Kuota is a brand that has been around for longer than most people think, but put one in front of someone and there is a good chance they’ll have a lot of questions. For some reason or another, Kuota still lacks the name recognition that some of the newer mostly carbon bike manufacturer’s, such as Blue, have been able to achieve in a relatively short time.
This may be due to the fact that Blue does an excellent job helping out grass roots teams with sponsorships and bikes, but it certainly isn’t due to Kuota having unattractive bikes. Kuota’s line of bikes are individually designed to perform best in a certain style of riding, with everything from TT bikes to Mountain climbers. As such, each frame boasts dramatically different construction to the point that almost every one of their bikes has a different seat post standard. Integrated post or mast systems are nothing new, and if a standard post still floats your boat the extremely light King Of the Mountain still rocks a standard seat post a la Specialized SL3.
Kuota incorporates an impressive amount of acronyms into nearly all of their frames starting with KSD the Kuota Super Drive tapered headset which was all 1 1/8th to 1 and 1/4, but is now being changed on the KOM to a 1 1/8th to a 1 1/2 taper. They also have their own acronyms for nearly all facets of frame construction including optimized tube shaping dependent on frame size, BB30, laminate construction, and construction methods to advance rider comfort, which is all detailed on their site.
The lineup sees a few changes this year with a few bikes getting overhauled, but most bikes get small changes like headsets or bottom bracket standards. Basically more build options, more colors.
Full line up with pictures and details after the break.
KOM:
The KOM has been revised for 2011. It sports a newly available to the manufacturer grade of 3k weave UD (uni directional) carbon fiber that is 9% lighter than the 2010 materials. It features a new headtube and BB30 bottom bracket shell, both completely made of carbon fiber (no alloy inserts). This helps the frame to lose some weight over the 2010 model.
This new frame is the frame AG2r La Mondiale rider Christophe Riblon rode to the front at the 2010 Tour de France to win Stage 14 in Ax Trois Domaines.
The headset is now a 1 1/8†to 1.5†transition versus last years 1 1/8 to 1 ¼ meaning more options for replacement. Due to the Kom’s reputation for being extremely stiff, but not exactly comfortable the seatstays have been reworked to increase rider comvort.
US Pricepoints to be from $5250 – $9450 depending on the component spec on the bike.
Kult:
For 2011, the Kult remains unchanged, with the exception of new colorways. This is the bike that the United Healthcare is currently riding and has received great reviews from those who have had the opportunity to spend some time on the bike.
It features a semi-integrated seatmast, with integrated cable routing and a BB30 bottom bracket.
New for 2011, this bike will ship with a 22mm offset seatpost, and the original 18mm offset flip-flop style post will be available as an aftermarket item.
US Pricepoints to be from $4700 – $8550 depending on the component spec on the bike.
Kebel:
Like the KOM, the Kebel will receive a facelift for 2011. It also uses a new carbon material, but sticks to the 12k weave, which gives the Kebel a smooth ride.
