aballas

I'm thinking of buying this frame....can anyone tell me anything about it? I read reviews on roadbikereview and searched a bit on the forums here.

Does anyone ride one/have pics of it built up?

Also does anyone know what model year this one is? the serial number is 40808

Looks like it would be a really sexy bike built up, but i've heard about problems with the paint...if i were to buy it I would consider repainting, or if it's possible going wiith naked carbon....any thoughts on this?

platypus

I ride a 200sci, it's a fine frame - but like any used carbon frame make sure to check it carefully for cracks before you build it up.

Not the "zippiest" frame around, but it's comfortable and fast enough to ride all day long (which is exactly what I do with it).

aballas

any pics? also any idea of the year on this one?

platypus

Here's a picture of my Kestrel. Nothing special really, but it's fun to ride. I just completed my first year's goal of 50,000 vertical feet yesterday using this bike. It's a mix of Record and Chorus components.

aballas

very nice....albeit a little dirty....

platypus

She's a dirty, dirty girl.

It's in the back yard to get washed this afternoon.

MerckxMad

Kestrel was one of the first manufacturers to fabricate CF frames, forks, bars, etc. They were big in the tri scene about a decade ago. Good, if twitchy, framesets. Mine was built up with DA and Cane Creek Chronos, it was the shizzle back in the day. See that short rear triangle? When you get out of the saddle to sprint, the rear wheel has a tendency to hop off the pavement. The DuPont Imron paint jobs on the 200 SCi were always beautiful out of the factory, but looked like crap a year later. the clear coat never stood up well to chips, etc. As longs as yours isn't cracked, you'll be riding a neo-retro CF machine. Best of luck!

platypus

I have noticed that the bike will get a little hoppy when I jump on the pedals for a sprint, but most of the time I'm climbing so I don't mind this too much.

recursive

Here's mine. It's a newer one.


Centaur Chorus Mix


The chairman is investigating.

I have hopped the rear wheel in sprints. I figured it was because it was so light, and my technique is so poor.

ranger5oh

that bike is sweet... minus the rainbow bright bar tape! Yikes!

serotta

I've got a dark blue SCi built with older C-record stuff. I've had three kestrels. A 4000 that cracked and was replaced with another 4000, then it cracked again and they replaced it with a 200 SCi. After about a year the 200 SCi's bottom bracket shell came loose. Kestrel repaired it (no charge) in late 1995 and returned it to me. I've had it ever since. I ride it weekly, and it is my bike of choice for anything over 75 miles. Never had paint issues, although it does appear to be hazing over a bit.

recursive

That's actually what I was going for. Maybe I'll tone it down when I change it, but I intentionally picked the most outrageous tape they had at the store, although I'm not quite sure why. It's funny to me.

aballas

thanks for all the info guys....I think i've decided against the frame though....auction seemed a little shady and he wouldn't take paypal....I'll keep my eyes out for another possibly...


right now though I found a 2001 Bianchi XL Boron locally that I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on...