After thousands of miles on a no-name alu rig and probably also reading too much weightweenies I gave in.

Kuota came out with an "Ultralite" edition of the Kharma this year (upgrade being the all-carbon steerer) which I picked over the Kebel I had laid my eyes on before. The kit is fairly straight forward Ultegra with Katch 01 bars, 02 stem and CK03 crank. Wheels are custom AC 420s with CX-Ray. My bathroom scale says 7.3kg as pictured below.



Got a fair deal on it, my goal for this season is to hit the 7kg mark by swapping in a few Dura Ace parts and a lighter stem.

Next year I'd like to go below the UCI limit, which should then be fairly easy with 1200ish alu clinchers and/or a lightning crank (together easily 500g of leeway).

Before you ask, yes, I'm sure deep-section carbon wheels would look posh, but I'm living in the mountains and my daily rides have 500-1000m vert. Maybe one day ...

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Good looking steed mate. I always like Kuotas, I came very close to buying a Kredo Ultra a couple years back.

Like your ride

Just out of curiosirty, what hubs did you use and what's the weight on the wheels?

Thanks

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2011 Cannondale Flash F1
2010 Cannondale Caad9
2000 Cannondale Caad 4 aero
1999 Cannondale Caad1
???? Concorde SS

Hubs are American Classic as well. Running very smoothly, but not enough mileage on them yet to comment on durability (haven't seen a whole lot of favourable reviews on them, but they are affordable).

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Kuotas just look badass!!

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viewtopic.php?f=10&t=81983

I so wish I'd waited for this year's Kuota models to come out before I bought my Specialized Tarmac Comp... I just love the look of the frames and aero post. Will definitely get a Kuota next spring.

Nice. Very nice !!!

Glad you like it folks.

Gave it a tune up recently putting on Dura Ace STIs and derailleurs as well as red KCNC C7 calipers. Weight is down by 0.2kg to 7.1kg (bathroom scale). The ride quality is nothing short of awesome, immediate road feedback, but not harsh in any way. I especially enjoy the Kuota KS01 (Selle San Marco OEM) saddle and the Katch 01 handlebars, both are surprisingly comfortable and reasonably light.

Like many others I've found the stopping power of the stock C7 pads sub par, even in the best of conditions. Koolstop salmons already waiting to be swapped on.

As regards to weight, I'm wondering how to hit my 7.0kg target this year with the bike budget being depleted. Chainrings and cassette seem to be easy targets though.

More pics soon, off to ride ...

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

One day I might be doing something about the stem. Wondering if a curved Bontrager or similar would fit.

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Awesome - love it !!!

You bike is freaking AWESOME!!!

looks fast!

Great looking ride....but to be a real weight weenie you need to ditch the valve caps and align your tire labels with your valve stem
EM3

Understood, sorry for the lapse. Anyway the rear wheel is due for being re-taped, and I was just so psyched to go riding, so I didn't bother

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur

Great looking bike. I am currently waiting for my new Kuota Kebel 2010 frameset to arrive and it has been orderd in size XXL. I am 192 cm high and I am getting a bid nervous that an XL might have been OK.

Since youvride this XL frame, can I ask how high you are?

Can't wait for it to arrive - just hope it looks alright in XXL

Nice bike you have there.

You should get some proper scales for a more accurate weight.