palesaint

Ok, I'm pretty sure Outside magazine isn't quite the expert periodical on road bikes. But I was thumbing through the latest edition, which happens to be the buyers guide to 2007 gear. They cover pretty much everything outdoors, from shoes to bikes to kayaks etc.

So, I got to the Road Bikes section and their pick for best overall road bike of 2007 is the Kestrel RT700. I must admit, the photo shot of it IS pretty hot. But, I'd just like to pick the brains of those in the trenches that really know their stuff.

Here's Outside's reasons for picking this bike (paraphrased):

1. All-carbon production frame puts a premium on stiffness and aerodynamics. But, unlike true aero bikes, the RT700 loves to climb and descend. Plus, it's comfy for the long haul.

2. Kestrel's engineers designed the fork to go with the RT700 in house, to take into account the geometry and handling characteristic of the frame. Most other companies outsource their fork designs, they say. The result (again, they say) is the most agile and response bike they've tested.

3. Not as aero as tri-specific bikes, but it has shaped tubes and airfoil-like seat tube. Cuts through the wind better than a typical road bike. They claim this can handle races, crits and the occasional tri.

4. The seat-tube cluster and aero seatpost is visually stunning, but also elimates worrying about centering your saddle- a constant headache with standard round tubes. (???)

5. Thanks in part to the RT700's internal cable routing, this bike is one of the quietest rigs around, with little rattles and pings. Frame has lifetime warranty.

So, care to shoot holes in some of the above claims? Is this really the best bike of 2007, when taking the above qualities into account (and if you don't believe that "steel is real" - hehe) ?

And, shazam, a 16.8lb 55cm model goes for $3300. Great price!

Thoughts?

Sprocket Man

That statement alone brings the credibility of the entire review into question. And by your question marks, I think you tend to agree. No doubt a really nice bike, and I'm sure it's very capable, but there are a lot of really good bikes out there. This is just another one.

Proximo

It's clear they mean centering the saddle side-to-side, not fore-and-aft. If the seatpost is not round (i.e. "aero"), and the seat tube is not round (i.e. "aero") to match, then it is autocentering.

CastIron

I'm sure the Kestrel is a damn fine bike. But then we knew that, right?

Sprocket Man

I know. I have several bikes with round seatposts as well as a Cervelo Soloist that has an aero seatpost. I can't imagine anyone who rides regularly would ever consider centering their saddle to be a "constant headache".

CrossCountry2k7

I think they need to get their eyes checked, that is one fugly bike. The only okay looking thing is the seat tube/collar/stays cluster. Which almost looks BMCish.

Terex

Just got it in the mail, skimmed the products supplement, and threw it in the trash. The whole supplement is just a product shill. What a bunch of BS. Of course, Kestrel is a fine bike, nonetheless.

Proximo

The carbon "weave" version looks a lot better than the copper:

blacksquid

I test rode a 2007 RT700 and an 2007 Orca and the Orca was more responsive IMHO. I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that the Orca is a complete monocoque construction whereas the RT700s rear triangle is bonded to the front triangle. In any case, I thought the Orca was the better frame. Costs more too!

dcvelo

"Which almost looks BMCish." I rather thought Orbea Orca, myself...

"All-carbon production frame puts a premium on stiffness and aerodynamics."...as opposed to all the frames that ignore stiffness? Ok, I'll give it the aerodynamics...

"Not as aero as tri-specific bikes, but it has shaped tubes and airfoil-like seat tube."...sound like they are copying the Cervelo Soloist design concept...

I center my saddle about once every...I don't know, year?

"Thanks in part to the RT700's internal cable routing, this bike is one of the quietest rigs around, with little rattles and pings." I have one road bike with internal routing (Klein) and one without (Merckx). The Merckx is quieter than the Klein, but then I never thought external cables where a serious contributor to hearing loss. This one just makes no sense...

Hey, not trying to burst any bubbles here...this is more a critique of the magazine flacks than the bike.

So, the best thing is to go ahead and find a dealer and give it a test ride...never mind the hyperbole, how's the ride?

MIN 

Those are FSA cranks? They look just like my Truvativ Rouleur Carbons...

DrPete 

Looks like Kestrel produced the best free lunches and "test rides" in France.

Designing the fork to go with the bike? This is something new or special? That's one of many... the seat tube thing is ridiculous too. How hard is it to point a saddle in a straight line and tighten a bolt to the proper torque?

UT_Dude

That Kestrel is one of the ugliest bikes i've ever seen in person. A few teammates have one.... I hate the look. Nice bike, just ugly.

Chucklehead

i've always been a huge kestrel fan(owned 3 over a 12 year period), but i can't stand their new styling. the 200sc/sci was/is a gorgeous frame, but ever since they discontinued that model i've simply lost interest.

ericcox

A little off topic, ok a lot off topic, but why are selling the Orca?

As to the other poster who noticed the similarity -- the first time I saw this seat cluster, I thought of the new Orca which, to me, is a drop dead gorgeous frame in person. Never seen the Kestrel except in photos.

blacksquid

I changed my mind about why I was buying a new bike. The frameset was ordered in January and didn't arrive until mid-April. In the meantime, I came to the conclusion that I was buying for the wrong reasons (too much time to think). Anyways, I decided that, after looking around for a while, that a Pegoretti was a better fit for me so I ordered a custom Marcelo at the end of April. It will hopefully arrive in 4-6 months but I have my trusty Fuji to ride for now.