Bought the 2008 model as a clearance model at TriSports.com. I took the bike in for a tune up and they found a chip in the rear seat post where the seat rests against the frame. After attempting to repair the bike with advice from Kestrel, the bike was replaced. Other than this possible design defect I love the bike. It is responsive, light, and fast. I used it in my first sprint tri a couple of months ago and it performed great.
I had looked for weeks for a solid, name brand carbon bike and was mostly frustrated because most were out of my price range. I knew about Kestrel and was directed by a friend to bikesdirect.com. I did some homework and decided on the 2008 Talon. What a great decision! I have only had the bike for approx. a month but I couldn't be happier. The bike is stiff and smooth and I have described the ride to people as "riding on buttered air." I did upgrade the wheels to the Rol Volant's, which are amazing and made the bike that much better. I am 6'4" and 210 lbs. and this bike handles very well up and down hills and flies on the flats. And on top of this I get a lot of compliments on how good the bike looks.
Strengths: Solid, light, and tough. And adicitive.
Weaknesses: A little noisy, the carbon frame seems to amplify road noise, though it is kinda addictive
Bottom Line:
Amazing, would best describe this bike. At first i was a little tenetive with riding this bike, coming from an aluminium bike to a full carbon bike i thought my first ride would be my last. Fortuantly i was wrong. This bike is BOMBPROOF, unexpected potholes, railroad crossings, chipseal roads, and i am no 130lbs pip squeak, but a 190+lbs clydesdale. The bike just eats up them all and keeps on ticking. For the first 200 or so miles i felt like i was always riding on a flat the bike is so smooth. But it is no sloutch stiffness wise. I have this bike built up to full Dura Ace spec so it is rock solid. It is solid earth beneath my feet. It is just sexy
Strengths: I went out and looked for a bike the last month and went to around 10 to 12 bike shops. I tried out about 25 bikes Treck, Cannondale, Giant, I could keep going but that would be all I would write, well I chose the Kestrel Talon with Dura Ace components can’t bet that. Well I went to pick up my bike and saw that they put out new look bikes and new bianci bikes some models where a lot more some not so much more as I walked in I said to the sales guy why did you do this to me now what is the one I am buying the one I should get he said yes but that I could try the look and the bianci well I was just their to buy the kestrel on my lunch but had to call work and tell them that I was going to be late getting back and told the sales guys lets go let me ride. So I rode the bianci I think 935 and the look and a less expensive bianci that was also a 935 and two hours later I choice the one I was going to buy in the first place the kestrel talon. And so far I do not regret it one bit the wheels are the best the dura ace components are a big jump from the look or the bianci and there are hills by where I rode and I am not sure if it was the components that made a difference or it was the bike but boy it was so easier to ride up the hills on the kestrel and as I went to other bike shops saying that the kestrel was on the top of my list most not all said that the kestrel is just a time trial bike not a real road bike and that it was not going to work for my type of riding and they where wrong oh how wrong I have ridden now a century and short rides and I still have some energy after the century not like before. So before you go out and spend all of your money give the Kestrel Talon a ride and see how it works for you. My you have the best ride of your life and the breeze always be at your back
Weaknesses: None yet but the seat the came with the bike could be and will be changed.
Strengths: first company to make carbon bikes 20 years ago and bontique brand.
Weaknesses: sold company to Fuji, but I had this frame thing happen in the middle of company changing over, so it took about 4 months to get my replacement frame. I not sure what the warranty policy is now but I would hope that Fuji honors Kestrel's previous policy.
Bottom Line:
I love this frame....It's stiff, responsive, snappy, and the geometry is
aero and comfortable. You have to try the different sizes the frame comes in to make it work for you. My first frame was a 55cm (I usually ride 54cm. but Kestrel ran these in the 51,53,55 and so on. 55 was a bit of a stretch but it was livable,then I found a hairline crack where the bottom shifter cable comes out and sent it back to Kestrel,(lifetime warranty or trade in program) well they replaced the frame and upgraded me from a 06 to a 07 which had a way better paint scheme. This time I decided to go with a 52cm and wow...I found one of the best bike i ever owned. the upgrades i done were the Mavic es wheelset, saddle and FSA carbon bars. My bike haddle so much better at decents and climbs like a mountain goat, on the straits it response very quickly that it like kicking it a turbo.
just a random thought i've been toiling with.
Should i keep my 2010 allez sport and upgrade it OR
get a 2011 Tarmac Elite OR
a Cervelo S1 OR
Maybe even a 2010 Ke Read More »
I'm looking into a talon road or tri. Depending on year 2008-2011 I've read conflicting information. Sometimes the frame is called out specifically as an SL (older years) yet on Read More »
Me:
5’9-1/2” 32” Inseam
220 lbs. Probably 60/40 Weight distributed up top.
Weight lifter.
Mountain Bikes for years.
Switched to Road Bike a couple of months ago.
Really Read More »
Hi folks, I am trying to choose between these two bikes. Any advice appreciated.
Kestrek talon full carbon w/ 105 components - $1500 online
Cervelo P1 w/ Ultegra - $1300 + tax Read More »
