Kú CycleTF1
The TF1 is the only model of Dutch start-up Kú Cycle, founded by an ex-Formula 1 engineer. Its tall, wide 'FAST' fork and head tube sit between the rider's arms and a Steerer Pivot Box replaces a conventional steerer. Every frame is built to order with rider-specific geometry after a session with an authorised Kú fitter, and comes as a complete bike with SRAM Force AXS and Kú aero wheels.
- From
- €12,000€12,000€12,000* excluding VAT
- Builds
- 1
- Sizes
- —
- Frame weight
- —
Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 7 categories
A made-to-measure superbike: every frame is built around a fit, the F1-style front end is unlike anything else, and it has a 70.3 world title to its name. The flip side is a high price before VAT, an older Force AXS groupset, many proprietary parts and no integrated hydration.
Scored Oct 2026
- + Wide fit adjustment
- + Aero-first design
- − Expensive
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 86/100
- Frame
- 74/100
- Components
- 74/100
- Hydration & storage
- 70/100
- Fit
- 90/100
- Practicality
- 58/100
- Price
- 40/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Hydration and storage in the frame
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
Bike duel
Reviews
3 independent reviews of the Kú Cycle TF1.
- ▶ Video
Bespoke Endurance
Is This the Future of Tri Bikes? Kú TF1 Honest Review - ▶ Video
Real Life Reviews
Aero Testing the Ku Cycle TF1 - ▶ Video
Real Life Reviews
Ku TF1 Triathlon Bike
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon
- Fork material
- Carbon
- Frame sizes
- Built to order with rider-specific geometry (no stock sizes)
- Colours
- Custom paint: level 1 (two base colours, three decal schemes) included; levels 2 and 3 cost extra
Compatibility & standards
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Bottom bracket standard
- Press-fit (SRAM DUB PF)
- Front axle
- 12x100 thru-axle (Kú)
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle (Kú)
- Drivetrain compatibility
- Designed around SRAM AXS wireless (1x or 2x); Kú says it can supply a component spec for other brands
- 1x compatible
- Yes
Hydration & storage
- Hydration details
- No integrated reservoir; between-the-arms bottle (Profile Design Aero HC, about 830 ml, optional) and a Profile Design RM-10 rear mount option.
- Integrated storage
- Yes
- Storage details
- Dorsal bento box behind the between-the-arms bottle, a nose-cone compartment for a tubeless plug kit and CO2, and a tool carrier on the bottom-bracket fin.
- Top tube bento box
- Yes
Fit & adjustability
- Aerobar system
- Kú TF1 cockpit with Zipp Vuka Shift AXS 90 extensions; FastTT full-length aerobar mount available as the TF1 Pro Cockpit upgrade
- Pad stack adjustment range
- Extension holders in +5°, +10° and +15°; angle- and width-adjustable cup mounts
- Fit notes
- Bought only after a pre-fit with an authorised Kú fitter; frame geometry and fork length are matched to each rider.
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- Kú says the high, wide FAST fork reduces air blockage at the front of the bike and lowers combined bike and rider drag via three 'F-ducts'.
- Testing method
- CFD (developed by ex-Formula 1 engineer Richard McAinsh)
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Travel & packing
- Brake hoses use Formula speed-lock couplings so the front end can be disconnected for travel without bleeding the brakes.
- Proprietary parts
- Steerer Pivot Box, FAST fork, cockpit, extension holders and thru-axles are Kú-specific
- Sold via
- Direct from Kú Cycle via authorised Kú fitters, built to order
Photos
Design sketches
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value. * Excluding VAT: the maker publishes this price without VAT, so it reads lower than VAT-inclusive MSRPs.
