Kestrel Talon X 105
The draw: Mid-range ride at a low-end price
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Kestrel again surprises and hits the mark with its budget bike, the Talon X. Equipped with components one would expect on a bike that’s well under $2k—105 derailleurs and cost-cutting Microshift shifters and SunRace cassette—the Talon truly shines with its ride. As one of the original carbon manufacturers in the game, it’s no surprise that Kestrel’s high-mod full-carbon frameset actually rides shockingly smooth on bumps and mitigates high-frequency road chatter, making this a fine choice for even long-course racing. The responsiveness on the Talon is similarly surprising—particularly for this price range. Though the components may not turn heads, this is a bike priced for the first-timer, but it’ll serve even intermediate triathletes with a well-balanced package ripe for later upgrades. The only caveat? The Talon’s wide tubes and cable runs don’t exactly score high on the eyeball wind tunnel, but for this price it’s a worthwhile sacrifice.
18.98 lbs. (size medium)