I’m looking for a small, very aggressive fitting bike that a bit less stiff and absorbs some road vibration. I’ve narrowed it down to:
- Kestrel 4000
- Fuji D6 2.0
- Felt D4A
Any recommendations, user stories or feedback to help me decide?
Thanks!
I love my D6!.. But The 4000 is bad ass. One thing that surprised me is you can’t use a wheel cover on the 4000.
I used a wheel cover on mine, but I had to shorten the female side of the plastic screws (i.e. the nut side). It’s tight, but it worked fine. Probably OK if you just use tape too. I used both.
Insert gratuitous photo:)
I am curious how you came up with this list of bikes. Sticking with the “aggressive” theme, how is a DA or D6 more comfortable than let’s say a CD01 or a P3?
I came up with the list of bikes based on stack, reach and drop measurements. As for “comfortable”, I’m looking for something that doesn’t transfer every road vibration through my once broken back. I was not a fan of the CD01 – just didn’t fit or handle well. I’d like to move on from Cervelo – been there, done that. The Kestrel and the Fuji are both “comfortable” bikes and I can get a low enough drop on them. Not sure how to make the final decision.
What do you like about your D6? Did you look at Kestrel before you bought it?
Nice ride. Glad to hear there is a way to fit a wheel cover on it.
What do you like about your D6? Did you look at Kestrel before you bought it?
If all things were equal I would have got the 4000, based on the wind tunnel test between the D6 & the 4000 (w/out rider I believe). …but things aren’t equal and the D6 3.0 was much less expensive and still a great bike, so I went with the D6.
I don’t want to tell you more about the bike because I’m new to biking and triathlons. So my opinion isn’t the best. All I know is so far is the bike feels stiff, quiet & fast. I did great in my 1st sprint this year on it and I’m currently training for IMFL.
I’m 6’2" w/ a 36" inseam and I ride the 58cm.
I’ve been really impressed with how my D6 rides. I used to ride a CD0.1 which was a great bike but I honestly didn’t like the way it rode. I’ve be most surprised about the D6’s handling. Takes tight corners and descents almost road bike like. Also, it soaks up road vibration better than any carbon frame I’ve owned( Giant TCR, CD0.1, S2). Not to mention it looks like sex on a stick!
The DA4 is the same frame as all other DA’s apart from the DA1, which has a higher grade carbon. I am assuming you chose to include the 4 because of the price range? I ride a DA, and from what I feel and other have told me, it isnt the most abosrbing bike out there. But I find it aggresive. It also looks badass. If you have a chance to test ride them, I am sure you will know what you want.
Personally I chose the DA over a few other options for two reasons: as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted it, I think the lines just look wicked, and as soon as I got on the saddle I was already disliking the other options available!