My bike after 1000km
10-03-14, 07:12 AM
#1
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My bike after 1000km
This is my first road bike. I do have a mountain bike and a couple of fold bikes. I saw the deal on this forums a couple of month ago and jump on it right away as the size fit me. however there is one problem, it is a tri bike. After I jumped to the Kestrel web site to learn that the seat angle can be adjusted from 72.5 to 80, i hit the buy button on bikes direct right away. The buying experience from bikes direct is excellent even though i am a canadian. Shipping to my sister house in michigan only took 4 business days. I hit ebay and looked for the road handle bar and road shifters. And voila $220 for the front left and right shifters with a free 44cm 3T which is way to big for me. Got a deal locally for a 38cm ($80) s-work which he took off from his new bike. This bike total is $1300 even.
For the ride, it is solid I can't tell the different between my friend domane maybe due my inexperience. I am not into race anyway. Fully carbon bike does make a big different compare to my aluminum fold bike. It feels like i have suspensions on the bike. The bike weight around 17lbs without the pedals. with everything on the weight is around 18 lbs (pedals, water cage, 2 water cages at the back of the saddle). For anyone thinking about converting a tri bike to a road bike it is doable as long as the seat angle can be adjusted.
I have one complain. The back brake location is impossible to adjust. Only one side is accessible, to adjust the other side you have to unhook the brake.
For the ride, it is solid I can't tell the different between my friend domane maybe due my inexperience. I am not into race anyway. Fully carbon bike does make a big different compare to my aluminum fold bike. It feels like i have suspensions on the bike. The bike weight around 17lbs without the pedals. with everything on the weight is around 18 lbs (pedals, water cage, 2 water cages at the back of the saddle). For anyone thinking about converting a tri bike to a road bike it is doable as long as the seat angle can be adjusted.
I have one complain. The back brake location is impossible to adjust. Only one side is accessible, to adjust the other side you have to unhook the brake.
Last edited by tdong; 10-03-14 at 07:42 AM.
10-03-14, 07:30 AM
#3
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Well done on the bike! It is a good looking bike and looks to have great components!!
As for that back brake......Go to the trouble of getting it adjusted well, one time and then don't worry much after that. Most of your braking is done with the front brake anyway!
And I'm guessing it's because the frame is probably a little small and the graphics make it look bigger but that chain ring looks like a 56 or something!! As GoGo would say, you can use it as a dinner plate when you're not racing with it.
As for that back brake......Go to the trouble of getting it adjusted well, one time and then don't worry much after that. Most of your braking is done with the front brake anyway!
And I'm guessing it's because the frame is probably a little small and the graphics make it look bigger but that chain ring looks like a 56 or something!! As GoGo would say, you can use it as a dinner plate when you're not racing with it.
10-03-14, 07:39 AM
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I forgot to add. it is a 47cm frame and 650c wheel as I am short 5'4 
. That is why the front chain ring 54/42 ~ 50/39 on a 700c.
. That is why the front chain ring 54/42 ~ 50/39 on a 700c. Well done on the bike! It is a good looking bike and looks to have great components!!
As for that back brake......Go to the trouble of getting it adjusted well, one time and then don't worry much after that. Most of your braking is done with the front brake anyway!
And I'm guessing it's because the frame is probably a little small and the graphics make it look bigger but that chain ring looks like a 56 or something!! As GoGo would say, you can use it as a dinner plate when you're not racing with it.
As for that back brake......Go to the trouble of getting it adjusted well, one time and then don't worry much after that. Most of your braking is done with the front brake anyway!
And I'm guessing it's because the frame is probably a little small and the graphics make it look bigger but that chain ring looks like a 56 or something!! As GoGo would say, you can use it as a dinner plate when you're not racing with it.
10-03-14, 07:48 AM
#5
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however there is one problem, it is a tri bike. After I jumped to the Kestrel web site to learn that the seat angle can be adjusted from 72.5 to 80, i hit the buy button on bikes direct right away. For anyone thinking about converting a tri bike to a road bike it is doable as long as the seat angle can be adjusted.
So effectively you've got an aero road bike, along the lines of the S series Cervelos.
Oh, and take off the dork disc.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
10-03-14, 08:10 AM
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you meant the plastic disc at the back ? i did plan to cut it off but my friend said just leave it.
It works for the Kestrel because it was designed to be set up as either an aero road bike, or a tri bike, with the ability to change the effective seat tube angle.
So effectively you've got an aero road bike, along the lines of the S series Cervelos.
Oh, and take off the dork disc.
So effectively you've got an aero road bike, along the lines of the S series Cervelos.
Oh, and take off the dork disc.
10-03-14, 03:03 PM
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Leave it or remove it properly. Cutting it off is (or at least easily can be) a pain. Might as well just leave it on there, even if people on forums tease about it. Nice bike btw!
10-03-14, 03:22 PM
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That's a beautiful Kestrel... utterly..
I think you got a great deal on it too... looks like it's easily a $2K+ bike....
I think you got a great deal on it too... looks like it's easily a $2K+ bike....
10-03-14, 04:36 PM
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I will just leave it for now
