Kestrel Airfoil Pro

Tri’d It: Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL

By Aaron HershPublished Jul 27, 2012

Photo: Nils Nilsen This frame’s genetic ancestry goes back to 1995, when Kestrel first sliced the seat tube out of a triathlon bike. The design has evolved since then, but its unique shape still creates a ride feel that no bike can match. $3,100, http://Kestrelbicycles.com

Fit: The Airfoil Pro’s frame geometry is well suited to a broad spectrum of dedicated tri-specific positions. Its shape is right in the middle between leisurely and pro-style. The seat post locates the saddle slightly farther rearward than many newer tri frame designs—this can be a limiter for some positions, but the saddle clamp adds some forward freedom to compensate for the slack seat tube. The adjustable Profile Design T2+ aerobars can match just about any fit other than a very tall bar position.

Kit: Sublime ride quality in a $3,100 bike doesn’t come without compromise. This build has outstanding Shimano Ultegra derailleurs, but the budget-oriented FSA Gossamer crank and Microshift Bar-end Shifters result in looser shifting performance, both front and rear. Shift cables jut out to the side of the bike more than others because they route through the downtube rather than behind the steerer tube, as many newer designs have adopted. The Oval Concepts 700 brake calipers create strong and consistent stopping performance. Ride: The seat tube-free design transforms subtle pavement vibrations into a glassy smooth ride without compromising stiffness. The Airfoil’s unique design frees the saddle to absorb everything. Despite the saddle’s vertical leeway, it stays put beneath the rider without bobbing, and the frame is shockingly laterally stiff. Even though the Airfoil lacks a seat tube, it feels solid when riding in the aero position and even when sprinting over short hills. Its stiffness rivals traditionally constructed bikes, but its handling is steadier than most. Rather than quickly skipping through turns, the Airfoil Pro corners in big, fairly slow movements.

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/07/gear-tech/trid-it-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl_58268

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Performance and Style

The Kestrel Air foil is without a doubt a show-stopper. It is built exclusively for triathletes who want a steep seat tube angle and the aerodynamic advantage of a seat tubeless frame design. The Air foil’s design allows the air to pass through the frame unimpeded and also provides a more compliant ride so you can finish at T2 fresh and ready to run. The 2012 Air foil features a new carbon layup that provides an increase in bot tom bracket stiffness and improved rider comfort. There is no other triathlon bike that gets you ready for the run better than the Kestrel Air foil Pro SL. Airfoil Pro SL MSRP: $ 3,099

Specification

SIZES 47cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 59cm

COLOR(S) Carbon/Black/White

MAIN FRAME 800 K Hi-Modulus Carbon Fiber

REAR TRIANGLE 800 K Hi-Modulus Carbon Fiber With Replaceable Dropouts

FORK EMS Pro SL Aero, Full Carbon, 1 1/8-1 1/4" Tapered Steerer

CRANKSET FSA Gossamer 53/39T (47cm, 50cm, 52cm: 170mm; 54cm, 56cm: 172.5mm; 59cm: 175mm)

BOTTOM BRACKET Oval Concepts Integrated

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra, Braze On

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra, 10-sp

SHIFTERS microSHIFT Bar End

CASSETTE Shimano 105 11-25T, 10-sp

CHAIN KMC X10 Nickel Plated, 10-sp

WHEELSET 700c & 650c: Oval Concepts 330 Alloy Clincher, 30mm F & R, 10-sp

TIRES Hutchinson Fusion 3, 700x23; Hutchinson Fusion 2, 650x23c

BRAKE SET Oval Concepts 700

BRAKE LEVERS Oval Concepts 700

HEADSET FSA No. 53, Integrated 1 1/8" Top, 1 1/4" Bottom w/10mm Carbon Top Cover

HANDLEBAR Profile Ozero Base Bar/Profile T2 + Aerobar (47cm, 50cm, 52cm: 40cm; 54cm, 56cm, 59cm: 42cm)

STEM Oval 700 3D Forged 7050 Alloy, 31.8mm, +/-6 degrees (47cm, 50cm: 90mm; 52cm, 54cm, 56cm: 100mm; 59cm: 110mm)

TAPE Kestrel EVA Foam with Gel Padding

SADDLE Oval Concepts 700 Tri w/CrN-Ti rails

SEATPOST Kestrel EMS Pro w/Ritchey Clamp System

WEIGHT 19.55 lbs / 8.87 kg

http://www.kestrelbicycles.com/TRI/Airfoil-Pro-SL.aspx

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Special Kestrel Triathlon Bikes FINAL CLEARANCE PRICES, No more when sold out

