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Submitted by
Ed Francis
a Cross Country Rider
from Kailua, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Gleason, Acton California | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | OH yeahhhhhhh! This Kestrel CSX rocks the biking world, and rocks it in a big, big way. The frame is super stiff, and climbs exceptionally well. Energy transfer on the climbs is phenominal. Also, road and trail vibrations are absorbed very well by the carbon frame material. Frame geometry is very pleasing as well, especially on downhills, where the slackish head tube angle keeps the front wheel from being "twitchy". Very stable on the downhills, indeed.I purchased this bike NEW off ebay in 2008..... it was a NOS bike from 2001 that was never sold or ridden. It's definately a keeper! I would recommend this bike to anyone who loves to climb well, and likes it's vibration dampening qualities. | | Weaknesses: | Chippy gel coat/ paint | | Similar Products Used: | EPX Terrashark carbon fiber bike | | Bike Setup: | Kestrel CSX 18" frame, Rock Shox SID fork, LP composite carbon bars, SRAM X9 Shifters, Sram rear derailleur, Race Face carbon seatpost, XT cranks, Syncros bear hug stem, Fizik CP3 Pave seat, Cane creek wheelset, Wellgo clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | You can't go wrong with this bike , so buy one if you happen to see one for sale... they have become quite rare nowdays. I got lucky and found a new one on ebay in 2008. This bike is so bit-chun , I'm gonna give it 5 smokin' cigars!!!! Please pardon my second hand smoke! Awwwwwwwwrighttt!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Bielawski
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ganaraska motercyle trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike mechanic | | Strengths: | Stiff in all the right places and forgiving where it counts. | | Weaknesses: | Paint can be a little easy to mark up. Price... maybe if you don't believe that you get what you pay for | | Similar Products Used: | Gt zaskar, specailized ground control, ritchey P-23 | | Bike Setup: | xtr everything except the magura hydro rim brakes, mavic 117 ceramic rims, thompson post, white brothers fork. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden a lot of bikes for a lot of years and the Kestrel CSX is the one that I will not replace. Nothing can really compare. The frame is still when you pedal, very little flex. and I should know I LOVE to go up very very steep chain busting hills and never have I experienced much flex. The thing that sets this apart from the other bikes I have ridden is the fact that it is very comfortable to ride. The frame eats up all the sharp little hits that usually transfer up the frame and into my ass. I used to train with this bike on the road with 100psi slicks and never felt shaken from the road surface. The bike also handles great in the single track. It reponds so well to the tight and twisty trails. Something that I always thought the ritchey dominated. (one of the first ones that was hand built by the man himself.....no its not for sale) I have driven this bike very hard over the five years (I did a 4 ft drop once and blew out a set of spinergy wheels) and have never had any problems or creaks other that the normal scatches and paint where. If you want a durable do it all machine this is it. If I could sleep with this bike...I would. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SethMax
a Racer
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles South, Charlotte NC | | Strengths: | This bike handles perfectly. It is the most incredibly delicious singletrack-munching corner-carver out there. Frame is hideously strong. I break everything and it took me 5 years to break this. | | Weaknesses: | Old-school geometry. If you run a suspension fork, you're hating it Chopper Boy. Personally, I like that laid-back image. | | Similar Products Used: | Replaced it with a Trek OCLV carpet-fibre rig. It sucks out loud in comparison to the Kestrel, although it's the second best full-stiffy carbon rig out there. It's stupid-light but it handles like a soapbox derby car. Trust me. | | Bike Setup: | Bike is hanging over the mantle currently (no kidding), but when it was functional I ran XTR goodies with a rigid chromoly fork (went through three of them), King headset and Maguras. Old school, baby. