Brand Name | Takara |
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Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
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- Steel frame and fork; 54 centimeter top tube
- Alloy rims with alloy hub
- Tig-welded steel frame with horizontal drop out
- Alloy side pull brakes
- Weighs 29.5 pounds
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Product Description
Product Description
The Kabuto is all about keeping things simple and getting it done without breaking the bank. At the heart of the Kabuto you-Feetll find a strong hand crafted steel frame with horizontal dropouts that can handle the abuse of the big city. City riders told us that they didn-Feett need derailleur-Feets so we listened and outfitted the Kabuto with a flip flop bug so you can run it as a fixed gear or in standard freewheel single speed mode without having to worry about adjustments to temperamental components. The 32 hole alloy wheels roll on loud Kenda 700 x 32 tires that are capable of withstanding less than perfect roads. Front and rear alloy side pull brakes round out this spectacular model.
Amazon.com
An ideal commuter bike, the Takara Kabuto features a strong handcrafted steel frame with horizontal dropouts that can handle the abuse of the big city. The Kabuto has a flip flop hub so you can run it as a fixed gear or in standard freewheel single speed mode without having to worry about adjustments to temperamental components.The 32 hole alloy wheels roll on loud Kenda 700 by 32 tires that are capable of withstanding less than perfect roads. Front and rear alloy side pull brakes round out the specs of this bike that will fit riders 5 feet, 8 inches tall to 6 feet tall with a standover clearance of 31 inches. Specifications:
- Steel frame and fork
- Alloy rims with alloy hub
- Rear flip flop hub
- Brakes: Alloy side pull
- Tires: Yellow Kenda 700 x 32
- Frame: Tig welded steel frame with horizontal drop out
- Fork: Tig Welded 1 inch Threaded
- Handlebar: Steel Road 42.5cm wide
- Stem: Alloy Quill 1-inch 90 deg x 100mm
- Crank: Steel 3-piece 170mm 44 tooth steel chain ring
- Bottom Bracket: Loose ball and cone, English thread
- Pedals: Alloy cage with toe clips
- Rims: Alloy singlewall 32 hole with stainless steel spoke
- Hub Rear: Joytech alloy 16-tooth freewheel and fix gear, bolt on
- Hub Front: Joytech alloy high flange, bolt on
- Tires: Kenda Yellow 700 x 32
- Seat Collar: Alloy
- Seatpost: Steel 25.4
- Kickstand: Steel
- Bar Tape: Cork
- Weight: 29.5 pounds
Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B004W8LG1S |
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Customer Reviews |
3.0 out of 5 stars |
Date First Available | September 2, 2010 |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the value, appearance, quality and ease of assembly of the outdoor recreation product. For example, they mention it's amazing for the price, looks nice and is made without overcomplicated components. That said, some disagree on sturdiness, pedals, and braking.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the value of the bike amazing for the price. They say it's an affordable single speed bike that requires little work. Some mention that it'll be a great look per dollar.
"...I do feel it's worth the effort of getting used to though - I cut 20 minutes off of my old 2 hour time during my first major ride!..." Read more
"...heavier than composite (read $$$) frame, sweet tires, and a great look per dollar.Ready to Ride: The bike was simple to assemble...." Read more
"...I would say at the $189, the reviews are fair, it's a great bike for the price. However, at $240, I feel like the reviews are misleading...." Read more
"...The bike is real sleek; a head-turner and for a sweet low price, I couldn't go wrong! (Whew!)..." Read more
Customers find the bike easy to assemble. They say it rides smooth and fast, and is made without overcomplicated components. Customers also say the setup for the bike is nice and easy, and requires only basic tools to get it up. They mention that the extra rugged chain requires little maintenance and performs well.
"This bike is extremely easy to build right out of the box; I read all the instructions since I have never put one together myself and had a little..." Read more
"...It rides smooth and fast and is made without overcomplicated components, just what I needed after months of hassles with the gears and brakes on my..." Read more
"...Assembly wasn't particularly difficult since I had all the tools available in my workshop, but here's the deal..." Read more
"...Or just get new brakes.7. A water bottle cage is easily attachable.8. The chain and freewheel are 1/2 " x 3/32"9...." Read more
Customers like the quality of the bike. They mention that it's a great bike, good product, and wonderful bike to tie a rope to and haul someone behind on. Some say that the bike has decent pedals. Overall, most are satisfied with the quality and functionality of the product.
