Kinesis Virsa

Dawesy92

Hi, been looking on and off at these frames, really like the look of them, read a few small reviews that i can find and was wondering if anyone on here has ridden one? Or has one for that matter and can comment on them? Or any general advice, looking to get a new frame around the xmas break to build all my original parts on to... thanks for any incite..

lawman

I haven't ridden one but I do own a Kinesis, now retired but kept the frame. They make great bikes, pretty much everything they've made is well received and get good reviews, but there are loads of options out there. What existing parts do you have and what kind of budget?

Dawesy92

Full X9 groupset (2x10)
Fox F32 RLC 100mm air forks.
Mavic Crossride wheelset, baiscally Everything thats on my bike in my sig as this frame if i buy one. :-)

Clank

Yep, got a Decade Virsa, in black. Mostly Deore 3x10 groupset, XT brakes, RS Tora dual-airs and a Switch/Crest wheelset.

I like it. A lot. Very springy, so comfortable to ride long distances, and when ridden hard (like running over head-sized cobbles) you can feel the frame twanging about under you. Under those conditions it can feel like a lively ride as the frame twists about, but it's got across everything I've asked of it. There is a degree of flex in the frame you won't find in aluminium frames, but I don't really feel it when I'm riding - it's not distracting at all.

I'd test ridden a number frames before buying the Virsa. I really liked the BFe - but the Virsa just felt livelier and the geometry suited me better. It's definitely a cross-county bike as opposed to a out-and-out trail machine, but unlike a lot of trail bikes I've tried (and owned), it really does like climbing.

It's the best climbing 26" wheeled bike I've ridden.

lawman

Cotic Soul would be a good one to consider, they're chucking them out cheap atm too. Similar to the versa but a touch lighter and imo better looking, but then owning a BFe I would be biased!

Clank

lawman wrote:

Cotic Soul would be a good one to consider, they're chucking them out cheap atm too. Similar to the versa but a touch lighter and imo better looking, but then owning a BFe I would be biased!

But I felt it a little too stiff my wanting..... not as comfortable as either the BFe or the especially the Virsa.

lawman

Clank wrote:

lawman wrote:

Cotic Soul would be a good one to consider, they're chucking them out cheap atm too. Similar to the versa but a touch lighter and imo better looking, but then owning a BFe I would be biased!

But I felt it a little too stiff my wanting..... not as comfortable as either the BFe or the especially the Virsa.

Hmm I felt it was the opposite, the Soul my mate has feels a little flexier than the BFe, still all three are very good bikes

Clank

lawman wrote:

still all three are very good bikes

Without a shadow of a doubt! Also goes to show how personal feel can vary :oops:

However, like 26ers, steel ain't dead!

lawman

Clank wrote:

lawman wrote:

still all three are very good bikes

Without a shadow of a doubt! Also goes to show how personal feel can vary :oops:

However, like 26ers, steel ain't dead!

Everyone has a different feel for what they prefer, human nature!

Indeed, I'm loving the steel feel so far. Imo if you're gonna build an all-round, all-day hardtail, Steel or Ti is the way to go!

Dawesy92

Thanks for that guys, now the problem is wjat colour? I really like the green, but im thinking black :-)

Clank

Dawesy92 wrote:

Thanks for that guys, now the problem is wjat colour? I really like the green, but im thinking black :-)

Only one colour.

....and it ain't green.

Dawesy92

Would that be black then ;-)

Dawesy92

Thought I'd ask here as I cant see it anywhere online.. whats maximum disc aloud for thr back of thse? As im currently running 180mm not sure if I need to drop to 160mm or not? Also does anyone know the length of the head tube? (Not sure if thats rigjt name, part where steerer tube goes through)

Thanks :')

Clank

Dawesy92 wrote:

Thought I'd ask here as I cant see it anywhere online.. whats maximum disc aloud for thr back of thse? As im currently running 180mm not sure if I need to drop to 160mm or not? Also does anyone know the length of the head tube? (Not sure if thats rigjt name, part where steerer tube goes through)

Thanks :')

Headtube info (google is great)


A 180 disk does fit on the back. Having said that, I'd run with a 160. I do run a 180 on the front though, but I found a 180 on the rear on the gives me no modulation, it just locks (forward weight transfer and all that).

Dawesy92

Annoying thing is I looked at that chart and didnt see the headtube part lol!!! Right okay :-)
Ill have to purchase a new disc then :-)

Cheers for the help, off to see the LBS friday about a frame and possible pay a deposit :-)

Clank

Dawesy92 wrote:

Annoying thing is I looked at that chart and didnt see the headtube part lol!!!

Dude, the number of times we've all the same thing!

I ride my full-susser a lot, but every time I get back on the Virsa, it's nippiness and it's natural 'pop' just make me grin - it's really easy to get flight-time with.

