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Kuota Korsa Carbon or Bianchi Vertigo???

polkadotianpolkadotian Posts: 5
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
It's make my mind up time, I've had a fitting and it's come down to a choice between these two.

It'll be a Vertigo Veloce or a Korsa Apex, I'll be upgrading the wheelset on whichever I go for, probably to Mavic Ksyerium equipe, though Campagnolo Scirocco 35 is an option on the Bianchi.

My fit would apparently work equally well with either bike so that isn't an issue, my understanding is that the Bianchi would be the slighty more forgiving and comfortable of the 2, whereas the Kuota would be the slightly stiffer and more responsive.

Any opinions or experience of either will be appreciated.

Posts

  • smidsysmidsy Posts: 5,273
    Depends what you want to do with it.

    If you will be doing long rides of back-to-back days in the saddle then forgiving and comfy.

    If on the other hand you will be racing then stiff and responsive wins the day (or at least pleases Mrs Smidsy). ;-)
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ShutUpLegsShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    If you're new to cycling, i'd go with what smidsy says. As long as its not that hideous celeste colour
  • smoggystevesmoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    As long as its not that hideous celeste colour


    Heathen talk
  • polkadotianpolkadotian Posts: 5
    It's not the full on celeste paint job, mainly black with just a flash of celeste.

    I know that either one will become my pride and joy, it's a bit of a head or heart decision, head says that the Korsa's still a pretty relaxed geometry so won't be a harsh ride and it's probably better value than the Bianchi (£150 cheaper) as there's probably alot of badge going on with the Vertigo. But the heart says that the Bianchi looks stunning and ....well......it's a Bianchi, not sure if it might be a bit too relaxed geometry though.

    hmmmmmm decisions.
  • smoggystevesmoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    You can get the bianchi sempre with SRAM groupsets for under £2000 albeit last years model. Only prob is its red and its not campagnolo . Still it's a damn sight more race orientated.
  • smidsysmidsy Posts: 5,273
    SmoggySteve wrote:
    You can get the bianchi sempre with SRAM groupsets for under £2000 albeit last years model. Only prob is its red and its not campagnolo . Still it's a damn sight more race orientated.

    No I don't see any problems, well unless you do not get on with the double tap system :D
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ShutUpLegsShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    That would be a nice bike, what wheels does it come with?
  • letap73letap73 Posts: 1,608
    polkadotian wrote:
    It's make my mind up time, I've had a fitting and it's come down to a choice between these two.

    It'll be a Vertigo Veloce or a Korsa Apex, I'll be upgrading the wheelset on whichever I go for, probably to Mavic Ksyerium equipe, though Campagnolo Scirocco 35 is an option on the Bianchi.

    My fit would apparently work equally well with either bike so that isn't an issue, my understanding is that the Bianchi would be the slighty more forgiving and comfortable of the 2, whereas the Kuota would be the slightly stiffer and more responsive.

    Any opinions or experience of either will be appreciated.

    Have you actually ridden either? Obviously if you have then you can make a more informed decision. The double tap system for SRAM is different but very easy to get used to.
  • polkadotianpolkadotian Posts: 5
    I've had short test runs on both, and I'm sure I'll be happy, whichever I go for in the end. It's down to these two for sure, they're the best around on the budget. Sram or Campag, I'm happy with either, I don't think either's better, they're just different.

    After a night mulling it over I'm still not 100%, but think I'm heading towards the Kuota, on the basis that my average weekly riding is 2 or 3 x 20 mile training runs, possibly a 10 mile TT and a 60 mile hack on the weekend. I'm not a big racer, but we do get quite competitive on our group rides. I'm not sure I'm doing the high milage that would really require the extra comfort of the Bianchi and even though I'm not a serious racer it's always nice to outpace you buddies when the time arises. I don't think the Kuota's going to be uncomfortably stiff on a long ride.

    That said the Bianchi does still look outstanding, just concerned that when I want to thrash things a bit more it'll be a bit too whippy and I'm thinking that I could be buying the brand and the looks, rather than the bike and how it rides. The basic Bianchi's £150 more too, and that could go on a big wheelset upgrade.

    That's the current thoughts, still reserving the right to change my mind though.
  • polkadotianpolkadotian Posts: 5
    anyone got any thoughts on my logic in the previous post?
  • smoggystevesmoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    Regardless of all the fancy jargon with carbon frames, aero , groupsets, wheels , tyres, etc etc, you are most likely to buy the bike that first appeals to you. You can try and put a level perspective on it but if the Kuota is the bike that catches your eye, its the one to buy. Same said with the Bianchi. I love them. and no matter how much better priced a bike is of a similar spec I would always go for another one over most brands purely because they are the bikes I enjoy to ride. It would take a magnificent bike of which would be so expensive I could never justify spending the cash on to persuade me otherwise.
  • smidsysmidsy Posts: 5,273
    Fwiw there are a couple of kuota riders in our club and they love them. They look amazing too. No bianchis so can't comment.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • rolf_frolf_f Posts: 16,015
    polkadotian wrote:
    anyone got any thoughts on my logic in the previous post?

    Yes! You've probably been reading too many BikeRadar reviews! You yourself are a bigger variable than the differences between the two bikes. You can't assume that one bike will be too soft and one too harsh based mainly on daft reviews written by someone who might be physically completely different to you. As for a short test run - that won't tell you anything; I covered 45 miles test riding two bikes before I made my choice. You need to be in the saddle a decent distance to know whether a bike is too soft or stiff for you.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • kingrollokingrollo Posts: 3,197
    I have a Kuota Kharma - and find it very comfy and very good value.

    But to be honest, I would buy the one that sets your pulses racing - that makes you more likley to ride it - and I do feel the comfort would be pretty similar on either bike. As others have said don't get to bogged down in reviews - just buy the bike you like best
  • sijonessijones Posts: 1
    I have recently bought a vertigo after having similar problems about choices. But it simply came down to the fact that as soon as I saw the vertigo I had to have it, and having ridden it on some lengthy rides and a few sign post sprints, it is a great bike and plenty stiff enough. Bought mine from the bike shop, Wrexham. With up graded fulcrum 7 wheels for £1399.00. they sell the basic for £1320. which is far cheaper than anywhere else I have seen.
  • LittlePlumsLittlePlums Posts: 139
    As you can see below, I have the Vertigo and like the Previous Poster find it plenty responsive when you want to put the afterburners on. I didn't rest ride the Kuota, so can't really give you a fair comparison, but I know my heart flutters when I see Gabriella (for that is her name) and with the possible exception of a Felt z6, she put the others I tested in the shade.

    I take it with your wheel upgrade you are buying though Epic?
    Pride and joy: Bianchi Sempre
    Commuting hack: Cube Nature
  • bails1310bails1310 Posts: 361
    I looked at various bikes at my price point.

    I even rode the relevant Bianchi back fro Paris to Brum last August when my Focus Cayo failed the week before.

    That said, I chose the Kuota as felt it i) was much more fulfilling ride and ii) IMO vastly preferred the look.

    I know we're talking about different models but for me, the Kharma us a keeper for a fair few years.

    For me bikes are like cars, some might be slightly quicker than the next, but if you don't like the looks, chose another.
    Kuota Kharma Race [Dry/Sunny]
    Raleigh Airlite 100 [Wet/Horrible]
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