So I saved my $ for a few weeks, didn’t drive much, ate at home, carried my lunch to work, did not splurge. I now have a full carbon, shimano 105 groupo, oval concepts Kestrel Talon 2011 road bike!!!!! This thing is the bee’s knees. I purchased it new online from www.bikesdirect.com. This bike is a hoot. I set up the geometry for a comfortable road bike for mysel, however it has the capability and aero dynamics to be a full on race or tri bike if so desired. I personally enjoy it because of the light weight (<20 lbs fully loaded), it has phenominal acceleration and quick (if not bordering on too quick) response.The bike is a monocoque (Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object’s external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss)  triangle with fused carbon wheel and chain stays. The dropouts are alloy as is the replaceable rear derailler hanger. It even shipped with an extra hanger. The forks are carbon and it sports a tapered 1 1/8″ headset  to a 1 1/4″ fork junction. The only thing I replaced is the stem , because in my opinion, not 1 bike I have seen comes with a long enough steer tube. Speaking of which, the steer tube is alloy so that made it easy for me to add a “Uno” 110mm adjustable stem. So far that is my only modififation. I might switch the seat, sometimes I like it, sometimes I dont. I rode almost 8 miles today and it was comfy. Here are a bunch of pix .

Talon 1

Now I have to ride more to justify this bike. I think I will go out and ride it now, the temperatures are only in the low 100’s in the afternoon so its not too bad.

Stem

Seat

Oval Concepts color coordinated brakes

Some nice bikerides so far this weekend. Saturday morning 5:30 AM jaunt around neighborhoods and parks on the road bike, the Schwinn Empire XL. I’m no expert bicyclist but that thing goes FAST! Rolling down a 1/2 mile stretch and getting a cadence going is a rush at 20+mph and not even on the big chainring. If it wasn’t for intersections and autos it could be even faster. Only problem now is the weather is nicer and Breawood Park is busy even at quarter to 6 in the morning, so it is harder to get my laps in.

Empire XL

Later that morning, around 9 AM, I took the Mongoose out to tool around the new Scotland Yard Park . It opened last weekend and is just around the corner from my house. It is a very nice new park. On the way out I noticed the service gate open to the CAP canal, soooo I rode in and followed the canal  down to Peoria Ave. Some nice little granite hills and sandy areas for the MTB.

CAP Canal

Sunday morning I slept in and got out on the bike around 8:30 AM. I was going to hit the hills and sand in the canal again but the gates were closed. I rode the neighborhoods again, and the parks, but used the Mongoose this time. That thing is twice the workout as the roadbike but still put in a good 45 minute nonstop ride.

Mongoose Hatchet

After a morning ride around the neighborhood on the road bike, I hit the trail on the Solitaire.

Schwinn Solitaire

Here is a video of the ride, Lots of water flowing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcSt-I0NbXY&feature=g-upl