"I agree with the general view that this is a well-made, affordable bike...." Read more
"...Says it is an awesome bike and he's very happy with it...." Read more
"...The Pros:Extremely nimble bike, with very eye catching color scheme...." Read more
"...The wheels are of good quality. Nothing, except for the freewheel and chainring, seem cheap at all; first class.The cost/value is high!..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the outdoor recreation product. They mention that it has a nice color scheme, and a clean finish. Some say that the bike attracts a lot of attention.
"...Back breaks work but risky, not strong enough.The bike looks nice so if you want a bike to hang at your garage and never ride, get this..." Read more
"...The only pros so far are that it looks nice and looks like pretty good quality...." Read more
"...getting a solid, albeit heavier than composite (read $$$) frame, sweet tires, and a great look per dollar...." Read more
"...And we will do this.Regardless, it was a hit. The bike is real sleek; a head-turner and for a sweet low price, I couldn't go wrong!..." Read more
Customers like the speed of the bike. They mention that the single speed setup is quite nice, and the bike is an excellent single speed road bike. Some customers also mention that their times have improved, and that the bike just feels faster and more nimble than ever.
"...For the money this bike is great and it runs well and is quite fast in my opinion (as long as the brakes aren't getting stuck on the rims)...." Read more
"...It rides smooth and fast and is made without overcomplicated components, just what I needed after months of hassles with the gears and brakes on my..." Read more
"...reviewers wrote that the Takara Kabuto has a single speed and that speed is fast. That reviewer is right...." Read more
"...I went back out and it seemed to have no effect. The bike slows down going down hill...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sturdiness of the bike. Some mention it's a really solid bike, well put together, and still going strong. However, others say that it has bad brake pads, pedals made of cheap plastic, and low quality brake calipers.
"...But for now, this is holding up just fine and is helping me achieve my fitness goals with a lot more fun and enjoyment than I had anticipated...." Read more
"...Back breaks work but risky, not strong enough...." Read more
"...The only pros so far are that it looks nice and looks like pretty good quality...." Read more
"...The brake pads aren't good either as other have mentioned; I am going to replace them when these run out since I only use it to commute 3 miles..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the pedals. Some mention that it provides for a very smooth ride on roads, while others say that the pedal makes a click sound. Some customers also mention that the handlebars start creaking when they put pressure on them.
"...The bearings in both wheels are still going strong, the brakes have never given me any issues, chain and crank are fine, and tires are still good..." Read more
"...It rides smooth and fast and is made without overcomplicated components, just what I needed after months of hassles with the gears and brakes on my..." Read more
"...They also have tread which makes a moderate amount of rolling resistance that made the bike too slow for me...." Read more
"...Provides for a very smooth ride on roads and will have you speeding past other people on mountain bikes in no time...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the braking of the outdoor recreation product. Some mention that the brakes work well and have never had any issues, while others say that they are difficult to adjust and temperamental.
"...Front brakes didn't work, followed the instruction step by step, grip is too wide, no idea how to tighten it.*..." Read more
"...bearings in both wheels are still going strong, the brakes have never given me any issues, chain and crank are fine, and tires are still good..." Read more
"...The back brakes were also pinching a little. I figured that had to be why it was so hard to peddle...." Read more
"...For the money this bike is great and it runs well and is quite fast in my opinion (as long as the brakes aren't getting stuck on the rims)...." Read more
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First, I would like to address some common things that come up in the other reviews of this bike. There is much misinformation with regards to the right pedal making a clicking noise at the top of the pedal rotation. One reviewer, claiming to be a bike mechanic, has stated that the problem is due to a faulty crank. I'm an auto mechanic, not a bike mechanic, but I'm quite certain the problem has nothing to do with the crank. I have fixed and reduplicated the problem four times now to be certain that I have pinpointed the problem accurately. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED MORE TIGHTLY THAN YOU MIGHT INITIALLY THINK. If you happen to own a torque wrench, as I do, you should apply about 40 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the right pedal. If you don't own such a tool, just tighten it with quite a bit of force. In my experience, that will completely eliminate the 'clicking' problem with the right pedal. You might as well tighten the left one a little tighter while you are at it.
