Kestrel Talon Road Shimano 105 Bicycle Carbon Fiber 2016
The Kestrel Talon Road Shimano 105 Bicycle Carbon Fiber 2016 is perfect for professional riders that want to have options on how they use their bikes for just one affordable price. It is designed for power, durability, and active performance ensuring that your investment would be turned into long-term satisfaction.
The Talon is the perfect choice for triathletes looking to train on a road bike but race a tri bike without emptying their wallets on two separate machines, triathletes who race different distances and formats throughout the season, cyclists looking for a non-threatening and non-bank-breaking bike for their first triathlon or duathlon, or simply riders seeking road bike handling with tri bike speed. It allows the rider to choose either a road or triathlon-style position.
Features:
- Frame -Kestrel Enhanced Modulus Hybrid (EMH) 700K & 800K Carbon Fiber
- Rear Triangle – EMH Carbon Fiber With Replaceable Derailleur Hanger
- Fork – EMH Carbon, 1 1/8″ – 1 1/4″ Tapered Alloy Steerer
- Wheelset – Oval Concepts 527, 700c, 18/24H, cartridge bearing hubs
- Tires – Vittoria Zaffiro Pro, 700 x 23c, folding
- Crankset – Oval Concepts 520, forged alloy, 50/34T
- Bottom Bracket – Oval Concepts Integrated, External Bearings
- Front Derailleur – Shimano Ultegra, Braze-on
- Rear Derailleur – Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed
- Shifters – Shimano Ultegra STI, 11-speed
- Cassette – SunRace, 11-28T, 11-speed
- Chain – KMC X11 w/MissingLink, 11-speed
- Brake set – Tektro R540 Dual Pivot
- Brake levers – Shimano Ultegra STI
- Headset – FSA Integrated, 1 1/8″ Top, 1 1/4″ Bottom with 15mm Top Cover
- Handlebar – Oval Concepts 310, 6061 Alloy, Ergonomic Fit
- Stem – Oval Concepts 313 6061 3D-forged Alloy, 31.8mm +/- 7°
- Saddle – Oval Concepts 300, Steel Rail
- Seat Post – Kestrel EMS Pro, Carbon, Ritchey Clamp System
- Tape/Grip – Kestrel padded
It is constructed of Kestrel’s Enhanced Modulus Hybrid (EMH) carbon — a combination of 800K and 700K carbon fibers — that is lightweight and stiff, yet also designed to offer a bit more compliance. Designed in the A2 Wind Tunnel, the stays, seat post, and seat tube are aerodynamically contoured. Plus, fully internal cable routing ensures clean airflow over the entire bike.
It also comes with proprietary Kestrel H-Stays – the uniquely, asymmetrically shaped seat stays and chainstays – are designed to improve lateral stiffness and thus power transfer, while also supplying vibration dampening.
Its Kestrel EMS Pro Aero Seatpost allows for the saddle to be mounted in a wide range of positions, more forward for tri use or backward for the road. The Triathlon model comes with Oval Concepts aero base bar with clip-on aero extensions, bar-end shifters, and an Oval Concepts tri saddle.
Road package comes with Oval Concepts road bar, choice of Shimano Ultegra or Shimano 105 STI shifters, and a road saddle. Each of the five sizes has unique tube lengths, diameters, shapes, and carbon layups to produce the best possible ride quality for every size rider.
Advantages
What’s really cool about this bike is that its manufacturer was able to think of ways to make a 2 in 1 type of machine that will help you worry less about finding a road bike as well as a triathlon bike.
This Kestrel Talon Hybrid Model is made with perfect geometry to ensure that you can ride your bike in balance for long distances, and groupsets that will make you feel comfortable and at ease to bike in different speed and positions with comfort.
Its lightweight makeup makes it easier to climb different terrains that would be perfect for those training and preparing for races and triathlon competitions. The best part of all is that you are only paying for one bike with specifications of two different machines,helping you save up to almost 70% of the cost were you to buy a new road bike for each type.
Disadvantages
Compared to other road bikes it might be found a bit expensive given its dual functionality, and if you are not really interested in looking for a bike that can enable you to shift its use from a road bike to a tri bike the extra cost is unnecessary.
For warranty purposes, the bike should also be assembledin a bike shop, which will be an additional cost if you cannot assemble the bike on your own. The package doesn’t come with pedals so you would also have to buy them separately.
Verdict
If you are looking for a really fast bike that can bring you miles worry-free Kestrel Talon Road Shimano 105 Bicycle Carbon Fiber 2016 is the bike for you.
If you are beginning to train for triathlon or races, or you are already a professional rider you will definitely find this very useful and affordable. It is one machine with two functions and equipped with high-quality Shimano groupset that will ensure that your investment will last for years.
This is surely the best pick for those who are really serious in taking their biking activities to the next level, so if you find that in your heart why wait, get yours now!
