I recently was given a new Kuota Kharma with 105 components (drivetrain at least). I am still building it up (at least the LBS is), but entertaining the idea of pulling the really good bits off my older Madone, and upgrading everything else on the Kuota to make a sick racing machine. I was just wanting to ask if anyone else has any experience on this bike as far as frame quality, durability, etc to know if it is even worth it to soup it up. I originally kind of got the idea that this was a great frame with cheesy components but I really am not sure. I have not ridden it yet. Kuota donated it to me as part of a fundraising thing for handicapped athletes and it is still at the shop getting built up.

It's a great frame. I have no personal experience, but a teammate has had one for a few years now and seems to like it. He did get a ticking sound in the bottom bracket area, but whatever it was has been solved and he is riding and racing it like a wild man!

Cool, thanks.
Now I just hope it fits right.
I was thinking of tricking it all out on campy, just to keep it Italian-like, but I would need to sell my mountain bike and my fixed gear to afford it.

One of my teammates is riding the Kharma with 105 and Fulcrum 5's. He's had a win, 2nd, 3rd, and several top 10 finishes this year.

Here's a good conversation piece should you be asked any questions about your bike. Despite being an Italian company, the letter K is not in the Italian alphabet.

The kharma is a great bike, pull the good stuff of your trek and throw them on your kuota. The kharma is a lot more bike then meets the eye.

I am the owner of a 2006 Karma .
Check out your chain stays, seat post & top tube, for cracks .
I know of 4 other KUOTA frames that have frame cracking problems .
My top tube is cracked about 100mm back from the stem and i have noticed small cracks around the bottom bracket , which i am monitoring.
MY brothers 6month old Kuota Kasano had cracked chain stays and the frame has been replaced by Kuota here in Western Australia but very reluctantly.
Another guy we ride with has the rear of the seat post cracking about 100mm in length, on the rear facing the tyre.

I would not reccommend these frames to anyone.
Unless you get one given to you

Freo-Tony

I have never heard of any problems with Kuota frames before, so take the above comment with a grain of salt.

I've had both a Kharma, which I crashed hard, and a Kredo and I think they are great bikes. The Chorus components were swapped from the Kharma to the Kredo, except for the crank.

With regard to our bikes. This is not BULL that i am telling you .
I can account for at least 5 Kuota frames that have cracks in them.
As a local group in Western Australia we are considering a class action on the local importer as they have been extreamly recalcitrant in there warranty and service.
Perhaps the defective units just get sent to Australia??

Freo-Tony

And our shop here in NOVA sells plenty of Kuota and has warrentied very few frames. The owner loves them and is the #1 Kuota dealer in our area.

I drive a Khan and I 100% love it. I keep her Italian(with a grain of salt cause she really is from Taiwan) with campy chorus

Mine is a 2007 Kharma and I have had no issues with it. Very solid bike and nice thing is you don't see many of them at all. I get lots of compliments on it. I did crack the actual seatpost on it but that was my fault from tightening the seatpost clamp to tight. I have since moved to an Easton EA70 aluminum post.

I have a couple of thousand miles on my Kharma, and it's one of my favorite rides. Go sell your MTB stuff, pawn your junk, or donate blood to hang some Campy jewelry on that frame. You will have a hot, Italian racer and I bet you'll be the only one on your block with Kuota.

I know of two Kuota riders in my area that have had issues with the frame cracking and even more issues trying to get a warranty replacement.