Kuota Kharma

[danahs]

this looks like a pretty good deal...

http://www.rscycle.com/2008-Kuota-Kh...essional-Race#

does anyone have experience with Kuota bikes or rscycle.com? (and yes I know fit is the most important thing...)

[mkadam68]

I own a 2006 Kharma. Love it. Full Ultegra. at the time, $3500. Today, this looks like a steal. It's Kuota's low-end model, but still good enough for me. I do centuries and race crits. I've taken it over Breathless Agony & the Planet Ultra KOM, and I've averaged 28mph on pancake flat rides. It has performed admirably under all situations.

Excellent descender. Plenty stiff (I'm a clydesdale) yet comfortable for the long rides. Nimble up hills. Maintains its line through dirt and uneven pavement.

I do have one beef: it has a noise. It creaks--mostly when out of the saddle--seemingly from the bottom bracket area. I cannot tell if it's the components or the frame. I've taken the BB out, cleaned it and re-installed. I tighten down the chainring bolts, the wheel quick release, I change wheels, etc... I change chains 2-3 times a year. It's had this noise since I owned it. So far, I've been safe so we'll assume there's no crack anywhere.

[Vertical Jon]

Originally Posted by mkadam68

I've taken the BB out, cleaned it and re-installed.

Did you grease the BB threads on the frame and cups when you re-installed them? I had the same problem on my TOKEN and grease made the creak go away. Just last week the creak came back, I have been riding in rain a lot lately, so I removed the BB and put the same lithium grease on threads and the noise was gone.

[mkadam68]

Originally Posted by Vertical Jon

Did you grease the BB threads on the frame and cups when you re-installed them? I had the same problem on my TOKEN and grease made the creak go away. Just last week the creak came back, I have been riding in rain a lot lately, so I removed the BB and put the same lithium grease on threads and the noise was gone.

Yeah. Although I cleaned threads inside frame and on cups, I just greased the threads on the cups when reassembling. It diminished the amount of noise (not the volume) but never eliminated it. In fact, I should go do it now

[ChrisM]

yeah, fit is it, but.... is a good deal, and may not be able to get to ride one for various reasons. Used to ride a 60 cm Trek roadie, now ride a 57 Litespeed tri bike... Between a 58 (XL) and a 61 (XXL), I would think a 61 would be a better fit on the kuota?

I'd be willing to risk it at the price/components.....

[danahs]

i am going for it... size 61. i guess I will find out in 7-9 business days haha

[ChrisM]

Me too... after asking some experts went 58

[danahs]

arrived this morning in perfect condition. just got it out of the box and put it together in about 7minutes... riding up and down the block it feels pretty good so far.

[UrbanKnight]

Sweet!

[ChrisM]

Excellent! Mine should be getting here tomorrow....

Any special knowledge/tools required to do the final assembly (other than pedal wrench)? Sounds like it was pretty easy