Originally Posted by
Brian25
I hate to jump in again. Sorry, but the truth is that I hate the geometry on the Kestral. First of all the Kestral sizing is misleading. Second of all, you actually could be on a much smaller frame. The on line geometry charts are a joke. If I were working with you in person, I would be trying to put you on a bike with a 42- 44 cm full seat tube length. The goal is to have 9.5" (24cm) of seat and seat post sticking out of the frame. Top tube length from 52 -54 cm and preferably a 71 degree head angle. Just my 2 cents.
I got the bike yesterday and while there was a scratch on the handlebar and a scratch on the left side of the bike, the bike felt wonderful for the brief amount of time I was on it. Your assumption that I need to be on a bike less than a 47CM is probably right but the Kestrel RT-1000 47CM is really a 44.6CM seat tube center to center with an effective seat tube of 47CM. This is probably why some retailers suggested I get the 50cm when I inquired since the seat tube is a 47.5CM center to center or 50CM effective. I didn't measure the seat post but from where it is it looks close to 9" but I am not sure.
https://imgur.com/HmXlWRs
https://imgur.com/Wx42MoX
https://imgur.com/yWdxwpu
The guy at the bike store even asked how I managed to pick out this bike since he said the sizing was spot on. I am a little disappointed with the scratches but I have already asked Nashbar what they can do for some sort of refund or credit since I don't think it's worth the hassle of breaking down the bike and sending it back just to wait to get another once and have to maybe pay for assembly this time.
Overall I still need a decent ride on it to truly test it, but the 47CM was the right choice and the $1000 for a carbon 105 flat bar bike is very hard to beat.