TriSports.com Blog

Kestrel RT-900 Bike Review

I was given the chance to take a RT-900 out for a spin to see how this rivals against some of the big guns out there.  After a good couple of rides there is only one way to put it: simply outstanding.

I am the first to admit that there are a ton of great high-end road bikes on the market today. The Kuota Kredo, Kuota Kom, Scott Addict, Felt AR, Felt F1, and Felt Z series are just a few that we carry.  I’ve ridden all of the top end models in our lines at some point or another and the RT-900 takes the carrot.  Now here’s why.

Typically when manufacturers design a bike they have one particular size in mind, say a 52cm.  They take the most common size and design around that frame.  They test that size, they optimize it.  So what happens when you size up or down from this optimization?  What happens is there is loss of strength and integrity of the frame.  A 6’5” person will have a different experience on a Kuota Kredo (another bike that I love) than a 5’5” person.  In general a bike is optimized for smaller sizes and as you get into the bigger sizes many of its best features start to fade. 

This issue isn’t a problem in the RT-900.  I am a taller person and fit onto a 59cm quite well.  When I first jumped on the RT-900 I was blown away at the overall strength of the bike.  It doesn’t just feel strong in the headtube or bottom bracket.  It feels strong and “together” throughout the entire bike.  The bike feels like it is unison with each part of the frame.  A wondeful experience to say the least.  Now you factor in that a 59cm w/ a SRAM Red build kit comes it at 15lbs and you have a fine steed indeed.  No wonder I felt like I was flying!

So all in all this bike rocks.  Plus it is a steal at the price and I have no clue how Kestrel can make something this goodwith this incredible build kit at this price.   Think about it.  It has a full SRAM Red build kit, stiff EMS carbon bars, Ksyrium SL’s wheels (these puppies are 1k alone!), Wipperman chain, and a super nice and light Zoncolon saddle.  There’s no other bike in it’s class.  Comfortable in part to the h-bend seat-stays, stiff, strong, and ridiculously light.

Bravo Kestrel.  Rock Racing is going to literally rock on this bike.

2XU V:1 Velocity Wetsuit

I finally got my hands on one of these suits to get a couple of good open water swims with it. And not that I have it’s easy for me to know what suit I’ll be getting next! Wow! The 2XU V:1 Velocity suit talks the talks and definitely walks the walks. The flexibility and buoyancy of the suit are superb, however there are two key features of the suit that are simply outstanding:

1) The Rollbar: I immediately felt the integrated rollbar design in the suit. You feel higher in the water and your hips roll without any real effort. Hence my body was in much better position for a good, strong pull

2) Concave Water Entrapment Zone: This works. It’s actually helping you catch so much more water that when you can close your hand and still feel like your cooking through the water!

Here are a photo of me having some serious fun in the big waves at La Jolla, CA!!!

Hang on to your caps!!! Yee-haw!!!

The purity of running

Every once in a while you have a run that reminds you of why you are in this crazy sport.  In those moments everything seems worth it.  The soreness in your legs is mute, feels good.  The sweat in your eyes no longer stings.  The sun beating on your back makes you feel even more alive.  You become acute and your senses become even more aware.

Recently it happened on a trail run on Seven Fall’s in sunny Tucson, Arizona.  It’s a beautiful run with a gradual grade up through Bear canyon.  Even in the midst of the summer it can be quite cool and the high canyon walls gives you shade well into the morning.  After crossing the Sabino River a few times you run a few switch backs as you make your way toward the falls.  It’s always a guarantee that the falls are flowing freely and there are many pools of deep, cold water to dive in.

When I arrived at the falls there was not a soul in sight.  You could hear the power of the falls but that was it.  So peaceful. Restful. Nothing hurt, nothing was tired, no worries from the workplace or life crept into my head. I dove in shoes and all into water roughly 60 degrees, took a few strokes, and the continued on my run back home. 

It’s those days and those type of moments that many few people can relate to.  Most people think you are nuts, but you sit back relax and just smile all the while internally thinking…”Man, what a great run.”