Some reviewers are unhappy with the brakes. As I have said above, this is my first jump into road biking and so perhaps it is because I don't know any different, but I have found the brakes to be perfectly capable of stopping me whenever I have needed. I have had to stop very quickly (a deer ran right in front of me the other day) and much of the terrain I cycle on has very steep hills. I have never had a problem with the brakes being inadequate. Yes, they needed a little adjusting at first, but I have not had to mess with them since after the first day of use.
Before I forget, I should warn anyone buying this bike that EVERY SINGLE NUT AND BOLT ON THIS BIKE NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED WHEN YOU GET IT. I thoroughly went through the entire bike and found that several of the hex-nuts were slightly loose as were some of the other fittings as well. Be safe and take the time to tighten everything well.
Perhaps the seat is hard and not ergonomic compared to others ones, but to be honest the discomfort was only noticeable during my first few longer rides. I am currently cycling about 30 miles a day, four to five times a week and the seat has been perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned. Some of the other reviewers seem to forget that this bike cost them close to $200 and not $1000 like most of the bikes I was looking at in my local bike shops. For the price, this seat is perfectly fine with me. I purchased the Pearl Izumi biking shorts on Amazon and they provide a little added comfort.
The tubes that these tires come with are total crap. Other reviewers have also said the tubes are awful; they are absolutely right. After the first two days of use and repeated blow outs and flats, I replaced the original tubes with Avenir Schrader 48mm Valve Tubes (700 x 28-32C), which can be purchased right on Amazon, and so far I have not had a single flat or blow out. I weigh just around 200lbs and have been putting exactly 105 psi in them without any problems so far. I check the pressure before every trip and must admit that I usually need to put about 5-10 psi in it each time; in other words, the tubes do seem to slowly leak over time. I'm a novice and don't know if this is typical of other bikes or not, but I don't really mind filling them up each time. I should also mention that, just to be safe, I also purchased rim tape at the time I put in the Avenir tubes. There were a few rough spots on the rim that the tape helped cover.
In conclusion, I am completely satisfied with this bike for the price. The single speed makes me work my butt off on the big hills, which gives me a good burn, a good interval workout, and has so far made my weight drop in the last few months from 210 pounds to just under 200. I was hesitant about buying a single speed because the main bike trail I ride on here in Nashville is full of hills and steep inclines. So far I have been able to ride up every hill I have encountered without needing to get off and walk the bike. I'm rather happy I didn't pay the extra money for a bike with gears, which would have been more maintenance (especially the cheap ones I was looking at). For the money, I think this bike is an excellent buy for anyone thinking of trying out the sport for their first time. I plan to ride this bike to death over the next year or so and then think of getting something a little nicer. But for now, this is holding up just fine and is helping me achieve my fitness goals with a lot more fun and enjoyment than I had anticipated. I hope this review is helpful to someone.
UPDATE: April, 2013
Still enjoying this bicycle and it has held up great. I am only cycling once or twice a week now for about 15 miles each time. The bearings in both wheels are still going strong, the brakes have never given me any issues, chain and crank are fine, and tires are still good (original tubes are crap as stated above). For the price and the wear and tear I have put on this bike, I am even more convinced now than I was several months ago that this bicycle is a bargain.
UPDATE: August, 2014
A year later and still cycling about 15-20 miles one time per week. I have not had to repair a single thing on this bike except for a brake lever handle that broke because I wrecked. About every six months I am sure to spray lubricant into the gears and to keep them lubed up. About 8 months ago I decided to upgrade the seat on this bike. I upgraded to the Adamo Full Gel Road and absolutely love it (hated it for the first month! it is dreadfully hard to get used to). I was getting numbness in the groin region after my rides and did a little research to find a seat that wouldn't have that effect. I will never go back to the original seat that comes with the bike now that I am in love with this one, but the original held up just fine for as long as used it. Oh, and I am yet to have a flat tire on this bike, but keep in mind that I ride on a greenway, which is much smoother and cleaner than roads around the city.
* Can't turn and pedal at the same time, the front wheel will hit the pedals if I did.
* Front brakes didn't work, followed the instruction step by step, grip is too wide, no idea how to tighten it.
* Back breaks work but risky, not strong enough.
The bike looks nice so if you want a bike to hang at your garage and never ride, get this one, if you need it for anything else, skip!
Edit: The front tire "blew" right after I wrote this review. The tubing got a small crack in it and was flat overnight, seems like poor materials to me. I tried taping it up and then it blew (and not in the original spot) confirming the tube to be weak.