2007 Kuota Kharma should i buy ??

mattyboy199

I have the option to buy a Kuota Kharma 2007 with the following spec

FRAME
Carbon monocoque
FORK
Carbon with steel steerer
SHOCK
N/A
HANDLEBAR
Deda Quattro
SEAT POST
Deda Metal Stick
SADDLE
Kuota
PEDALS
Shimano 105
SHIFTERS
Shimano 105 10 speed STI
FRONT MECH
Shimano 105
REAR MECH
Shimano 105
BRAKES
Shimano 105
BRAKE LEVER
Shimano 105 STI
CASSETTE
Shimano 105 12-25
CHAIN
Shimano 105
CRANKS
Shimano Compact 34/50
BOTTOM BRACKET
Shimano 105
RIMS
Shimano 105 Front, Rigida Rear
HUBS
Shimano 105
TYRES
Specialized Turbo Comp - Red/Black

£550 its my first road bike, not being an expert i m unsure if this is a good deal or not. Just missed out on a 2008 planet x on ebay for £560 with similar spec but some components brand new.

Thanks

Matt

nochekmate

£550 is absolute tops for that 2007 bike - depends on overall condition of frame and 105 components.

I like the Kuota brand but no point spending £550 if some of groupset is worn and needs replacing. If all immaculate then probably just about worth buying at that price. Bought a similar bike for my son off this forum (for £450 and that was about 9 months ago I think).

Balance that against what you can get new for £550 - not much, usually Shimano 2300 groupset and aluminium frameset rather than 105 and carbon.

ShutUpLegs

I wouldn't say it was a 'good deal'

rolf_f

A brand new Ribble Sportive Bianco with 105 comes in at twice the price. I'd have thought if the bike is one of those 50 dry miles only jobs then it is surely a good deal. However 'some components brand new' implies it must have done a few miles. My Ribble Gran Fondo doesn't have any brand new components (or need any) and has done about 5000 miles!

mattyboy199

Only damage is some cable rubs (as to be expected on any bike) and some very minor scratches - a few wear / marks to the saddleand some marks to the brake lever/shifter tops.

As for drive its hard to tell from photos how much life is left in the chance / cassette

mattyboy199

Rolf F wrote:

A brand new Ribble Sportive Bianco with 105 comes in at twice the price. I'd have thought if the bike is one of those 50 dry miles only jobs then it is surely a good deal. However 'some components brand new' implies it must have done a few miles. My Ribble Gran Fondo doesn't have any brand new components (or need any) and has done about 5000 miles!

sorry i meant the planet x that i missed out on has some new components on.



[imghttp://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/tradern01/Specialized/DSC02164.jpg][/img]

mattyboy199

nochekmate

Wheels appear to be mismatch and that alone would put me off at £550. Time to negotiate! If seller will not budge then leave it IMO.

rolf_f

mattyboy199 wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

A brand new Ribble Sportive Bianco with 105 comes in at twice the price. I'd have thought if the bike is one of those 50 dry miles only jobs then it is surely a good deal. However 'some components brand new' implies it must have done a few miles. My Ribble Gran Fondo doesn't have any brand new components (or need any) and has done about 5000 miles!

sorry i meant the planet x that i missed out on has some new components on.

No - me sorry; I didn't read your post properly.

I wouldn't buy that Kuota myself. Not that I know much about Shimano kit but the big chainring looks a bit shark toothed to me (which probably means a new cassette needed as well) and it all doesn't look that well looked after to me. Certainly, my Ribble has only a few stone chips in the lacquer to show its mileage - none of the scuffs on mechs or saddle.

mattyboy199

Rolf, in defense of the bike the frame looks pretty mint & it is 5 years old ? i agree with the cassette,chainring & chain.

New the bike retailed for £1600 what should i expect to pay ?

mattyboy199

could someone also confirm where the 105 groupset sits in the overal range, is it entry level etc ?

nochekmate

Midrange for 105 - below Ultegra and Dura-Ace in the Shimano range and higher than Sora & Tiagra. Given that you may have to replace chainset, cassette, chain then that is £100 worth - negotiate at £450

ShutUpLegs

mattyboy199 wrote:

Only damage is some cable rubs (as to be expected on any bike) and some very minor scratches - a few wear / marks to the saddleand some marks to the brake lever/shifter tops.

As for drive its hard to tell from photos how much life is left in the chance / cassette

Cable rub is not to be 'expected' on any bike that has been cared for and looked after.
That bike looks like its had a hard life.

noodleman

Looks tatty to me.

mattyboy199

Ok guys next up

Giant composite TCR
The spec
Campagnolo Khamsin wheels and 12/25 BBB cassette, with new 23c Colour Coded Tyres.
Campagnolo Xenon 10 speed Ergo Levers
Campag Mirage rear mech
Carbon Forks
Alloy seat post
Campag Veloce 10 speed Square Taper Chainset.
New FSA Integrated Headset.
Alloy stem and Deda Alu Bars

nochekmate

Re: Giant

Without seeing pics - no more than £300 - old bike and low spec. and some Giants don't fetch great prices for some reason. I've bought 2 TCR Alliance recently - 1 with full Ultegra SL and Kysrium Elites off eBay and 1 with Campag Centaur and Campag Eurus wheels off this forum - paid in the £400s for each of them. Both immaculate condition and in a different league to the Giant bike you've listed. I split the first and have kept the second.

