my first WW attempt.. not even close! Kestrel Talon SL

[theStig]

Ok, I haven't been riding for too long .. Started 18 months ago with an old Kestrel 200SCI I got from a friend.. Six months ago I decided to build a brand new bike.

Well, after 6 months of searching ebay, I came up with this.. I was working on a limited budget and in the coming year I'm going to be swapping out a few pieces to reach my target weight goal.

Kestrel Talon SL 55cm 2005 (in the matte finish before they got ugly)
Kestrel EMS Pro OS 44cm carbon handlebars
Kestrel Carbon Aero Seatpost (heavy as heck, but round seapost doesn't look right on this bike)
Full Ultegra SL Triple groupset (triple because I'm heavy and I like hills)
Ultegra 12-27 cassette
SRAM PC1090R hollowpin chain
Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, tubes, and tires
Deda Newton 100mm stem
Fizik Arione Wing Flex saddle
Speedplay light action pedals
Jagwire Racer cables/housings
Specialized Bar Phat gel handlebar tape (heavy but comfy)


Total weight: 7788g (17.17 lbs) .. So once I save up some cash, I'll probably do a set of 08 zg tis and some carbon clinchers (bonti xxx lite), and replace the Ultegra SL components with SRAM force.

[D-Gib]

Very nice. I like how the new Ultegra crank looks on a carbon frame. It's rare for a metal crank to look so appropriate on carbon.

[KB]

May not be superlight, but it's still a nice looking bike.

[theStig]

thanks! I wanted to build something stealthy with some sharp lines. As for the crank, I figured I'd stick with the "SL" theme. I had a choice between going DA/9 or Ultegra SL 10 - I picked the Ultegra to fit in my budget and because I loved the ice grey finish.

I was pretty bummed when it got on the scale. For reference my 200SCI with threaded steerer, old mismatched ultegra 6500/shimano 105 and the same wheels came in at 19.9 lbs..

Now I just gotta drop 1.18 lbs

[morephyous]

Apart from the spacers. I never thought an ultegra sl based bike could look so nice.

[aarw]

there's a lot of spacers going on there. the setup looks kinda funny.... it's very high (seatpost/stem) but very short (can the saddle go any further forward?). just as long as it's comfortable for you.

i like that frame.

[The BingMan]

Look nice, but I would find some other wheels.

[theStig]

When I shot those pics, my buddy had just finished assembling it. I have yet to fit everything much less ride it. I need to drop the seat a bit and play with a few other adjustments.

Yeah those wheels were the lightest I could afford (supposed 1490g/pr) at the moment. They don't look _quite_ right on this frame.

Can anyone suggest a good pair of carbon clinchers?

[The BingMan]

gravity_zero__x_one_hub_38_mm_or_50mm

This is very cool.

[aarw]

Can anyone suggest a good pair of carbon clinchers?

What's your budget? are you after full carbon or alu breaking surface?

[smithrebel46]

If I were you, I would remove the stickers from your bontrager wheels. I think the wheels would look better without all the white and red from the decals.

[The BingMan]

If I were you, I would remove the stickers from your bontrager wheels. I think the wheels would look better without all the white and red from the decals.

Good idé.

[djconnel]

If I were you, I would remove the stickers from your bontrager wheels. I think the wheels would look better without all the white and red from the decals.

Good idé.

That's quite light for a triple chainring with Ultegra (heavy, even in SL, compared with Rival, but with Rival, you'd need to live with the 34/28, which is 9% bigger than your 30/27).

I've read positive reviews about the ride quality of this frame. But the internal cable routing is supposed to be the toughest on the market. Did you route your own cables?

Dan

[iliveonnitro]

nice looking bike. Kill the stack height w/the spacers and get some deep dish wheels and it would be ultra-rico (and suave).

[D-Gib]

I've been happy with my Campagnolo Shamal clinchers; and they've just come out with a titanium colored rim instead of the gold colored ones. So it match your frame a little better.