Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
|
Reviews 1 - 5 (11 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mdopps
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: November 24, 2005
Strengths: Smooth and tight as a baby's butt, yet absorbs bumbs like they are not there.Weaknesses: Extremely sensitive on down hill. Without lots of experience I would not suggest going 60mph+ downhill on this bike.Bottom Line: I have taken this bike on long rides and short rides. Its extremely fast and extremely comfortable. I didnt know the rear shot on my mountain bike was going bad until I road this bike in a century ride. Between the laid back design and short wheel base you have lots of sock absorbing and more control than most bikes. The stiffness is amazingly like steel yup peppy like titanium. I have ridden many carbon bikes and this is the only one that I cant tell its carbon in a tight, and curvy criterium races. I have never won a race on any other bike. Normally I wouldnt use a carbon frame in a race, but this is deffinately an exception to the rule.
Favorite Ride: MS150 150 miles Dallas to Oklahoma
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At: Local Bike Shop
Similar Products Used: Trek OCLV Madone, Litespeed, Merlin, and KHS
Bike Setup: 57" 9 speed Dura-Ace Groupo, Spinergy wheelset for long rides, and Open Mavic Pro for criteriums. FSA Bare Carbon Team Issue Triple crank with ISIS drive Titanium Platinum Pro bottom bracket and Look clipless pedals. For long rides, I use the Profile Design ultra light ergo curved carbon aero bar with F19 gel arm pads.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
ewong
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: October 17, 2003
Strengths: Stiff yet damp.
Smooooth as water on glassWeaknesses: Well its damp - it doenst flex - but sometimes it feels like it is (it isnt). soo smooth its gotta be flexing all over the place - it isnt. pure magic.Bottom Line: Coming from an ancient Cannondale was an eye opener. Bikes have changed in 20 years...
This bike was "fitted" to me - that probably makes more of a difference than anything else.
The frame is both super stiff and "damp". It rides like it was floating on glass. It doesnt like out of the saddle jumping - it wont "ping" like my Cannondale did. But then again - It doesnt vibrate me on the downhills. Climbing is far better - BUT it feels "boring" that way. Its too "comfortable". I dont feel faster - I feel slower - but the clock does not lie.
The first few pedal strokes out of the saddle has the sensation that hte rear triangle has turned to mush. YOu accelerate - it just doenst give you that same NOW sensation. But after 2-3 turns the frame "unwinds" ins power back into you - smoothly. I find I have to change my jump from a stand up to a seated jump. Much more stealthy...
Favorite Ride: anywhere... beats working
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At: Cycles BiKyle
Similar Products Used: Previous bike was a circa 1983 Cannondale racing bike - Modolo/Specailized/Suntour Subperbe Pro
Bike Setup: Campy Chorus
American Classic seatpost (Look on order)
circa 2001 Deda Zero stem
TTT Forgie bars
San Marco Barracuda
Look 247 pedals (for now)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Simpson
a Road Racer
from Auckland, New ZealandDate Reviewed: January 16, 2003
Strengths: Stiff, light responsive and comfortable. Very well engineered and finished. Cables well routed through and around the frame.Weaknesses: Little twitchy on downhill - but controllable.Bottom Line: Having ridden a 60cm aluminum frame for 5 years this 59 cm 386 carbon frame is a revelation by comparison. It is lighter, stiffer and rides better. The response of this bike is phenomenal. When over the bar on a hill, it accelerates so quickly that I either have to shift up or sit down. The one area I notice its sensitivity is that it's trail is a little less - so downhill, whilst stable, it is a little more twitchy than my previous frame. Finish is excellent (2002 model). I use a 3M clear plastic film (used by motor cyclists) to protect leading edges. Works well.
No bottom bracket flex - I weigh 86kg.
Favorite Ride: Rolling hills
Purchased At: Parker International
Similar Products Used: This is my first carbon fibre frame so difficult to compare - I looked seriously at Trek but the sizing fell between my ideal requirement.
Bike Setup: Durace bottom bracket and 180mm cranks. Ultegra everywhere else.
Stronglite (Headlite)headset - bearings failed early!
ITM millenium OS bar and stem
Wkeels - Mavi open pro trainers and Zipp 530 clinchers for TT and racing. Ksyriums to come!
Specialised race pro saddle
Look carbon stem - large adjustment capacity especially good for TTs.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
26jdm
a Recreational Rider
from providenceDate Reviewed: September 18, 2002
Strengths: Powerful, dampening framset.
Great road feel and acceleration.
Reasonable pricing for a pro level frame, ask Kelme.Weaknesses: Maybe a shade heavy, but more stable than a c40
4mm allen bolts on adjustable dropoutBottom Line: As a former competitive cyclist I struggled to find a comfortable bike that fit. The KG 386 with it's TT is perfect. Short legs, long torso for a road riding position were no problem on my 55cm. I totally disagree with Fippet. I am a heavier rider with very powerful strokes and I can't flex that BB, period. This bike is great for a heavier rider who wants response, comfort, and a reasonable weight. I have never felt flexiness in the steerer tube of the HSC3, but I tend to finess the front of the bike. I would suggest to Fippet that he get his position dialed in by his LBC.
Favorite Ride: Ashokan Reservoir
Similar Products Used: Trek 5500, Colnago C40, Calfee, Aegis, Cannondale, Merlin, Litespeed, Kestrel
Bike Setup: DuraAce/Ultegra combo, Edco/Fir Wheelset
Ritchey stem/bars, Look Ergopost, Avocet Air 40 Saddle, Lo
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Arthuralda
a Road Racer
from Providence,RI, USADate Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Strengths: Easy to ride, Aero, Nice feel, Cool looking, Corners well and tracks well, Fairly light.Weaknesses: The flat paint is hard to take care of.
Rear Drop-out Adjustment screws are too small.Bottom Line: The KG 386 feels great. The first thing that I noticed riding a demo and then my own bike was that my acceleration was better than before. I'm definitely faster on the Look. Compared to my other carbon frame I do feel a little more of the road but it's not bad. I don't find the fork and steerer tube any more flexy than other similar components and I don't feel any bottom bracket flex. Overall the KG 386 is a solid ride with a nice snappy feel and a geometry that's user friendly.
Favorite Ride: Scituate
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: La Biciletta
Similar Products Used: Trek 5000 W/Reynolds Pro Fork.
Bike Setup: Mix of Ultegra and Dura ace
Easton Carbon Bars
Alien Post
Fizik Alliante Saddle. Ahhh
Zipp 303's
|
Reviews 1 - 5 (11 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
