Kestrel RT 800--Thoughts?
 

I am currently looking at purchasing a Kestrel RT 800. If you have experiences with this bike please let me know (good or bad). I live in Salt Lake City and ride quite a few mountain roads. Looking for something to increase my climbing (other than fitness level) and provide more speed on the downhills. I do not race (yet) but have toyed around with the idea since I have been road cycling for two seasons (mtn biked for 4 seasons). There is a RT 800 for the high $2,000's range and it would be great to know if it's worth it or not. Components are Dura-ace. FSA RD600 rims, Truvativ Roleur Carbon crank, carbon frame and fok, etc. Thanks in advance for you thoughts.

Not a good deal.

Kestrel used to be a great brand; one of the first companies using carbon fiber and they had some innovative designs in the early days. These days, I see them being sold at BikesDirect.com...

I believe Kestrel made THE first carbon bike, and they've been innovative in that area for a long time. For whatever reason, they don't market as much as the well-hyped brands. As of last year they're owned by Fuji. I don't know why being sold by BD makes them any less great of a bike, but some people seem to have issues with that.

I have an RT700, which I believe is essentially a similar bike geometry-wise to the 800, but with slightly different tubing details. It's a great bike for climbing, racing, and fast riding. It won't make you faster going downhill, you'll need to grow a pair for that. I bought my frame from BD.com and built it up myself.

Some people believe if it's not a highly-marketed brand name, it's not a good bike, but I'm sure most of them haven't ridden a Kestrel.

IMO, they are still good frames. Although Kestrel were bought by Advanced Sports Inc (ASI, the current owners of the Fuji brand plus a few others) in late 2007, Kestrel branded bikes still appear to be based on the Kestrel designs, not re-badged generics.

Unlike the other "brands" carried by bikesdirect, Kestrel is also carried at some quite reputable bike shops, like Jack and Adams here in Austin. It appears that BD has a source for older/overstock kestrel frames.

I have not been on a Kestrel but ride with a person who does. He seems to like it and he logs alot of miles on it. Buy the bike that best fits your needs. A good deal will make you satisfied every mile you ride. I did purchase from BD and am very happy with my choice after 2.5 years.

If you know your frame size and can do just a little of your own work then who takes the bike out of the box (at the lbs or your house) should not matter. Many frames are made in the same factories around the world. Beyond that they don't have seperate sales of componenets or wheels, ie one quality of products for lbs and a lesser quality for online sales stores.

I bought an rt700 from BD, I used it on a 240 mile ride in one day, I had no pain after it, everything was stock except for the seatpost, which I changed to an ec90 to absorb some of the vibrations.

I raced on it and did very well in the Cat 4's, I used it in a few Cat 3 races and can honestly say that it did not hold me back. It was also nice being the only one in the field with a Kestrel.

Kestrel RT 800
 

LorenzoNF, Thx for the feedback that the bike in the title line is not a good deal. Are there any reasons in particular? Have you owned Kestrel previously? I'm just trying to learn a little more about it and make a decision if it's a good bike for the money. If you don't think it is, do you have any recommendations on other options for the same price? I'm trying to stay under $3k since I still mtn bike, ski amongst the several other outdoor activities in Salt Lake. Any help/recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thx again for the reply.

Thanks to all that replied. Sounds like most of you think it would be a good buy, Kestrel is not a brand which you see on the road a ton, which makes it a little more appealing.

I have an RT700 and am VERY pleased with it. I bought the frame and built up, so my components aren't the same, but the frame is just grand.

"...more speed on the downhills..."

Lance famously said, "It's not the bike." Eat more; really pack it on. That's what I do.

Bought an 800 from BD a few months ago for $2600. I can't complain.

Do people actually buy Kestrels? I thought they were just for decorating LBSs.

It's an excellent Bike
 

I'm biased since I designed the bike but I also ride the new RT 900 and really believe it is one of the best bikes and values on the market.

I no longer race so my riding is more training/general riding but I just had Tyler Hamilton give it a positive review. We will also be sponsoring a pro team that will race on our stock RT 800 and RT 900 so I hope that is enough to convince you that it's a great bike!

If you are looking for a great deal, many of our Kestrel shops have 2008 RT 800's in stock.

Any questions, please give me a call.

Steven

Nice work Steven. Rode mine today and always return with a smile.

Go up to Logan and visit Wimers Bikes on Main Street. They sell Kestrel and the owner and his son are very sharp people. I had asked them about the new Kestrel which are made off shore from the old which were domestically made and they said that the newer bikes are actually better because they can be made with types of glues that are not allowed here by OSHA. I can't really tell you if that bike you are looking at is a good deal or not. That would have to do with bike fit, etc.

I'm a proud owner of what could be considered a "vintage" 1996 Kestrel 200 EMS . I love this bike. Just went for a ride yesterday (just over 22 miles). And just like Avnesq. I just did'nt want to get off when I got back to the house...

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...S/100_3586.jpg

^ I hate you, your bike, and your incessant sunshine. You sir can go to hell.

http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.../SnowBeech.jpg

:lol::lol: That's hilarious, Actually that picture was taken back in the late summer. Yesterday was the first 50 degree day we have had for quite a while. I actually almost went down on a blind curve that had an ice patch across the road...But thanks for the compliment on the bike..

Dear Felt,

we want our bike design back..

thanks with love Kestral.

A pro team on Bikes Direct bikes? The world is definitely flat.

Bikes Direct started selling Kestrels a couple of years ago. Unlike Motobecane or some of their other lines, where they bought the brand name and started putting it on rather generic frames, they just sell bikes with Kestrel manufactured frames, much like your LBS sells Trek, Specialized or other bikes. Kestrel still does the frame design and contracts out the manufacturing.

BTW, Kestrels are beautiful bikes when seen in person. Can't comment on how they ride, as the geometry isn't right for me, but have talked at length to someone who owns an RT700 and really liked it.

I don't think today's Kestrel brand is the same as the one that innovated carbon frame technology in the 80s and 90s. The brand has been sold several times in recent years and is currently owned by ASI (Fuji). I suspect they will milk the name for whatever is left and then dump it.

If you do a web search, you will find many stories of cracked Kestrel frames. I had one myself and know personally of three others. ASI is no longer honoring the warranty on older Kestrel frames. The lesson that I learned is, a warranty is only as good as the company you're getting it from. The next time I take a risk buying cutting edge technology because I'm impressed by a warranty, I'll only buy it from a large and stable company.

My current ride's the RT700 and it's a great ride... Had a few issues with RD aligning but it is a SWEET ride - plus, not a lot of other riders ride Kestrels (if that matters at all)...

Presumably Rock Racing? Are they going to get custom paint?