Kuota

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Overview

7, Via Delle Valli, Albiate, MB Italia 20042

The Italian company Kuota Bicycles is something of a new kid on the block but has had plenty of competitive success in triathlon in particular to help launch it onto the market as a mainstay.

t: view phone+39-0362-930406

f: view fax+39-0362-930420

w: http://www.kuota.it

e: info@kuota.it

Description

Kuota makes high-end triathlon, road, mountain and cyclo cross bikes and components like handlebars, stems and seat posts. They look good and feel good and reviewers admit to liking the oohs and aahs they get from other riders as a Kuota is definitely not something you'll see on every street corner.

In fact, before Norman Stadler won the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, the brand was relatively unknown. But after his win, the Kuota Kalibur, a time trial bike, became hot property and the company could not keep up with demand. For example in the early 2000's they were selling about 48 frames per year, by 2007 it was over 3,000. In 2006 Stadler repeated the win and gained 10 minutes on the chase pack during the bike leg and set a course record. Kuota has since designed a triathlon and time trial bike, the 2010 KUEEN-K, and named it after the road where Stadler rode to victory.

Stadler proved a triathlon could still be won on the bike leg and bike reviewers would concur. One person said the bike descended "like a mountain bike on speed" and "rest assured, every ounce of gas you have left in the tank is taking you to the front." Complaints about Kuota range from not knowing how to pronounce the name "Kuota" correctly, to miss matching carbon frames with aluminum handlebars in some models and poor quality wheels they had to change. Others said their relative newcomer status also made them a little uncertain about investing in them. The best way to find out may be to take a test ride and do some research. Do note all the bikes have names starting with K such as Kredo (I believe), Khan and Korsa.

While Kuota doesn't have the history of other Italian companies like De Rosa, Pinarello or Bianchi, they have matched these other companies for looks without sacrificing performance elements. President of Kuota North America told one television interview that riders said the Khan was so stylish it had more curve than Pamela Anderson.

Kuota sponsor professional cycling and triathlon racing around the world including athletes like American Andy Potts, Carole Peon and Martina Dogana. They also sponsor professional men's road cycling teams Agritubel, OUCH, Indeland and Kalev Chocolate. In women's pro teams they're behind Team Uniqa and Team Dila.

Kuota are made by an Italian company called Sintema in Albiate, but the frames are manufactured in Taiwan which helps bring down the price. The frames are made in the same factory as Kestrel (Martek). The brand is largely available in the US, Western Europe and Australia.

Hours of work

Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Additional Information

Standard Frames: Yes

Custom Frames: No

Retrofitting old bikes: No

Year Established: 2000

Products Made In: Taiwan/China

Availability: authorized retailers & online

Types of Bicycles: road, triathlon, mountain, bike, cyclocross

Construction Methods: Kuota Nanotechnology

Frame Materials: carbon fiber