New Kestrel TerX

69 replies · 6,820 views

s0ldats
84 posts
#21Sep 5, 2018, 2:00 AM
sbh1973 wrote:Hi,

I'm 5'7, inseam 30.5. I went with the 52 because the 49 just seemed to small for me. The standover is tight - just enough clearance, but the rest of the bike fits perfectly. You ride a bike, don't stand over it. 😉 I could probably have gone either way, but am glad I went with the 52.

This really is a great bike and as far as I can tell nothing comes close to it in terms of value. Everyone who's seen it comments on how cool it looks. Rides really nice - very happy with the purchase.

does it come with a long cage derailleur or medium?
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djj8
29 posts
#22Sep 5, 2018, 4:40 PM
Any long distance rides with this bike by those who purchased? If so, how's it ride?
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sbh1973
10 posts
#23Sep 5, 2018, 6:42 PM
Nothing over 30 miles. I commute 15 miles to work with it, have taken it on some single track meant for MTBs (it handled it, wasn't great - but not what the bike is for), and maybe 20 miles of gravel. Have about 300 miles on the bike now - it's comfy to me, especially running 35-40 psi in 700x38c tires.

Just get the bike - you're not going to find anything else that comes anywhere close to the value/bang for buck of this rig.
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s0ldats
84 posts
#24Sep 5, 2018, 7:28 PM
sbh1973 wrote:Nothing over 30 miles. I commute 15 miles to work with it, have taken it on some single track meant for MTBs (it handled it, wasn't great - but not what the bike is for), and maybe 20 miles of gravel. Have about 300 miles on the bike now - it's comfy to me, especially running 35-40 psi in 700x38c tires.

Just get the bike - you're not going to find anything else that comes anywhere close to the value/bang for buck of this rig.

is the front of the fork crown drilled for a rack?
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jerrduford
15 posts
#25Sep 25, 2018, 1:55 PM
sbh1973 wrote:I bought the 52cm - weight with a set of Industry Nine AR25 TRA wheels and Schwalbe G One 700x38 tires is 18.34 lbs. That includes Crank Brothers Candy 3 pedals. My guess is that the Stan's Grails / Grifos it comes with would push it to around 19 lbs. And those wheels are really nice (just not as nice as I9s). Any one who wants them - $450 for the set including rotors and tires, unused. Just shoot me a pm.

Point is: it's a light bike, especially if you upgrade the wheels. It'd be easy to get it under 18 lbs with a carbon seat post, bars, and lighter pedals. The I9 wheels are light, but you could probably build yourself a set of carbon wheels at 24/28 and shed another 150 grams.

I've only had it out for 15 road miles - rides great, faster than I thought, and really comfy - takes up the bumps and vibrations very well. I will likely put an 11-36 on the back and a 38 up front for serious trail riding trips in more mountainous areas. But the 11-32/42 it comes with is a good combination for the terrain around here. Saddle is okay - probably not for me, but saddles are usually the first thing to be changed out.

I don't think there's any other gravel bike out there that comes close in terms of spec and overall value. Compare this to the BombTrack, which uses Rival and Hunt wheels and costs $1000 more. I don't know how BikesDirect does it, but it's $2099 for a bike like this, delivered, is just a stupid good deal.

Nice! Thanks for having them verify the tire clearance. This is a stellar deal and I think I'll be ordering one up. Do you happen to know if the Rear D is long or medium cage? I'm thinking I'll want to increase to at LEAST 11-36, but may go 11-42 if it's long cage, as I'm a spinner and on the heaver side.

Also, the spec sheet specifies press fit EVO BB, but I see it listed as threaded in various other threads. I assume it is press-fit, but was curious if you could confirm? BSA would be nice but not a deal breaker for me as I have a press and can work on PF.

Thanks
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rwillrideabike
7 posts
#26Sep 26, 2018, 1:22 PM
I have been riding and racing the Kestrel Ter-X as a gravel race bike for a couple of months and can say I really like it. At 5'11" with a 33" inseam the 56 frame fits perfect, but the cockpit not so much. I had to put on a longer stem and a setback seatpost to fit my long reach.
For the price it can't be beat. The shipping is fast and if you have any issues they take care of them quick via email.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#27Oct 2, 2018, 1:13 PM
I took delivery on mine yesterday. I'll be doing a more proper review after at least a month's ownership. Here are my impressions and notes so far:

