Submitted by
Rick Landers
a Cross Country Rider
from Reston, Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2008
Strengths: Very supple ride with stiff enough bb to keep rides lively when desired. Lightweight frame compared to my old steel bike (Bridgestone), very smooth ride for long rides.
Weaknesses: Paint chips pretty easily, as others have said.
Bottom Line:
I've owned this bike since 1993 when it was new and I've ridden it on a series of long training rides and countless century rides. Responsive and smooth ride and it doesn't rust...my other road bike, a Tom Kellogg Custom Steel is to die for...but, the Kestrel holds a special place in this cyclist's heart...I'd rate the Kestrel as a 5, except it doesn't have top end components or wheels...still solidly equipped for any ride I'll likely do....
Strengths: Light frame, though there are lighter. Very stiff, responsive, and yet comfortable. Lifetime warranty on the frame.
Weaknesses: Paint chips too easily, but Kestrel will provide touch up paint.
Bottom Line:
Like a home sick angel! She just wants to fly for me!
I don't understand the other reviewers complaint about BB stiffness (or lack of). I'm a heavier racer and sprint a lot, including aggressive hill climbing in the rolling hills of NE Ohio. This bike responds and accelerates extremely well, handles like a dream in hi speed downhill and turns, and is very comfortable. Maybe it's my Dura Ace BB and FSA cranks, maybe it's those wonderful Neuvation wheels, but I have no issue with acceleration.
Strengths: I have ridden every type of bike material, aluminum, Ti, carbon, steel and a few of each and I have to say this is the smoothest, tightest best handling bike I have ever owned, bar none. I am a big rider, 190 lb and this bike holds tight when I am hammering up hills or carving into fast speed turns. In fact the guy who gave this bike before me only two chilies has no idea what he is talking about. He said it was soft and not stiff. I owned a Trek 5200 and although a nice bike it doesn't compare to the Kestrel. The 200 soaks up the road better and is still stiffer and handles better than the trek. I'll be honest with you I didn 't know what all the hoopla was about carbon when I owned the trek. It wasn't until I got the Kestrel that I was enlighted. Stiff and plush.
Weaknesses: The white paint isn't the best. Chips easy. I am going to ding them a chile on this one. Shame on you guys.
Bottom Line:
If you can get a used one like I did you will get an incredible deal like I did. Do yourself a favor. Buy it. you will not regret it...
Weaknesses: Not particulary responsive or stiff. Very poor performer as far as acceleration and out of the saddle climbing capabilities compared with the Trek 5200 and the Calfee Luna bikes. This is a bike you get if you want a very subdued ride. It is not what you get for racing or serious hill climbing.
Bottom Line:
Good bike for a weekend cruiser and a good tool for training rides which speed is not a concern. Not for racing or fast hill climbs. It weighs more than a comparably outfitted Trek 5200 or Calfee Luna, but even more important, it lacks the stiffness in the BB area of those two bikes and really doesn't want to accelerate or be ridden hard out of the saddle. Plush, but very mediocre performance ride. Way, way too expensive for a frame with this little performance.
This is the bike you buy and stop dreaming about an upgrade. There's no frame that would give me a better ride at any price. It's fast, rigid, but comfortable. The Rolf wheels are harsh - it would be a softer ride with other wheels, but the Rolfs stay true and are strong and very light.
I saved weight by getting the threadless fork - and easier to change fit by swapping out stems. I could save more weight with a double chainring and changing my Brooks saddle (540 gms!), but it's still a light bike.
In California wine country the roads are terrible - rough and potholes - after riding steel, the Kestrel is a dream. I can do 60 to 100 miles and feel relaxed at the end instead of shaken like a martini.
Bicycling Mag. recently said it was overpriced and too heavy - I don't agree. The frame & fork cost $1,550 which compares with LOOK and Calfee, but only Kestrel has a lifetime warranty. Both LOOK and Calfee frames have a harsher ride. If you want to save a pound, get the EMS frame.
This is definitely the bike to get if you want speed and comfort. If you want just speed, get a LOOK or an aluminum frame.
Bike Setup: 200Sci, Chorus triple, Rolf wheels, Chorus Aheadset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from St. Charles, MO USA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2000
Strengths: The frame is beautiful. It has European geometry for all day riding comfort. It soaks up road shock better than anything that I have ever ridden. It climbs like a mountain goat and descends like a bolt of lightning. This thing soaks up the shock but still sprints like a scared cat. The Best.
Weaknesses: I bought the one of the last frames made in japan with old technology, and my bottom bracket shell came unbonded from the frame. Kestrel paid for it to be sent back to the factory upgraded/fixed the frame and even painted for free. The new design (built it in the US) should not have the problem.
Bottom Line:
This is the best carbon frame on the market. Well worth the price!
