2010 Kestrel rt900sl (Used)

THE FRAME

The RT 900 SL frame is constructed using

proprietary high-modulus, 800K-carbon lay-up with

carbon dropouts and an integrated headset. The

frame is striking in appearance with sharp-edged

tubes, aero profiles and internal cable routing. The

downtube features a teardrop shape that increases

in diameter towards the bottom bracket to increase

power transfer. The chainstays are oversized, with

the seat stays featuring an H-shape design with a

outward bow to increase stiffness and absorb road

shock. Both the seat tube and head tube use an aero

profile design, with the seat tube featuring a cutaway

for the rear wheel. The top tube has a rounded

triangular profile with a flat top section and houses

an integrated aluminum seat clamp. The frame is

then mated to a Kestrel EMS PRO SL fork with a

1.125 carbon steer tube. THE PARTS

Our Kestrel RT 900 SL was outfitted with a 2010

Shimano compact Dura-Ace group, complete with

Cole Shuriken Carbo 0.5 wheels wrapped in the

Vitoria Open Corsa CX tires. The Cole wheels

feature aluminum and carbon rims, laced to Cole

hubs via straight pull spokes. The front wheel

features 16 spokes, while the rear contains 20. Our 55-centimeter Kestrel RT 900 SL had a 73-

degree seat angle and quick-steering 73.5-degree

head angle, connected by a 55.6-centimeter top

tube. Chainstay length measured out at 41

centimeters, with a wheelbase of 98.6 centimeters.

The Kestrel RT 900 SL weighed 16.2 pounds without

pedals.

THE RIDE

Forget any preconceived notions you might have

about the sharp tube angles and aggressive styling.

The Kestrel RT 900 SL is a smooth-riding bike that

the absorbs road shock well and still provides good

feedback. Based on the bikes appearance, testers

were expecting a super-stiff, aggressive-handling

race machine. Instead, we got a stiff bike that could

be ridden all day in comfort. Thats not to say that the

Kestrel is not a race bike, it is simply more refined.

Every pedal stroke propelled the Kestrel team

forward quickly and efficiently. The 55.6-centimeter

top tube and 100-millimeter stem gave the Kestrel a

neutral and predictable feel with most testers being

able to find their normal position without much

effort. The Kestrel RT 900 SL is comfortable at high

speeds and is predicable in corners. Climbing was

smooth, and though there was no detectable flex in

the bottom bracket, the RT 900 SL seemed to favor

an in-the-saddle, high-cadence climbing technique.