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is perfect. Yeah, you can whine about the goofy geometry from the days of yore, you can whine about the heavy (for a carbon) frame, you can whine about chainsuck and chippy gel-coat paint (welcome to the world of composites), but it's perfect. They retail for about forty grand but you can pick them up everywhere for change you should be able to find in your couch, I guess because nobody knows what a Kestrel is and folks are generally afraid of carpet fibre shredders. I bought mine for $400 as a quick fix for a Yeti ARC that I'd just destroyed. I had a race coming up the following weekend and I needed a ride. After the first ride, I pulled over, removed the seat from the frame and... well, never mind. Let's just say that I'd trade half of the girlfriends I've had in my life for this bike. It's awesome and if you're still holding on to the old rigid-fork thing (like I am) there isn't a better bike. I raced (and was competitive) in everything from Expert CC to Pro slaloms to gear-class BMX to Expert downhill. ON a hard tail. With a rigid fork. I had a sweet full-boinger downhill bike built at the time but usually chose to ride the Mighty Kestrel. It's that good. I eventually de-laminated the bottom bracket shell and decided that it was time to cash it in and replace the old girl with the latest greatest technology. Biggest mistake I ever made. Luckily I only paid $50 for the OCLV. That's about all it's worth. At any rate, I'm a has-been now so my riding any better equipment than the Trek is just plain insulting to the good riders out there. Five flamin' chili dogs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Angelo
a Cross Country Rider
from Hercules
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | like I'd tell you...please! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | The Pedaler in El Sobrante | | Strengths: | everything! Weight, componentry, design, handling, climbing, bombing DH...like I said, everything! | | Weaknesses: | it looks too pretty to ride hard | | Similar Products Used: | specialized M4 , specialized FSR enduro, Raleigh M8000, raleigh m800, proflex 857 w/ full girvin, fisher hoo koo e hock too spit | | Bike Setup: | full XT, w/raceface BB, WTB speedmasters, michelin wildgrippers in green of course also run it with Kenda Kwicks on Mavics, thermo plastic bar, koski stem, interloc seatpost and the piez d'resistance, '99 Zoke Z2 fly bombers, can you say plush? | | Bottom Line: | Worth Every damn penny...Kestrel CSX but reads like Kestrel SEX. I wasn't too sure about spending this kind of money on a bike, but this isn't a bike, it's a living breathing organism, flows so great with minimal input. I spent less than half of wholesale on this bike with all this componentry on it. I was in the market for a new ride and tried some Specialized bikes both FS and Hardtail and was fairly impressed but their weight compared to this thing was like night and day. I weigh in at a paltry $2.45 lbs. and romp and stomp on this thing, jumps galore, not a single creak, squeak, or complaint from this frame, it's awesome! I'm going to change to a Selle flite gel because the current Bianchi saddle is the sh-ts, still trying to dial in the Zoke but no matter what I throw at it, it is smooooooth. Had a problem with the frt derlr cable coming off the BB guide, what a weird set-up for such an expensive bike, just two teeny weeny hooks that try to keep constant pressure on the cable to keep them in there. I brought it back the shop and they said that it was due to my shifting without pedaling to bring it back into tension?! Yeah, ok guilty here, but I'd call that a pretty big design flaw. it wasn't a pain to get back into the guide but the fact that it happened the first day I had the bike pissed me off. I wrench on this bike, I squat over 300# and am not a light rider by any means, and I was actually apprehensive about purchasing a Carbon Fiber bike, but the moves are so smooth and this thing is so light and strong that I know I've got a bike for life. Warranteed till death do us part, great componentry, smooth like butter and looks are so sexy. When you first catch a glimpse at it, you feel as if you've seen something, something's caught your eye. As, you continue to study the lines, you instantly find yourself emmersed in gorgeous framework, intoxicated by it's beauty. Is there a doctor in the house? I think I need help, I never thought I could be so passionate about a bike, no, that's right, it's a living extension of me...hope wifey doesn't mind the couch,though I haven't seen her since I bought this thing, there's just not enough room for the three of us in bed. Got to give this Full flaming sea cucumbers on all aspects except the cable guides. will not need another bike till my next life.
