After several hours of reading and searching here, I thought I’d make my first post. Hope you all don’t mind.
I have been looking for quite some time to find a Kestrel KM40 that would be well taken care of. I finally found what I was looking for and pulled the trigger. I did not buy this to be the fastest and latest thing around, instead it is something I’ve always wanted and finally found one that was in decent enough shape that I felt comfortable with. Plus the price was very right so I figured I’d give it a try. It came with full DuraAce, ProfileDesign carbon fork, OvalConcepts aero bar, Ksyrium wheelset plus a HED carbon rear wheel and Cx front wheel.
Here is a gallery of pictures of my bike: http://www.bowtie6.com/KestrelKM40/index.html. The frame size BTW, is 56cm. Finally, the frame and fork have been looked over by an LBS and they gave it the thumbs up.
I realize the 650c wheels are an issue to many. For my intended use though, that is no problem. I also realize the KM40 might be “dated” but I wanted to gather some insight from anyone currently owning one or who might have owned one:
The previous owner bought the frameset new in 2005. I have seen many pics on the web of other KM40’s and have seen some with the Ironman decals. I have seen others with the KESTREL script on the top tube and the down tube. Mine only has the KESTREL script on the down tube. I also noticed the KM40AirFoil decal below the saddle is only on one side, while the “K” is on the other side. What up with this? This frameset has not been re-painted from the best of my knowledge.
I read on some old threads here on this forum that the seatposts were different according to when the frameset was made. Mine has the round seat tube (actually I have a Thomson aluminium seatpost right now) and not the ‘aero’ post. From what I read, one is more desireable than the other but could not figure out why or which one. Any info about that would be appreciated.
I have seen some KM40’s with the wheelstays unpainted. Mine are painted red. I like that but again, was this a difference between production runs?
The fork is not original Kestrel, instead a ProfileDesign BDC. I know it is ‘dated’, but any comments about that fork? Good/Bad/Indifferent?
I don’t have many miles on my bike yet, but from what I have been able to ride so far it is very fast and I am thrilled with it. I’m not in a competitive setting so I don’t need the latest and greatest plus my budget is limited. Any comments, suggestions, history on the bike, etc would be greately appreciated.
I think I may have to burst your bubble a bit. I have owned my Km40 brand new since 2000. That year they developed a revised version of the frame (deeper more bladed seattube, reshaped seat and chainstays) which yours is not. The previous owner telling you it was purchased new in 2005 is lying to you. Kestrel was not even producing the Km40 at this point, but producing its replacement the Airfoil Pro. The Km40 was made here in CA, by model year 2005 all Kestrel frames were being made offshore. Km40s never had anything but a round 27.2 seatpost over their entire production run, and it looks like some graphics are missing on the top tube. I don’t think the black rearend paint treatment came into being until about 2003. To verify all of this you can call Kestrel and also run the serial number by them. With that information they can tell you exactly when it was made. I am certain though that your frame is no less htan 8 or more years old. All that said, they are wonderful bikes and I loved mine while I was racing and training on it (retired it last June). The bike gives up very little to most of the newer aero bikes and other than parts availability there is no performance downside to 650c wheels. I did not mean to spoil your party but I want to try to correct some of the untruths that the seller told you about the bike. I do hope you enjoy it though they really are great bikes.
The bike almost looks like it was painted and then a partial set of new decals put on it. It is certainly from at least the year 2000, maybe earlier. I had a friend buy what looks to be the same exact frame in the mid-1990’s.
But, as has been stated, as long as the frame has no cracks or other integrity issues, it is a classic, built up well…and it should serve you equally as well.
I lusted after a Kestrel for much of the late 1990’s and finally purchased one in 2000. I loved that bike and trained and raced many miles on it, with many great results. I rode a 5:04 on it in Kona in 2005, which is still my fastest IM bike ride. I did get a new tri bike last year, since we all like new things from time to time. I have no doubt that you will love the bike and have some great races on it.