Dawesy92

Sweet!! :-)
Hoping to get one very soon!! Are they a normal threadrd BB?

Spoke to lbs today wia email ad was told that I cant get the decde virsa as its unavailable to order. What is best online shope to buy one from?? :-)

passout

I got my Virsa frame (in green) from Winstanleys. I noticed Fat Birds had these bikes too.

Built mine up with SLX (triple), 100mm Rebas & On One wheels. Recently went rigid on this bike. I recently relegated my Virsa to commuting duties and now use a alu. Whyte hardtail off road. I can't say that I've noticed a drop in comfort levels at all - steel & alu do feel a bit different though.

I like the Virsa but don't love it - the geometry feels XC to me; I decided this wasn't really for me & wanted something a bit more 'trail bike'. It does climb well and is very good on fast flowing descents. It's a responsive ride & feels fast.

However when things get really steep on descents (hanging off the back of the saddle) then the forks can feel 'tucked under' and it's not confidence inspiring. I guess this is the flip side of quite a steep front end. If this is the riding you do, then you maybe better off with something with a slacker front end - Cotic, Whyte and On One. If is a comfortable ride but not as comfortable as a On One Inbred (which I ran before the Kinesis with the same build.) The Versa climbs better & looks better though. Weight is more or less the same as the Inbred. It's a good quality frame by the way - nice finish.

In truth I preferred the Inbred and much prefer the Whyte 905 26er I ride now - Whytes were discounted at Winstanleys bikes by the way.

Hope this doesn't put you off - might be perfect for you.

Dawesy92

Its always good to here other peoples opinions on things, steepest riding ive cone is coed y brenin thats was on my Iron Horse in the sig, xc is more my style of riding but always interested to hear other peoples thoughts :-)
I will have more if a look a around anyway, but I think it will be one of these :-)

lawman

Dawesy92 wrote:

Its always good to here other peoples opinions on things, steepest riding ive cone is coed y brenin thats was on my Iron Horse in the sig, xc is more my style of riding but always interested to hear other peoples thoughts :-)
I will have more if a look a around anyway, but I think it will be one of these :-)

Great thing about the Virsa is it will take a slightly longer fork and because of the 44mm headtube if you're using a straight steerer fork you can use a Works Components headset to slacken it out a little if need be a 120mm fork with 3 degree headset would rip!!

Dawesy92

Alright after looking around and acctually looking at the on one inbred... im stuck which to go for, I like them both but theres a chance the inbred may be my new fav!!

Help me people!!
I need pros and cons for each frame!! -.-

lawman

Inbreds are cheap because they use a cheap steel, good geometry but they ride pretty harshly. If it were me I'd go for a Cotic Soul. Great geometry, great ride and can take a 140mm fork.

supersonic

It's decent steel, double butted cromo. Isn't 853, but is good stuff.

passout

lawman wrote:

Inbreds are cheap because they use a cheap steel, good geometry but they ride pretty harshly. If it were me I'd go for a Cotic Soul. Great geometry, great ride and can take a 140mm fork.

You mean the Inbred 456 here I guess. The standard Inbred doesn't take such a long fork (100mm or 120mm) and is a different frame. The standard one is extremely comfortable and not at all harsh in my view.

456: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO456E2/o ... evo2_frame

Standard Inbred: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOVDO126/ ... al_dropout

passout

If you are tall, there's this complete bike too: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2012_Bike

You can get a 905 for the same price from them too I think.

lawman

passout wrote:

lawman wrote:

Inbreds are cheap because they use a cheap steel, good geometry but they ride pretty harshly. If it were me I'd go for a Cotic Soul. Great geometry, great ride and can take a 140mm fork.

You mean the Inbred 456 here I guess. The standard Inbred doesn't take such a long fork (100mm or 120mm) and is a different frame. The standard one is extremely comfortable and not at all harsh in my view.

456: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO456E2/o ... evo2_frame

Standard Inbred: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOVDO126/ ... al_dropout

No I meant the Soul can take a 140mm fork. I've ridden two Inbred's and they definitely felt a little on the harsh side, especially compared to the Soul or a better quality steel frame. They're great if you're on a budget, but if you have more to spend I'd recommend it.

Dawesy92

Money is kinda tight so less is better really, inbred looks good to me plus the shop that sells them is a half hour drive from me.

Also I have no intenstions of going for more than a 120mm fork anyway for what riding I do :-)

passout

I don't think you'll beat the Inbred for value. Inbred has great tyre clearance too so you can fit some properly big tyres too. Great handling bikes.

Dawesy92

Yeah should work well as an all round frame too as I also use my bike for riding to work :-)
Also with that price I have monies for parts too :-)