Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
1 - 20 of 20 Posts

mtbr_admin

· Premium Member
Joined
·
1,737 Posts
2018 Kestrel MXZ TEAM

The budget friendly 2018 Kestrel MXZ TEAM doesn't skimp on technology or components.​

One of the top names in carbon fiber frame construction is getting into the mountain bike game - and offering some screaming deals in the process.

Kestrel, which pioneered carbon fiber frame design with the world's first all-carbon bike in 1986, has just launched the MXZ Team and MXZ PRO, a pair of race day ready cross-country hardtail whips.

Top-of-the-line build kits include RockShox SID World Cup forks, SRAM NX or Shimano XT drivetrains, 29x2.2 Maxxis Aspen tubeless tires, and tubeless WTB TCS wheelsets. Complete bike weights are as low as sub-22 pounds with full Ritchey WCS component kit.

2018 Kestrel MXZ PRO

SRAM's popular NX drivetrain powers the podium contending 2018 Kestrel MXZ PRO.​

Normal MSRP for these builds would be $2999 (SRAM NX / SID Race) and $3999 (Shimano XT / SID World Cup / carbon steerer / XT Brakes). But for a limited time they're being offered exclusively on Bikesdirect.com for the promotional prices of $1499 and $1999 respectively.

Fans of Kestrel already know the brands storied history: first full carbon bike, first carbon fork, first all carbon time trail bike, and now a pair of podium contending full carbon cross country racers.

2018 Kestrel MXZ TEAM Highlights

  • Carbon 29er
  • Sub 22-pound
  • RockShox SID World Cup fork
  • Advanced Kestrel carbon engineering
  • Full Shimano XT drivetrain
  • WTB tubeless compatible rims
  • Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes
  • Price: $1999 (List $3999)
  • More info at www.bikesdirect.com

2018 Kestrel MXZ TEAM Complete Spec

2018 Kestrel MXZ TEAM Spec

2018 Kestrel MXZ PRO Highlights

  • Carbon 29er
  • Sub 23-pound
  • Pro level RockShox SID fork
  • Advanced Kestrel carbon engineering
  • Full SRAM NX drivetrain
  • WTB tubeless compatible rims
  • Top hydraulic disc brakes
  • Price $1499 (List $2999)
  • More info at www.bikesdirect.com

2018 Kestrel MXZ PRO Complete Spec

2018 Kestrel MXZ PRO Spec

Geometry - Click to Enlarge

Kestrel MXZ Geo

Sizing Guide

  • 13" - 5'2" to 5'5"
  • 15" - 5'6" to 5'9"
  • 17.5" - 5'10 to 6'0"
  • 19" - 6' to 6'2"
  • 21" - 6'2 to 6'4"

 

Attachments

Any comments on the geometry and what frames this one would compare to? One thing that stands out is the standover height of 776.8 for a 15 inch frame. That seems to be high. Other frames are between the 720 to 743 range. thanks
 
The Kestrel MXZ standovers are at the Mid Point of the Top Tube. Here is the link to the geo: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/mountain-bikes-carbon-29er/kestrel-carbon-29er-geo-mxz.gif
 
Very good pricing for two years ago geo. Very short reach. No Boost front or rear so no space for wider tires like the 2.6" now becoming available. OK head tube angle that is close to steep.
 
@eb1888 - this Kestrel MXZ series has the same head angle 69.5 degrees as just about every pro level XC category mountain bike such as the Scott Scale used by top XC racers like Nino Schurter. The seat angle is a bit slacker than the Scale which increases the ETT which perfectly balances the position on the bike. No boost front and rear = lighter weight. Nobody runs more than a 2.3" tire in an pro XC race. Many racers even use sub 2 inch tires :)
 
This guy beat me to it, and released a video showing his TEAM after some muddy rides:
I ordered the $1,500 PRO, and should get it this week. I also try the Shimano XT 46t cassette, to see if/how it works with the SRAM NX hardware.
 
Any input from BD or Kestrel on here about what the max width for the rear tire is? I just ordered one of these and that's going to be my first upgrade so I'd really like to know so I can have the tires here by the time the bike arrives?
 
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.