I know I need to go to a shop and ride one which has been difficult for me since most shops do not keep 60+ cm bikes in stock, but someone on BT introduced me to www.bikesdirect.com. I had already researched Kestrel a little and found this bike lists at $3350. I can get it shipped for only $1499 plus tax. I know I would have to take it to a bike shop for assembly and wheel truing, but this doesnt sound half bad. It is a carbon bike with Ultegra components. Here are the specs and geometry of this bike. The bike web site is http://kestrelbicycles.com/TRI/TalonSLTriathlon.aspx

Specification

Sizes	48cm, 52cm, 55cm ,57cm, 60cm
Color(s)	BLACK/RED/WEAVE
Weight	17.4 lbs / 7.89 kg
Fork	TALON EMS SL CARBON STEERER
Handlebar	PROFILE COBRA WING CARBON
Aerobar	PROFILE T2 COBRA
Stem	PROFILE COBRA S CARBON
Headset	FSA DEVOLUTION 1/8"-1/4"
Shifters	ULTEGRA SL
Brake levelers	ULTEGRA SL
Front derailleur	ULTEGRA SL BRAZE ON
Rear derailleur	ULTEGRA SL
Bottom Bracket	ULTEGRA SL
Crankset	ULTEGRA SL 39/53
Cassette	ULTEGRA 12-23
Brakes	ULTEGRA SL
Wheelset	MAVIC AKSIUM
Tires	VITTORIA DIAMONTE PRO
Seat post	KESTREL TALON EMS
Seat	KESTREL TALON

*Specifications subject to change

Geometry

	Description	48cm	52cm	55cm	57cm	60cm
	EFFECTIVE SEAT TUBE HEIGHT	48.0	52.0	55.0	57.0	60.0
	EFFECTIVE TOP TUBE LENGTH	51.0	53.3	55.6	57.0	59.5
	CHAIN STAY	41.0	41.0	41.0	41.0	41.0
	BB DROP	7.1	7.1	7.1	6.8	6.8
	FORK OFFSET	4.3	4.3	4.3	4.3	4.3
	HEAD TUBE ANGLE	72.7°	73.0°	73.2°	73.5°	74.0°
	SEAT TUBE ANGLE	75.2°	74.5°	73.5°	73.0°	72.5°
	SEAT ANGLE REAR*	74.0	73.0	72.0	72.0	71.0
	SEAT ANGLE FORWARD*	77.0	76.0	75.0	74.0	74.0
	WHEEL BASE	96.3	97.4	98.6	99.4	100.8
	STAND OVER HEIGHT	74.2	76.5	79.1	81.2	83.9
	BB HEIGHT	10.4	10.4	10.4	10.5	10.5
	HEAD TUBE LENGTH	9.0	10.2	12.9	14.9	17.6
	TRAIL	6.2	5.8	5.6	5.4	5.1
	STACK	507.9	521.8	548.4	565.4	593.0
	REACH	373.8	387.7	393.4	397.3	408.6

Carbon and ultegra-definitely a GREAT price!

I know some people who ride Kestrel and love them.

Do they have a guarantee...like you can return it if it doesn't fit?

I've learned the hard way that different brands fit differently.

You're not gonna want to sit on a bike for 6+ hours if your back hurts. I cried my way through IMFL training.

If they'll let you return it if the fit is not right I say go for it! Then again...you can always get your money back on ebay or craigslist too.

Much better bike for the price than the other ones you were looking at!

Sherry they have a moneyback guarantee. All sales are final after 30 days so if it didn't fit, I would have 30 days to exchange it for free, well since shipping is already included in the $1499 price, I would have to pay the shipping. I just wish my local bike shop carried it so I could go for a spin, but this deal seems just too darn good to pass up. Being 6'4" is definately a disadvantage when shopping for bikes!!! 

" Being 6'4" is definately a disadvantage when shopping for bikes!!! "

So is being 5'1"!

Hey Darrell,

     The specs you posted and on the website DO NOT say this is a Carbon Bike. It says the stem, fork, and Handle bar are, but not the frame itself. My guess is that for the components you are getting at that price point, probably aluminum, but I would def check into it before you do anything. If it is Carbon and has Ultegra @ $1499, as Sherry said, it should be a "No-Brainer"! Good luck bro. KEstrel makes a good bike.

Yeah I saw that at first as well Dan, but here are the specs on Bikesdirect web page.

Frame	700k Carbon Fiber - Structurally optimized one-piece modular Monocoque main triangle, Reinforced bottom bracket and chainstays for power transfer, 2xH2O bottle mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger,Frame weight = 1.3kg
Fork	Kestrel Fluid Design Dedicated Carbon Fiber fork with 1.125 inch aluminum steerer tube, co-engineered with the frame for balanced handling feel and precision
Crankset	FSA Carbon SLK-Lite w/ Hollow Integrated Spindle, 7075 CNC 39/53T Chainring
Bottom Bracket	FSA MegaEXO exterior bearing system
Pedals	None
Front Derailleur	Shimano Ultegra SL 6600G, Braze-on
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Ultegra SL 6600G
Shifters	Shimano DuraAce, SL-BS78 20-speed
Cassette/Freewheel	Shimano Ultegra SL, 10-speed, 12-23T
Chain	Shimano Ultegra 6600, 10-Speed
Front Hub	Mavic Aksium Race Sealed Cartridge Bearing
Rear Hub	Mavic Aksium Race Sealed Cartridge Bearing
Spokes	Bladed Stainless steel, 14g
Rims	Mavic Aksium Race, Black w/ CNC sidewalls
Tires	Continental ULTRASport, 700x23c with Ultralite presta tubes
Brake Set	Cane Creek SC 3 w/Cartridge Pads
Brake Levers	Profile QS2 for Aero Bars
Headset	FSA Orbit Road Sealed Cartridge Bearing Threadless 1 1/8"
Handlebar	Profile AirWing OS Aluminum Bar with Profile T2+ Aluminum Clip-on Aero bars
Stem	Profile ARIS Aluminum threadless
Tape/Grip	Kestrel Custom cork wrap
Saddle	San Marco Ponza Power with Cro-Mo rails
Seat Post	Kestrel Fluid Design Carbon Aero
Seat Clamp	Kestrel bolt
Sizes	48cm, 52cm, 55 cm, 57 cm, 60 cm Geometry Sizing Chart
Colors	BlackCarbon (as shown) Click Here for Image Gallery
SPECIAL FACTORY DIRECT PRICE $1499  Save over $1700 from $3599.95 MSRP! This bike comes 90% assembled.   We suggest you take it to your local bike shop for final assembly & safety checks.

I would call and verify and ask them over the phone whatever other questions you have. If it's really carbon framed I say go for it!