Description: The Europeans still call it The Race of Truth: Just you, the bike, and the clock. To this merciless discipline Kestrel humbly dedicates the KM40 - every inch of it designed, tested and re-designed to yield just one result: the near perfect translation of muscle power into forward speed. The KM's geometry is specifically tuned to the flat-back time trial position, while the design's outstanding vertical compliance isolates the rider from bumps and road shock. The massive downtube is both exceptionally stiff and aerodynamically optimal; 650c wheels and our unique seat tube-less design make the KM one of the slipperiest bikes on the Queen K Highway...or anywhere else. No wonder Kestrels (and, increasingly, the KM) have proven themselves the most popular bike at the Ironman, year after year. KM40 Airfoil: 3.4 lbs, one-piece frame with 650c EMS fork. Available as frameset or complete bike. Your choice of Black, Red or Mango Yellow finish. Also available in Ironman Triathlon edition with Kona Blue finish.
I've been casing the KM40 since 1999... it is now April of 2003... After several years of dreaming of the KM40... ahhhh, yes, I finally own my very own!
It is a 2003 Black Fade 52cm KM40 Airfoil frame set w/ Kestrel Pro 650c Bladed carbon fork with Dura Ace bar end shifters, Ultegra cranks, derailleurs, HED DEEP rear 650c, HED Jet front 650c, carbon bladed seatpost and Flite saddle, XLab rear bottle/gadget holder.
It is a dream... started multisport racing last season... wanted nothing but the best. I have considered all of the big named tri-bike brands... nothing flipped me like the Kestrel KM40. I have been using my customized TCR with nice aero stuff but really wanted a tri-specific bike for racing in multisport events.
My wife road with me today and she said... "do you hear that... sounds like a whooshing sound when I ride pass her". I never notice until I angled my head to the direction of my path and heard it for myself... cool sound!
OK... here are some things I like about the KM40's performance:
1. Smooth! Gosh... now I now how harsh aluminum frames are now... this carbon fiber frame set is very smooth.
2. Noticeable more areo than my road bike.
3. first time out, 6 miles faster on the flats at my local training track... not as stiff on the climbs as my TCR but responds well... no complaints!
4. Made in the USA... my first... very nice quality make and materials
5. Sweet paint to caron weave paint job on the fram and a super kewl bladed 650c fork.
6. KEWL FACTOR... way up there... definitely an eye catcher.
7. My wheel set (HED DEEP rear and HED Jet front) works well and looks great with this frame set... it was used in older model KM40's... so I stuck with the same set... I like them... although they are even more deep dished then my spinergies... I do not get the side wind hits like the Spinergy's Rev-X's. Very fast!
8. Lastly, Kestrel is a first class manufacturer... to Troy at the CA headquarters... thanks for the highest customer service I ever experienced from anyone... EVER!... I feel very good about the quality of the people who make KESTREL successful. THANKS!
Like the previous rider who rated this bike... I too was fortunate enough to afford this bike not at retail... as built, it would have easily been over $4,500 but got it for nearly half that... I still believe it is worth the price... just work hard to find the best deal.
I had a great triathlon outfitter custom build and fit the bike for me (Wheelie Fun in Lebanon, Ohio) Make sure to get the best bike dudes to work on it so you can have the best fit for this bike.
So... what are you waiting for? Ah, it's ok too dream like I did... when you finally have one... you'll have a smile from ear-to-ear!
The KM 40 is aero, light, comfortable, handles great, is made well, and puts the rider in a good position without being too low. Add to that a solid Company with a good warranty and excellent resale value, and you have a winner.
Bikes I have owned and what I base my review on.
Cannondale R600 Aluminum
Outback Bikes Cross - Steel
Performance ?? Some Sort of Steel mixture
SlingShot - Aluminum and Cable (Sort of Weird looking)
Litespeed Tachyon - Ti
Litespeed Ultimate - Ti
Litespeed Classic - Ti
KM-40 - Carbon
+ a few mountain bikes ....
By far the best ride has been the KM-40
Current Setup
Full Dura-Ace with a 55/42 Chainrings
+ other top notch components/gagets
1. The first thing you will notice coming from a ti, aluminum or steel frame bike is how smooth the ride is. The carbon really seems to absorb road shock. Bumps that used to be pretty jarring on long rides, just don't seem to effect you has much.
2. You will find yourself in the saddle much longer than you would with other frame materials. It is just so darn comfortable.
3. You will notice that the ride seems more quiet. I really think this frame is much more aero than the standard road/triathlon geometry frame. In fact, when there is a headwind you actually feel faster than on a traditional geometry bike and I am assumming are.
4. The frame seems stiff enough for climbing hard and corners perfectly. My experience is I am usually one of the first people to crest a hill in a group ride and feel that the KM-40 does help in that respect. The frame is light and responds very well when climbing. It also corners much better than many of the bikes I own/owned, with the exception of maybe the Ultimate. The Ultimate was basically a Crit racers dream bike.
5. Since I have only owned the bike for a short period, I haven't noticed any paint chipping or loss yet. I have the 2002 combo Green into carbon weave paint job. It looks really nice.
