RT700 leverages Kestrel's unmatched carbon know-how for a superior riding experience. We sweat every detail from dropout to dropout - no other bicycle is designed by more experienced engineers, and it shows. Fitted with Shimano's top of the line Dura Ace 10 speed components, get a ride that is second to none.
Strengths: light, fast. even comfortable on century rides. Geometry is similar to orbea orca. Don't see many kestrels. Turns heads. Copper color is fantastic
Weaknesses: came with heavy wheelset for the price. Nothing else. I love this bike and will keep it as my flagship bike for many years.
Bottom Line:
This is my first carbon bike. Previous bike was a bianchi steel bike which I loved. My sister in law now rides the bianchi. This bike is great. Great climbing bike. stiff as hell yet comfortable to ride centuries. Stock wheels not great (shimano RH-800, heavy) for the price point but fixed that with a visit to the bike swap. I blame the wheelset on trisports.
Strengths: Stiff, responsive aero frame even in largest frame sizes. Unmatched in versitility -- performing as both a responsive crit/road frame for powerful sprinters and a stiff "aero" TT platform when rebuilt.
Weaknesses: Ride quality may be a little on the harsh side for road buzz -- perhapse a carbon seatpost (perhapse even the aero one) in the future will help. The frame compliance is on the stiff side, but for my riding style that is something I am willing to sacrifice in exchange for the crisp power transfer. Finding Kestrel components / replacement parts in Canada is very difficult.
Bottom Line:
As a larger racer (6'3", 195lb) I really appreciate the stiff, responsive frame. Bike responds immediately, allowing me to match the majority of accelerations without even leaving the saddle, and when I do the power transfer and shifting is superb -- even in full sprint uphill!! Recently "rebuilt" (bullhorns, etc.) this bike for ITT, and although the geometry of this crit frame requires some unique part selection (110mm, 35deg stem to lower the front end for aerodynamics) the stability is amazing. Even in strong cross winds riding this TT setup with a full disk rear and tri-spoke front is unbelievably stable.
Strengths: Awesome frame, copper & silver, Ultegra shifters, f/r deraillers. FSA compact carbon crank. Ritchey wcs axis stem, Cane creek head set. Hidden cables. Slick seat post adjustment
Weaknesses: Crap ritchey protocol wheelset, crap kenda tires, crap seat w/round seat post, Crap cane creek crs-5 brakes, poor cable passage design for deraillers.
Bottom Line:
Purchased bike last month, from ebay store in Texas. Price was right, however, I started to replace parts. First went the seat, w/post, then the wheels & tires, then the brakes, then the handle bar, then the cassette. Bike was a demo, w/cosmetic issues, didn't count on the crap parts kestrel assembled the bike with. LBS had to lengthen/replace rear derailleur cable & rear brake cable. Lube cable passage underneath bottom bracket.
Bike Setup: Kestrel aero seat post, selle marco seat, Ultegra shifters, brakes, f/r derailleurs, 12-27 10 cassette, Ritchey carbon handle bar & stem. Velocity aerohead rims, w/american classic hubs 28H. Continental triathlon tires. FSA carbon compact crank, w/isis bb. Moral of the story, it shifts/climbs/stops, like a rocky mountain goat.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Rosatto
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008
Strengths: Light, stiff, responsive, aerodynamic, climbs with ease, no need to sprint since I can usually top out at 24-25mph just sitting. My 55cm bike with upgrades weighs 16.1 lbs and I weight 195lbs and I fly on this machine.
Weaknesses: Only one and since this bike is so stiff if you ride on rough or uneven pavement for a while the ride gets a little choppy, but this really does not bother me because I am all about speed and performance and this bike most definately supplies the adrenaline.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike back in March and have been more then pleased. After researching and checking out local shops could not find a better deal anywhere. It was carbon fiber with ultegra and ritchey and you cannot touch a bike in a shop with this for less then $3500. Have since upgrade to dura ace and ritchey wcs carbon seatpost, stem, and handlebars. With all upgrade I still do not have $4000 in this bike. This bike is fast, stiff, and responsive. I barely pedal and am usually at the head of my racing pack. I usually average between 19-20mph on my 35 ml loop(mostly flat with some hills). It also turns heads from other riders as well as drivers.
Strengths: The bike is a great racing bike because it is really stiff where needed but it also dampens the vibrations really well once I inserted the carbon seatpost. It looks great in Nude Carbon, I have not seen it in the copper and silver.
Weaknesses: I have not found any weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike from bikesdirect with full Dura Ace build. It is taking the place of my Kestrel Talon as my main ride. The Talon is now my TT bike. I weigh 135lbs so I feel every bump, I canged the stock Ritchey seatpost for an EC90 carbon and it made the world of difference, much less harsh. The bike is really stiff at the BB, has a very smooth feel and looks really good. I especially like the way the seatstays are formed. I have a friend that rides an Orbea Orca and if he had the choice he would choose the RT700 over it, even though he has more than $8000 into his bike. I went with Kestrel again because their paint stays really fresh looking and the bikes are built very solid as well as coming with a lifetime warranty.
The cables are internally routed, but much easier to route than the talon, I actually replaced the cables myself.
I was trying to decide between Giant TCR-C and Orbea Onix TDA,but really leaned Orbea. Now I notice this Kestrel RT-700 on the Holiday Specials, and am really considering that.
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I just received my new Kestrel RT700 from BikesDirect. It was my first new bike since...1989! I've been riding a 25lb(everything but me and water bottles) 1989 DiamondBack Centur Read More »
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I am new to purchasing new road bikes. I have been looking at bikes on Bikedirect website and would like your recommendations on selecting one of these cool bikes. I am abo Read More »
