Kuota Kebel / DA+

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at NYTRO

Bike Setup:
Stock ultegra set up like it says on the kuota website.

Summary:
2008 Kebel Ultegra. First timer and LOVE the bike. Got the bike by FEDEX two days before my first duathlon. Bike shop got it back to me one day before the race. Had time to figure out how to work the clipless pedals and that's it. The bike portion of the race was only 16 miles, but once I got used to skinny tires and how the shifter worked, the bike took off. It was like the things was constantly pulling me to go. Road down more than a handful of folks. Never had a road bike before so nothing to compare it to, but sure felt nice to me. Plus, realized after that had no trouble controlling the ride even at some speed despite my inexperience.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Bike Fitters, St. Au

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
St. Augustine Wed. Night Ride

Bike Setup:
Stock ultegra gruppo, Easton Circut Wheels, Speedplay pedals.

Summary:
Upgraded from a Kuota Kharma (had for 2 years) to the Kebel Ultegra. This bike is a little stiffer riding (harsh) than the Kharma, but is still pretty comfortable. The bike is stiff in all the right places, front end, bottom bracket. With this bike, one can easily have a good road bike and add clip-on bars to convert to a decent time trial bike. The frame is beautiful, perfect paint and finish. Great riding bike.

Strengths:
Value, stiffness, weight, good looks, aero profile and shape.

Weaknesses:
Stiffness due to aero shaped seat post, Seat post does not give (flex).

Similar Products Used:
Kuota Kharma, Trek 5200 CF, Cannondale 1000, many steel bikes.

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Hi Tech Bikes - San

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Hotter N Hell Hundred

Bike Setup:
Full Campy Chorus UT with carbon cranks; FSA bar/stem; Sella Italia SLR saddle; ROL Volant wheels; Look KEO Sprint pedals

Summary:
I switched from a steel frame to this CF frameset 6 months ago and continue to be blown away. The ride quality is exceptionally smooth (better than my steel frame) with no "deadness" to it. It still transmits a good sensse of the road to me on all surfaces without being harsh. The bottom bracket, front end, and rear triangle are very solid. There is no lost energy on this one when sprinting or climbing - I have never had a previous bike actually surge forward when climbing, or have the front wheel lift off the ground before. It is crazy efficient. I have found it to be stable in fast descents and it holds its line very well in turns. Pretty much just goes exactly where you want it to quickly and efficiently, which is all we could ever ask of a bike.

Strengths:
Lightweight; very rigid rear triangle, front end, and massive BB shell; great ride quality; very responsive/efficient; great looks

Weaknesses:
The tubing has a rounded hexagonal shaping to it, which looks cool but is probably not as aero as it could/should be. This bike would be through the roof with more aero shaping. Not a big fan of its seat post clamp.