General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$ Rss Feed  
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2010-06-19 6:47 PM

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Subject: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
I'm looking to buy my first legit tri bike in the next few weeks.  I have always eyed the Cervelo P1 because it's cheap but offers great frame geo and ultegra comp.  LBS has 2010 for $1700.  However...

They also have REALLY good deal on a 2010 Kestrel Talon Tri 105, normally $2400, now $2000, AND comes with 2XU T:0 wetsuit, Shimano TR31 shoes, Shimano R540 pedals w/ cleats, Bell Lumen Race Helmet, Zoot TriFit top and shorts, a waterbottle and cage.  Sounds like an AMAZING deal.

Now, I don't NEED any of the other stuff (although I might benefit from the wetsuit come September).  Even if I got the Cervelo and the suit it would still be almost the same $$$ as the Kestrel deal.  So when all is said and done, discounting the gear I don't need, it comes down to the bikes.   

I've always ridden aluminum (Cannondale CAADs), and swear by them.  I'm a MP/BPer and happy there, never really saw what all the hubababloo was about carbon, beyond a bit of weight and alot of money.  I kinda like the feel of my aluminums (call me old fashioned), but I'm trying to take tri'ing more seriously, so maybe carbon is the way to go.  I just don't know if it's worth trading down to 105 components.  I could always replace, but that's more $$$ and I'm on a budget.  

The X-factor:  I've had my sights set on a Cervelo P1 since starting tri's, so there's an emotional link to the bike.  (Think Waynes World "It will be mine... oh yes... it will be mine").  Not so much with the Kestrel.  

I know this is a bit more than the standard "is ----- better than ----" thread, but I really need help making this decision.

Edited by BurghGuy 2010-06-19 6:50 PM


2010-06-19 10:36 PM
in reply to: #2932047

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
Sounds like the deal Nytro has.  FWIW, I have a Kestrel Talon Tri SL and my wife has a P1.  Both our bikes have Ultegra components.  I like her Vision cockpit better than my PD setup.  The weight difference is probably moot and you said youre comfortable w/ MP.  I can't say from experience, but I have read that carbon bikes are a more comfortable ride.  If I had to do it again, I'd look for a P2 for myself, because the cervelos are just sexier.  I got the Kestrel for less however which was more bang for the buck.  Have you had a chance to ride either bike?  You may find one fits you better than the other and that makes the decision much easier also.
2010-06-20 2:27 AM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
Thanks for the input.  It is the Nytro deal, I'm moving to SD area next week.  I think I'll probably get the P1.  I've been on the P1 before, but not the Kestrel.  I've always ridden alum, and I don't feel compelled to change.  P1 comes with Ultegra, but the Kestrel is 105 (it's not the SL although if it were it might sway me).  Also agree that the Cervelo is sexier too.  I'll check 'em out in a couple of weeks and see what fits best.    
2010-06-20 10:50 AM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
Cool.  The staff there is great.  They have a ton of bikes to choose from if you decide the P1 isn't the one for you, and you can take any of them out for a test ride.  If you already have pedals/shoes, bring them w/ you and they'll slap 'em on a bike for ya and let you roll out.  Not that Nytro needs any more street cred, but we both did out fitting there and they did an excellent job.
2010-06-20 11:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
If you don't need the other stuff then go with the Cervelo (if it fits).
2010-06-20 12:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
rbuike - 2010-06-20 11:45 AM If you don't need the other stuff then go with the Cervelo (if it fits).


2010-06-20 12:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
rbuike - 2010-06-20 11:45 AM If you don't need the other stuff then go with the Cervelo (if it fits).


I agree, but these two bikes fit very differently.  3cm difference in both stack and reach. 

Fit is the difference in staying aero and hammering or sitting up on the bullhorns like a sail.

Edited by BamaDC 2010-06-20 12:14 PM
2010-06-21 8:50 AM
in reply to: #2932047

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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$

BurghGuy - 2010-06-19 6:47 PM The X-factor:  I've had my sights set on a Cervelo P1 since starting tri's, so there's an emotional link to the bike.  (Think Waynes World "It will be mine... oh yes... it will be mine").  Not so much with the Kestrel.

I'm about as practical a person as they come, however I can't deny that this is a factor in some purchasing decisions. If you buy the Kestrel and every time you ride it you think, "boy, I wish I'd bought the Cervelo" then you're really not getting much of a deal.

About 20 years ago I bought a car. I wanted a particular model, but decided at the last minute to save $1000 and get a cheaper model that didn't have all the features I wanted. While I enjoyed that vehicle and got a lot of use out of it, nearly every time I drove it I thought about how I wished I had the nicer version. I owned that car for 12 years.

Did the car meet my needs? Yes. Was it a better deal financially? Yes. Was the money saved worth the 12 years of "what ifs?"  No.

Assuming both bikes fit correctly, if you can ride the Kestrel and be satisfied, then I'd say go that route. However if the Kestrel won't speak to your soul the say the Cervelo will, then that's the proper choice.

2010-06-21 9:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
Nothing "wrong" with either bike.

Considering they both fit well (in a perfect world they all do haha) I'd ask myself a couple of questions.

1.) Would you ever use the Kestrel's "selling point" - the fact that it can be converted to a 'functional' tri bike or road bike. Do you have a road bike currently?
2.) Is carbon important to you?
3.) Do you want the best tri specific frame for the money?

If you answered yes to 1 or 2, get the kestrel, if you answered yes to 3, get the Cervelo
2010-06-21 10:38 AM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
I agree with above.
1. Go and ride them both, you will get a better feel. When I bought my bike, I tried a P1, P2 and the Trek TTX equinox 9.0. I could feel a difference on carbon.
2. Get the one that will make you happy. If you ride both and still like the P1, get the P1!
 
2010-06-22 2:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
Being a newbie to the sport i see MP and BP thrown out in comments, can someone please enlighten me as to what that means?


2010-06-22 2:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
cccoles - 2010-06-22 3:02 PM Being a newbie to the sport i see MP and BP thrown out in comments, can someone please enlighten me as to what that means?


MP = Middle of the Pack (usually MOP)
BP = Back of the Pack (usually BOP)
FOP = Front of the Pack
2010-07-10 11:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$
I bought the Nytro package, with a '09 Kestrel Talon Tri, after they informed me that they would not be getting any more Cervelo P2's in before the 2010 models came out. I liked the Talon fine but, a few weeks later I found a P2 on sale at the Trek store in San Diego. To me the Talon climbs better and has a better paint job over the P2. The P2 seems faster to me and all of the reviews I found on it were very positive. Also about the Talon, the fork is not a aero style fork, I read that the road version and the tri version use the same frame and, I tried selling my Talon using the the service on Nytro's website and I was told they would not buy it because Kestrel's did not sell well. The same service quoted me very reasonable prices for my Specialized Tarmac and Stumpjumper FSR.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cervelo P1 vs Kestrel Talon Deal aka Help me spend my $$$ Rss Feed