Kinesis 4S disc advice
- Thread starter Oldphysio
- Start date
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There are two versions - the Thru-Axle version which is disc only and the QR version which can also run with rim brakes. I had the older QR version for about 4 years - put quite a few miles on it and treated it really badly (bunny hopping off curbs quite a lot and I'm a big guy), but ultimately the rear drop outs failed where the derailleur hanger was. The design meant that the drop out had not too much material in that area and I suspect my poor treatment wasn't anticipated. Kinesis to their credit did refund the frame purchase. If it's the earlier version (it's a light blue or grey frame) then check the drop outs would be my advice.
The thru-axle version looks much more robust as the design means that there is a lot more material around the drop outs so I wouldn't anticipate it being a problem on this version.
Both bikes ride really well and have a, for me, very comfortable position (I've got the 63cm frame) and are quite responsive in how they ride, it's more of a traditional geometry than modern bikes which means you tend to have a lot less seat tube showing but that doesn't affect comfort. It's definitely more of a race bike than a touring bike - the seat tube and head tube angles mean the steering is quite light and it's really easy to get it into a turn.
They also take the Kinesis Fend-Off mudguards which are the best mudguards I've ever used by some margin although that does limit you to 28c tyres, but otherwise it can take 32s comfortably. Also has solid rack mounting options.
I have mine as a winter bike but I do tend to grab it a lot in the summer too as it's a nice ride, maintenance is really easy - threaded BB and despite having some internal routing of cables I've not found that to be a problem as the entry/exit points are easy to work with.
As with any second hand bike I'd go over the frame and make sure that that is all in good shape and if it looks well maintained then that price looks reasonable as they tend to hold their price. A quick look on ebay sees the price range from ~£400 to £900 depending on component spec.
The thru-axle version looks much more robust as the design means that there is a lot more material around the drop outs so I wouldn't anticipate it being a problem on this version.
Both bikes ride really well and have a, for me, very comfortable position (I've got the 63cm frame) and are quite responsive in how they ride, it's more of a traditional geometry than modern bikes which means you tend to have a lot less seat tube showing but that doesn't affect comfort. It's definitely more of a race bike than a touring bike - the seat tube and head tube angles mean the steering is quite light and it's really easy to get it into a turn.
They also take the Kinesis Fend-Off mudguards which are the best mudguards I've ever used by some margin although that does limit you to 28c tyres, but otherwise it can take 32s comfortably. Also has solid rack mounting options.
I have mine as a winter bike but I do tend to grab it a lot in the summer too as it's a nice ride, maintenance is really easy - threaded BB and despite having some internal routing of cables I've not found that to be a problem as the entry/exit points are easy to work with.
As with any second hand bike I'd go over the frame and make sure that that is all in good shape and if it looks well maintained then that price looks reasonable as they tend to hold their price. A quick look on ebay sees the price range from ~£400 to £900 depending on component spec.
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Just to add, as I realised it's not clear from my post above - I also have the newer version (Royal Blue, Thru Axle version) which is the one I'm using as a winter bike now. Geometry on both the of the ones I have/had is very similar and they have a newer version on the website now which is available in fewer sizes and with slightly different geometry.
I wasn't planning on getting the one I have now - I replaced the old 4S with the RTD which is a fantastic frame, but I saw the frameset up for £300 on eBay a couple of years ago brand new in box so I jumped on it (had been sitting in a warehouse at Evans Cycles and they were selling it off after being bought by Sports Direct).
I wasn't planning on getting the one I have now - I replaced the old 4S with the RTD which is a fantastic frame, but I saw the frameset up for £300 on eBay a couple of years ago brand new in box so I jumped on it (had been sitting in a warehouse at Evans Cycles and they were selling it off after being bought by Sports Direct).
