Description The Evoke is Kestrel's new hard-core, road-specific machine. Super light, super stiff, with the super-smooth carbon ride that Kestrel is famous for. Semi-sloped top tube in a full size range for prope...
Favorite Ride: Lake Minnetonka, or one with lots of hills
Bike Setup: Full Campy Record, Rolf Vector Pro wheels, San Marco Aspide saddle, Michelin Pro clinchers, ITM handlebars, Easton EA70 stem.
Summary: This is my second Kestrel. My first was, if I remember right, the SC200. It was a very responsive frame, yet very smooth over rough pavement. Coming in from a training ride I was hit by a car and the seat tube was cracked. Surprisingly this didn't affect the ride quality at all, but the insurance company covered the cost and I bought a Trek 5500. I found the ride of that bike very dead and unresponsive. Last year I purchased a nearly new 2007 Kestrel Evoke on e-Bay. This is a very stiff frame. The frame is small - 50 cm - and I thought the relaxed head tube would "flop" into corners like other small frames I've ridden, but it doesn't. The 12 cm. stem helps with the twitchiness. With the steep seat tube I have the saddle further back than normal, but it works fine. Overall, I'm very happy with this bike.
Strengths: Stiff and somewhat aero. Kestrel is a company that builds great bikes.
Weaknesses: I had trouble finding a replacement dropout. The handling on my bike (small - 50 cm) was twitchy, but with a longer stem (12 cm) it's now much better.
Similar Products Used: Many steel frames, Trek 5500
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Bike Setup: da/ultegra mix with ceramic bearing and pulleys,caymano saddle,fsa stem,ritchey wcs classic os hb,time pedals,am classic wheels w/powertap,michellintires,oval concept seatpost.
Summary: came with ultegra parts but i replace crankset w/dura ace w/ceramic bottom bracket,switced derailler pulley w/ceramic pulleys,am classic wheelset w/powertap(stiff and light).maiden voyage with this rig impressed me a lot;stiffness in the right places which translates to fast but comfy ride,hammer down and it responds with authority...looks muscular too(looks like the hummer w/its edges)..my choice of bike in fast group ride/race..
Strengths: value,looks,responsive and feels light,comfy in long rides.
Weaknesses: nothing so far...I never had any trouble switching wheelsets(done it 3 times already and it comes off easily hope they know how to do it right cause it hurts the reputation of this well built,well design bike.
Similar Products Used: roi antares,giant tcr 1 carbon,cannondale 6/13,sworks e5.
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Bike Setup: Mostly DA 9s, ITM bar/stem, Ksyrium SSC, Look A5.1 pedals, Thomson post, Concor Light saddle, Michelin carbon tires
Summary: I wanted to replace my Italian steel lugged ride. I originally wanted a Litespeed Ti (and actually still do) but couldn't pass up the deal I got for this Kestrel. Everyone I know who rides Kestrels likes them. My steel frameset had carbon fork and seatpost upgrades so when I ride this Kestrel, I don't feel any major difference in the ride/smoothness. I'm not Lance and I don't pretend to be so wannabes might notice a difference. I do feel the 3.5 pound weight saving though. It's noticeably lighter and more responsive and is a very good all-around bike, especially for climbing.
Strengths: Light and responsive, very good climber.
Weaknesses: Evoke written 16 TIMES on the frameset. 32.4mm seatpost limits your options. Awkward rear dropout shape.
Similar Products Used: Bianchi lugged steel, Schwinn 974 PDG aluminum
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Summary: Overall, I am disappointed in this bike. Kestrel customer service/tech support is weak. You are basically told to take a hike with your problems.
It is poorly designed and Kestrel does not stand behind their work.
Strengths: Light, good ride characteristics. Cheap when compared with other frames of its weight.
Weaknesses: Poor rear dropout design (as noted in other reviews). You will never get a quick rear wheel change. You will never fit it into a stationary trainer without damaging the frame.
No clearance between drive-side chainstay and inner chainring.
Forget about anything other than a 39-tooth inner chainring on a double.
The replaceable rear deraillieur hanger is very soft and bends if the wind blows on it.
Similar Products Used: Guru Racelite, Ritchey Breakaway, Cervelo R3-SL
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