I am entertaining the thought of buying a Kestrel Tri bike. My question assuming both fit me well, would you go with the one piece KM40 or the new multi piece Airfoil Pro?
I have a KM40 and love it. I would assume the major reason to move up to the Airfoil is because you don’t fit one of the two sizes of th KM40.
Wow, lots of talk of Kestrels lately. Is dan going to have to split the forum between Cervelo riders and others?
Here’s how I would break it down.
KM40, tried and true. Works well. Classic look and ride. One piece design makes it smooth, sleek, and heavy. It doesn’t have very skinny aero tubes.
The Airfoil Pro, new and stylish. Untested and untapped. Cutting edge visuals and style. Multiple parts make it choppy, lighter, and give it wider size ranges. The tubes are skinnier, but they are almost triangle shaped, not airfoilsh.
My call would ultimatly depend on your sense of style. If you would prefer a more classic bicycle that you will hold on to for a number of years go with the KM40. If you are a rebel, a badass, a tri-geek who trades bikes about as often as you trade girlfriends go with the Airfoil. It’s hot right now, and definetly a stylish ride, but I would be very suprised if the look it’s trying to pull lasts more than three years.
-The next greatest signature…in a minute…
**OCTriGeek **, or others that own the KM40-
Do you have the 52 or the 56, and how tall are you?
Height: 6’0"
KM40 size: size 56 with a very short stem.
Red fade to black; full Dura Ace; HED Alps & Hed 3.
I’m styling!
Are you planning buying a used KM40? The Airfoil Pro is replacing the KM40 for 2004. I believe that Kestrel only has the KM40 in the 52cm “aloha” version left. You might not have an option if you want a new bike.
We are still waiting on the Airfoils to come in, so I have not been on one. I do know that the frame is a 1/2 pound lighter than the KM40.
On the KM40 I rode a 52cm and really liked the fit on a smaller bike for my tri set-up. The Kestrels run a bit large. I ride a 55cm for my Talon SL. As mentioned, the Airfoils will come in a variety of sizes.
Nik