General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2 Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-02-14 8:29 PM

New user
15

Subject: 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2
I don't want to break the bank but want to get a good ride for the money. I am looking at a Closeout 2009 Kestrel Talon SL ($1900) compared to a 2010 Felt B14 or a 2010 Cervelo P2. Could you please provide any experience. I am about 6'3" and 205 lbs. Tough decision. I am leaning toward Kestrel but am unsure. It sounds like they have come a long way. Any suggestions on shopping too?


2010-02-14 8:57 PM
in reply to: #2672890

User image

Veteran
300
100100100
Colfax, NC
Subject: RE: 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2
All three bikes would be good choices.  You should choose by fit first and price second.  I say try all of them and see which one feels the best to you.  Might make the decision easy.  I just got a B12 and really like it.  It's pretty close to the B14 with a few component upgrades.


Edited by argylemonkey 2010-02-14 9:01 PM
2010-02-14 9:40 PM
in reply to: #2672890

Expert
701
500100100
Boise
Subject: RE: 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2
I recently had this same exact problem... except with a kestrel pro sl on sale for $2400. For me this was how it shook out. The Kestrel was really nice but too "flexy" feeling for me. The Talon has been looked at as being more of a road geometry that can't get as aggressive as other bikes on your list because of the seat tube angle.

The P2 was nice but I couldn't justify $2800 for a bike that may be exactly as aero as a Felt that is less expensive.

I settled on a Felt B16. I originally wanted a B14 but after talking with the people at my LBS we decided that with my budget (2000-2500) and my needs the B16 w/ 3 upgrades: an ultegra derailleur, compact FSA crank and carbon T2+ aerobars was the best deal out there. Below is a little more on my thought process.

If you're on a budget why not go with the Felt B16, save $500. Then upgrade the rear derailleur to ultegra where you'll notice the difference most between 105/ultegra. Your LBS might do this for cheap if they have one laying around.

The B16/14/12 all use the identical frame with different paint and the main difference is the component group and that the B14/12 have a different wheel-set than the B16. The "upgraded" wheels are more aero but are also heavier and not a "race" wheel-set anyway. You can upgrade the wheels on the B16 to the same as the other bikes for $150 at your local felt dealer. The B14 also uses a little more aero set of handle bars but is that worth the extra $500? For me it wasn't. The handlebars on the B16 are similar to those on many much more expensive bikes that I looked at.

So at the end of the day I saved some money got the B16 and the difference in performance between my bike and a B14 is really small to none with a set of race wheels. Without race wheels the B14 may be slightly faster but again is it $500 faster if that $500 was invested in a nicer set of wheels?

If all the bikes fit you equally I I would go with the Felt, Cervelo then the Talon and wow this post got really really long but I literally just went through the same process that you're going through.

Edited by crazyquick23 2010-02-14 10:09 PM
2010-02-14 11:33 PM
in reply to: #2672976

New user
15

Subject: RE: 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2
Thanks a ton. I had the same feeling about the Cervelo. My only concern was that the Kestrel looked like a good deal (a closeout going from $3,330 to $1,900) but a deal is only good if it fits you. I really appreciate your analysis. This makes a lot of sense.
2010-02-15 12:12 PM
in reply to: #2672890

Expert
701
500100100
Boise
Subject: RE: 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2
No problem. I'm glad to pass the knowledge on that I've learned over the last month and a half of looking for a bike. I'm glad it all made sense to you. Feel free to ask more questions if you want.

You can see pictures of my B16 on the main forum if you want to take a look and what not.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 2009 kestrel talon SL, Felt B14, Cervelo P2 Rss Feed