Kuota Kharma. Anyone got one?
Discussion
After weeks of deliberation I *think* I have finally found (looks wise) my perfect bike.
Has anyone have got one? Would you recommend it?
Its at the very top end of my budget. The brakes don't seem to be very good, thats all I can find in terms of bads points from reviews I have read on-line.
Has anyone have got one? Would you recommend it?
Its at the very top end of my budget. The brakes don't seem to be very good, thats all I can find in terms of bads points from reviews I have read on-line.
This thread contains some discussion about them:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'll echo what I put in the linked thread.
I borrowed a 2011 Kharma when my bike was off the road and did a total of about 100 miles on it. It was a nice bike to look at, reasonably lightweight, SRAM Rival groupset which worked very well and was very positive on the changes. The wheels had been upgraded to RS30's which also looked good and were nice and smooth once they were spinning, but took a bit of effort to get up to speed.
My longest ride was from the Thames Valley to Worthing which worked out at about 65 miles with 2,500ft of climbing. The ride was a bit dull/dead, but I believe that is the case for most carbon bikes. I did notice quite a bit of flex in the frame though, climbing Bury Hill in West Sussex it was noticeable, especially when standing on the peddles. I weigh 73kgs and am not the most powerful bloke on two wheels, so if you are heavier, or have legs like pistons you might not like the amount of flex in the frame.
The other thing I noticed (that probably explains the frame flex), was that I could physically push my thumb into the carbon weave of the top tube. I was left with the impression that the aesthetics were the selling point of this bike rather than the ride, but that is only an opinion - and as my wife would be quick to point out my opinion is usually wrong!
If I had a budget of £1,600-ish and it had to be carbon I would probably look at something like a Felt F4, or Cannondale SuperSix. Really depends what sort of riding you do and if you want a long distance 'comfy' ride, or hair on fire tearing around the countryside ride!
Whatever you do, ride before you buy! Attractive looking does not mean a nice ride......
HTH
I borrowed a 2011 Kharma when my bike was off the road and did a total of about 100 miles on it. It was a nice bike to look at, reasonably lightweight, SRAM Rival groupset which worked very well and was very positive on the changes. The wheels had been upgraded to RS30's which also looked good and were nice and smooth once they were spinning, but took a bit of effort to get up to speed.
My longest ride was from the Thames Valley to Worthing which worked out at about 65 miles with 2,500ft of climbing. The ride was a bit dull/dead, but I believe that is the case for most carbon bikes. I did notice quite a bit of flex in the frame though, climbing Bury Hill in West Sussex it was noticeable, especially when standing on the peddles. I weigh 73kgs and am not the most powerful bloke on two wheels, so if you are heavier, or have legs like pistons you might not like the amount of flex in the frame.
The other thing I noticed (that probably explains the frame flex), was that I could physically push my thumb into the carbon weave of the top tube. I was left with the impression that the aesthetics were the selling point of this bike rather than the ride, but that is only an opinion - and as my wife would be quick to point out my opinion is usually wrong!
If I had a budget of £1,600-ish and it had to be carbon I would probably look at something like a Felt F4, or Cannondale SuperSix. Really depends what sort of riding you do and if you want a long distance 'comfy' ride, or hair on fire tearing around the countryside ride!
Whatever you do, ride before you buy! Attractive looking does not mean a nice ride......
HTH
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