I have an 05 Airfoil (not a KM-40) I race tris on and a Talon I have set up as a road bike, my wife has a KM-40 she bought used in 2001. These are great bikes and very aero. I don’t have specs but I have been told these are right there with anything using a cowled rear wheel. If you can set it up with a disk it will improve the back end aero even more. I notice a marked improvement with my Airfoil with the disk, even over my HED-3 rear wheel. If anyone has drag coefficents on the Airfoil with a disk compared to say a P3C or other cowled bike I would be interested to see how they stack up.
I lusted after a km40 for years but when cash was finally available the airfoil with 700c wheels was a better option (I am very tall). We have had zero issues with all three of the bikes, my wife is pretty sure that her KM-40 will be the last bike she ever buys. Easy to set up and dial in, rock solid to race on, light weight. Only issue is that fishing cables in the tubes can be a challenge without the proper plastic cable guide stuff bike shops use. Also I don’t think these bikes are UCI legal or USCF legal, this was the only “knock” the Cervelo dealer could come up with back in 05 when I was choosing. Also, since you are new, you should know that this is a very pro-Cervelo site and not much Kestrel love here - if you are lucky you will be ignored, if not you will be flamed. Train safe.
Hey Joe, as the others have said, you were lied to about the vintage of the frame but you got a great frame and that’s the important thing. You can see the overspray where the cable enters the BB area and on the seat clamp, but it’s a nice job aside from those two areas.
I would get a bladed carbon seatpost and a rear disc and you are all aeroed up. I used to have a EMS200 and loved it, you will enjoy this too.
I forgot to add before, I have an original red EMS fork for a Km40. If by any chance you are interested in an original fork for your bike let me know. It is sitting around collecting dust and if it can find its way back onto a Kestrel then great.
I just sold my 12 year old KM40 Airfoil. I bought it about three years ago and I knew then I was buying a bike at least 8 years old with lots of miles on it. Your bike was not built in 2005, it might have been bought again in 2005 as I did. Most used KM40’s have some paint missing ( normal for Kestrels) but the frame is awesome; you’re gonna like it. The 650 wheels are fine. You’ll be able to pick up some nice 650 Zipps for a steal. I paid $1,000 for a $4,000 (new) KM40, you probably got the same great deal. The only thing you will need to keep and eye on is the hardware; shifters, chain, head set, stuff like that. Bottom line, enjoy the ride!
Well folks, I am very grateful for all the help. I also appreciate the info regarding the paint job on the frameset. It does make sense now, why the decals are not exactly ‘correct’. This would also explain why the sticker on the BB that has the serial number on it is smudged - so much so that the serial number is hard to read. C’est la vie.
From what I can tell the frame seems to be in good order. There are no evident cracks in the frameset and the stays are all solid. I see no reason to be concerned with it safety wise unless you folks might suggest for me to look for any specific areas. If you do think of any, I would appreciate the info. I also read where you all have either sold or retired your KM40’s. Is that becuase you feel they were unsafe or because you moved to something newer and faster? Sorry to be so paranoid about the ‘safety’ issue - just asking. OK?
Also I realize Cervelos are the cat’s meow. I hope not to have disturbed the peace here with my asking about my Kestrel! You all have been very kind with your replies. For now though, I don’t have pockets deep enough to afford one of those, so my KM40 will suffice. I also appreciate the info regarding the age of my frameset. So, I guess it is fair to say it is at least 8 years old. No problems there.
Once again folks, thanks for the info. I did get a HED rear disc wheel and a Cx front wheel with the bike and hope to use it soon. And, thanks Casey! Yes I did get a pretty decent price on this bike - the components alone are worth quite a bit.
Thanks all. I really appreciate it.
regards,
joe
PS… Julian, I’ll ask the obvious, but what did you mean by your last comment?
…new since 2000. That year they developed a revised version of the frame (deeper more bladed seattube, reshaped seat and chainstays) which yours is not.
just sold mine the other day.
it is sitting in my dining room all boxed up and ready to go right now…reading this thread is making my heart ache having to sell it : (
sold mine because i finally (reluctantly) decided to make the switch to 700 wheels (i’m 6’ and the 650’s did look a bit silly, but still…)
it is a spectacular bike and i’m sure you’ll love it.
For now though, I don’t have pockets deep enough to afford one of those, so my KM40 will suffice. I also appreciate the info regarding the age of my frameset. So, I guess it is fair to say it is at least 8 years old. No problems there.