Who should buy this, anyone concerned about blasting to the top and and blazing downhill; anyone that wants a great XC ride and anyone who can find one for a decent price. I probably wouldn't have bought this thingif it wasn't such a good deal as I had no way in hell to afford it even at the wholesale price. But if you've got the opportunity, take full advantage of it. I did and I'm grinning ear to ear all the way downhill... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordie Kool
a Downhiller
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm thrashin' | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Very rugged. Comfortable sitting position. Downhills fast. Climbs easy. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easy. Old innertube on chainstay will protect it, not to mention give it an aggressive appearance. Chainsuck, used to get it. Changed drivetrain to reduce it. | | Similar Products Used: | Had crappy specialized and GT before. | | Bike Setup: | All XT! Mavic 517 wheels. Velociraptor tires. Oury grips to hang on. Crazy custom CS-X | | Bottom Line: | This bike is bad! (Bad meaning good- real good). It's fast, comfortable and could take some punishment. I tip in at 180+ and never had a problem. First ride, I couldn't help thinking how comfortable on downhills; where the bike seemed to be an extension of my body, screaming down technical descents. The plush way to crush is what comes to mind. Haven't noticed climbing problems based on geometry specs. Climbs are easy (of course depending on me). Downhill is orgasmic. And CSX screams for serious action. Very tough. Should come with standard rock ring. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excessively light-weight. Very rugged, resposive. | | Weaknesses: | Price may put it out of range for some riders. | | Bike Setup: | see below a couple of posts | | Bottom Line: | Just an update for anyone reading these posts trying to get a feel for the CSX. I posted earlier a couple of posts down. I did get rid of that Vetta seat, (ouch) and bought something softer. This bike is bringing me into the mountain biking world. It's very pleasurable to ride. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The frame is STRONG. Don't worry about the darn thing cracking or breaking. I've fallen a number of times getting used to these clipless pedals, (ouch). I don't think I've even scratched the frame. I run the bike pretty hard and I've dropped a foot or two off of ledges while riding and no problems. The biggest factor is I tip the scales at 265 pounds and this bike can take it. I ride a 19". This bike is so fun to ride that I'm claiming a new hobby! If you're thinking about buying one...just do it. You'll be very satisfied too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Light, comfortable, fast and, most importantly, FUN! | | Weaknesses: | I put a Lizard Skin on the chain stay because the when the chain slaps it the paint chips and makes a very unnerving sound! I laid it down a couple of years ago and wound up dinging the top tube pretty good with the handlebars. Top tube now has a bit of flex in it that was not there before. Factory will repair it for a nominal charge but it hasn't bugged me that much yet. | | Similar Products Used: | I've ridden steel bikes made by Trek and Yokata (sucked!)and aluminum bikes by Specialized and Cannondale. I have not ridden any other carbon fiber bikes. | | Bike Setup: | XTR 9-speed drivetrain (except front derailer - XT is only one that works due to top pull), XT/Mavic 217 wheels, Rock Shox seat post, 1997 Judy XC, Shimano 747 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Fast ride that has taken more abuse than I thought carbon fiber could handle. This bike has handled big hits/drops much better than Stumpjumper's and Zaskar's I've ridden with! I have been impressed with Kestrel's customer service and would recommend this bike to someone looking to upgrade from their first or second mountain bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The whole city and Hines Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | WOW! I'm riding greased butter. So smooooth and soooo fast that I should check for a motor! Actually, since I'm not a racer/pro, it's almost too fast! Red flags!!! I ride in rolling hills, nothing extreme..but boy..what a ride. | | Weaknesses: | Well, I'm not sure there are any glaring ones. It's a sweet ride. | | Similar Products Used: | What could compare? | | Bike Setup: | I have a new kestrel cs-x mountain bike, 8 speed XT wheelset with bontrager
bcx rims, XT front and rear der., XT cassette, XT brake lever/shifters,
ritchey logic cranks with XTR rings, Shimano 747 clipless pedals, NEW 97 Judy
xc (63 mm travel) suspension fork, bontrager bars, dean stem, XT v-brakes,
vredestein tires, Vetta seat.
