hung up on weight though - it's not the be all and end all. I have no experience of Xero wheels, but I have seen many people and reviews say that some of the models flex a lot.

bigmat

An all carbon fork could save you a fair bit of weight. I got a fork off ebay for around £60 that weights 330g, your average "alloy steerer" job will be double that, possibly more.

My Xero XR1 wheels have been great, been riding them for a couple of years, the front one needs trueing but other than that I've had no issues with them. Haven't noticed them being particularly flexy, and I'm 85kg so not the lightest rider.

Slow Downcp

MatHammond wrote:

An all carbon fork could save you a fair bit of weight. I got a fork off ebay for around £60 that weights 330g, your average "alloy steerer" job will be double that, possibly more.

Didn't realise the current fork has an alloy steerer - my older Kharma has a carbon steerer and the fork is very light. I may have the original brochure kicking about so can check the weight later.

redddraggon

Shimano is pretty heavy - Centaur/Rival are generally a lighter option (and better too).

kingrollo

I m just wondering if to pay the extra £200 - and for the next frameset up - the KEBEL - and stick with the base wheels

STEFANOS4784

inseine wrote:

I think the frame and fork is around 1200 grams

Sorry to disappoint you, but your frame alone is more than 1200. It's more like 1750 frame and fork. Only a porker by some modern carbon standards though. If you like either of these frames the weight shoudn't put you off.

That's ok, i'm not disappointed, i still love it 8) No doubt it is a weighty beast in the world of cycling though

http://www.light-bikes.com/bikegallery/ ... asp?id=314 :shock:
And mine's a 57

Thought i read somewhere it was 1200g for F+F but musta been mistaken......

Slow Downcp

The Kebel is only 50g or so lighter so if weight is your main prioity it's not worth the upgrade. Having said that I;d probably go for a Kebel next time - if for no other reason than I don't like red/white/black bikes.

Frank the tank

I've a Kharma and upgraded the wheels to Easton ea90's and also the bar, stem and saddle. It rides like a dream, dead smooth. I'm biased so my POV is not a fair one but go for the Kuota Kingrollo.

kingrollo

Frank the tank wrote:

I've a Kharma and upgraded the wheels to Easton ea90's and also the bar, stem and saddle. It rides like a dream, dead smooth. I'm biased so my POV is not a fair one but go for the Kuota Kingrollo.

Get off the the fence next time frank !!!

Its a real dilema, I currently ride a pinarello - a low end alu job - but I love how twitchy and responsive it is - My mileage won't justify a carbon pinarello, hence looking and the wilier , and then the Kharma.

an EA90 wheel upgrade costs over £400 - with that sort of expenditure - I just wonder if I am still looking at right bike. My philosophy with any purchase is to get as much as you can - at the time you buy - once I have made the purchase - I don't want to be throwing hundreds at pounds at it - trying to make it something it isn't !

See the first 2010 bikes have already been unveiled ! - given the time lag, when buying through cyclescheme (and the fact I can't get xero xr-1's until august)- I might hang on to me pennies for a few more weeks !

Frank the tank

In fairness mate I already had the wheels in waiting.

You could have a word with the shop proprioter to ofset the cost of upgaded wheels against the original ones. Personally I wouldn't bother upgrading to ultegra, just replace the bits as and when.

kingrollo

Frank the tank wrote:

In fairness mate I already had the wheels in waiting.

You could have a word with the shop proprioter to ofset the cost of upgaded wheels against the original ones. Personally I wouldn't bother upgrading to ultegra, just replace the bits as and when.

I have had such words ! - basically if I don't take the r500's - they knock £80 of any other wheel - XERO XR-1 are my favoured wheel at the mo !