-The front brake needed bleeding out of the box. Lever went clean to the bars. It was obvious there was a lot of air in the lever when bleeding. A simple bleed resolved it entirely, and they feel great now but hoping there isn't a compromised seal anyplace.
-Shifting took a lot of dialing and still isn't 100%, but if past experience tells me anything about sram doubletap setups, it will take a lot of fuss for the first few rides and once dialed, it will remain so for seasons without any care.
-The box came with a cheap torque wrench and bits, as well as carbon paste, and a few other bits that were a nice touch.
-Bottom bracket is standard threaded.
-SL8 saddle is a nice touch that I didn't catch on the spec sheet. This is a pricey saddle from WTB, feels somewhat comfortable and is quite light.

-Tire clearance is MASSIVE. I put a 35C cannonball in the rear, and it's obvious this bike could take the 42 with clearance for mud, no doubt.
-The black is even darker, and better, in person. Love the murdered out scheme.
-Bike rides pretty stiff, compliance will need to come 100% from tire choice and pressure, as the frame and fork both seem to be pretty over built - Which translates to a very fast-riding, efficient feeling frame.
-Weight with 35C Cannonball tubeless on the rear, stock tire&tube front (waiting on second cannonball), XT SPD pedals, single bottle cage: 19 LB

Fit is spot-on for me. I'm 5'11 with 32 inseam, 56CM is a bit tight on the standover, but not terrible, and this is a common sign of good fit for me, has never posed an issue. THe reach is excellent with the stock stem.

Sorry for the poor pics, but it's probably better than nothing. Have only had it 24 hrs. About to take it on inaugural 'fast' gravel ride tonight with a group.

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rwillrideabike
7 posts
#28Oct 2, 2018, 1:30 PM
JerrDuford you will be surprised how well/comfortable it rides. I thought it would be stiff feeling, but not at all. I have a few hundred miles and a couple of races on it and finally have it dialed in. I did swap out seatpost to a carbon post with a little setback that supposedly has a little built in flex, so maybe that is the difference.
About brakes-both of mine needed bleeding and then the rear started leaking. BikesDirect reimbursed me the bleed cost of the bleed and SRAM sent a new brake caliper to the bike shop for install.
Enjoy the new ride.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#29Oct 2, 2018, 1:39 PM
rwillrideabike wrote:JerrDuford you will be surprised how well/comfortable it rides. I thought it would be stiff feeling, but not at all. I have a few hundred miles and a couple of races on it and finally have it dialed in. I did swap out seatpost to a carbon post with a little setback that supposedly has a little built in flex, so maybe that is the difference.
About brakes-both of mine needed bleeding and then the rear started leaking. BikesDirect reimbursed me the bleed cost of the bleed and SRAM sent a new brake caliper to the bike shop for install.
Enjoy the new ride.

Thanks for the reply! That's unfortunate to hear about your brakes.. I hope mine don't leak. I've had nothing but good things to say about both Rival and Apex hydros on other bikes. Fortunately I've gotten good about bleeding and though it never excites me to have to do, only takes a few minutes if all goes smoothly - I don't think I'll pursue BD over experience so far, but if issues creep back up I may chat with them.

Regarding the compliance, it could be that it's just been a while since I've been on a stiff bike. My 'road' bike for the last 6 months prior to this was a Steel frame salsa fargo with tubeless 29 x 2.2 Sparwoods (or 27.5 x 3.0 WTB Ranger depending on the day's adventure). I could stand to lower the tires on the Kestrel a bit more, and will once I can take the front tubeless, I think that will make a big diff.

It's a bummer that the RD is medium cage. I'd like to extend the gearing to wide range, but the cost of a new force RD is ~200 for the type 3 that it has currently. Will just ride it as is and see how far I can take it till going to 11-36 (which it can handle without a new RD)
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rwillrideabike
7 posts
#30Oct 2, 2018, 2:01 PM
About the rear derailleur issue, mine must have come with a long cage as I put on an 11x42 and changed the front chainring to a 44t and it works fine. I did have to get creative with bottom bracket spacing as the 44t almost hit the frame, but a 1mm BB spacer did the trick.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#31Oct 2, 2018, 2:05 PM
rwillrideabike wrote:About the rear derailleur issue, mine must have come with a long cage as I put on an 11x42 and changed the front chainring to a 44t and it works fine. I did have to get creative with bottom bracket spacing as the 44t almost hit the frame, but a 1mm BB spacer did the trick.

hmmm, I was told it was medium but now you have me second guessing. I'd love to be able to put 42 on the back, but noticed the 42 in the front was already about as tight as it can get. I assume the 1mm spacer didn't later the chainline enough to matter much.

