Kinesis has a well-earned reputation for producing top quality cyclo-cross bikes, with the various models in its range ever-popular with cyclo-cross racers
Upgrade Bikes, the brains behind all Kinesis frames in the UK, recently sent us the latest EVO4 to play with. This is a frame that is designed for out-and-out racing. It has been tweaked and refined over the years in response to feedback from sponsored riders and customers alike to produce one of the most sorted cyclo-cross bikes on the market.
Frame
The 2010 incarnation is made from a number of different tubesets and materials to achieve the ride quality and performance the designers were seeking. First up and the most noticeable 'cross specific feature is the Kinesium Ergo2 top tube, which features a scalloped underside, intended to make for more comfortable shouldering of the bike when obstacles on the course force a dismount.
For the downtube and seat tube Kinesis paid a visit to Easton for some of their Ultralite Taperwall tubing. The selection is a small diameter downtube, ovalised at both ends for a flush fit with the head tube and bottom bracket shell.
Rearwards, a 'PropulsionCrosstay' carbon wishbone seat stay assembly snakes and curves around the rear tyre for huge mud clearance and also to boost stiffness. The chainstays are aluminium. Attention to detail extends to the rear brake and rear derailleur cables routing across the right hand side of the top tube, with smooth cable runs. Meanwhile, the front mech cable runs along the underside of the downtube.
Slotting into the head tube is an all-new Crosslight RC09 full carbon monocoque fork, and together with the frame the weight is about 1.9kg. Impressively light, just as you want from a race focused 'cross bike. And as I've come to expect from Kinesis with the many bikes I've tested in the last couple of years, it's all very neatly put together and extremely well finished, with smooth welds and joins between the carbon and aluminium frame parts.
Components
Upgrade Bikes sent us a rather tasty build, but clearly a bit thrown together using bits lying around. No problem there, and it does give a good suggestion of how a buyer might build their own EVO4. We got Campagnolo Centaur shifters and front and rear derailleurs mated to a Shimano DuraAce crankset with TA chainrings (38/46), which meshed well together.
Turn up at any local 'cross race and the number of racers running deep sections might shock you. So, Reynolds DV46 Cross wheels fitted the bill perfectly. They get 46mm rims with 20 spokes front and 24 rear, Reynolds DT hubs and DT spokes, and a pair weight of around 1.3kg. Tubular Vittoria Cross Evo XM 32mm tyres were ideal for dry conditions but not suitable for muddy conditions.
Brakes were the powerful TRP EuroX Magnesium calipers, which not only looked good but were easy to setup with a bit of toe-in. With the optional fork crown-mounted brake cable hanger, brake judder on the fork was completely eliminated - there isn't another 'cross bike I've yet ridden that didn't suffer badly from the dreaded judder. More about the brakes in a forthcoming review...
Oval-supplied bars, stem and seatpost and a white Fizik Arione saddle topping things off.
Ride
Out on the trail, the EVO4 feels direct, composed, taut, lively. Riding bikes is second nature for most of us, but the EVO4 takes this to the next level, anticipating my every move and resulting in an astonishing accuracy of handling. It turns into corners without a hint of delay or hesitation; relays just the right amount of feedback through the carbon and aluminium frame and is frankly mind-blowing when getting on the power out of corners. This is one seriously fast bike.
The wheels only served to highlight the frameset's capability, with a preference for faster, smoother terrain when fitted. A swap to regular wheels though did increase the handling response in slower tighter corners, seeming to get up to speed a smidgen quicker, and also allowed just a little more 'give' when racing across tough terrain.
Together the frame and the new fork were perfectly balanced and a very good starting point if you're planning to build up your own cyclo-cross bike from leftover parts you might have. Or go to town and throw a brand new groupset on there.
Yes, the EVO4 doesn't offer the scope for versatility that other bikes in the Kinesis cyclo-cross range offer (no rack or mudguard mounts) and there are absolutely no bottle mounts, but for the cyclo-cross purists this is as good as it gets. The EVO4 ticks all the boxes.
Verdict
A thoroughly enjoyable, and incredibly capable, fully fledged cyclo-cross race bike. There's a lot to like.
www.kinesisbikes.co.uk
