New Kestrel framset is here!!!!

kjackbrown said:

I ordered a new Kestrel Talon frameset a couple of days ago and it has arrived 😄 !

FedEx is keeping it hostage right now...They left an "Attempted Delivery" notice on my door yesterday afternoon when they had stopped by my house to drop it off. I called them up to see if I could go by their office today to pick it up, and they told me no 😕 . The lady I spoke with told me that they first had to make three attempted (failed) deliveries BEFORE they would pull it off of the truck and hold it for me to personally pick up. WOW :eek: ...well after having a few words with her, letting her know that had to be the stupidest thing I had heard this week, I asked to speak with her manager. This guy agreed with me and said that the first person I spoke with was mistaken and that they would put a memo on the drivers guys delivery sheet letting him (or her) know that this package is to be pulled off of the truck for customer pick up. He did say that the drivers have been known to miss this, and to call before I come to pick it up to make sure it had been pulled.

Anyway, I am going to pick it up in a couple of hours and then go to my LBS and make an appointment to have it all put together (I lack the appropriate tools...and free time right now), hopefully by this Tuesday. The only component I am missing is my handlebars which I ordered Tuesday (FSA K-Wing) and [font=Verdana]hope[/font] to receive by Monday. Wish me luck!

Enjoy! I got my Kestrel Talon (red) back in late `04. Since then, I have added Dura Ace components, Time pedals, Topolino wheels, Modolo Curvissima handle bars, and a Selle SMP seat. Rode it this morning. The other ride is a Specialized Tarmac S-Works. At present, I'm favorong the Kestrel.

Tells us about how it rides when it put together!

Congrats on the new ride! 🙂

How much did you pay for it?

I got the 2005 Blue Talon 52cm frameset for $1125, $60 for the aero post, and $107 for EMS Pro 42 cm -- all from the largest Chicago Kestrel dealer. He also sells a lot of Kestrels on ebay - his ebay id is 13mark.

Here is a pic my my ride!

Ultegra 9 STI with Flightdeck and Polar Power Output kit (awesome combination). Campy Eurus, 6600 brakes, Speedplay Zero TI CSC, Dura Ace 12-27 cassette, seat is from a Giant OCR 1 (comfy but heavy 325 g seat), FSA Superlight 170 mm cranks, Ultegra BB, Weyless Carbon stem (133.5 g), PC89R Hollowpin chain, Chris King Headset, Michelin Pro Race Tire and tubes. Total cost $3717.99 Weight - 19.03 lbs ! I'm surprised it's slightly heavy. Top speed on it on flats no wind 31.1 mph.

It used to be my favorite bike until I put HED 3's and a polar power kit on my Cervelo Soloist Team (Max 32.9 mph flats no wind on Ksyrium SL's).

JTE83 said:

How much did you pay for it?

$1299.90 (includes EMS pro fork) @ bicycledoctor.net

They had a 2005 Talon SL (red weave, which I love as well) for $1699.90 but I could not justify the extra $400 for the bike. I also ordered the aero seat post (the new carbon one) for $119.90 but it is back ordered and Walter at Kestrel says it will be at least 4 weeks until they come in. I have a regular carbon post that I'll use for now.

JTE83 said:

I got the 2005 Blue Talon 52cm frameset for $1125, $60 for the aero post, and $107 for EMS Pro 42 cm -- all from the largest Chicago Kestrel dealer. He also sells a lot of Kestrels on eBay - his eBay id is 13mark.

I too was going to buy a 2005, but I had gotten a heads up from a friend that the Talon was going to be offered in red again for 2006...so I waited.

JTE83 said:

Here is a pic my ride!).

Like works of art...I love the look of the Talon!

I have a picture at work of mine with the wheels and seat on it (to get an idea of what it will look like) and I'll post it tomorrow. What my Talon will have on it is...

2006 Talon (metallic red)

2005 Record levers

2005 FSA SL-K compact crank

2005 Record front derailleur (designed for compact crank)

2005 Record rear derailleur

2004 Ksyrium SSC SL wheels with new titanium 10 speed Record sprocket

2005 Record brakes (black)

San Marco ASPide fx seat (with red flames)

Carbon seat post (can't remember who makes it)

2006 FSA K-Wing bars

bunch-o-misc. carbon stuff

I know some here will say I'm a fool for all of the unnecessary stuff
(like the titanium rear gears) but hey...I got a great deal on most of this stuff, and this was my chance to build a bike with the components I've always dreamed of.

It seems like your bike will be more expensive than mine. What's the total cost of your bike and weight.

I raced mine, but it's me that slow. I ended up in last place. But I also had a front derailleur problem - it wouldn't shift on the dime from 39 to 53. So this hurt me in my last criterium race.

kjackbrown said:

I know some here will say I'm a fool for all of the unnecessary stuff
(like the titanium rear gears) but hey...I got a great deal on most of this stuff, and this was my chance to build a bike with the components I've always dreamed of.

Let me correct you. No one on this forum will ever accuse you of having unnecessary stuff on your bike! 🙂 That is a very nice build, by the way!

JTE83 said:

It seems like your bike will be more expensive than mine. What's the total cost of your bike and weight.

Total cost right now is ~$3100. I have gotten some of the components from eBay and the rest came from the local bike team. The only used parts that I have bought thus far are the wheels (have ~ 300 miles on them, then removed for a set of Zipp wheels), and handle bars (came with new bike but removed after 20 miles for a set of Cinelli RAM bars). I have been collecting my parts for nearly a year now so I have been trying to get the best deals as I could.

JTE83 said:

I raced mine, but it's me that slow.

My wife is the racer in the family (and [censored] that my bike is going to be better than hers). She is currently the team manager for the local (Fresno California) Team in Training tri-team, and the "South Valley" (Visalia California) marathon team manager. She loves the sports, and the cause she races for as well.

Now that I am getting my "dream bike", next season I will be joining the TNT cycle team and train for my first century. Wish me luck!

Oh... almost forgot, here is a picture of my frameset with my seat and wheels on it, the bike should be completed by Wednesday.

[font=Verdana]Crud!!!!! The handle bars (last part I've waiting for) did not come in yesterday as promised. I had to reschedule my bike build appointment for tomorrow, but in doing so, they could not guarantee it would be done the same day (since I am requesting a certain mechanic to build it (not just anybody at their shop). I guess one more day isn't going to hurt...but that doesn't mean I have to like it! As soon as it is done, I'll post some pics, and the final weight. Wish me luck on receiving the bars today.[/font]

Patience, patience. It will make the first ride even more pleasant! 🙂

Boy that is a nice frame. I'm saving...so we'll see...good luck on the build.

Well, my bars came in last night and I was able to get my boxes-o-stuff to the shop last night. the mechanic who is goin to build it up said I was in luck in that he was sick the day before and was going to work overtime last night. He said he would have it nearly completed before he went home and would have it completed first thing this morning.

Now that I'm finally supposed to have my bike done (waited a year now), it is supposed to rain for the next few days. My wife has a trainer...but it's just not the same. Oh well, I just might have to get a little wet this weekend 😄

Here is where I'm at so far...still waiting on carbon areo seat post and carbon FSA stem (now that I know the right lenght to get).