Quantcast

Obea Ordu v. Kuota K-Factor

sjboyne's picture
Posts
7
Member
1187 days
started by sjboyne on May 22, 2007

Okay I need someone's wise counsel. I have saved up enough money ($2,500) to purchase one of the following two bikes: 2006 Orbea Ordu with full DA and cheap wheelset; or new Kuota K-Factor with $700 wheel set. No doubt the Orbea is very pretty, it has about 500 miles on it and no accidents (but the frame warranty will not transfer to me); but for an average rider (can sustain about 20 mph in an olympic Tri) which is better. Both are the right size for me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

tribone05's picture
Posts
9
Member
735 days
tribone05 posted 1 year ago.

The best advice I can give you is to try them both out and determine for your self which bike feels the best under you. I struggled with my Tri Bike choice but the deciding factor came down to comfort for me and while looks are nice, I think comfort is key. After all, you will be spending hour on hour in the saddle, the last thing you want is a good looking bike that doesn't feel right.

anyway, hope I could help and good luck with the purchase.

"Far better is it to dare mighty things...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

Star's picture
Posts
773
Member
1414 days
Star posted 1 year ago.

I have the 2006 Ordu and LOVE it! It was like stepping up from a Honda to a Jag :cool: I tried several other bikes, and this one worked best for me. Take them both several "test-drives," if your shop will let you, so you can determine which feels best for you.

"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net

driggins's picture
Posts
202
Member
1695 days
driggins posted 1 year ago.

i bought a new k-factor early this year and absolutely love it. no complaints. and i have to say that how a bike looks has to affect your performance. in other words, if it looks fast don't you think that gives you a mental edge up on the competition? and the k-factor definately looks fast!

kevinb421's picture
Posts
287
Member
1340 days
kevinb421 posted 1 year ago.

I also ride Orbea and it is a great bike. The Orbea is going to be a much better frame, gonna have a better crank, but the wheels arent as good. it basically comes down to whatever is more comfortable for you.

"If your not going to win, make the fellow in front of you break a record."

http://www.peak.com/kevinb421/blog/

oztrigal's picture
Posts
133
Member
992 days
oztrigal posted 1 year ago.

And you've got to think.. it's alot easier to upgrade a set of wheels when you've saved up more money than it is to upgrade everything!
Wheel's can be pretty cheap on ebay too........

driggins's picture
Posts
202
Member
1695 days
driggins posted 1 year ago.

kevinb421;68912 wrote:
I also ride Orbea and it is a great bike. The Orbea is going to be a much better frame, gonna have a better crank, but the wheels arent as good. it basically comes down to whatever is more comfortable for you.

Here are 2 K factor 2006 reviews. I don't know if I'd go so far to say the Orbea is a 'much better frame' or anything else negative:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/triathlon-bike/Kuota/PRD_366885_5677crx.aspx#reviews

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/kfactor.shtml

magnus's picture
Posts
23
Member
666 days
magnus posted 1 year ago.

i have the K-factor, and just freaking love it. That being said, like the others have mentioned, ride both. Whatever [B]fits[B] best is the one you should choose.

kevinb421's picture
Posts
287
Member
1340 days
kevinb421 posted 1 year ago.

I wasn't trying to imply that the Kuota was a bad frame, its just that I think Orbea easily makes the best frames, with maybe a couple high Italian makers as exceptions. I think they are both great choices and it comes down to personal preference and feel.

"If your not going to win, make the fellow in front of you break a record."

http://www.peak.com/kevinb421/blog/

jalyon's picture
Posts
45
Member
612 days
jalyon posted 1 year ago.

They're both pretty similar bikes, the Orbea will ride shallower, like most European bikes. Not that the K-Factor has an ultra-optimized geometry either maybe one degree steeper. That said, I think the effect of seat tube angle translated to speed is minimal. So, the fact that the Kuota is new becomes a big plus. If you're buying it from an LBS, many times they can sweeten the pot a little, maybe upgraded aerobars or a deal on an extended care package. I would look into that aspect of it, maybe it can help make up your mind. Both bikes are sick either way.

craigery's picture
Posts
76
Member
760 days
craigery posted 1 year ago.

My advice is that a good wheelset is very important. Its probably the second most important part of the bike. Rotating weight is more important than stationary weight. So which every bike you get, make sure you get a good wheelset.

Triguy98's picture
Posts
2455
Member
1333 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.

Also keep in mind that neither of these bikes have low head tubes, so if you are considering riding with an agressive position, or have long arms, you might want to consider other options. If you are looking for a more relaxed position or have T Rex arms, both bikes are solid choices. The Ordu has the cool "look" to it, but the K factor is a nice frameset in its own right.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.