General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option? Rss Feed  
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2013-05-07 11:05 AM

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New user
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252525
Aurora, Illinois
Subject: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

Hi,

I am looking to get my second bike. My first bike is a road Bianchi C2C via Nirone 2010 with Sora Components. ( which I got used last year, my first tri season)

I got hooked up with the sport, and now thinking on getting my first tri bike:

I am seeing the Kestrel Talon 2013 it has a 105 / Tiagra Mix and is all carbon, and it is right on my budget.

http://bikeshopwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/BSW_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=187

Do you think this is a good bike option, or would some one suggest something else?

Please let me know



2013-05-07 11:10 AM
in reply to: #4731218

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2013-05-07 11:30 AM
in reply to: #4731218

Extreme Veteran
402
100100100100
Bartlett, TN
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
If the bike fits you, then I think it is a great bike. I have ridden the Talon SL with Ultegra components for three seasons and I have had no problems at all.
2013-05-07 11:33 AM
in reply to: #4731218

Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

I'm not a fan of the Talon. It's old world tech (same bike for the last... long time) and more of a road bike than a tri bike at it's core.

 

It's fine, many people have and will continue to have success on Talons, but there are much better options at $1200.

2013-05-07 11:45 AM
in reply to: #4731218

Expert
703
500100100
Palm Springs, California
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
That looks good. I bought my Talon three years ago, and don't have any complaints. It's won bike splits for me, and the only thing that keeps it from being faster is me being able to train more. For whatever reason, the Talon is about the best carbon TT bike for the price.
2013-05-07 12:14 PM
in reply to: #4731278

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
Leegoocrap - 2013-05-07 12:33 PM

I'm not a fan of the Talon. It's old world tech (same bike for the last... long time) and more of a road bike than a tri bike at it's core.

 

It's fine, many people have and will continue to have success on Talons, but there are much better options at $1200.

I agree... I'm not a huge fan either... not that its a bad bike, it just doesn't know what it wants to be.  It's really not a road bike and its really not a tri/tt bike either, it's just sorta in between.



2013-05-07 12:49 PM
in reply to: #4731380

Expert
703
500100100
Palm Springs, California
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

The positive spin is that it's intended to be able to do both, like a few TT bikes, it comes with at seat post with two holes, one for each set up.

That's one reason I bought mine when I first started tris, so I could do either set up. Now, it's only set up for TT, and it's great. It's not as good as a road bike as roady is, but not bad. It's definitely a solid tri bike.

What are the other solid TT bikes in that price range?

2013-05-07 1:34 PM
in reply to: #4731218

Expert
836
50010010010025
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
Why do you say not a tri or a road bike? Just curious. Thanks.
2013-05-07 2:12 PM
in reply to: #4731218

Master
2725
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Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

The geometry of the Talon is in between that of what would be considered a road bike set up and a tri/tt bike set up.  Therefore you must use the reversible seat post to compensate for proper position in either set up.

Kinda think of the old el camino... its not really a truck and its not really a car but it can do a fair job at both. 

2013-05-07 3:36 PM
in reply to: #4731218

Pro
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Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

Probably not the best option- even for a good price.  The Talon has been around a long time, and I don't think they've changed it much.  It's really a somewhat aero road bike geometry.  That means that if you can get your body low in the front, your hip angle will be very closed and it will limit your power output. 

Newer frames have not only a more evolved tri geometry, but a stiffer (more power to the wheels) bike and a more comfortable ride.  If you're looking for solid tri bikes at a great price, for not a whole lot more- find a Felt B16 or Cannondale Slice from any of the past few years.  (they are very different geometries tho- you'll fit on one or the other, but not both)

2013-05-07 3:54 PM
in reply to: #4731218

Regular
1495
1000100100100100252525
Auckland, North Island
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

I brought a 2013 talon 105 about 3 months ago, and I love it. The bike was recommended to me by a friend who had brought a 2011 talon to use for his 2nd Ironman. 

However, I'm from NZ, and we have less options than you do in the states. The Talon was NZ$2,300 which was a huge amount cheaper than the entry level Cannondale Slice, which was about NZ$3,600, and the prices went up from there. If the prices had been closer I may have made a different decision. 

That said, I am very happy with the bike. Yes, I know that it is not the greatest tt geometry, and it is not the most aero bike you can get. But it is comfortable, (mine came with a fitting) I can ride in the aero position for long periods with no trouble. It is fast (at least faster than my road bike), I took 7 minutes off my bike time on a hilly 21km course compared to on my road bike in 2012. And although it's only 3 months old, at this stage I'd say it's good quality. The only problem I had was the rim tape on the stock wheels was not applied correctly, and needed to be replaced. But that was a minor issue. 

In terms of value for money, I couldn't beat it.



2013-05-07 4:52 PM
in reply to: #4731218

Member
215
100100
The Heeb, UT
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

If memory serves, the Talon underwent a redesign for the 2011 season.  The basic shapes and method of construction (rear triangle bonded onto front triangle) are similar, but more refined.  Other changes include an integrated headset, and a sliding rail for the saddle clamp (rather than the 'two hole' system used in the past).

That said, it's not bleeding edge technology.  If you have refined the engine to the point where the bike makes a big difference, or if you want to show off to your buddies, look elsewhere.  If you're looking for a cost-effective, capable machine that will last you a few years, you could definitely do worse.  Bear in mind, this is coming from a guy who rides a Motobecane assembled with parts acquired off of ebay.  My slow bicycle is the least of my SBR worries.

