I hate posts like this because they are generally not very informative for everyone else but I am considering both and am looking for feedback if anybody has any. It looks like the geometry is very similar (other than the compact frame issue). Top tube, wheelbase and seat tube angle are the same for the M giant and the 55 c Talon. I will use it for roadie rides and tris. I have been riding by Softride at 73-74 degrees with comfort for about a year now, so the shallow seat tube angle doesn’t bother me. I am leaning towards the Kestrel because of the crash replacement warranty and the lifetime warranty but I could go either way. Thanks for your feedback.
I just bought a Giant cabon frame. The frame/fork/headset is lighter than my current frame alone. I should have it built around thanksgiving. Remind me to give you a first ride report when I get it built.
My road bike is an aluminium TCR and I can’t fault it in any way in terms of handling, etc. Would imagine the carbon version is that much better. Also heard the Kestrel is also damn good. Sounds like you can’t go wrong either way. Better go for a test ride.
Check the actual terms of the warranty…it swayed my opinion, but I was informed by someone that it was a 600.00 deductable fee or something like that. I simply don’t know the specifics. I can tell you I like my Talon. I also liked the TCR1 I had a couple of years ago…felt very quick and responsive to power input.
I tested both when I was looking for a new bike - my requirements were: Geometry compatible with drop bars for road riding, stability in the aero bars and comfort over long distances. Other bikes I looked at were the Soloist, the Bianchi Carbon and the Yaqui Mariola DL.
I assume you are looking at the Talon SL, since it is within the same price range as the Giant and is significantly lighter than the standard Talon.
From a ride standpoint, I found the Giant handled more like a road racing bike than the Talon - meaning it was a bit twitchy at low speeds, but handled well when it was ridden hard. The Talon, on the other hand, is a very comfortable bike that is pretty stable when aero bars are mounted on it and the seat in the “normal” position, not flipped forward.
Both were very comfortable and a huge improvement over standard aluminum, but neither one fit me right. If, however, they both would have fit me perfectly, I probably would have gone for the Talon SL with a Reynolds fork (Ouzo Pro or Ouzo Pro Aero). The frame has a good warranty, an “aero” down tube (at least it looks aero…) and cleaner cable runs. It also felt like it had a stiffer BB, not that I was flexing the hell out of the Giant, but being 6’0, 180Lbs, I figured stiffer was better.
The Kestrel site says that the crash replacement warranty entitles you to a new frame at a deep discount. Something like 60% off. A buddy of mine recently got a new Talon SL for something like 300 bucks after he crashed his 200SCI. A pretty good deal to me.
I really like my composite TCR. I bought it for my wife and proceeded to take it away from her ever so slowly . . . I’ve never been on a kestrel, let alone a talon although I wouldn’t mind owning one. I bought a 200sci once but never built it and sold it. The paint on kestrel’s has been notoriously easy to chip, don’t know about the newer ones.
I ride a trek 5500 for the most part and think the Giant is somewhat twitchy in comparison as was pointed out above. I have both set up EXACTLY the same measurement wise and rides are more similar than not. The giant does not feel as “neutral” as the trek however. My giant is a medium so the triangle is pretty small and the bike is plenty stiff. I have FSA cranks on both and really cannot tell a difference between them when hammering up our 20% climbs in regards to BB stiffness.
I would really like to have a Talon SL though . . . you have a tough choice, kind of like choosing between the blonde or the brunette . . .
I do a lot of reading and usually not much posting, but this thread is something I feel I know a bit about. I’ve got an '03 Talon, and a new '04 Giant composite . Then Talon a raced on last year, with the seatpost in the forward postion with the saddle about in the middle of the seat rails, I’d say this woulsd put me in th75-77 degree range. The Talon is really quite stiff, and fairly responsive, maybe more so with the seatpost iin the forward position (some people may say twitchy, but I have no problem sitting back riding with no hands and cruising while sitting in a realitive forward position.) I’m super comfortable in the aerobars on this bike
The Composite Giant I got about 6 weeks ago, and Im riding it in a standard road position. This bike is awesome. Probably th emost comfortable, nicest road bike Ive had over the last 15 years. Ive ridden steel, aluminum, and titanium, as well as other carbon fiber bikes and I’d put this new Giant ahead of them all. I’m seriously considering slapping some aero bars on it and going back to riding in a more relaxed, slam type position. Luke Bell rode this bike at Kona this year. I have nothing bad to say about it. Super comfort, but responsive. Giant has beefed up the tube diameter aroung the bottom bracket. The gussetting around the top tube, head tube and down tube increases forward stability and stiffness. They have also put some fine tweeks and bends in the chainstays as well. They hve really refined the design of the TCR through all the aluminum models and this carbon one. Ive had two aluminum TCRs and this bike is WAAY nicer. I have a large , with Ultegra and the 550 ( I think) Shimano clincher training wheels and the bike is 18.4 lbs, This could easily be trimmed to mid or low 17lbs with dura ace and a nicer wheelset. I would rate the Giant above the TAlon for a road configured bike. The price of this bike I would say is a super steal.
It 's so nice Im goingto go sit on my trainer for 90 min
Both are excellent bikes. I was in the same dilemna earlier this summer.
I liked the Kestrel quite a bit by being able to flip the seatpost forward/back for aero/relaxed riding positions and the fact that it looked aero.
Once I got on the Giant TCR though I’ve never looked back. I got on the bike in a parking lot and rode about three blocks (not a very scientific test ride), but all I can say is WOW! The bike was super light, responsive, quick, stiff, a little twitchy at slow speeds (but we aren’t supposed to go slow) and extremely smooth over the nasty pavement/concrete I was riding on. I took it out for about 100-200 miles of riding before my last race of the season where I used it for a PR on a 30mi course (put some Jammers on it and used it as part of a relay) and have never felt better. The bike was smooth, supple, quick, handled crosswinds really well and rode on a rail on 30-40mph descents around curves.
I’m about 6’ 185-195 in the off-season (now) and was racing at about 170-180 earlier.
If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a Private Message.
I’ve been riding the TCR1 for about 2 years, used it at IMF last week and qualified for Kona. Also looking at the Kestrel, like a steeper seat angle. However, will keep the TCR for every day and hills. It’s been a great bike (mine has a soso paint job).
Dang! I was leaning towards the Talon and now you guys have me thinking about the Giant again. Can’t lose either way I guess. I will spend an hour or so on each one on Saturday and see where that gets me. Thanks a bunch for all of the feedback.