Shimano Ultegra, 20 Speed Triathlon Bikes

2012 Kestrel

K4000 PRO SL Ultegra

CLEARANCE

SALE $3,299.95 (Compare at $4900)

Ships Signature Req'd for your protection

Complete Bicycle featuring:

Shimano Ultegra,

Carbon Cranks by Oval

Aero Bar and Stem,

Aero Wheelset by Oval

(700c except 47cm is 650c)

Save up to 60% Off List Prices

Buy Factory Direct from Bikesdirect

Compare to $6,000+ Trek or Specialized

Full Kestrelbicycles.com Warranty

Geometry Sizing Chart We accept Visa/MC/Disc/Amex. PayPal is optional Price Includes UPS Ground Shipping to 48 United States

(5 to 7 Day Delivery) (AK,PR, HI at additional cost)

(Email us for Delivery to PO Box/APO/FPO)

Pay with your US Issued Visa, MC, Disc, AMEX Cards. You do NOT need to use Paypal This bike comes 90% assembled. How much Assembly? CLICK HERE for sample assembly instructions and videos

CLICK HERE for a special price on the full Video DVD/CD and Folding Mini ToolKit A Kestrel Selected by Outside Magazine as Gear of the Year - click here for the article Brand New Kestrel K4000 PRO SL Carbon Triathlon Bikes + Shimano Ultegra 20 Speed parts group Kestrel says:

Put simply, the 4000 Pro is scary fast. It continues to pile up victories, triathlons and time trials alike. If speed is what you’re after, the Kestrel 4000 will deliver. Kestrel says, “The 4000 records better drag numbers than the Airfoil at all yaw angles, without a rider.”

Senior Triathlon Editor Aaron Hersh says:

"...Cervelo P3, Felt B12 and Scott Plasma 20. All three of these bikes have been proven to be aerodynamically efficient, although certainly not identical, and are spec’d with excellent components, similar to the 4000 Pro SL-Ultegra. The Kestrel rides smoother than the P3 and B12 and is a worthy competitor for these other outstanding (triathlon / time trial) bikes..."

Available now at an incredible Factory Direct discount. Limited quantities available now.Full Factory Kestrel Warranty

FEATURING

Professional parts specs such as a near top-of-the-line 20 Speed Shimano Ultegra Drivetrain, Rear Derailleur, Dura Ace Shifters AND Aero Wheelset too.

Highest Quality Carbon

Since 1987, Kestrel has been meticulously hand-building their carbon frames using the tightest quality control standards in the industry. Their goal - perfecting the science of speed. Kestrel was the first to launch an all carbon bike and thus wrote the book on bicycle performance: weight, stiffness, efficiency, and even the shape of the bicycle itself. With 20 years of carbon fiber experience under their belts, Kestrel is a name you can feel confident in.

Superb Ride

Kestrel's geometry has been painstakingly refined to maximize ride comfort and handling grip. Every Kestrel frame comes with a matching, frame-specific fork that's engineered and ride tuned for perfectly balanced handling with a sensitive road feel and superb ride comfort.

The K4000 PRO SL uses Kestrel's unmatched carbon fiber know-how for a superior riding experience. Superb stiffness, superior strength, durability and Kestrel's legendary aerodynamic geometry lend to a road-smoothing ride with precise handling and efficient power transfer. Size-specific tuning optimizes the ride for every size, so you get the same precise handling with a responsive feel regardless of how big you are or where you ride.

The K4000 comes out of the gate with world-class results. One of the lightest and most aero Triathlon Bikes Kestrel offers. The K4000 features a unique carbon lay-up which offers both light overall weight and pedal power responsiveness. Its sculptured seat stays are designed to reduce road vibrations and offer unparalleled comfort to the rider. The K4000 is guaranteed to provide enjoyment for years to come and winning results for those who choose to race it.

Highest Technology

K4000 PRO SL is formed from a weight-shaving Carbon fiber hybrid into a Modular monocoque aerodynamic frame design.

Ever wonder what it’s like to ride the same bike the pros do? The new K4000 Pro SL is that bike. Hours of wind tunnel testing refined the smooth lines of the already wind cheating frameset. Kestrel bicycles is proud to present the new K4000 Pro SL. The Kestrel K4000 is designed with one thing in mind: aerodynamics. Its innovative and unique design offers two major advantages over the competition. Firstly, by creating a radical, nearly “open” triangle, wind drag created by the rider’s movements was drastically reduced. So what’s that mean? It means the K4000 is at its best when being ridden and not just good in a wind tunnel. Secondly, the open triangle offers one of the most comfortable and compliant triathlon bikes. A dream to ride on.

