Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

2009 Kestrel Evoke SL ... opinions please

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

2009 Kestrel Evoke SL ... opinions please

Old 10-09-09, 10:02 AM
  #1  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
2009 Kestrel Evoke SL ... opinions please

I noticed this bike is on sale at BD for $1695. Seems like a good (exceptional?) deal.

does anyone have one that they've logged some miles on and can give me their opinion?
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 10:26 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Wait for opinions frome those who've ridden it for sure or perhaps have special imfo. I'm more familiar with the Talon, an older model. These were very highly regarded bikes in the late 80s on. The Race Across America was won on a then old Talon.

The price of the Evoke is indeed low. It was way more than that when introduced some four years ago. At which time it was well above the Talons in price. SLs in both models were higher than the non-SL counterparts. Two friends of mine rode Kestral Talons and did well, many did. One guy still has it.

I don't know what happened other than the Co. changing hands, manufacturing location... ?? I've not heard of failures though one might suspect some sort of question judging by skeptical points of view held by some for any reason or no valid reason at all.

The parts are worth more than the price of the bike practically. I myself don't have a bad feeling about those bikes at all. Let's see what others say.
As of two years ago, an LBS near me still stocked & recommended Kestral Talons.
old and new is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 10:28 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Steve90068's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,334

Bikes: Road - Lynskey. Mountain - Trek Fuel EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
great bike for the price. if i was in the market for a bike in that price range I would snatch it up
Steve90068 is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 10:53 AM
  #4  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
i'm thinking like old and new said, the components and wheelset alone are worth that price. it's like they're giving away the frame.

i could use a new hack to retire the RB-1, and my '03 Trek cf is getting long in the tooth too.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 11:19 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
RedLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Big Red One, Kansas
Posts: 269

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist Carbon/ Cervelo S1/ Cervelo P2C

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Here is a review of the bike from a few years ago....I do not know how much the bike has changed since 2004.
https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2533
RedLeg is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 11:31 AM
  #6  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
thanks RedLeg

everything in that write up describes the ride quality i like.

Last edited by RB1-luvr; 10-09-09 at 11:52 AM.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 11:52 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area East
Posts: 429

Bikes: Open Cycles WI.DE.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
That seems like a pretty well equipped bike. It has the full Rival group and pretty decent wheels. Unlike some bikes on BD where they say 'Ultegra' for example but put on cheap FSA cranks, Tekro brakes and not so great wheels.

Can't speak to the greatness of the frame. It's probabably decent and the bike is well equipped it seems. Don't forget to add a few $$$ to price in order to have it professionaly assembled and checked out, unless you can do that or have a friend.
wirelessness is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 11:57 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
thanks RedLeg

everything in that write up describes the ride quality i like.
I could've gone more over-the-top than I already did .... can't go wrong with that.
The net is loaded with blogs and such. I just was looking after I'd posted.
I believe that in the final anysis it's a corperate thing, an attept to recover $$
old and new is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:09 PM
  #9  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
watch, by the time I decide to click and buy it, they'll be out of 56cm
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:31 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
border reiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 280
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My last bike was a 2005-6 Kestrel Evoke (actually, I still have it but now use it as a secondary bike), although it was before BD carried it so the grouppo etc is different than they offer. The BD bike has the same frame as mine.

I put about 20,000 miles on it (including about a 1/2 season of racing) without any complaints or issues at all. The Pez review is spot on. It's a moderately light (my 52cm weighed in at 16.1lbs), stiff and stable bike that is great value for the money (mine was $2,499 with full Dura Ace 7800 and Easton Orion wheels). Depending on which paint job you get, it can look a little "industrial," as the article pointed out, and it doesn't have the sweeps and curves of some of today's carbon bikes. But if you're more of a form follows function type, then that won't bother you. Personally, I quickly grew to like its looks.
border reiver is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:41 PM
  #11  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
mouse hovering over the buy button....
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:44 PM
  #12  
South Carolina Ed
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 3,884

