Kestel Talon SL

I have a kestrel Talon SL.  I bought the frame and parts separately, so it doesn't have the same specs as the one on bikesdirect, but it's the same general bike.

I love the bike - I actually am planning my first tri (aside from one 20 years ago) next month but I have done a few bike time trials on it.  I am just under 5'9 and I ride the 52", so I can't help you regarding sizing for a larger rider.  The 52" is on the small end for me, but I like smaller bikes, so I am very happy with the fit.

The only thing I'd say is especially with your budget, consider getting the Talon, not the Talon SL -http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/talon_08_road.htm

You're just looking at an extra half a pound for the Talon - it essentially has the same components as the SL on the site and the same geometry and even the same basic tubes.  In a triathlon or time trial, that half a pound is literally gonna make no difference.  Slap on aerobars and you've got the ultimate in versatility.

Good luck!

I ride a kestrel talon and my riding partner has a talon SL. Yea he has me by a pound or so but other than that they are pretty much the same bike. I have a vision tech cockpit and he has some other form....not sure....nice though. Both have full ultegra setups......Moral of the story, we both love our bikes...fast....stiff... and very comfy. I am fine in my aerobars all day. 40 to 80 feels the same. I have upgraded to american classic training wheels and he has mavics but both bikes rock. Not sure how the BD bikes come but I have heard they have some great deals if you can find your fit/size.

There are lots of warnings out there about buying from bikesdirect.  Personally I don't have any experience buying from there, but just wanted to throw that out there.  The word is that they have no phone number you can call if you need help after purchase... just an email address.  There are lots of benefits that you get from buying from a local bike store that you won't get from buying online.

Disagree with this. I've been following BD now for over 2 years, and while it's true that in the past (>2 years ago), there were some questionable marketing (self-promotion) and spotty bike assembly issues, nearly all the reviews I've seen in the last 2 years are rock-solid for both quality and customer service. Just 2 days ago, someone posted on Roadbikeforums that they got the wrong bike (Record instead of Grand Record, $40 difference) and Mike gave them 3 options for dealing with it immediately, and ended up refunding him $100.

The bikes also have gotten solid reviews as well as of late. Nearly all of them. On roadbike forums, this leads to a "shill!" shout within 3 posts, but I've read enough of them to believe that they're not. Especially on a forum like roadbike forums, where people are on super-high alert for that kind of stuff. For sure, none of that on BT, which also makes me believe those reviews are for real.

I don't have BD bike but would strongly consider buying one. Like the Nemesis. The kestrel is a solid bike though - I know 2 folks that have them and they even look a lot better (to me) in reality than on the web. Saw one yesterday with race wheels slapped on, and it looked HOT!
 

I was a little skeptical of BD at first, however I have purchased 2 bikes from them in the past three years and have not had any issues.  A Motobecane Immortal Force for myself and a Motobecane Gigi for my wife.  Both have lived up to my expectations and performed as advertised.  The only caution would be that you need to have basic wrenching skills to assemble, but you can always take it to the LBS for final assembly. 

I have an SL and love it.  But consider this:  I have mine setup in tri geometry (forward seat post and full aero cockpit).  It isn't practical to routinely swap the handlebars to get it back to road bike configuration.  Not something that I would want to do more than once every few years.  So, in some ways I wish I just got a true tri bike since I just leave it in that configuration.  If you plan on just installing clipon aerobars on the standard handlebars that is a different story.  This is probably the ideal for the Talon.  Then you can comfortably do group rides and still race with it. I also agree that the SL is probably not worth the extra money over the normal Talon. Mine was a old-stock closeout so I got the Talon SL for the same price as the Talon. It was all they had left in my size.

I used to have a Talon and although it's a good bike, the ride is somewhat "woody" and dead; i.e. you don't get much feedback from the road.

I also found that the bike is somewhat unstable in the forward (tri) position; probably not perfect front geometry to allow for a forward position without making the bike unrideable in the rear (road) position. It's a compromise, but overall, I really did like this bike and if you're going to have one bike for both road racing and tri's, then I would look into the Talon.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I'm 6'3"+ so I'd need the 60cm, and they only have that in the SL. I'm waiting to hear back from the Ti bike - which is a custom Serotta with Campy. But if it's not on the table I think I'll pull the trigger on the Kestrel. Thanks again for the input. BTW - definitely would just be putting clip ons on it.