Quantcast

Morewood Kalula; build & first impressions

vicious

Monkey
Aug 7, 2005
170
0
5280'


Frame: 2010 Morewood Kalula, large
Shock: CCDB, 250# steel
Fork: 2011 Fox 36 Float 180 RC2
Wheelset: 823s laced to Hope Pro II
Rubber: Minion DHF/DHR
Cranks: Holzfeller
Chain Guide: e13
Pedals: DMR V12 MAG
Shifters: SRAM
Derailleurs: SRAM
Brakes: Hope Mono 6
Seatpost: Deity
Saddle: Deity
Stem: Deity
Handlebar: Deity
Grips: Deity

This bike rips. Period.

The suspension designs of Morewood are seriously sweet. I got a bit of time on a Makulu prior to the arrival of my Kalula (see review here: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Frames,7/Morewood-Bicycles/Makulu,1734) and was hoping the rear end of the Kalula would feel as incredible as the Mak...it does. The low leverage ratio makes the rear feel different than many other bikes...they feel super squishy in the parking lot, but you quickly realize on the trail that there is no mushy feeling and basically no pedal bob. The rear of the Kalula is very active feeling. I had to order a softer spring (250) as it came with a 300, which is wild as I'm nearly 200# geared up.

The Kalula is super agile and corners like a champ. I've actually never enjoyed the way a bike cornered more that this rig...it makes me smile constantly.

The Kalula is definitely the little brother to the Makulu and suits my riding style better...more jibby/jumpy and non-racer. It can still hang on full dh tracks, but if you want a race sled, the Makulu is your bike. If you want a bike that can rip the dh track and still kill in the park, the Kalula is the call.

Clearly this rig jumps well. And, it's so light and easy to move around, it feels a bit like cheating. I haven't had a chance to weigh this thing yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came in somewhere arond 36# without any attempt at chosing weight-saving parts.

Overall I couldn't be more stoked...unless I had enough loot sitting around to own a Makulu too.

Cheers to Lance and the rest of the doods at Morewood for creating some rad products! :thumb:

A few extra pics with more to come soon:







 

al-irl

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
1,086
0
A, A
Clearly this rig jumps well. And, it's so light and easy to move around, it feels a bit like cheating. I haven't had a chance to weigh this thing yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came in somewhere arond 36# without any attempt at chosing weight-saving parts.

Funny you say that seems to be the same opinion as most of my mates who've tried my Makulu. Its certainly faster than any other bike I've jumped on.