Bike Setup: Full Dura Ace, Flaspoint wheels and Bontrager X lite components.
Summary: 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: Solid, light, and tough. And adicitive.
Weaknesses: A little noisy, the carbon frame seems to amplify road noise, though it is kinda addictive
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Bike Setup: They did all of my setup and it fits like a glove. I am 6'5" and 190 and boy this works for me.
Summary: Kestrel Talon
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.
Summary: 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.
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.
Bike Setup: Full Ultegra, Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels, clip on Profile Desgin Aero bars
Summary: I have had my bike for more than two years now and have riden it for several thousands of miles. Over that time I have come to really love this bike. In all the time I have had it, I haven't had any problems. The ride is smooth, it handles great, is very stable,(even in the aero position) and this bike is strong. Unfortunately for my bike,I am a big guy, (250 lbs.) and after all the miles and all the rough roads I have never had problems with my Talon. I can honestly say, I would recommend this bike to anyone. I am a very happy customer.
Strengths: Great bike at the price, solid construction, great looks, great ride.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Similar Products Used: Scott S20
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Strengths: Great bike. Stable and Nimble. Road the STP 100+ miles per day and you could get on a roll and crank that bike all day. All you hear is a hum. No chain rattle or anything. Strong bike.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Similarly priced Treks, Cannondales, Specialized
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