Kevin of Steel Ninja Mermaid

I’ve had my KoS Ninja Mermaid for almost 5 months. Currently I’m more-or-less a full time traveller and Kevin is my travelling companion and sits, covered, on the back of my 4WD camper. Recently, I spent some time in Silverton (20km north west of Broken Hill). The photo is taken from the lookout on Wilangee Rd with the Mundi Mundi Plain in the background - Kevin (and me) in our happy place :-).
I rode out along the plain for 30 or so kms before turning around - pure bliss. A bit of the black stuff, with some gravel and loose dirt, just what Kev is made for.

So far Kevin and I have been on one bikepacking trip. It was a version of the Central West Cycle Trail. The bike was loaded up with gear (for a 3 day trip) and lots of water (it was hot!); no problems whatsoever. It was stable and I still felt confident on the bike with the extra weight. The trip included everything from highway sections ,to gravel roads, to narrow sandy forest tracks. The bike was brilliant.

The frame, geometry, Eagle ASX groupset, wide 650b tyres and the Walmer bar come together as a package that I just love! So versatile, agile and comfortable. No matter what part of the country I’m in, or where a ride may take me I know the bike will be fun, comfortable, and reliable.

The more I ride this bike the more I want to ride!

I just received my Kevin in the mail. It was the last in cream. It's a work of art down to the last details. Both in form and function. I live in Colorado USA and the biked arrive at my house safe and sound and the team at curve was awesome every step of the way. The bike arrived quickly. I did a lot of shopping around and was so happy to find this bike. I can't wait to hit the dirt roads with my new pal the Kevin.

The steel frame is beautifully finished. Even the weld seams around the bottom bracket are well done. This gives the bike a very clean look. The paintwork itself is gorgeous and varies between deep sea and starry night, depending on the light.
The handling on the road is smooth and stable. Off-road is where it really gets fun. The bike is surprisingly agile and "playful" ... Pure joy. The steel frame offers super self-damping. The handlebars and the many hand positions they offer are outstanding. Especially the control in the drops is brilliant! My new favourite position on descents: lots of control. The SRAM Apex 1x12 (mech.) shifts cleanly and precisely. At first I was worried about the number of gears. But the 10-52 cassette takes you up and down everywhere. Thanks to the massive tyre clearance, even muddy tracks are no problem and accumulating dirt doesn't get in the way and grind. The many mounts on the frame allow for various equipment and increase the versatility of this bike.
Last but not least: praise for the communication (via email) across time zones and continents! I was able to contact you at any time with questions and uncertainties and you responded faster than some local authorities.
Vielen Dank!

I've had my Kevin of Steel for almost 5 years now so I reckon I'm overdue a review. Always up for anything, Kevin is the enabler of adventures and has never complained once. Kevin is my go to guy for commuting, errands, all day gravel loops and trips to the pub. Loaded up or in race mode this bike is sturdy as heck yet somehow zippy and turning heads wherever we go. Rolling out for a ride with Kev still makes me smile every time, I reckon we'll be friends 4eva.

I have ridden so many bikes, and just can’t get over how comfortable and well made my Kevin is. I’ve used my Kevin of steel for commuting, bike packing, gravel rides and even bunch road rides with my local group.

I love my Kev so much that I had to pull the trigger on a second frameset in camel cruiser, that I will build up to be my forever bike.

I can never go back to carbon or aluminium frames