My 2004 XLR8R-2. 15.37 lbs.


Very light, rode like a Cinelli. The wheels were inferior in durability to the frame.


My 1989 Centurion. 17.4-17.5 lbs.

Now has DA9000/Velocity Aerohead wheels. Don't waste DA9000 money on a 30-year old carbon bike. Let me do it.



My 1987 Trek, right at 17.0 lbs.
This bike could enter any crit and would be well matched with the Cannondale SC's and Criteriums. Which means side by side with the modern stuff. Shelf Life? Hmm. Ask BF member ldmataya about his pair.


Kestrels have been running around for 30+ years. Some of the carbon frames are more susceptible to misuse, storage damage, etc, just by design. Some are not. I find an abused or hard living bike is the same no matter the frame material. The most susceptible I've seen are the OCLV Treks, but let's face it, people beat the hell out of them.

Look the bike over, and ride it if you can. These bikes, over the years, were under Tour riders, on the Paris-Roubaix, and other places. They did as well as any bike ever has. If there is a particular issue (such as the early XLR8R, maybe?) it would be documented by now.

What you've been told is not what we find here on Bike Forums, C&V. You may hear it on the Road Forum. We're older, heavier, slower, smarter, are better endowed and the women love us. Take our word for it.