I am in the market for a new road bike and have a opportunity to purchase a Kestrel RT-1000, Legend and Talon (road). I know there are some Kestrel owners out there, so I was wondering if anyone has some insight on these bikes, the pro’s, cons, how they compare to the other bikes, bang for the buck, all that good stuff. I am on a pretty tight budget, ($~1200-1400) so if you could keep that in mind when offering up other options. Many thanks.
I rode a Talon road bike until very recently (last month). I loved it. Only reason I got a new one is because I wanted something “new” not because there was anything wrong with it. I personally think the Kestrel bikes are well engineered and a good value. Talon can be configured as either road or tri which is also nice. My talon frame is for sale in the classifieds for very cheap if you are interested. Happy hunting!
I have a 2005 Kestrel Talon that has been a very reliable ride for me. I think that we’re up to about 9,000 miles and the frame has not had a single issue at all. I have used it in road and tri configurations and I think that the road configuration is more comfortable and is a better use of the bike. However, it is a good way to try out an “aero” position on a flexible platform. If you get the forward post you can get pretty steep for a road bike, but a proper triathlon geometry it is not.
I have not had anything bad to say other than internal cable routing sucks AND do NOT lose the brass inserts that are used on the cable housing entry points into the frame.
Right now I think you can get a Talon from Bikes Direct for $1300 and from BicycleDoctor for “under 1400”. If you ask me they are a good value at the current prices, however I am sure that others on here will have an opinion.
In the end the best bike you can buy is the one that fits.
I’ve ridden a Talon since 2002 and replaced it this winter with a Kestrel 4000. I’d say that Kestrels are the “best bang for the buck” in the business. There was never any problems with the Talon, I just wanted a new bike so I jumped on the 4000 when I got a great deal.
Bought a 200 SCI in 1995 and still race on it at least once a year.
Bought a Talon in 2004 and it’s great. Ride it most of the time.
Bought an Airfoil in 2006 and it’s my prime race bike.
They’re all great. No issues. Would recommend any. Still have a Airbourne titanium and Trek aluminum.
Carbon fiber is the way to go. Enjoy the speed and miles.
Thanks for the advice. I just don’t know which bike to get, the RT 1000, legend or Talon. I have a tri bike I am looking for a road bike.
Talon USA great price point for a very versatile bike in either tri or road set up. RT1000 is a taller head tube for a more endurance fit. Think Gran Fondos. legend is the new platform and you might be out of price range on this one.
Like the previous posters indicated, you can get a great buy on the talon
nothing wrong with the Kestrel’s and they are well priced bikes.
but in that price range- don’t buy the Kestrel without looking at the Cannondale CAAD10-5.
uh- wait a minute. you can get a new Legend for $1400? buy it! heck, even an RT-1000 at that price is a steal.
is this from a real shop? or are you looking at prices on line from from indonesian based web-site? (i.e. scams)
Seriously. If you can buy the Legend, legit, in that range, do it. 100%.
I expect that would be below wholesale.
I have been road racing and training on a 2012 Kestrel Talon at 140 pounds. At first I didn’t notice the flex, but as I have been getting stronger and getting out of the saddle more I have been noticing lots of flex at both the bottom bracket. The bottom bracket flex when hammering up a climb out of the saddle is pretty ridiculous; I can feel the whole rear end moving around.
However it does have the smoothest ride of any road bike I can ridden and is the most aero road bike you can get for your price range.
Love my Talon. I’m confused why such an innovative company has become an afterthought in the market. The pricing available and dealer network they have doesn’t meet the quality of their bikes, IMO.
Agree with the earlier comment about the PITA internal cable routing, but IIRC they added internal guides to more recent frames. Worth checking on if you work on your bike yourself. If you’re diligent, running cables isn’t a problem, you just have to run housing over the cable through the frame before pulling the cable. Just don’t let the old brifter drop and pull the cable out when upgrading components, not that I’ve ever made such a careless error. 
My Talon was comfortable and fast, until I got hit by a car and totalled the frame.
I “upgraded” to an airfoil, which just isn’t the same bike in terms of comfort and speed.
It is indeed through a wholesale sponsorship, so the prices are within the ballpark, the legend being around $1800. I am on the fence between the RT 1000 and the legend, the only thing seperating me is the $400 difference. However the rt-1000 comes with shimano 105 and the legend is with shimano ultegra. Worth the jump? Again thanks for the input, never been on a Kestrel up until this point, and have only used SRAM components.
The geometries on the RT 1000 and Legend are spectacularly different.
The Legend is almost tri-bike like in how long/low it is, particularly in the smaller sizes. The RT 1000 is almost comfort oriented in how tall/short it is but that really is how most people ride their road bikes.
Personally, I would take the RT 1000 all day based on geometry alone.
For instance in size 53:
RT 1000 - Stack reach - 564 / 372
Legend - Stack Reach - 531 / 392
So for me, I would need about a ~ -17 degree 100 or 105mm stem slammed on an RT 1000 but on a Legend I’d be looking at an 80mm stem and even if it were -6 or 0 degrees I’d need spacers.
Perfectly timed thread! I’m upgrading my road bike and considering several options. A 2013 RT1000 Ui2 is currently seated at the top of the list. I hadn’t seen a lot of discussion on Kestrel’s road offerings in the past, so am glad to see some positive feedback here. I’m of the short reach, moderate stack variety, which is one of the attractions to the RT1000. Unfortunately, as Runless mentioned, the Legend does not fit that geometry at all. I feel like there are some nicer looking bikes out there in this class, and maybe some better spec’d bikes, but it might come down to fit on this one (doesn’t it always?). A good deal on the price doesn’t hurt either… Any thoughts on the Oval 535 wheelset Kestrel has been using? Good/Bad/Ugly?