 

All in all, I'd go for it.  The price looks pretty good - particularly if it significantly undercuts the listed MAP.

 

SYJ

2013-05-07 5:14 PM
in reply to: #4731218

New user
75
252525
Aurora, Illinois
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

Thanks for all your comments, of course I'd would love to get a Cervelo or Felt or Cannondale Slice, but I havent seemed to find a 54 cm used bike, for 1200 around here or ST, or Craislist, not to mention the bay, or my LBS.

So I think this is a good option, I would still need to add the price for the fitting and assembly, and get a new set of pedals for it. 

So I am still deciding on it, I will update you guys on what I went ahead with.

2013-05-07 5:48 PM
in reply to: #4732081

Expert
703
500100100
Palm Springs, California
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

One tip on sizing: the chart points to a smaller size than is typical. I ride a traditional 56cm road bike, a 52cm Talon, and have about a 31" inseam. The sizes are a little arbitrary these days.

On hip angle, it is very important that your bike *fits*. Mine fits me well based on my own long experience and is affirmed all the time by the people I train with. My Talon's seat is in the front hole (of course) slid a bit more than half way along the rails, so a person with a different build could be steeper if needed.

As an old roady, I agree with the new school of TT fitting. It's pretty obvious that an aggressive road position has the same hip angle as the TT hip angle. It's just that the body rolls forward about the bottom bracket from road to TT. Only get a bike that yields the right body position when in a full proper aero position.

2013-08-13 2:26 PM
in reply to: Pacific John

Regular
225
10010025
Grand Rapids, MI USA
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
'Old world tech'? Is it at all possible that 20 to 30 years worth or making aero tubing with being a pioneer in carbon usage in frames you could have learned anything?

Try 'lots of experience in doing this', coupled with experience of Fuji, and now teaming up with Oval you look like a pretty viable player.

More like New world marketing hype you are getting caught up in son.

I think I might get the Talon Tri too, put some better wheels on it ... and smoke everyone's a** out there on that course. If I can get that bit** to a 77 degree slope that is good enough for me on the 52cm.

Checks all the boxes for me. Shimano 105, excellent proven. Heavier, but heavy? No. I will lose a half pound myself. Ultegra too. Arguably best. Aero frame, internal cable routing ... best carbon experience in the business with my frame. Pretty good! Shielded rear brake, yes. Aero base bar, yes. Aerobars with microshift? Yes. 18.72 pounds. Yes. With pedals under 20. A2 wind tunnel design, yes. Can you ride it? Yes.

Replace the wheels, that thing is probably like 18 pounds all built out.

Hell, with a reputable parts supplier behind it now like an Oval where I can standardize everything, you can't get better.

You know why you don't hear a lot about it? Because you are not paying for all the BS.

One thing I have learned in this sport, get whatever the hel* you want and don't fall victim to listening to someone else's BS.

Why are you asking?

I think you want it. So get it.

Are you worried it only costs 1299 and people will laugh at you?

Think of it this way ... you kept 3K in your pocket not buying a bunch of psycho analytical babble from Trek or Specialized or Cervelo.

And that is how you do it.

Now, train and train hard and its all good.

Peace.
2013-08-13 2:43 PM
in reply to: drbnd

Member
231
10010025
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
I love my Kestrel Talon 2011 and we Kestrel riders kind of have our little undercover fan club going at most tris. I've always been a Kestrel fan since the time I first saw one and this one was hanging in the window of a little LBS and it called to me for a couple months until my fiancé surprised me with it. We can't all ride Cervelos!

Patti


2013-08-13 2:50 PM
in reply to: drbnd

Veteran
403
100100100100
Maryland
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?

Am a former owner of a 2009 Talon Sl Ultegra build.  I had to retire it this year from a mechanical fault of my own (R.I.P). I absolutely loved the bike.  I added some better wheels also. As long as it fits you.  I did swap it out for some road bars/shifters for the first winter, but liked sitting on aerobars so much better.

At the time, I also wanted something a little different, when all my buddies were buying P2's. 

Come 4 years later, I ended up getting a new Felt frame (good team discount/better economical situation) and swapped out all the components.  And I also wanted to support our local bike store as well.  I had the same person fit me on my Kestrel (bought online) and Felt DA and he was able to get me in a slightly better position on the felt. 

So now instead of having something different, I have what a bunch of our guys ride.  Things change right.

So, IMHO, go for it, as long as it fits...

2013-08-13 2:51 PM
in reply to: dozzman

Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
Originally posted by dozzman

So I think this is a good option, I would still need to add the price for the fitting and assembly, and get a new set of pedals for it.


Get the fitting first. The Kestrel may or may not be the best frame for you. You'll save a boatload of money getting the fitting first and knowing it's the right type frame for you than buying first and never being able to get comfortable on it because it's too (something) and another type frame would have fit you better.

2013-08-13 4:05 PM
in reply to: DanielG

New user
75
252525
Aurora, Illinois
Subject: RE: Kestrel Talon 2013 105 Tri - good option?
Hey,
I forgot to update this post.

So I got an extra cash and go ahead and got a Felt B16 (2012 model) added some look pedals and the profile design hc aerobottle, and it is an awesome bike!

I kept my Bianchi VIa Nirone road bike and got a great deal on a used ultegra groupset, and got it installed, and heading over today to pick it up!


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