| | Bottom Line: | I passed up a Jamis Diablo for this ride, and couldn't be happier. You wouldn't BELIEVE what I paid for this bike! It pays to shop around. I made a deal with a dealer on Ebay on got the bike delivered to my door for 1/3 the MSRP! Thats right! Oh my-oh-my..how could it get any sweeter? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott tsilis
a Cross Country Rider
from peotone,il,60468
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | whichever one i'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | very stiff. very light. no lateral flex.(and i'm a 190 plus rider). gorgeous looking frame. mines orange | | Weaknesses: | paint chips easy. impossible to find and fit bottom-bracket mounted front derailler. | | Similar Products Used: | trek oclv | | Bike Setup: | race face/chris king/shimano xt/ avid arch rivals/ sx ti fork. | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks on the singletrack descents! nothing compares. climbing ok if you can keep the front tire on the ground. very solid feel. went through three shimano front deraillers before i gave up and mounted one that mounts to the seat tube. kestrel told me it wouldn't void my warranty since they run their team bikes with that derailler anyway. basuically if you like to weave down hill fast and tight then this is the bike for you. if you need help on the climbs then you should avoid this bike. it takes extra work to keep the front end down on the steep ups. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Unknown
a Racer
from R-D-G
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sick boy | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Super Fast, Super smooth, over all the best carbon frame you can buy. (Period) | | Weaknesses: |
The bike climbs a little slow, but the super fast ride it gives makes up for it. | | Similar Products Used: |
None, I would never buy any other cabon bikes. Kestrel is the best carbon money can buy and they are the most advanced with the material. | | Bike Setup: |
My bike is set up with a 99 judy sl, xt/xtr kit race face parts and easton parts. | | Bottom Line: | Kestrel is the best company in the business, they produce the highest quality bikes ever made. The kestrel CSX, and their Rubicon are top of the peak and if you don't understand this then quit mountain biking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Milky
a Cross-Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Croydon | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Fast (very!)
Comfortable
Light | | Weaknesses: |
Geometry post SID fit
Paint Chips | | Similar Products Used: |
Long-time Stumpie Diehard | | Bike Setup: |
SIDs Long Travel
XTR through out
Kestrel carbon handlebar
Chris King Aheadset
Spynergy wheels | | Bottom Line: | Awesome.. who needs full sus when you can ride a carbon fibre machine like this?.. Blisteringly fast.
The geometry >>isThe first time I rode it, I knocked 15 mins of my PB for my local 20mile route.. and it is gonna go down further this weekend!
Everyone is right about the paint chips though, but just touch it up and who can tell right?
I'm a heavy guy but I haven't found any cause for concern over strength, it just feels strong and responsive all the time.
Pure and simple: it is sex on two wheels! :-) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a weekend warrior
from Jacksonville, FL
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike rocks! Just recently swapped out my mongoose IBOC frame for a 95 CSX and I am totally in love with it. The carbon is so shock absorbent and really manueverable. My only complaint is the paint - it chips really easily. Other than that, I have nothing but praise for this. Oh by the way - for those that think carbon bikes are for light weights, I weigh in at around 110kg (245 lbs) and pound this bike to hell and back - big air and all. It holds up to the challenge! one chili short of perfect for the paint chippage | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a weekend warrior
from Bowling Green, Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just received my bike two days ago and took it out with some friends for a three hour ride. The bike is unbelievable. I also have a Litespeed Obed, but it doesn't compare. The bike is very quick and you really get the carbon fiber feel on the trail - excellent shock absorbtion as with their road bikes. The only down fall is the paint already was chipped on the chainstay. The frame comes with a adhesive chanstay protector, but it does not cover enough area (top only) - so I already have paint chips on the inner side of the chainstay. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Female Fan
a weekend warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think that the Kestrel CSX is one of the best mountain bikes built [ well it only has one before it and that's the Kestrel Rubicon ]!! I like the way the bikes handles on a climb as well as going down hill!! If you ever just want to go out and have a blast.....this is the bike to do it on!! Keep em' coming!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haoming
a racer
from usa
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
-- just reposting the fact that its so bombproof that i managed to crack the outer cartrige bering shell of my raceface cromo b.b and the frame couldnt be better-
super fast rocket ship!
lifetime warenty - the sweetest ride ever
i may have to sell it though, racing for deani still think its the best | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is a dream come true. I disagree with the last review, I weigh in at 240lbs, and hammer my bike about 60 to 70 miles a week, I haven't had a problem, ever, and have owned the frame for 3 years. I've ridden all materials, hell, I've even ridden other carbon hartails, nothing compares to this bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haoming
a cross-country rider
from troy , mi
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
its a bombshell - !!