With all the advantages of the open triangle Kestrel was still not satisfied. They wanted to improve on the design. They channeled the headtube to improve aerodynamics, in addition to increasing the crown to stiffen the front end. Then they redesigned the downtube and bottom bracket junction and improved the stiffness. This also improved the ride quality even more! The rear triangle uses 800K unidirectional carbon fiber which keeps the road vibrations to a minimum and improves aerodynamics as well. The final result? A lighter, faster bike that is also 20% stiffer than its predecessor.

Features/Benefits:

Dual position Kestrel carbon, aero seatpost - forward position for a more aggressive seat angle and vice versa

Channeled headtube - improves aerodynamics, reduces, weight

Kestrel's proprietary blend of high modulus carbon fibers, these frames provide the lightest, best riding, while maximizing stiffness and handling response

FD (Fluid Design) - continuous flow of long filament fibers (the fluid lines of the modular monocoque design) provide a smooth and fluid ride that provides maximum stiffness.

Internal cable routing, bottom bracket rear brake - improves aerodynamics

A Kestrel Selected by Outside Magazine as Gear of the Year - click here for the article

Factory Direct Pricing

Other online retailers are selling comparably equipped bikes for $4,500 and up.

The frame and fork alone are sold by some for around $2400

The Shimano parts alone list for nearly $1000

About $3400 worth of parts alone without adding the TRP Brakes, Profile Aero bar, saddle, stem or seatpost which are easily worth another $1200.

Your Sale price is only $3,299 for the whole bicycle and includes shipping to 48 States.

Frame

MAIN FRAME

800 K Hi-Modulus Carbon Fiber

REAR TRIANGLE

800 K Hi-Modulus Carbon Fiber With Adjustable Dropouts

Fork

Kestrel EMS Pro TT Full Carbon, 1 1/8-1 1/4" Tapered Steerer

Derailleurs

Shimano Ultegra, 10 Speed (20 gears total) rear and Shimano Ultegra, brazeon mount front

Shifters

Shimano Dura Ace Bar End

Brakes/Levers

TRP T-920, Aero / Profile ABS Carbon

Hubs

Shimano Ultegra, 10 Speed (20 gears total) rear and Shimano Ultegra, brazeon mount front

Rims

Shimano Ultegra, 10 Speed (20 gears total) rear and Shimano Ultegra, brazeon mount front

Crank

Oval Concepts 900 Carbon 53/39T (47cm, 50cm: 170mm; 52.5cm 55cm: 172.5mm; 57.5cm, 59.5cm: 175mm)

Bottom Bracket

Oval Concepts Integrated w/BB30 Adapter

Cassette/Chain

Shimano Ultegra, 11-25T, 10-sp/ KMC X10 Nickel Plated, 10-sp

Saddle

Oval Concepts 700 Tri w/CrN-Ti rails

Seatpost

Kestrel Aero Carbon w/Ritchey Clamp System

Stem

Oval 700 3D Forged 7050 Alloy, 31.8mm, +/-6 degrees (47cm, 50cm: 90mm; 52.5cm, 55cm: 100mm; 57.5cm, 59.5cm: 110mm)

Headset

FSA No. 53, Integrated 1 1/8" Top, 1 1/4" Bottom w/10mm Carbon Top Cover w/ Cable Stop

Handlebar

PROFILE Ozero Base Bar/Profile T2 + Cobra Aerobar (47cm, 50cm, 52.5cm, 40cm; 55cm, 57.5cm, 59.5cm: 42cm) /Kestrel EVA Foam with Gel Padding

Pedal

Shimano Ultegra, 10 Speed (20 gears total) rear and Shimano Ultegra, brazeon mount front

Wheelset/Tires 700c & 650c: Oval Concepts 535 Alloy Clincher, 35mm F & R, 10-sp / Hutchinson Atom Comp, 700x23c; Hutchinson Fusion 2 650x23c

Color As Listed

Sizes As Listed

This bike comes 90% assembled. How much Assembly? CLICK HERE for sample assembly instructions and videos

CLICK HERE for a special price on the full Video DVD/CD and Folding Mini ToolKit

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/kestrel_k4000_sl_ultegra.htm