Bikes: Holdsworth custom, Macario Pro, Ciocc San Cristobal, Viner Nemo, Cyfac Le Mythique, Giant TCR, Tommasso Mondial, Cyfac Etoile

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 343 Post(s)
Liked 286 Times in 136 Posts
Did you look at the Ti Moto? Carbon is sooo passe.
sced is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:50 PM
  #13  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
don't like ti

i really want a Ridley Damocles, but cannot afford one.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 12:59 PM
  #14  
Batüwü Creakcreak
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The illadelph
Posts: 20,787
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 228 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 160 Posts
Get it.

Chances are you'll be happy with it.

If you aren't, I know a broke college student who rides a 56 and would happily take that bike off your hands.

He happens to be close by to you as well
ridethecliche is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 01:23 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
A KHS looks close. The Kestral offers a good opportunity to experience SRAM then again .....

perhaps you might feel safer with 105.
old and new is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 01:31 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Steve90068's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,334

Bikes: Road - Lynskey. Mountain - Trek Fuel EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
the more I look at it the more I want to sell my BMC streetfire w/rival for it.

hmmmmm
Steve90068 is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 01:53 PM
  #17  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
bought it.

thanks to you all for your input. hopefully it will be a good (great) training bike.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 01:58 PM
  #18  
Internet!
 
Kerian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bloomington, IL
Posts: 106

Bikes: Nashbar Road Mk II, Trek Soho S, Kestrel Talon SL

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
bought it.

thanks to you all for your input. hopefully it will be a good (great) training bike.
I have a Talon SL and love it. I can't see the evoke being anything but awesome.
Kerian is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 02:05 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Steve90068's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,334

Bikes: Road - Lynskey. Mountain - Trek Fuel EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
bought it.

thanks to you all for your input. hopefully it will be a good (great) training bike.
congrats! post pics when you get it
Steve90068 is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 02:10 PM
  #20  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
thanks Kerian for the reassurance, and Steve, will-do.

cheers
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-09-09, 02:36 PM
  #21  
Tri Fixed Road
 
eMwolB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 507

Bikes: Litespeed, Kestrel, KHS, Pinarello, GT, Mustang, Giant

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I have a Talon and am very happy as well.
eMwolB is offline  
Old 10-10-09, 10:44 AM
  #22  
Batüwü Creakcreak
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The illadelph
Posts: 20,787
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 228 Post(s)
Liked 287 Times in 160 Posts
Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
bought it.

thanks to you all for your input. hopefully it will be a good (great) training bike.
Awesome!

Let us know how you like it!
ridethecliche is offline  
Old 10-20-09, 08:11 AM
  #23  
I don't know.
Thread Starter
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,976

Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times in 429 Posts
first impressions...

Received bike last night. Spent couple hours setting up, still needs some fine tuning.

1. shifting is a little more "clunky" than Shimano 105 9 speed I'm used to. Not quite as refined and smooth. Not sure I dig the double tap shifting method.

2. can't figure out how to trim front der, although the instructions say it can be done. probably needs an adjustment.

3. bike is really light, especially for the money.

4. bike has similar ride to my '03 carbon fiber Trek, which is good. Smooth, fast, efficient. I don't feel any flexing. looking forward to climbing local mountain with it tonight and really putting the screws to it.

5. Mavic Ksyriums are very nice, light and responsive.

6. frame is really cool. like the look very much. has some neat details visually.

bike seam like a good deal so far. further miles will be needed for ultimate opinion.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 10-20-09, 08:36 AM
  #24  
.....
 
Jynx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816

Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
the shifting is normal. SRAM is not as smooth as shimano and feels clunky until you get used to it. post up some pics.
__________________
Weight Listing Index (Feel Free to add to it!)

Buy your bike parts here
Jynx is offline  
Old 10-20-09, 08:52 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Steve90068's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,334

Bikes: Road - Lynskey. Mountain - Trek Fuel EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
pics!
Steve90068 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.