While it might not be to everyone’s liking, we really dig the Kiral’s camo color scheme, it beats seeing yet another solid black bike and gives it a style
all its own.
Intriguingly, it also stands to highlight some of the key shapes and forms of the frame while masking others.
When it comes to the equipment Kuota’s UK people offer a number of optional builds based on the same £1,725 frameset, from a budget-conscious Shimano 105 selection up to a blowout Dura-Ace Di2, and a range of Mavic wheels.
It makes the bikes highly customizable without an endless list of options that simply confuse.
Components include the highly respected Deda Zero2 bar and stem, with the perch selected as San Marco’s Concor saddle.
With its pronounced triangulation running from the head tube back it’ll come as little surprise that this is a stiff front end and it’s never more evident than when levering yourself up steep inclines.
Likewise the compact rear triangle and 31.6mm Seatpost make for a taut feel and with very little flex.
Having not used the Mavic UST system before it was interesting to note that the tires were working hard and were the main source of comfort, meaning that the 10-15psi drop in tire pressure they afforded helped maintain comfort.
These elements combine with the slightly detuned geometry to help the Kiral go after the more race-oriented end of the sportive market.