2009 Kestrel Evoke SL ... opinions please
 

I noticed this bike is on sale at BD for $1695. Seems like a good (exceptional?) deal.

does anyone have one that they've logged some miles on and can give me their opinion?

Wait for opinions frome those who've ridden it for sure or perhaps have special imfo. I'm more familiar with the Talon, an older model. These were very highly regarded bikes in the late 80s on. The Race Across America was won on a then old Talon.

The price of the Evoke is indeed low. It was way more than that when introduced some four years ago. At which time it was well above the Talons in price. SLs in both models were higher than the non-SL counterparts. Two friends of mine rode Kestral Talons and did well, many did. One guy still has it.

I don't know what happened other than the Co. changing hands, manufacturing location... ?? I've not heard of failures though one might suspect some sort of question judging by skeptical points of view held by some for any reason or no valid reason at all.

The parts are worth more than the price of the bike practically. I myself don't have a bad feeling about those bikes at all. Let's see what others say.
As of two years ago, an LBS near me still stocked & recommended Kestral Talons.

great bike for the price. if i was in the market for a bike in that price range I would snatch it up

i'm thinking like old and new said, the components and wheelset alone are worth that price. it's like they're giving away the frame.

i could use a new hack to retire the RB-1, and my '03 Trek cf is getting long in the tooth too.

Here is a review of the bike from a few years ago....I do not know how much the bike has changed since 2004.
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2533

thanks RedLeg

everything in that write up describes the ride quality i like.

That seems like a pretty well equipped bike. It has the full Rival group and pretty decent wheels. Unlike some bikes on BD where they say 'Ultegra' for example but put on cheap FSA cranks, Tekro brakes and not so great wheels.

Can't speak to the greatness of the frame. It's probabably decent and the bike is well equipped it seems. Don't forget to add a few $$$ to price in order to have it professionaly assembled and checked out, unless you can do that or have a friend.

I could've gone more over-the-top than I already did .... can't go wrong with that.
The net is loaded with blogs and such. I just was looking after I'd posted.
I believe that in the final anysis it's a corperate thing, an attept to recover $$

watch, by the time I decide to click and buy it, they'll be out of 56cm

My last bike was a 2005-6 Kestrel Evoke (actually, I still have it but now use it as a secondary bike), although it was before BD carried it so the grouppo etc is different than they offer. The BD bike has the same frame as mine.

I put about 20,000 miles on it (including about a 1/2 season of racing) without any complaints or issues at all. The Pez review is spot on. It's a moderately light (my 52cm weighed in at 16.1lbs), stiff and stable bike that is great value for the money (mine was $2,499 with full Dura Ace 7800 and Easton Orion wheels). Depending on which paint job you get, it can look a little "industrial," as the article pointed out, and it doesn't have the sweeps and curves of some of today's carbon bikes. But if you're more of a form follows function type, then that won't bother you. Personally, I quickly grew to like its looks.

mouse hovering over the buy button....

Did you look at the Ti Moto? Carbon is sooo passe.

don't like ti

i really want a Ridley Damocles, but cannot afford one.

Get it.

Chances are you'll be happy with it.

If you aren't, I know a broke college student who rides a 56 and would happily take that bike off your hands.

He happens to be close by to you as well ;)

A KHS looks close. The Kestral offers a good opportunity to experience SRAM then again .....

perhaps you might feel safer with 105.

the more I look at it the more I want to sell my BMC streetfire w/rival for it.

hmmmmm

bought it.

thanks to you all for your input. hopefully it will be a good (great) training bike.

I have a Talon SL and love it. I can't see the evoke being anything but awesome.

congrats! post pics when you get it :thumb:

thanks Kerian for the reassurance, and Steve, will-do.

cheers

I have a Talon and am very happy as well.

Awesome!

Let us know how you like it!

first impressions...
 

Received bike last night. Spent couple hours setting up, still needs some fine tuning.

1. shifting is a little more "clunky" than Shimano 105 9 speed I'm used to. Not quite as refined and smooth. Not sure I dig the double tap shifting method.

2. can't figure out how to trim front der, although the instructions say it can be done. probably needs an adjustment.

3. bike is really light, especially for the money.

4. bike has similar ride to my '03 carbon fiber Trek, which is good. Smooth, fast, efficient. I don't feel any flexing. looking forward to climbing local mountain with it tonight and really putting the screws to it.

5. Mavic Ksyriums are very nice, light and responsive.

6. frame is really cool. like the look very much. has some neat details visually.

bike seam like a good deal so far. further miles will be needed for ultimate opinion.

the shifting is normal. SRAM is not as smooth as shimano and feels clunky until you get used to it. post up some pics.

pics!