Anyone out there riding one of these beauties? Looking for opinions on them. Not as a tri bike but as a roadie.
I’m pushing an R3SL as my roadie, but I have ridden the RS. I think that it (RS) is a very appropriate road bike for a large cross section of triathletes, especially those who don’t intend to do mass start races.
It’s very stiff both at the bottom bracket and the head tube. The longer wheelbase means that the bike is very stable (and it’s easy to trackstand) and the thin, curved seat stays provide some nice vertical compliance (comfort).
An additional bonus for shorter athletes is that the XS version comes with 650c wheels that probably match that riders tri bike wheel size.
If you intend to race road, you will need to determine if the taller head tube and longer wheelbase allow you to get low enough and provide aggressive enough handling for pack riding.
Thanks for the input…not looking to be a road racer…just have the option to trade my old Kestrel 200SCI for one of these.
I absolutely love mine. I’m on the 650. It handles and climbs like a dream!
Jodi
Are you riding it in tri position or as a roadie? I’m married to a Jodi (with an I…quite uncommon)
Kent,
It’s an amazing bike. As some other posters have pointed out - very stiff, very light and very comfortable. Hard to get all three in the same bike but the RS does deliver on this in a truly extraordinary fashion. The one thing about this bike and you need to check into it carefully, is the head-tube length and how this will impact your fit. The head-tubes on the RS is quite a bit taller than a similar size R3. Some people do need and this is as can be witnessed by the number of spacers you see many using on their ill-fitting road bikes. The RS eliminates this. However for some, that extra head-tube length may end up being too much. For example me - I would have had to use a negative rise stem to get the handle bars at the right level for me, and I think that is not intended as the right set up for this bike.
yeah but you’re a gumby flexy beanpole Steve ;-).
that is most definitely my road machine! Love it, love it, love it! I anticipate getting into bike racing in the near future and purchased it with that in mind
Jodi
Cool…something for me to keep in mind then…thanks Jodi!