Do you have any pics of the 11/42 w/ 44 setup? Curious if I can surmise from your pics if my RD is the same cage length. I don't think there's a way to identify otherwise?
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rwillrideabike
7 posts
#32Oct 2, 2018, 2:28 PM
I will post some pictures tomorrow, but I bet an 11x42 would work for you. The 1mm spacer didn't change the BB spacing enough to mess up chainline. Everything works great.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#33Oct 2, 2018, 3:49 PM
rwillrideabike wrote:I will post some pictures tomorrow, but I bet an 11x42 would work for you. The 1mm spacer didn't change the BB spacing enough to mess up chainline. Everything works great.

Looks like it's possible that it's a long cage (42 compatible). I found a site that sells and pictures all three versions. https://www.trekchicago.com/product/sram-force-1-rear-derailleur-329321-1.htm

If you look at the long cage version, the lock toggle stays a good Cm above the S in the SRAM logo when extended. I looked at mine and seems much more in line with that than the medium cage, which covers the S in the SRAM logo when somewhat extended.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#34Oct 3, 2018, 7:06 PM
rwillrideabike wrote:I will post some pictures tomorrow, but I bet an 11x42 would work for you. The 1mm spacer didn't change the BB spacing enough to mess up chainline. Everything works great.

Thanks for the heads up on that. It has to be a long cage - I swapped in the 11-42 sunrace cassette from my fargo's spare wheelset. Not only does it fit without a problem in the rear mech, but the chain didn't need to be lengthened either, and it eliminated all of my shifting problems at the top end. Miracle!
1
Brysonsethyoung
3 posts
#35Oct 26, 2018, 11:48 AM
I’m seriously considering pulling the trigger on this bike. My only concern is wondering if the long chainstay length and geometry in general causes the ride to feel slow and uninteresting. Can any owners of this bike speak to the handling and personality? All things considered it seems like an amazing deal for the price.
2
rwillrideabike
7 posts
#36Oct 26, 2018, 1:36 PMedited
Brysonsethyoung,
I have many miles and many gravel races on the Ter-X and I don't think it feels slow in handling at all. It is a very stable bike at speed and is a comfortable bike to ride. However, I needed some parts swapping, stem and seatpost, to fit me. The cockpit was way to short for me at 5'11" so I put on a setback post and a longer stem and the fit is awesome. For the price it can't be beat.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#37Oct 26, 2018, 2:05 PM
Brysonsethyoung wrote:I’m seriously considering pulling the trigger on this bike. My only concern is wondering if the long chainstay length and geometry in general causes the ride to feel slow and uninteresting. Can any owners of this bike speak to the handling and personality? All things considered it seems like an amazing deal for the price.

Agreed with rwill. It doesn't feel slow at all to me, steers precisely and predictably, corners great. Love the amount of tire clearance.

I changed the bars, seat, and cassette. 11-42 cassette.
Salsa CowChipper 44cm bars. Love the extra flare for offroading. 3.2mm lizard skins tape.
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Brysonsethyoung
3 posts
#38Oct 26, 2018, 2:44 PM
rwillrideabike wrote:Brysonsethyoung,
I have many miles and many gravel races on the Ter-X and I don't think it feels slow in handling at all. It is a very stable bike at speed and is a comfortable bike to ride. However, I needed some parts swapping, stem and seatpost, to fit me. The cockpit was way to short for me at 5'11" so I put on a setback post and a longer stem and the fit is awesome. For the price it can't be beat.

Thanks for the info and that's a great looking bike you have there! What size frame do you have? I'm 6' with 33" legs and am leaning toward the 56.
1
rwillrideabike
7 posts
#39Oct 26, 2018, 2:48 PM
I would recommend the 56. I am 5'11" with a 33 inseam and the 56 fits me great.
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jerrduford
15 posts
#40Oct 26, 2018, 2:50 PMedited
Brysonsethyoung wrote:
Thanks for the info and that's a great looking bike you have there! What size frame do you have? I'm 6' with 33" legs and am leaning toward the 56.

I'm 5 11 with 32 inseam. Always have issue finding the perfect fit but I'm pretty happy on 56. Not a ton of standover, but that's normal on a good fit for me. My back feels great on it. As does the reach.
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