Several of you fellas have asked for the review of the Kuota Kalibur on our website. Here it is:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/kuota-kalibur07.shtml
Great review. Thanks.
Just an FYI… I noticed the document title needs editing Cervelo R2.5
Cheers.
Sometimes we copy a previous review into Dreamweaver as a template for the new review. Especially at 5:00 a.m. when we are trying to move fast. That is likely what caused that.
Hmmm. I wonder when Kuota will announce their next generation tri bike? I’ve seen that they have a steeper one in the works, but no release date, and now you are mentioning the possibility of internal cabling on the Kalibur too.
Kuota may do well to keep a lid on the new bike throughout the 2007 season.
Firstly, the Kalibur is on a tear marketing wise- and somewhat deservedly so. It’s a solid bike with proven design and manufacture. It can hold its own against most of what is out there now.
Remember, when it comes to molded bikes it is a matter of paying up front for mold tooling and then hanging on like grim death to sell as many as possibble from that mold to amortize the cost. This is why we don’t see big changes year to year on molded carbon frames- tooling costs are prohibitive.
Except for the seat tube angle- which I’d like to be steeper- (personal preference) I think the bike is very good and doesn’t warrant replacement right now.
Hi Tom, interesting and well balanced review echoing my experiences on my Kalibur over the last 2 years plus. I agree with you on the seatpost binder arrangement it can be fiddly and I have suffered slippage when re-assembling after travelling but like you I take a torque wrench with me and the problem disappears. Kuota must have changed the seat clamp design with the later models as my early 2004 model doesn’t have that problem (if memory serves) though I must remember to add a little uptilt as I tend to keep having to push myself back on the saddle when riding hard in a TT, or perhaps this is a result of the DSS saddle cover being a little more slippery?
The two bottle cage arrangement is important to me as I, too, am on a small frame as you recall. I can only use the squat big mouth bottles to get full capacity for long course, if catered I mount an aero bottle on the HED bar and collect for the frame.
By using the fizik arione we were able to get me at 79 degrees which has been successful for my riding style but I am not as flexible in the back as you and have that long single ali spacer you obtained for me. As my knees come inside my elbows I find that I sometimes hit my chest if I am spinning over 110rpm, any tips if I want to try and get lower at the front? I think it feasible as I am on short course races now.
Thanks for the review, it is interesting to see that you have highlighted a number of the same points I have identified although that saddle is too ugly for the sleek rig, get an arione and still have the length you need!
Great review Tom, I echo your comments.
I rode a Kalibur in '06 after 2 seasons on an Equinox 11. Certainly the difference in handling between the 2 bikes was evident from the very first ride on the Kalibur with climbing on the Kuota exponentially superior. Over the course of the first two months I experimented with my fit as the Equinox 11 was old school Lance geometry, then I jumped forward on the Kalibur, and after 6 weeks pushed myself even further forward with the front end moving down over an inch. In the end I had close to a 78 angle and aggressive front without sacrificing any climbing ability or aching to my lower back.
Another addition I made in '06 was moving away from HED aero bars and to Bontrager aero bars with S bends. The latter being much more adaptable to climbing. The HED’s had a tendency to pinch the hand at the brake lever if one is not careful and very little grip room when out of the saddle climbing. The only complaint I have for Bontrager’s aero system is the drop from arm rest to bar but “the math” works when resting ones hands on the S-Bend when in the aero position.
I have recommended the Kalibur a number of times on this forum because I believe in the product. Fast, comfortable, adaptable to all terrain. My experience with previous rides like the Trek Equinox 11, Kestrel Airfoil, and before that a crappy Aquila, and the Kalibur wins as my favourite Tri ride to date. My experience in Canada from www.labicicletta.com and Patrice at euro-spek has been superior as well.
A fair and impartial review. A good read ! No mention about ride stiffness though. Aside from the great handling and climbing did you find the rear triangle and BB area stiff ? comfortable ? about at pace ?
It’s interesting that you found fitting yourself to it quite challenging. If there’s one thing we all agree on is that it’s a very fussy bike to fit to a lot of people !
Nice article, Tom. What did you think of the Blackwell wheels?
Any idea on the price of an 07 frameset or complete bike? The P2C and Lucero have come down substantially, any idea whether the same may be true for the Kalibur?
I’m a big fan of the Blackwell Wheels. I raced on them throughout the season on a lot of different terrain. The front is a 100mm deep rim and that can be a little cross-windy and I generally don’t mention such things. They are very fast and durable and the hub on the front wheel is a piece of carbon fiber jewelry. Very nice.
That’s a good question. I know Kuota has a version of the K-Factor at just above $2000 right now. That is going to be a great value. I like the K-Factor a lot and it has a higher front end so may appeal to more people that the Kalibur.
It will be interesting to see if there is any price movement. Personally, I doubt there will be since Kaliburs sell very easily at their current price of about $2500 for frame, fork, seatpost and headset. Given how nice the bike is it is also a good value.
What do you call the instrument that you use to measure the seat angle with?
And where can you buy one?
Thanks
That is a fairly standard angle finder held against a straight edge. You can get both items at the local home improvement store.
Mark, If you are considering one, you are welcome to take mine for a spin. Its a medium with a 90mm stem with one spacer and a vision tech front end.
First of all, Tom, thanks for such an accurate and positive review. Only if I could put my words on to paper(or screen) they way you do!!
We can read all of the positive reviews day after day, but it never hits home until YOU ride the bike, with a proper fit. When I presented to the KODAK/Sierra Nevada team 10 days ago, I did not tell them how great their Kredos and Kaliburs were going to be. I waited for their response. They all rode the Kredos and became speechless. The three riders that had the chance to put their Kaliburs together gave the absolute best compliments to the bike.
I please invite anyone ever in the San Diego area to take a Kalibur out of my garage for a day or two. You will be very impressed with the energy transfer, weight and ride quality. For those of you who are not local, I encourage you to go to your local KUOTA dealer and have a bike set up for you. Chances are you will become a part of the KUOTA family.
Reading positive reviews is enticing. Riding is believing.
Keep tunin the cranks!
PT
Paul, any word on price for the 07 bike or frameset and when they will become available? Thanks.