New Old Stock Kestrel KM40..Why Not?

Triathlon Forum
1

Have an opporunity to buy a “new” 2003 KM 40 frameset at a very good price. Never had a carbon bike and I have a fortune invested in training and race 650 wheels. So this bike would be fine for me. Would set it up for long course tri’s primarily. I have a fairly new Griffen Tri Bike plus 2 Merlin road bikes so am not bike poor necessarily .

Any downside to a KM40 other than I have read they are “heavy (3.4 lbs.)” or buying a 3-4 year old “new” frame?
Did get some feedback that the paint chipped ;no big deal to me.

thanks for any input.
fal7

2

I have owned six Kestrels:
one older style km40
three 500sci’s
one newer km40
one airfoil pro

You asked about flaws so I will give it to you straight. The KM40 (newer version) is not so good because:
1-the tubes are stupid. - sorry for the lack of creative wording here but what I mean is that they are round on one side and flared back on the other side to simulate an airfoil. Think of an egg and you have the idea.
2-not only does the paint chip like crazy but you have to treat this bike like it is fine China or you will end up with a crack someplace.
3-Size - the seat angle is 76 degrees- this will only work for a small percentage of the population.
4-one waterbottle mount
5-internal cable routing is a FEAKIN nightmare
6-kestrel fork is heavy
7- the headtube is too high and it has external headset cups to boot

Good things:
1-made in the USA
2-one piece design
3-cool looking and probably areo because it lacks a seattube
4-650c wheels allow fast accelerations
5-beautiful and sexy
6- cheap and getting more rare
7- can be a 16 pound demon with a light groupo and fork

3

I have owned six Kestrels: three 500sci’s

Not to hijack but what did you think of the 500’s? I have a chance to pick up a 500sci frame from someone who’s going to 700 and I was thinking of building it up as a training rig? Thoughts and/or input would be appreciated.

4

this links to both above posts, that while the KM40 is a great bike, it was only made in 2 sizes, so the vast majority of folks riding it probably could get even MORE comfortable on another frame that might fit them more closely.

With that said, because it was just a tad too long in the top tube for me (the 56cm - a year prior to the 52cm being released) I ended up going with a 500 SCI and putting a Profile fast forward seat post on it. This got me up over the pedals, and with the top tube length, actually ended up fitting me pretty darned well. Of course, back in '97 or '98 the whole “fit” phenomenon was just beginning to evolve :slight_smile:

Either way, I’ll agree that the paint chipping has always been one of the minor knocks against Kestrel. Weight issue is just silly (again, if using for a tt/triathlon environment), but the comfort factor cannot be denied. Other than the Softride I owned, that 500 SCI was the most comfortable bike I could do century rides on. I also had the luxury of swapping seat posts, stem/handlebars, and turning it into a fantastic road bike.

They do have honkin’ big head tubes if that concerns you. However, they are available in a wider array of sizes.

5

Have an opporunity to buy a “new” 2003 KM 40 frameset at a very good price. Never had a carbon bike and I have a fortune invested in training and race 650 wheels. So this bike would be fine for me. Would set it up for long course tri’s primarily. I have a fairly new Griffen Tri Bike plus 2 Merlin road bikes so am not bike poor necessarily .

Any downside to a KM40 other than I have read they are “heavy (3.4 lbs.)” or buying a 3-4 year old “new” frame?
Did get some feedback that the paint chipped ;no big deal to me.

thanks for any input.
fal7

Sounds perfect for you depending on price.

The lack of seattube and vertical compliance makes it a very comfortable bike.

Tall head tube, yes, but plenty of people go fast and don’t go low.

76 degree seattube is a non-issue since that’s what many other bikes have (e.g. Kuota Kaliber) and those that have 78 degree seattubes do that with forward-placement posts (P3). Additionally riding steep on the KM40 works because of the front-end’s geometry and the longer top-tube. I ride one between 78 and 80 degrees.

Very well-built and strong frame.

Still tests favorably in the windtunnel against benchmarks like Softride, P3 et al.

Weight, non issue, and if it were what aero frame is under 3 pounds?

Also… you can find deals like this on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280056206472&rd=1&rd=1 ($250 fork, $100 frame essentially)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290058170619&rd=1&rd=1 (two sets of Zipps and bike for free :wink:

Lastly, I just think it looks cool, and if you, like me, are heavily invested in 650c wheels it’s a no-brainer.

6

I’ve had my KM40 for about 5 years and paint chipping is less of an issue with it than most bikes I’ve had. The only paint chips are on the chainstays. And they are no big deal since rust is not an issue. I don’t see it as very delicate…I’ve clamped mine by the top tube (since my aero seat post can’t be clamped) and never had a problem…although I’m no idiot and I don’t clamp it real tight. Replaced all cables with no problems also.

It’s been a great bike. The key is, as said, does it fit you. It is long and fairly high in front. I run with a Look Ergo stem and a corima seatpost set for about 79 degrees…the combination of these two let me get almost any position. The 650 wheels are probably more of a liability than a benefit, but I can live with it. It’s built to track straight and stable.

I much prefer the old KM40 to the newer Airfoil Pro just based on looks. I think they went for cheaper construction methods with the new bike, which doesn’t necessarily make it a worse bike.

7

The 500 is a sweet riding bike…particularly the EMS version…not as good for tris in my opinion due to the slack seat angle…

8

I have had a few KM40’s…loved all of them…yeah paint chips a little but not so much. …comfy ride…a little tall in the headtube.

9

i love mine.
i have the “newer” version km40.
i find the paint no more fragile than some other reputable bikes out there.
rides smooth as silk.
as far as handling it carefully, your disc wheel will get damaged if you’re not careful too, won’t it? you should take care with all your equipment.
i ride it with no spacers. feels low enough for me. could i go lower? maybe. but i think training harder would be more of an advantage than getting the bars on my bike 1 cm lower.
the biggest issue with this frame is fit. seeing as it only comes in 2 sizes, it either fits you or it doesn’t.
i have had no “bike envy” at all since picking up this bike 2 years ago. absolutely beautiful.