Kapu's a-comin
 

Well, I'm about to switch from one Kona to another.

My JTS frame is going back under warrantee, and I started looking at and talking to the LBS about options for something different.

Kona is a great company and I love their bikes, and the JTS was very good to me. But my riding has shifted away from dirt and the shorter trips towards 40-100 miles at a time. I wanted something more suited to that: comfy, fast and I tend to like things a little different.

Enter one of the last 2008 Kapus. It's a lugged Dedacciai steel frame and fork, with slick angles and an old-school look. Got a great price on the closeout, and I can use the custom deep-v's I've had for some time. I get to updgrade from 9-speed 105s to 10-speed full Ultegra, plus I get a plusher roadie designed for long-distance comfort. It's close to an old steel roadie I rode in the late 80s and loved, but prettier and with all the modern kit I've come to want.

And it's rare, and different, which I like. THey apparently made very few, and reviews are few and far between (but univerally good and reflect exactly the style ride I want).

Will post a detailed reveiw and photos when it comes through.

some good photos to be found here: http://velospace.org/node/15298

wow!
 

hi,
Very nice looking bike, it looks very solid to me.
Doug

Total.Absolute.Sweetness.

I'm a sucker for lugged steel.

Nice ride! I love those lugged steel frames. Classic.

I'm looking forward to hooking up with you to do the Bethesda ride. Hopefully the weather will cooperate soon.

I know i owe you a message...rode last sun with a friend, was very cold...

No problem.... I'm not ready to go 40 miles anyway. Trying to dial in the fit on my bike. I was having a problem with numb hands. Made some adjustments and now my back starts to hurt around 20 miles. I've been fine tuning on the trainer. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I'll get out there Monday or Tuesday to see how it feels. I'm about ready to go down to the LBS for a fitting. I think I need to raise the handlebars a bit.

which LBS are you using?

That bike is sweet. I want one. I can't wait to read your full report.

Spokes at Belle View

Good shop -- bought an MTB there, and their wheels guy (Bill, I think) has a great rep. I've heard if you have wheel issues you need to ask specifically for him.

I used to have issues with my hands; came down to core strength. I used to work on riding with my hands in position, but holding myself there without leaning on them at all -- just using abs. Crazy as it sounds-- along with adjusting the saddle so it didn't push me forward -- it worked. They used to go numb after about 2 hours; now I can ride about 10 hours before that happens (though at that point everything hurts).

Ended up riding today, with my daughter on the Piccolo. Cold, but a great ride and I loved that she lobbied for it.

If you're up for a challenge, I'm looking to do a self-supported century (again) on Memorial Day. Out along W&OD to the end and back...

Bill at Spokes is great. He's building a set of Deep Vs for me as we speak. I've been riding the stock wheels on my Schwinn Fastback. They're not bad, but I can't wait to try the Deep Vs.

I'm up for trying the century. That's one of my goals for this year. Memorial Day, huh? That gives me something to work toward!

It's here. LBS buddy built it up over a few days, applying framesaver several times. Put my deep-v's on, so I'll be selling the stock wheels. He just dropped it off at the house.

First impressions: stunning -- orange is burnt, muted, very pretty. Tubes bigger than I expected, and more shaped. It's triple-butted, but I assumed from Dadacciai's site that the butting was internal only...but the seat stays have a loverly taper to them as does the fork. Lugs are very nice. Long TT -- very relaxed and comfy position. Wide bars = very open cockpit feeling. This thing will be perfect for long rides. Also -- HUGE wheel clearance. It's got long-reach brakes...28s fit no problem; looks like it could take 32s or possibly more.

First major ride is Satruday. Will post report, pics, etc. then.

Couldn't reist -- strapped on my light, put on my shoes and went for a ride around the nieghborhood. It's dark and cold, so didn't go far (maybe 3-4 miles).

Still fiddly because I need to dial in fit, adjust things to how i like them.

Ride impressions:

- ultegra is SMOOOOTH
- very comfy, quick ride. Very solid, very quiet.
- does not encourage standing sprints -- they are fine for a few seconds, but gets a little squirrely after that
- steering faster than i expected -- feels very nimble for a bigger bike; not at all sluggish in the turns the way a touring bike feels to me

I'm going to enjoy this.

Why are you teasing us? We require pictures, nay, demand pictures ASAP :p

Just back from 40 miles.

Love this bike. More stretched out than I expected, and much livlier compared to some other steel rides I've tried (LHT and Crosscheck). Very stable, very smooth.

I also really like the wing handlebars (especially the flat section) and the way it accelerates. No discernable noodliness at all, and a real sense of all-day comfort.

Took some shots on the route. No prizes for recognizing the background. Note burnt orange color (like and older Merckx rather than a deer hunter), chrome lugs and massive tire clearance (those are 28s on there).

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d..._028/035-1.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...en_028/036.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...en_028/037.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d..._028/038-1.jpg

SWEEEEETTTT!!!!!!! That's a nice ride.

I recognize that spot!! I was up that way today. Fought the head wind all the way out and enjoyed the tail wind all the way home. I turned around under the bridge (looks close to where you shot those pics).

That is a sweet bike Adrein, love the color. Too bad about the JTS, that was an awesome looking bike.

Wind is why she's in such a low gear in the pics. next time, PM me -- I make a big hole in the wind.