Thought this bike looked decent value at £350 Buy It Now on eBay yesterday (no surprise it sold)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-1-7-C-Ro ... 20c3149b31

mattyboy199

The trek on ebay is an aluminium frame ? The giant I listed is a carbon frame. I can't find any bikes size 48cm anywhere near £400

nochekmate

The Giant is a carbon composite which means carbon allied to aluminium - nowt wrong with that but not full carbon. I know that the Trek was aluminium - just pointing out that if that was your sort of budget then it was a decent bike for the money (not your size obviously)

Looking for something approx 48cm limits your choices somewhat obviously.

mattyboy199

Just want a well speced bike pronto so I can get training

#Waitingame

t4tomo

mattyboy199 wrote:

#Waitingame

Indeed by act in haste repent at leisure and all that, although I agree less choice at 48cm end of things. However the sellar of the Kharma couldn' be bothered to clean the chain & cassette before putting for sale pictures up, which hardly inspires confidence in his regular maintenance.

Fat Head

That bike looks good value. Just make sure the frame is as it should be, without cracks (stating the obvious). Beyond that, you cant go wrong.

It amuses me when people say used things are 'tatty'. People seem to think that everything should remain pristine, showroom condition for all their days!

rolf_f

Fat Head wrote:

It amuses me when people say used things are 'tatty'. People seem to think that everything should remain pristine, showroom condition for all their days!

Ahhh, but we aren't all slobs who don't look after our kit. I daresay you are happy to let your stuff get shabby but I still take pride in the smartness of my 21 year old Dawes despite its 8000 miles on the clock. It isn't hard - I'm just careful with it. My Ribble has done nearly 5000 miles in 18 months. That still looks showroom smart.

Quite honestly, anyone who can get a bike into a mess in only a couple of years isn't someone I want to buy a bike off. There are plenty of good bikes out there - let the mugs buy the grotty ones.

mattyboy199

Giant TCR 2006 T-Mobile
Frame: 6061 aluxx alloy/composite(Seat stays & chainstays are carbon, main frame is fluid formed lightweight alloy)
Forks: Carbon straight bladed with alloy steerer.
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 Hollowtech triple.
Rear deralier: Shimano 105 9speed Hyperglyde 12t-25t.
Wheels: NEW Fulcrum Racing 7 fitted with Continental GATORSKIN tyres.
Saddle & seat post : Felt Race series

asking £500

The other TCR i spoke about earlier

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-Com ... 7304591956

nochekmate

mattyboy199 wrote:

Giant TCR 2006 T-Mobile
Frame: 6061 aluxx alloy/composite(Seat stays & chainstays are carbon, main frame is fluid formed lightweight alloy)
Forks: Carbon straight bladed with alloy steerer.
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 Hollowtech triple.
Rear deralier: Shimano 105 9speed Hyperglyde 12t-25t.
Wheels: NEW Fulcrum Racing 7 fitted with Continental GATORSKIN tyres.
Saddle & seat post : Felt Race series

asking £500

The other TCR i spoke about earlier

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-Com ... 7304591956

The ebay link is to a Giant frame that has been repaired by a carbon specialist - on that note it wouldn't be getting £500+ of my money. The spec is not worth that even if the frame was great rather than repaired.

Also the frame is listed as a 50cm but this is compact geometry and as a medium this will be far too big for your 48cm needs (if that is indeed your required size)

kingrollo

i d still be looking at new ribble or planet x - lower spec gruppo granted - but you get a new Alloy bike with warranty for £700 ?

mattyboy199

kingrollo wrote:

i d still be looking at new ribble or planet x - lower spec gruppo granted - but you get a new carbon bike with warranty for £700 ?

show me the way ? my main concern of a £700 carbon bike is that the components will let it down. I ride MTB's high speced components make a difference.

mattyboy199

how about this bike

Giant TCR 2006 T-Mobile
Frame: 6061 aluxx alloy/composite(Seat stays & chainstays are carbon, main frame is fluid formed lightweight alloy)
Forks: Carbon straight bladed with alloy steerer.
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 Hollowtech triple.
Rear deralier: Shimano 105 9speed Hyperglyde 12t-25t.
Wheels: NEW Fulcrum Racing 7 fitted with Continental GATORSKIN tyres.
Saddle & seat post : Felt Race series

asking £500

kingrollo

mattyboy199 wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

i d still be looking at new ribble or planet x - lower spec gruppo granted - but you get a new carbon bike with warranty for £700 ?

show me the way ? my main concern of a £700 carbon bike is that the components will let it down. I ride MTB's high speced components make a difference.

Sorry it is in fact an alloy bike. apologies

However the planet x carbon frame is only £300
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRP ... e_new_logo

if you brought this from decathlon:-

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

Swap the stuff onto the px frame - sorted (and youd probably got £70 for the frame on ebay)


Agree what you say about components - however i commutted daily on sora - without any issues - my body gave out before the bike !

mattyboy199

yeah i see where your coming from but i didnt really wanna build a bike, i can do it would jus end up costing close to a £1000

frame £300
forks headset £100
saddle, seatpost, stem, bars £140
Mechs, chainset, chain, brakes & shifters £320
Wheels £150

I would consider all the above entry level prices

noodleman

Fat Head wrote:

That bike looks good value. Just make sure the frame is as it should be, without cracks (stating the obvious). Beyond that, you cant go wrong.

It amuses me when people say used things are 'tatty'. People seem to think that everything should remain pristine, showroom condition for all their days!

Does indeed look tatty. Every extremity of the bike seems to have made contact with either the road or a wall.
Rear mech- scraped, saddle holed on both sides, front mech doesn't look great. Chain looks shabby, chainring looks hooked and I would imagine there would be scuffs to the bar tape-levers if the rest of the bike is anything to go by.
So yes! Tatty, tatty, tatty. Not a good deal.
Sorry, caught me in a bad mood.

mattyboy199

How about thge 2006 tcr t mobile giant above ?