MrCrassic 

Crassic has finally decided on a bike.

In my previous posts, I was excited to purchase a Trek Madone 5.1. A test ride on the Scott CR1 Pro changed that excitement completely. However, come purchase (or first payment) time, I decided on none of those.

I instead chose the Kestrel Talon.

I test rode a few more bikes at the shop (Ridgewood Cycle Shop), namely the Giant TCR C2 and the CervEEEEEEEElo Soloist Team. The Giant was really really twitchy, and the ride felt closer to my 1000 with the new carbon fork. Just as I suspected, the Cervelo felt like a WAY overpriced aluminum ride, and I wasn't going to dish over $2000 for another aluminum ride.

The Kestrel was mean. It climbed like the Scott and took flats down with no effort (I swear I was accelerating while coasting, no tailwind!). It was also a really comfortable ride.

Apparently, the bike sat on the shelf for about three years before I came and bought it. Only two or three other people test rode it, supposedly. It was originally priced at $4500 because it had full Dura Ace, but is now $2350 with Ultegra FD/RD/cranks and Dura-Ace shifters. Besides that, it comes with a Bontrager stem, Mavic Aksiums (which I swapped from Easton Circuits; I don't know Easton wheels well enough) and a Selle Italia SLR saddle (which I might replace with a Fizik Arione. I hated the Giant, but I LOVED that saddle.)

The Trek 1000 will be my training and commuting bike, and it will be used for time trials because of its weight.

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BarracksSi

Looks like you two found each other.

JMT114

Enjoy it, and post some pictures.

jyossarian

Ttiwwp

SwimBike

ridgewood? do you ever do the wed rides out of that shop?

I was in the area for work and rode with these guys. pretty fun 20 mile loop lead by Elliott. Great guy, fun ride.

Pharmr

congrats on the new ride!!!....now let's see some pics!!!

frank828

umm

is it this one? https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../talon_tri.htm

buy a spare?

patentcad

Do you want some crackers with that cheese?

MrCrassic 

He told me about those rides, and I plan to start with them this Wednesday. They seem like pretty cool dudes, and I really liked their bike selection!

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MrCrassic 

GOD NO.

I bought the 2004 model. Does Kestrel even make their own bikes anymore, or was everything outsourced after the BD buyout?

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MrCrassic 

Sorry, pcad, but this time I missed the joke.

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rankin116

There was no BD buyout. Fuji bought Kestrel.