rides like a rocket - its ment to be ridden fast as hell - without regards to saftey or bodily harm-
paint is not that durable - but the only durable paint is no paint-
it does got a shelf - but who cares - i think it looks cool - ive heard that the made in japan ones are manufactured better ? but who knows - i have one ands ive had no problems w/ it-
i have it built w/ atombomb - syncros stem/bar, xtr cranks, race face b.b, thomson post, sdg saddle , all tripped out bullet proof.if your thinking about getting one you wont be let down - it just ment to be ridden fearlessly and very, very fast | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris DOvidio
a cross-country rider
from Warwick, RI
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned a kestrel mnt. bike since 1990, I am on my 4th frame. My first introduction to the Kestrel product was the prototype, the MXz which had an elevated chain stay which weighed about 4+ lbs. I broke two of those frames within 18 months, fortunately the frame was guaranteed for life (or at least it was at the time when they were owned by Schwinn). Since that time they were bought by a Japanese company and then rebought by Composite Cycles in Watsonville, CA. They discontinued the MXz and introduced the CSX, which I recieved free from Kestrel after the 2nd MXz broke. I broke the CSX twice, the first break resulted in a new frame. The 2nd break resulted in a free repair and a new paint job at a modest $125.00 fee. The current owner of Composite Cycles explained, that the life time warranty is no longer applicable, and this would be my last frame replacement. I litigiously rebutted that when they purchased this company they asummed all assets and dept ie.. my life time warranty. Albiet I weigh a muscular-in shape 200 lbs. their wasn't a disclaimer stating that these frames will fail on riders 180+ lbs. It does take a long time to get a new/repaired frame, but it did arrive after many telephone calls stating I would like to receive my frame in the same manner in which my credit card/payment was made, immediatley!!. Having describing my tumultuous history with a kestrel, I still believe the bike is a swell ride, when it isn't broken (ditto to all the superlatives given by other CSX owners reported on this web site) however the warranty/management scheme could use some improvement. I am interested in the comments made by one owner who referenced the poor frame geometry when using a shock, this seems to have some validity. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garen Meguerian
a cross-country rider
from Wayne, PA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
One ride on this baby and you'll be asking yourself: did this bike descend from heaven? The answer, little Timmy, is a resounding Yes! The first time I climbed on this bike, it performed so well that I thought that it was equiped with an internal combustion engine. It comes to life with each pedal stroke and springs up mountains like a doe in heat. It even takes a ton of abuse on those screaming downhills; BTW I weigh between 170 and 185lbs (depending on the season). After ditching my old aluminum bike (Miyata Elev. 2000), I can't ever imagine going back. Carbon forever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a racer
from Lakewood Colorado USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have raced and trained on my Kestrel for 2 years and really could not be happier. The shock absorbancy is outstanding in the downhill and it climbs like a mountain goat. I haven't had any problem with the frame cracking or breaking but I only weigh 150 pounds. I have heavier friends that have broken them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john brothers
a cross-country rider
from Copper Canyon , Texas
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had mine 5 years. I have sent it in 4 times to have the broken frame fixed. It takes two to three months each time. If you want to ride a Kestrel, better have a good spare to ride.
The bike climbs good, but is very sketchey on the downhill. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stealy Dan
a racer
from Not from CHICO!!!!!
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
One word?!?! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Rummel
a racer
from Chico
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
One word, carbon fiber. It has the best shock absorbancy of any thing that I have ridden in the past. The only thing that I wish they would do would install a replaceable der hanger. I know the process that Kestrel uses in case the hanger is bent is easy, but the time factor could really suck if you don't live in California, or warranty is backed up | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Once bitten - Twice shy
a cross-country rider
from Out there ..........
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This frame should be taken off the market. It still has 1985 geometry because it's too expensive for them to re-engineer new molds for newer, longer forks which jack the front up thus slackening the head-angle to 68 degrees - measure it ! I did ! This gives a trail figure TWICE what is spec'ed - wow, talk about slow steering ?
This frame is meant for short rigid forks - certainly not shock forks.
Lifting the front end up also raises the BB height from the specs of 11.7 to 12 3/8 - measure it ! I did !
The posters who rave about this frame either don't know any better, can't measure frame geometry or are just trying to gloryfy their mistake.
Do not buy unless you want to use a short, rigid fork. !!
Minus 5 chillis - because the company knows about this problem and won't do anything about it while innocent people are still laying down their cash. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel Ramos
a cross-country rider
from Homer,Alaska
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This frame is a the bomb I have never riden a bike that has ever felt so good. Not even the Super Crapindale 2000(Cannondale)comes even close to how this bike rides. My ride has Marzzochis, Race Face Cranksand BB, TIME ATAC pedals, Altek levers and Paul Motolite V brakes, Mavik 121 with Nuke Prof hubs and a lot more top of the line parts. I would give the rating a lot more chiles but I can only give five. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duane
a cross-country rider
from Rockford Il.
