Kestrel is one of the oldest and best-known brands in Triathlon.  You have either owned one, wanted one or, at least, noticed them at races (even if you didn’t know what you were actually noticing).  One of the TGR staff members regularly reminds me - “you cannot have too much carbon.”   Well, the fact that Kestrel frames are exclusively made from carbon fiber is likely why you have either owned one, wanted one or noticed them.

Not only are Kestrels made from an exotic substance - they have outstanding style and looks.  Of course, those color blind or style unconscious triathletes out there (you’ve seen them) can turn even the best looking frame into a dowdy looking bike.  Kestrel itself is much better with the frames then it is with combining the right parts to compliment them.  Their mistakes can usually be corrected with a swap of carbon cranks, adding a Shimano or FSA tri chain ring, a proper set of carbon race wheels and a one piece aerobar - like the gorgeous and affordable Profile Carbon X.  Yeah, that’s the ticket, just load up your new carbon frame with a bunch of carbon parts.

The Talon is the most affordable and versatile frame in Kestrel’s stable.  With a reversible seat post (use a Corima - not Kestrel’s chunk of aluminum) and adding/removing aerobars, you can easily go from good tri bike to good road bike.  (If you use a bike for both, definitely use road style integrated shifters to simplify the conversion.)  I successfully used the Talon as a tri/road bike then converted it to a full tri set-up with forward seat post, a one piece aerobar with bar end shifters, tri chain rings, etc. 

I will focus this review on the training and race qualities of the frame in the dedicated tri configuration.  To help you compare my experience to yours (potentially) with this frame, I used the following components: (1) Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed derailleurs, shifters, brakes, pedals, cassette, chain, and tri chain ring (54); (2) FSA carbon pro cranks and inner chain ring (42); (3) Profile Carbon X aerobar and QS2 brake levers; (4) Zipp 404 tubulars with Tufo Elite Jet tires; (5) Corima Ellipse seat post with Selle Italia SLR Triathlon saddle.

This is perhaps one of the best rides available. It is as comfortable as most titanium frames and as stiff as all but the very best designs (though you do trade comfort for road feel).  It is substantially more comfortable than any aluminum frame although it is also more flexible.  It is even more comfortable than a number of other carbon frames but, again, will give up some stiffness at the bottom bracket.  I cannot effectively describe what a dreamy ride this frame set provides.  One of the secrets is in the fork. I have ridden every brand of fork available and this one absorbs as many hits as any. The rear end is almost as good. You see the bumps, you ride over them and when you feel them you think - that's it! Ride this frame back to back with identical wheels, tires, seat post and saddle and you will simply be floored. This is not a stiff carbon ride - it is, indeed, “a magic carpet ride.”  I have never been more at ease in the aero position - it feels like you could simply ride it forever.  The Talon even maintains this ease over bad pavement and unexpected bumps.

As a training bike, you cannot seriously fault the Talon, particularly since it can be had at a reasonable price, is reasonably well built, has pseudo aero tubing and a decent paint job.  Not to mention that during the off season you can convert it to a road bike and improve your bike conditioning by training with some roadies.  As a race bike, though, it isn’t a serious ride.  Comfort is only important in an Ironman and we would assume that most triathletes doing Ironman events are riding tri specific frames.  In shorter events, you really don’t notice the comfort - you notice the flexibility in the bottom bracket.  Compare this frame to a rocket like Guru’s TriLite (which is also remarkably comfortable) and you will certainly notice the lack of rocket like acceleration and ease of maintaining speed over rolling hills.  Moreover, its lack of true aero tubing, including a road style fork, will cost you some precious seconds that may be the difference between beating a rival (at least a friend of mine who finished 18 seconds ahead of me in a duathlon riding a Cervelo P2K vs. the Talon I am describing has suggested the same).  Personally, I think a stiff, tri specific frame will make more of a difference in your race performance than the difference in aerodynamics between those two frames.  Moreover, for my money, I want to race on a racing bike just like on the run, I want to race in racing shoes, not my trainers.  After all, a slight difference in a sprint or Olympic distance race is usually significant.  When I am racing all out it is usually my mental state, pre-race diet and perfection in my equipment, which determines the outcome.

To satisfy my insatiable curiosity when it comes to bikes, I also raced the Talon in a 40 mile road race (with same equipment except Dura-Ace 9 speed STI shifters, carbon road bar, road standard 53/39 Dura-Ace chain rings, Corima post reversed, standard SLR saddle, and Zipp 303 tubulars with Tufos).  My conclusion was the same, very comfortable ride, good handling, etc., but just not cut out for racing.  Importantly, at least from Kestrel’s perspective, it does not market the Talon as a race bike.  Nevertheless, racing is what triathletes do, and, unless you are looking for an alternative to a Softride, need comfort to enjoy training or just got to have carbon and can only afford the Talon, then look elsewhere for a racing bike.  The Talon SL uses a lighter and stiffer grade of carbon, is finished in a beautiful satin weave (at least the '03 and '04 models were) and may be your perfect tri/road, race/training bike - please see TgR’s review of the same to find out.

KDG