Kestrel is a pioneer in the construction of both carbon and aero frames. After a long period of silence in Europe, the US brand now wants to return to its old successes. The formally independent Talon SL is proof that good aerodynamics have nothing to do with price. As by far the cheapest bike in the test, it is in one of the top two places for all angles of attack. The result in the TOUR laboratory is not quite as convincing. Despite the high weight for a carbon frame, the steering head stiffness is only at the level of a classic steel frame. This makes the bike more suitable for long solo escapes and individual time trials on flat terrain than for mountain stages and sprints. The colour coordination of the Oval aero wheels with the frame design is very attractive. This is possible because Oval was recently taken over by the Kestrel parent company Advanced Sports.
Price: 3.199 Euro
Weight: 7,8 Kilo
Reference/Info www.kestrelbicycles.com
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing* 1,280/432/72 g
Frame sizes** 48, 52, 55, 57, 60 cm
Seat/steering angle 73°/73.5°
Seat/top/head tube 595/570/160 mm plus 10 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 995/54 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 567/396 mm/1.43
Equipment
Fork Kestrel EMS Pro
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/4 inch
Brakes Oval R700
Shimano Ultegra gears/bottom bracket (53/39 t.)
Wheels/tyres Oval W745/ Vittoria Rubino (folding tyre)
Oval handlebar/stem
Saddle/post Oval/Kestrel EMS Pro Aero
*Weighed weights. **Manufacturer's specification, test size greased. ***Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset cap; STR (stack to reach): Values from 1.45 to 1.55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below that are race-like, above that comfortable.
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