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TECH NEWS

Kinesis reveal new Racelight TK3 winter trainer plus Crosslight EVO5 cyclocross bike

Major update for winter training classic and new race oriented cyclocross bikes landing soon

We've just caught up with Dom Mason, designer at Kinesis UK, and he showed us some CAD drawings of the new Racelight TK3 he has been working on for the past few months, along with a blurry photo of the actual frame that had just landed in his office. This morning he's sent over some details of the new frame that we can share with you.

The TK has been a popular frame for those racers and riders looking to build a winter training bike. It's an affordable aluminium frame that will stand up to hours of pounding through the mucky British roads in the depths of the winter.

Updated for the upcoming winter, the new TK3 draws on current road frame trends with a tapered head tube into which slots a matching painted Tracer carbon fork - a first for the TK. A Kinesium tubeset is hydroformed in key places and there is the required clearance for proper mudguards, 29mm tyres and long reach brake callipers, and features a 15cm tapered head tube. We're not sure, but we think this might be the only carbon fork with a tapered steerer tube and mudguard mounts.

Stock of the TK3 is arriving at Upgrade Bikes, the UK distributor who look after Kinesis UK, at the end of the month so they'll be available soon after.

Kinesis have also released the EVO5, a cyclo-cross frame aimed at racers wanting a light and simple frame that is focused on one job; winning races. Go to any UK 'cross race and you'll see a healthy number of Kinesis frames. They're popular for their good value and keen design, and the updated Evo retains the pure race features.

That means no disc brakes. You also won't find any unnecessary bottle, mudguard or rack mounts. The head tube is short and the geometry designed for racing. The frame uses an Easton Ultralite Taperwall and Kinesium tubeset with carbon stays. The top tube is slender and shaped for easier carrying, and while the down tube is oversized, it isn't too big to grab when you're carrying the bike over obstacles.

Plugging into the tapered head tube is an all-new PureCX full carbon monocoque unidirectional fork, based on the Cxd fork fitted to the Pro6. Weight is just 478g.

Like the TK3, the EVO 5 should be available at the end of the month.  Check out their website for more info on both frames www.kinesisbikes.co.uk

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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12 comments

Avatar
My_Bike_Owns | 11 years ago
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Scandium granfondo in orange, please! Really tempted by a granfondo frame but the colour schemes are too boring...

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Dom | 11 years ago
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Kinesis UK wouldn't be where it is today if we hadn't listened and responded to the wishes of UK riders, so thanks for your comments and yes I will introduce some brighter metallics to the 'winter' range as soon as I get the chance.
I love the brighter/bolder and 'different' colours, but the guys in the sales office don't always agree with me ; ]
Every new colour needs a new decal design too, so finding the time can be tricky!

*Watch this space* as they say in the media.

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Brummmie | 11 years ago
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Dukes of Hazard Orange...............Yeee Haa !

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Karbon Kev | 11 years ago
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The problem with winter road frames are that most of them are just plain dull in colour, blacks, dark reds, so to see a nice light blue one is good, but as I have already mentioned, and conversated with Dom over, the green would be awesome! Brighter colours in winter = safer riding imo!

As the post above, burnt orange would be great too.

Bring it on, Kinesis!!

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Yes, the other colours are nice, but as mintimperial says, they aren't making you stand out from the crowd. Let's see some swish colour schemes on the KR810 and the Granfondo.

How about adding this green, a burnt orange and this red: http://www.lamborghini.com/en/models/special-and-limited-editions/aventa...

Hmmm, burnt orange KR810 with forks in metallic gunmetal grey and wheels/finishing kit in black - now THAT would look fast!

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mintimperial | 11 years ago
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The other colours are lovely too, but it's not like there aren't about five billion different black, white and blue road bike frames out there already. Green road frames are quite thin on the ground, though. I know this cos I have a weird OCD tick for green bikes, and the nearest I could get to a green road bike that checked all the right boxes last time I looked was something black with green accents on it. Yes, I'm fully aware that this is ridiculous, thanks...  3

Avatar
Dom | 11 years ago
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Do you know, I seriously didn't expect you lot to want a winter bike in such a lairy colour! The 'SickGreen' metallic comes from the Maxlight FF29 MTB and I used it for the EVO5 because I think it really suits a more aggressive 'race' feel.
Today, my e.mail, twitter and phone have blown up with requests for the Tk3 and Crosslight Pro6 in SickGreen!
We order the frames pretty far in advance, so it's really not possible to offer this colour for this season, but we will certainly slot it in for next.
I will try and offer it sooner if we have to re-order mid season.

Thanks for the feedback!

P.S. The other colours are nice too, right?

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mintimperial | 11 years ago
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Oooh yes, that green is lovely.

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Brummmie | 11 years ago
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In the name of all that is holy sort it Kinesis. Winter trainer in Hulk Green NOW DOGNAMMIT !

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Karbon Kev | 11 years ago
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ooh that green, shame the same colour wasn't offered for the TK3 .....

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Brummmie | 11 years ago
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I'll have a Racelight please...............BUT IN GREEN.

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themuffle replied to Brummmie | 11 years ago
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I agree - the green looks fab!

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