fujiacerider

Hi all. As you may know, I currently ride a 2001 Cannondale R3000Si. It's a CAAD5 aluminum frame. I love it to death. It's so stiff and responsive!
I plan to be upgrading in the next 6-12 months, and this is one of my options. The other choices are a Salsa or a BMC. Considered Klein, but... nah. If I could, I ould buy another Cannondale in a heartbeat (CAAD 8! Six13! Ahhhh!!!!), but I work in a shop, so my choices are kinda limited. I can't really buy something we don't carry or can't get.
Does anyone have any experience with the Kestrel (or any of the above bikes)? I'm a budding racer. I REALLY like a good stiff frame. I weigh ~185 lbs, and love to sprint and climb out of the saddle at high effort. It doesn't necessarily have to feel stiff upwards (i.e. transfer the "road buzz"), but it DOES have to be stiff in the stays and whatnot when sprinting. I do not like the feel of steel. Just too spongy.

Anyone have any input?

Thanks!

Cole

Fox Farm

Not experience in owning one but I have riden the Evoke and am totally blown away by it. I mean, it's a 15 pound bike that has a life time replacement deal (not to be under estimated), some very worked out tubes, and it really moves up to speed off the line. It climbs very well too - as does your Cannondale. The BMC I have only taken for a short two lap run on a crit course and it too was pretty nice. I don't know about specs or company replacement of the frame if there are problems - ever, but I do think that I saw them showing up for $1000 at Competitive Cyclist.com which is not to be shrugged off. I have only looked at Salsa Cycles and they are a cool small company, sort of like Ibis was, but I don't believe that their frames will come in at under 2 pounds, so if light weight is your deal with rocket-like acceleration, the Kestrel might be worth a ride. They too, by the way, are a small domestic company like Salsa.

jitteringjr

Scratching head thinking, "why is a guy who works in a bike shop, that sells the bike he is interested in, asking us this question and not the people who have purchased the bike form the shop." Not that there is anything wrong with that, just never seen it before.

I test rode the Evoke. I weigh 180# and it was very stiff, just a little more $s than I wanted to spend and didn't feel like it fit me right.

RickS.

I have about 3000 miles on my Evoke. I love the smooth ride and the stiff feel of the bike in a sprint!! I have been riding this bike for 4 months now. No complaints so far. If you are interested in an Evoke i would highly recommend a test ride.

Rick