Kuota Kalibur

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at Bonzai Sports

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Rolling Hills

Bike Setup:
I dressed this bike out in full durace components, Vision handle bars & aero bars, Look Keo carbon pedals, Selle Italia Signo saddle, carbon hydro tail & cages, & fulcrum 5 racing wheels (wheels to be upgraded for racing).

Summary:
First, my bike is an '08 but that wasn't an option on the review choices. I am still relatively new to triathloning (1 year) but love the sport and serious about training. I've tested many tri-bikes prior to purchasing my Kalibur.
I literally drove the bike shops crazy but I wanted to be 100% certain I've made the right choice---and I'm confident I have!
Immediately upon test riding the '08 Kalibur, there was no doubt this would be the bike of choice. It is stiff but at the same time very smooth. I've listened to all the hype leading up to my purchase in how tri-bikes sacrifice comfort on long rides. Truthfully, my Kuota is much more comfortable on long rides than my road bike--hands down!
This bike is what I consider to be a confidence-builder. The precision and stiffness of this bike allow me to feel way more confident and in control while descending at higher speeds.
I could not ask for anything more in a bike, it truthfully delivers what it promises...not to mention it is HOT looking!

Strengths:
Excellent stiffness and geometry. Delivers a smooth, comfortable ride over long distances. An excellent bike of choice for triathletes. Leaves legs fresh after every ride!

Weaknesses:
None of which I've experienced thus far. A

Similar Products Used:
Tested similarily to Orbea and Cervelo P3 (in my opinion).

Price Paid:  $0.00 at goforitsports.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
any

Bike Setup:
dura ace drive train, easton base bar, oval concepts clip ons, fsa carbon compact cranks, zero gravity SS brakes

Summary:
1st a brief background- I have been competing in Triathlon for over 12 years, and have raced very competitively in everything from sprint to Ironman (3 time Kona qualifier out of 4 attempts). I also am a certified coach. I have raced on, trained on and/or tested a high number of bikes. I chose the kuota because of it's high build quality, neutral positioning, and balanced geometry.
After 2 months and 2500 miles of testing and racing, I can tell you that this bike delivers on all that it promises. The bike has excellent stiffness at the bottom bracket and head tube. This creates a great platform for acceleration, out of the saddle climbing and handling. Handling particularly stands out- the bike tracks perfectly at high speeds and sharp turns. Very stable and smooth. I was a very good downhiller before, now I am much faster.
One often overlooked aspect of a Tri bike, is how it leaves you for the run. I was surprised at how much difference there was. My legs feel so much fresher than on any other bike I have ridden- no more 2-3 mile transition to running, I am ready to go from the moment I step off.
If you are already riding a top end bike, don't expect a large improvement in your bike time- unless you are riding a technical course- such as Wildflower, but do expect a big gain in overall performance, particularly on the run.
I have looked at them all- literally, and I firmly believe this is the best all around bike on the market- at any price.

Strengths:
Neutral position allows a good fit for a large number of athletes. Head tube and BB design- amazing handling and acceleration. Great ride "feel". Light weight- mine built up at 14.5 lbs with race wheels in a small frame.

Weaknesses:
sizing- like most carbon bikes, sizes are limited- they cover a good range, so there is a good chance you can get one that will fit, but...size matters!

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Goforitsports.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Dura ace drive train, zero gravity SS brakes, FSA compact carbon cranks, easton base bars and oval concepts clip ons.

Summary:
1st a brief background- I have been competing in Triathlon for over 12 years, and have raced very competitively in everything from sprint to Ironman (3 time Kona qualifier out of 4 attempts). I also am a certified coach. I have raced on, trained on and/or tested a high number of bikes. I chose the kuota because of it's high build quality, neutral positioning, and balanced geometry.
After 2 months and 2500 miles of testing and racing, I can tell you that this bike delivers on all that it promises. The bike has excellent stiffness at the bottom bracket and head tube. This creates a great platform for acceleration, out of the saddle climbing and handling. Handling particularly stands out- the bike tracks perfectly at high speeds and sharp turns. Very stable and smooth. I was a very good downhiller before, now I am much faster.
One often overlooked aspect of a Tri bike, is how it leaves you for the run. I was surprised at how much difference there was. My legs feel so much fresher than on any other bike I have ridden- no more 2-3 mile transition to running, I am ready to go from the moment I step off.
If you are already riding a top end bike, don't expect a large improvement in your bike time- unless you are riding a technical course- such as Wildflower, but do expect a big gain in overall performance, particularly on the run.
I have looked at them all- literally, and I firmly believe this is the best all around bike on the market- at any price.

Strengths:
Neutral position allows a good fit for a large number of athletes. Head tube and BB design- amazing handling and acceleration. Great ride "feel". Light weight- mine built up at 14.5 lbs with race wheels in a small frame.

Weaknesses:
Limitied frame sizes- if they have the right size for you- get it!

Similar Products Used:
Almost all of the major frames on the market

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Road without cars

Bike Setup:
Serotta Legend Ti Full DA
Time VXR DA w/Z4 wheelset
Kuota Kalibur DA and HED aerobar w/Z6 wheelset

Summary:
It is one of the most comfortable and fasteast TT bike I've ever had (although Cervelo P3 looks little bit more aero).
It's very stiff yet very comfortable and stale.
It also looks great with my Zipp Z6 Wheelset. I get a ton of compliment.
Other things I like about the bike is that it has a short head tube so you can achieve a very low position.
I had a medium HED AEROLAB V04 and I couldn't quite get the front end low enough and found its top tube a bit too long (not to mention the seat angle was too laid back at 74 degrees).
With Kuota (M) I was able to achieve completely flat back and the top tube was just right.
Laid back head tube angle provides very stable handling. I can even ride with no hands without any problem. Only improvement they can make is to increase the Seat Tube angle from 76 to 78.

Strengths:
Great looks, Stiff, Fast, Aero and priced reasonable compare to other carbon TT bike.
Or one more thing, it has 2 bottle cage mounts instead of 1 like most other TT bike has. I have 2 bottle cages for the fast training ride and take them off for races (use XLab mount).

Weaknesses:
None except maybe the ST angle needs to be 78 degrees.

Similar Products Used:
HED Aerolab V04

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at eBay

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Road Climb to "Cervenohorske" Mountain Pass (Czech Rep)

Bike Setup:
Profile Design CBX wing/bars, Dura-Ace 10 drivetrain and pedals, Selle San Marco Era Gelaround saddle, Zero Gravity calipers, Xentis Mark 1 and Bontrager Aeolus wheelsets.

Summary:
After years of road biking, I have just gotten into triathlon and time trials - and this frame is unbelievable. It beats the Cervelo P3C hands down in terms of stiffness, weight, comfort, and of course price. (I am not mentioning the looks, because this is subjective, but I am in love with the understated nude carbon scheme: the frame won't get noticed among all the colorful Cervelos, Quintanas, and Cannondales until it stands with you on the podium, having smoked the competition. Talking about flying under the radar!) My purist buddies chastise me for giving up internal cable routing, I tell them shifting and braking is so much smoother without it, not to say anything about the ease of lubing and/or replacing your cables. Overall, the Kalibur fascinates me now just as much as it did when I bought it eight months ago, and I can tell it is going to stay that way. Absolutely no need to look anywhere else.

Strengths:
Stiffness, weight, riding comfort on longer aero rides, price, looks.

Weaknesses:
None!

Similar Products Used:
Giant Aero TCR, Cervelo Dual, Cervelo P3C

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