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The best money can buy! It may cost more than others but in the long run you can't beat it. It looks awsome and does everything just a little better than the competition. The paint chips a little easy, but if you can afford this thing who cares? I like this one so much I've got a Rubicon on order along with a KM40. If you have the means buy one, you'll never need another bike, Period. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven
a racer
from Halle, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a really cool frame, although the price is a little high. Very well manufactured, too! Got mine with the complete XTR set, 217 Mavic Ceramic rims and a Syncros stem. One awesome ride!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lawrence Kim
a cross-country rider
from Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been a proud and most importantly a happy owner of one for the last 5 years. It's really a wonderful work of art to look at, and a sweet magic ride to boot. Yes, the drawbacks are the paint that chips quite easily, revealing a greyish-yellow primer-like ugliness underneath, (especially prominent in high abuse areas such as the bottom bracket area and rear chain stays) but nothing a little touch up paint won't cure :P Another thing that is that it sort of has a shelf where the stays come together behind the bottombracket, which tends to accumulate mud when riding in harsh conditions...-- Some other things to consider are the inherent shock absorbing quality of the frame... it kind of transforms most rocks and roots into dull thuds when you hit 'em straight on. It doesn't rebound and bounce around in a lively fashion, like steel, but it's a very solid feeling of good tracking and control. Although the frame isn't the lightest at 3.6lbs, you can build up a very respectable sub 21 lbs ride that rides like it weight oh so much less. A worthy investment. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned several other bikes,a 1989 Schwinn Aluminum Pro, Mongoose IBOC Team Aluminum, and a Cannondale. The Kestrel runs circles around the others. It absorbs trail shock and yet is stiff on out of the saddle sprints. I've had my chain wedge between the crank and chainstay, the result was just a few minor scratches. The chain would have gouged my old aluminum frames. So much for those who say carbon fiber is delicate. If anything does ever happen to the Kestrel, it has a lifetime warranty. This is my last mountain bike. I have arrived. (See how I have built it up under Dave's Kestrel in the 'DREAM BIKE' section.) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Thomas
a cross-country rider
from Beaverton, Oregon
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is cool for a lot of reasons. First off, the frame is stiff as aluminum when climbing, yet it flexes and absorbs trail shock. Handling is great, stable at high speeds yet very maneuverable on twisty northwest singletrack. It is extremely light, and the ride feels light too. And then, of course, there is the appearance. When you first see the bike, it doesn't scream for your attention immediately like some woman of the night. Instead, it catches your eye and slowly reveals its true appearance, until it becomes much more beautiful than any other ride on the trail.On the down side, the paint is pretty flimsy. It doesn't hold up to the abuse of rocks and logs well, but it does look gorgeous when clean and shiny. However, this is really a small shortcoming. Overall, this is a super XC bike that is worth checking out and owning. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a cross-country rider
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
After trying various frame materials and going from hardtail to dual suspension, I found that the CSX was the perfect balance. I slapped it together with a Mach V SX and XTR parts and have never been more happy. On the scale it's not as light as an OCLV, but it sure feels light when riding. The rear end takes the edge off bumps that would normally kick your ass on an aluminum hardtail. The only problem I've had is a cheap seatpost binder (I've got a made in Japan model-- Kestrel claims to have upgraded the seatpost clamp on 97 models) which resulted in broken threads and a seatpost that is held in by an OSH bolt, nut, and loctite. In addition, the paint flakes off too easily. However, the frame's performance and looks more than make up for it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Wheeler
a cross-country rider
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the best bike, ever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Ehrens
a
from Philadelphia, PA 19130
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Oh my God! There aren't enough adjectives in the English language to
fully describe how great this bike rides. It surpasses every review
I've ever read. I'm probably just predjudiced because I finally own it,
and that's fine with me. I went with xtr drive train and the halson inversion
fork and I couldn't be happier. Is the fork good. No, it's much better
than that. Simple, strong and eats up everything. Sorry about the rating
but 5 stars is as high as they'd let me go. | | Overall Rating: |
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