Bacana

They could be titanium King Cages...

That's a very nice-looking bike, I must say.

Wavey Davey

Hey, do you guys like that 50/36 gearing? I live in hilly/mountainous Seattle and love my 50/34 (12-25). Is it pretty close?

Also, how do those wheels weigh in? Nice an aero, due they spin up pretty quick?

Cheers -D

RB1-luvr

It's not mountainous here in central CT, but hilly, and no, I don't like the 50/36.

My RB-1 has the oldest setup of my bikes at 52/42 and 12/23, then my Trek with 52/40 and 12/23, and now this Kestrel with 50/36 12/25. I find it over geared, and am thinking of changing the 36 to a 39.

I could climb anything with the 36-25, it's crazy easy, almost mountain bike-ish.

The Mavic wheels are amazing. The lightweight tubes and Vittoria tires add to the fast feeling.

RacerOne

I'm looking really hard at one of these, how is it after a month?

RB1-luvr

^^ very pleased with the bike. Fantastic ride, balanced between stiffness and shock absorbtion. Very responsive and one hell of a climber. As stated though, a little over-geared. I may switch to a non compact crank in the spring. I don't see how you can go wrong this bike, especially if you like SRAM.

Tsuru

NICE!!! Very nice!!!

RomeoTango

New guy here looking at road bikes (finally on the verge of a purchase). RB-1 luvr, you've mentioned a couple times that the bike has a blend of speed/handling and comfort. Honestly, I really have no point of reference other than understanding materials and rider position. Is the rider position very aggressive as in leaning way over on the handlebars? I'm not exactly young anymore (41) and am looking for a first bike. Now, I really don't want a recreational bike, meaning a largely upright position. I want to get a bit serious about riding and the fitness perspective, but might not be interested in actual racing. Do you think this bike would fit the bill or should I maybe look for something with a longer head tube or less stiff frame? Just trying to gauge how this bike would work for me.

RB1-luvr

tough call for me to give you advice on that Romeo... I'll just say this, to me, this bike is very focused, meaning it is a race bike. Agressive geometry, and racey ergonomics (which I like). At 5'-10", with balanced torso to leg length ratio, I am flat-backed when seated.

sounds to me like you would prefer a steel frame, maybe with a stem that rises up just a tad (?) a sport riding bike, not so much a racing bike.

again, hard to say. maybe you'd be comfortable on this thing. for what it's worth, I am 45, with a 65 year old back, and I have no problems with the Kestrel, but that's me.

RomeoTango

Thanks RB1. That info helps some.

BigCircles

Guys - Thanks for the advice regarding this bike...

I could not resist - and am happy to say that BD is top notch.

I ordered the bike on Sunday and it arrived on my doorstep this evening. It's beautiful, and I'm totally blown away by this deal!

FWIW - 98% of my bike purchases have been through LBS's throughout my life - but this price was too good to pass up!

RB1-luvr

I'm glad to hear you're happy with your purchase. Many safe miles on that beauty.

motobecane69

I know this is an old thread but I'm curious if RB1-luvr is still riding this bike and what his long term analysis is. so far from reading the old posts i gather he is an experienced fit rider because he felt the 50-36 compact with 12-25 was too easy gearing. I'm a clyde so if anything i'd probably want a 34 ring and maybe a 12-28 but besides that i'm wondering how the bike has held up.

RB1-luvr

two seasons later it's a great bike. The SRAM is very reliable although clunky in my opinion. I'd prefer Shimano. The ride is still as enjoyable as it was in the beginning.

I did put a 23 cassette on and that made the gearing more to my liking. It is still over geared though, and I proved that by climbing Mt Greylock in Western Mass last week (9 mile climb, approx. 3,500' elevation gain) with ease.

I'm very pleased with the bike.

Biscayne05

Hey man, what seat bag are you using? Been looking for one with some reflectors on it.

I'm also considering a carbon bike equipped w/ Rival for under $2000 next year. The Wilier Iozard XP (hopefully, I can catch the same sale price next year but I highly doubt it) or a Rosetti Vertigo (I really want this bike for the colorway) are my top choices but I'll give a Kestrel some consideration now (seriously, I like the frame on the TSR3).

..above that I gotta find someone in my area who's willing to give me a test drive on a SRAM equipped bike.

I'm using a Vent Noir right now which I love.

RB1-luvr

That's a Giant bag.

You're welcome to ride my Kestrel if you're near central CT.

motobecane69

Motobecane immortal heat is rival for $1500 since you have a vent noir already it's worth considering. I paid the few extra bucks and just ordered the immortal fire with full force and ksyrium elite wheels. i had a deal on a kestral that fell through

justkeepedaling

My friend had an Evoke SL, was surprisingly light. Wouldn't have minded taking that for a spin

Biscayne05

How much did everything cost you? I'm guessing around $2300? My problem with the Moto frames around that mark are the colorways. I don't want to spend another 300-500 just to get the bike custom painted.

I'll be putting the Planet X Rival equipped bike as well on my short list, with the Rossetti still on top.

RB1,

thanks for the offer man but I live north of border I would love to take that machine for a spin.

btw, is that saddle bag still available anywhere? I just went for a quick search on ebay and can't find anything that's close to the reflectors on your bag.

motobecane69

the immortal fire with the full force group and ksyrium elite whees is only $1900 and in my opinon the frame looks great. It is black with just silver motobecane logos. real simple. you could change bar tape and seat color, bottle cage color to spice it up or keep it simple.

RB1-luvr

Biscayne05: "btw, is that saddle bag still available anywhere? I just went for a quick search on ebay and can't find anything that's close to the reflectors on your bag. "

I think this is the bag here: (it was difficult to find, I think you're right, it's been discontinued because it's not on the Giant website)

https://wheelworld.com/product/giant-...ag-55791-1.htm

or maybe I have this one, the medium size:

https://wheelworld.com/product/giant-...ag-55792-1.htm

silkroad

love this bike. this is one of my "realistic" dream bike.