I already have a set of Profile T1s I would be using. Wish I could find one available in that black/white color instead of the red. Not a fan of red. But $1400 is a steal for a bike like that, I’m gonna have to jump on that. I always dismissed the Talon as a legit bike because it wasn’t that expensive- turns out I’m just dumb.
Kestrel replaced my brother’s 2004ish Talon with a 2011 frame late last year and I build it up with a SRAM Force group and road bars with clip on aerobars. I was thinking about buying a tri cockpit for it, but figured I would get 2+ years out of this setup and switch it to a pure road config and buy a full tri bike.
The weather has sucked since I built the bike, so it has seen limited outdoor time (one 20 mile ride), but it definitely seemed like a very capable bike in either config.
Well I jinxed myself. Went out for the lunchtime DC Velo ride at Hains Point during lunch, and my seatpost totally slipped right to the bottom as soon as i started my pull.
Any other talon owners have tips on how to prevent this. Besides losing weight of course.
I already have a set of Profile T1s I would be using. Wish I could find one available in that black/white color instead of the red. Not a fan of red. But $1400 is a steal for a bike like that, I’m gonna have to jump on that. I always dismissed the Talon as a legit bike because it wasn’t that expensive- turns out I’m just dumb.
If you ride a 55cm or a 60cm this is a screaming deal. Talon SL, ultegra grouppo, FSA Carbon Crank, and 45mm alu/carbon clinchers. Looks like they have redesigned the seatpost binder too. I’m jealous, that’s only $200 more than my SL cost 3 years ago, and mine came with Mavic Aksiums.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/talon_sl_tri_kb11.htm
I owned a standard Talon that I raced both in full tri set-up and road. I wouldn’t recommend that for a road racer as I felt the BB area to be very flexy and I didn’t like the feel in sprints. In tris, I noticed no difference in speed between that and my P2SL - all else the same, power numbers were the same year on year on the same course for the same split. However, the SL is a much stiffer bike and should be perfect for a road racing bike, especially if you give it a proper aggressive setup and go of the front. And it’s plenty high end in the SL version for whatever your needs. Looking at the bike, there is a distinct connection to the new Felt AR series from the seattube back. Cabling was an issue with the internal routing on earlier frames (mine was a 2006 and did not come with guides) but has been sorted out more recently.
Ultimately, I sold my Talon to my brother so her could part it out for a steel roadie he was building up and he then sold the frameset to a guy for a couple hundred who was looking for a new tri frame. My understanding is that he was extremely happy with the bike as well.
Well I jinxed myself. Went out for the lunchtime DC Velo ride at Hains Point during lunch, and my seatpost totally slipped right to the bottom as soon as i started my pull.
Any other talon owners have tips on how to prevent this. Besides losing weight of course.
Fiber grip
I ride a 52cm '09 Talon SL as a road bike. It’s one of, if not the best handling bike I’ve owned. Other advantages include relatively low drag, and stiffness.
There are several disadvantages however. It can be uncomfortable on long rides - the aero seat stays, chain stays, fork and seat post transmit a lot of road shock. It’s heavier than a road frame, Kestrel support has been inconsistent, the final assembly was substandard and the frame is excessively branded.
If I were looking for an aero road frame now I’d evaluate some of the recently introduced models from Specialized, Neil Pryde, Cervelo, and Felt, among others.
HTH,
Phil
I ride and road race my 2009 Talon SL. I’ve been happy with it. The frame design is a little long in the tooth, but it’s been fine for my purposes. The price is right (“don’t race it unless you can replace it”). It’s been through two crashes and the frame has held up well. I used it for tris when I first got it (with a set of aerobars), but since getting a dedicated TT bike the Talon is used for road racing and training.
The RT1000 has a less-aggressive position, but I’ve heard good things about it.
Not to hijack the thread, but I remember when DesertDude got a 4000 sometime around 1990…I was jealous. Think he still has it.
Dev:
Great build. My original '95 was a replacement to a used and custom painted 200 SCi that I bought for $1,200 in May '94. It had shifters on the down tubes like yours. This bike lost a battle with the garage when driven into the house while sitting on top of the car. Great bikes. Thanks for sharing the story. Regards, Doug
I’ve used a Talon SL for years as a road bike and occasional tri bike. One of the most comfy bikes I have used. Light, responsive and always gets looks! Pop some clip ons on you have a decent tri rig.
Do you have a specific brand you like.
I put on plenty of this stuff and it still slips.
Yep, that’s the stuff I use.
Best handling bike I’ve personally owned, especially on descents. Mine’s an 07 and I have no reason to replace it.
Mine always slipped as well. I ended up making a shim out of thin sheet brass to fit in the V at the back of the seat tube. After that, never a problem.
Few minutes with metal shears and a file, problem fixed.
My teammate did this as well. Absolutely great idea. Perfect handling he says and carried him to a regional championship vs everyone on tri bike set ups. Although he does hate the conversion time, it’s definitely a smart money saving option.
Like the Airfoil, the Talon is a bike ahead of its time. Search ST and you will find wind tunnel data that suggets it’s on par with the latest aero road frames. Very nice bike. I sold my Talon SL road bike last year…regret it to this day. I’m looking for a replacement still.
No brainer. But a Talon.
I have a 07 Talon SL Tri and i love it. People always ask what year and after i tell them , they are always shocked. I love Kestrel bikes.
Talon Road bike converted to tri mode:
adamo race saddle (used) yes it is at down angle and I am comfortable like that (Blown Disc from deadlifting)
Easton ea 90 aero wheels (used)
ultegra 11-28 cassette
Profile t3 aero bars
speedfill water bottle - damn i used to much energy drinking from this
road it yesterday at a 20k TT average was 22mph with baggy clothes and crappy helmet that was falling over my forehead
.
hmm surprised im not getting shit for my seat…