6. Cost - If I were to have paid retail, I am sure I would have been sad. I was able to purchase the bike at a nice discount, thus sticker shock wasn't an issue. Retail on the KM-40 is pretty steep, but then again retail on many of the high end frames is that way. My advice here to save money, is to help out at a local shop that can order one (hint employee purchase) or start saving now. From my experience on the bike though, is it still would have been worth the retail price. I mean the comfort alone is worth the extra bucks.
7. Frame Size - As far as I know the KM-40 only comes in two sizes (52 and 56). I am around 5'9" and went with the 52. It fit perfectly after spending about a day working out the kinks ie seat height, stem height bla bla bla. My fit on this bike is much better than my fit on my 54 Tachyon. The cool thing going with the 52 as well is you do save a little on weight and gain a little on being more aero. Now I must say that a 52 frame looks rather small, so you might get made fun of. Ah look at da man on da little bike.
So the downside here is if you can not fit on a 52 or a 56 your out of luck. IMO Kestrel should make a 47 or 49 and a 59 or 61
8. The KM-40 is a very proven design and used at every triathlon distance in any condition.
9. What other bikes was I looking at ? Well the only other bike I was looking to purchase was the Softride TT. I must say that bike is pretty sweet as well. The cost were about the same, but the KM-40 was lighter. Now I assume the TT is probably more aero, but the KM-40 is IMO is a better all around bike. I am still toying around with the idea of purchasing the TT at a later date. I think the TT would probably be the most comfortable triathlon bike out there for the Ironman distance and long training rides. The downside of the TT is the bouncing that can occur due to the beam. I really don't think this would be an issue with me, since I do have a pretty good peddle stroke. Ah yes riding in the aero position on rollers can make for a better cyclist, that is unless you come flying off at 30mph with only 5 feet of stopping room before hitting the TV.
10. Now the downside of the KM-40 would be if it was involved in a good reck. I am thinking the frame would probably get really torn up. Ti frames on the other hand are well just plain hard to damage.
11. Another great thing about owning a KM-40 is of course the cool facter. The KM-40 is a pretty cool bike just standing there.
12. On the flats this bike really moves. It could also have something to do with having a 55 front dura-ace chainring. All my other bikes had 53 chainrings, well except for the Slingshot, which had a 54. IMO if you have a 650 bike then you should probably at least have a 54.
13. People that I have heard who for what ever reason had to return the frames to Kestrel got replacements.
Bottom line you can not go wrong with this bike.
Here is my material list from best to worst
Comfort
-------
Carbon
Steel
Ti
Aluminum
Frame Durability
----------------
Ti
Steel
Carbon/Aluminum
This bike is very powerful on the flats and strong on the downhills. Great bike to ride and makes other bikes second place by its workmanship and critical light weight.
Stability, handling, and comfort while riding on aerobars are perfect. Quite stable in windy conditions, too. Just a little sluggish handling for fast technical descents. Bottom bracket is super stiff.
I'd recommend a rear disc or double-deep (HED DEEP) rear wheel.
The red color is beautiful. But yes, the paint chips too easily - the only flaw I can think of. Kestrel sent me free touch-up paint that works well.
Bought one 2 months ago and ended up cracking the headtube. However in Kestrel's defense, the warranty department was wonderful and replaced the bike with no argument and even included one of their newest forks!! Frame also chips incredibly easy, so be very cautious. After many years of riding aluminum bikes, the Kestrel was a dream to ride. It is true....the carbon fiber takes all the road shock out of the ride. Coupled with a Profile CarbonX setup, I rode with absolutely no aches or pains for over 250+ miles per week. Extremely fast in the races! Wonderful product if you overlook the chips and the initial cracks I experienced. A little heavier than my aluminum road bike, but it makes up for it in comfort and aero design. Very pricey, but well worth it. If you're going to get serious about your riding, why settle for anything but the best. Not a up and coming "trendy" bike, Kestrel has been around the tri scene for years and is a proven performer, buy with confidence!!
I've been cycling for 15 years and have five years of experience on the KM40. I just read the company-supplied product information and find all of it to be exactly what I've experienced. Even with two herniated discs I can still ride 100 mpw because the frame dampens road shock. I must admit, though, that the paint chips easily, so if you purchase one, take care of the paint! And, by the way, I watched in horror as my first Kestral was run over not once, but twice by a 15-passenger van. It didn't crack until the second pass!
- This bike is light and responsive thanks to the lightweight frame and smaller wheels. You can easily get this frame under 20lbs. with light wheels.
- A great climber, and this bike doesn't give much when you decide to stomp on the pedals.
- There is supposedly greater comfort due to some slight compression of the open frameset. This bike will absorb the rough roads, but use slightly bigger tires when training.
- Probably best to use a rear disc or double deep wheel on the back to take advantage of the frame's aerodynamics.
-Downsides: The cost! (This bike better last a long time to get your money's worth. I think it will.)
The paint tends to chip fairly easily.
I would'nt want to crash on this bike. The frame would get pretty scratched up even in a minor crash.
-Overall, if you can spend the money, Kestrel KM40 is a good buy.
