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Affordable Carbon Speed Machine

The K-Factor burst onto the multisport/TT scene very late in the 2005 season. Initial supplies were very short, and in fact Cadence received the first and only K-Factor in North America in late July. It wasn't until late August that supply started to trickle into the country which meant that we were selling K-Factors as fast as they arrived.

Now the supply is very good, but so is the demand. The K-Factor is a real bargain considering that, completely built with an Ultegra 10-speed group, aerobars, and wheelset, it can be had for less than $3,000! Hence, the K-Factor is a phenomenal first-timer's bike. If you're just getting into triathlons or multisport, or if you simply want to try your hand at time-trialing without a big dollar investment, you can't do better than the K-Factor. 

The K-Factor features a wide-weave 12K carbon frame that has an almost unnatural affect on those who see it for the first time. It is mesmerizing. But it also serves a purpose. The wider weave allows for a remarkably light bike with good stiffness and ride quality. So, for the first timer to the intermediate triathlete, the K-Factor is really a terrific option.

One thing we really like about the K-Factor is the option to build it with an aluminum steer-tube. While carbon may be all the rage--and although many road riders rave about having the lightest full carbon fork on the market--the truth is that an aluminum steer-tube for a TT/tri frame just makes sense. First, because the head tubes on TT/tri frames tend to be shallow they are relatively difficult to fit without a considerable amount of stack height added below the stem. With a full carbon fork, one can only safely add about 3 centimeters of stack height without risking the safety of the rider and/or compromising the rigidity of the front end. An aluminum steer-tube, while slightly heavier, nevertheless avoids these pitfalls. So, with an aluminum steer-tube, bike fitters have a greater range of adjustability in the front end, and the rider as the assurance of having an optimally stiff front end so they don't need to worry about cornering or descending.

Built with Kuota's prevalent concern for quality and appreciation for detail, the K-Factor is a great product from a high-quality boutique manufacturer. Assuming you don't want to ride one of the ubiquitous mass-produced brands, this is your chance to ride a well-designed, well-researched, and very nicely handling speed machine at a price that won't break the bank.