A bike that speaks through actions

The Classified R50 wheels have been a really good match for this build. While the frame is designed more around climbing, we deliberately chose the more aerodynamic R50 wheelset to give the build a little more versatility and to show that the bike can adapt beyond its natural climbing environment. They give the bike a fast and responsive feeling, particularly noticeable when climbing and accelerating out of corners. On technical descents they feel stable and confidence-inspiring, without making the bike feel overly aggressive. After a long mountain ride with around 3,000 metres of elevation, I came away feeling that they do exactly what I want from a wheelset: they make the bike feel quick, balanced and predictable. Not to mention they look awesome.

For the type of riding I normally do in Andorra, this setup feels perfectly balanced. For my next adventure, heading to a country that’s a little flatter than Andorra, the only change I would consider would be switching to a 52/36 crankset. That would provide a little more speed on rolling terrain and make it easier to maintain higher speeds on longer, flatter sections. A flawless bike is one thing. If it also looks phenomenal, appearing to change colour as the sunlight hits the frame, it speaks for itself. It simply does what it was built to do, and it does so impressively. Kuota is one of the few manufacturers in the world to use true one-piece moulding. This construction is what gives the frame its exceptional stiffness and responsiveness, while keeping it remarkably light.