TF1 SRAM Force eTap AXS | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Price (MSRP) | €12,000€12,000€12,000* excluding VAT |
| Type | Complete bike |
| Notes | Kú lists €12,000 EXCLUDING VAT, shipping and import duties (not directly comparable with VAT-inclusive MSRPs). Includes level-1 paint and Kú aero wheels; Triathlon Magazine Canada quoted €11,100 ex VAT in August 2023. Upgrades: SRAM Red groupset +€1,650, power meter +€400, FastTT Pro Cockpit +€750, Kú disc rear wheel €1,950. |
| Drivetrain | |
| Groupset | SRAM Force eTap AXS D1 |
| Launched | 2019 · replaced by SRAM Force AXS E1 (2025) |
| Speeds | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes |
| Wireless | Yes |
| Drivetrain | 2x12 (1x option) |
| Shifters | Zipp Vuka Shift AXS 90 (extensions) + SRAM AXS Wireless Blips (base bar) |
| Crankset | SRAM Force D1 |
| Crank lengths available | 165 or 170 mm |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB Pressfit |
| Standard | Press-fit (SRAM BB-DUB-PF) |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Force eTap AXS D1 |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Force eTap AXS D1 |
| Cassette | SRAM Force XG-1270 |
| Range | 10-28 or 10-33 |
| Speeds | 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM Force D1 |
| Brakes | |
| Brake levers | SRAM S-900 Aero HRD (DB-S-900) |
| Brake calipers | SRAM Force eTap AXS D1 HRD flat-mount |
| Type | Hydraulic disc |
| Rotors | SRAM CenterLine XR |
| Front rotor | 140 mm |
| Rear rotor | 140 mm |
| Mount | Center Lock |
| Wheels & tires | |
| Wheelset | Kú Cycle Aero 60 front / Aero 80 rear (Aero 35 front optional) |
| Front rim depth | 63 mm |
| Rear rim depth | 83 mm |
| Tubeless ready | Yes |
| Front wheel weight | 880 g31 oz |
| Rear wheel weight | 970 g34.2 oz |
| Tires | Vittoria Corsa Graphene 2.0 (or Continental GP 5000 S TR) |
| Cockpit | |
| Aerobar system | Kú Cycle TF1 cockpit with 5°/10°/15° extension holders and adjustable cup mounts |
| Integrated with frame | Yes |
| Extensions | Zipp Vuka Shift AXS 90 |
| Saddle & seatpost | |
| Seatpost | Kú Cycle TF1 aero seatpost with Ritchey WCS TT clamp |
| Included extras | |
| Storage / bento | Kú Cycle Bento box, nose-cone repair-kit storage and BB fin tool carrier |
Ownership checklist
1 of 2 known checks pass, 5 not published by Kú Cycle. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
Press-fit (SRAM DUB PF)
- ?
UDH derailleur hanger
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle (Kú)
- ?
Works with mechanical shifting
- ?
Fits third-party aerobars
Kú TF1 cockpit with Zipp Vuka Shift AXS 90 extensions; FastTT full-length aerobar mount available as the TF1 Pro Cockpit upgrade
- ?
Rear disc wheel compatible
- ?
Fit kept when packed
Good to know
Design
A Steerer Pivot Box replaces the conventional fork steerer tube, and fork length is matched to each frame size.
SourceRacing
Rico Bogen won the 2023 Ironman 70.3 World Championship on a Kú TF1.
SourceHistory
Kú Cycle was founded in the Netherlands in 2019 by Alex Bok and former Ferrari and Benetton Formula 1 engineer Richard McAinsh; the TF1 is its first bike.
SourceVersions
Kú's website also shows a TF100 gallery but publishes no specifications or price for it.
Source
TF1 FAQ
How much does the Kú Cycle TF1 cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €12,000 across 1 listed build: TF1 SRAM Force eTap AXS.
Does the Kú Cycle TF1 have integrated hydration?+
The Kú Cycle TF1 has no integrated hydration system. No integrated reservoir; between-the-arms bottle (Profile Design Aero HC, about 830 ml, optional) and a Profile Design RM-10 rear mount option.
Does the Kú Cycle TF1 have integrated storage?+
Yes. Dorsal bento box behind the between-the-arms bottle, a nose-cone compartment for a tubeless plug kit and CO2, and a tool carrier on the bottom-bracket fin. A top tube bento box is integrated.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Kú Cycle TF1?+
Drivetrain compatibility: Designed around SRAM AXS wireless (1x or 2x); Kú says it can supply a component spec for other brands. 1x drivetrains are supported. Bottom bracket: Press-fit (SRAM DUB PF).
What builds of the Kú Cycle TF1 are available?+
TF1 SRAM Force eTap AXS: SRAM Force eTap AXS D1.
Is the Kú Cycle TF1 easy to travel with?+
Brake hoses use Formula speed-lock couplings so the front end can be disconnected for travel without bleeding the brakes.
Is the Kú Cycle TF1 aerodynamic?+
Kú says the high, wide FAST fork reduces air blockage at the front of the bike and lowers combined bike and rider drag via three 'F-ducts'. (CFD (developed by ex-Formula 1 engineer Richard McAinsh))
Sources
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/tf1/
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/tech-specs/
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/ku-cycle-tf1-price-list/
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/product-gallery/
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/
- https://triathlonmagazine.ca/gear/what-was-that-bike-rico-bogen-used-to-win-the-70-3-worlds/
- https://endurance.biz/2020/industry-news/aiming-to-disrupt-the-bike-category-new-ku-tf1-triathlon-bike/
- https://www.ku-cycle.com/tf100-product-gallery/
Kú Cycle TF1 data last updated · How the data is checked ·