Felt vs Kestrel

760 grams = 1.6 lbs

Not a big difference for your average triathlete.

Get the bike that fits - and if they both fit, get the one you'll like better.

Without doing the research, off the cuff?  Get the Felt.

They are solid rides and probably more people on them than the Kestrel.

Don't lose too much sleep about the weight.  For TT bikes, earo trumps weight and most TT courses are not THAT hilly where it could made a difference.

Sounds like you can/will adjust to get components about the same and it's always good to select your own pedal in most cases.

But the biggest reason?  You LIKE the Felt better.  It's superficial, but you want to look at that bike in the garage and smile because it looks fast and cool and you want to get on it and ride.  You don't want to look at someone else riding one and have any regret (if you got the Kestrel for more "practical" reasons).

I got my dream bike (at the time) several years ago and even with newer, and fancier stuff coming out, I still look at mine and want to go fast on it.

BTW, I personally like the looks of the B12 better too.

Oh, and to be politically/triathlon correct:  "Get the one that fits"....  (legal disclaimer).

Does either bike fit?

Felts tend to be long and low and many women that is not the ideal bike as they fit on shorter and tall bike.

Weight of bike is not a big issue you should be looking at stack and reach and which fits you best. 

Have you checked the stack and reach information on bike fit on Slowtwitch? If not check it out. There are tables of stack and reach for each brand bike and each size.

I don't know too much about the Kestrel, but I **believe** that it fits different than the Felt.  As Kathy said the Felts fit long and low.  This works for some folks but not others.  I have a 2010 B12 and love it, but it fits me.  The Kestrels, I believe are more of a short and tall fit.  Make sure you get the one that fits you best.

I'll bet that 400-500g of that weight difference is in the wheels.  the Felt comes with the TTR3's which weigh over 2Kg.  Don't know what's on the Kestrel, but i'm guessing lighter, and far less aero box rims?  The TTR3's, while certainly not the fastest race wheels on the market, are better than you might think, and start to make upgrading to expensive deep wheels less advantageous.  

I've heard great things about the Kestrel as well, but I"m a member of the Felt mafia.  their bikes are really well sorted out these days, not only from an aero performance standpoint, but from a maintenance, adjustibility and road feel.