And the New bike, Stolen bike, no bike saga ends.... with a KESTREL Evoke SL

Well the saga of my new bike is at an end...

A bit over a month ago I took the plunge and decided to upgrade my ancient Apollo RDZ3000 that I'd been riding since before time began. I picked up a very cheap Specialized Festina Team bike from eBay and after one ride was super happy.

Unfortunately after one ride it was stolen from my house and thus the saga. I have to say the response from the Police and insurance company was very quick but sadly the bike was long gone.

The Insurance company came back right on time with a very generous payout considering I'd only just got the bike. The only small issue with them was where I had to source the bike from... Initally I had to get my bike filled from a Melbourne store while I live in Queensland. But after a bit of back and forth we came up with a cash settlement and it was time to go bike shopping.

The purchase happened very very quickly. The day after the settlement was agreed I started my shopping list and narrowing down my specs. But all that went out the window after following Valavien (and complaining about having to go) into Gold Cross Cycles (formally Victor Cycles) in the city.

I wandered past a Kestrel Evoke SL with a price that seemed too good to be true. I knew nothing about them, but I could see the glimmer of carbon weave through the clear coat. I picked it up and it seamed amazing light... A quick search on my iPhone confirmed the SL in the name as Super Light which meant a 7.3kg weigh in. Then looking at the spec the SRAM Rival with double tap and in my size and I hit up the sales guy for a test ride. I love the ride and being nothing more than a weekend warrior on the bike it fulfilled the most important criteria.... it looked awesome in all it's naked carbony goodness.

 So I did the deal then and there. Got a few other bits and pieces thrown including a Garmin edge 500 for a great price of the already amazing price on the bike (but not the Cosmic Carbone Wheels, sorry Tom).

I've since taking it for a couple of spins and had a fit up, I loved the ride of the Specialized but this is something else again. I don't think I could have hoped to get a bike this light and fast for my budget.... but for the money I payed it should be a crime.

Lastly but not least to prevent the same happening to this as to the Festina I picked up a Cycloc and the Kestrel now sits proudly in the hall way safe and sound... not unlike this

So as annoyed as I was to lose the Festina, it's ended very well.. I have a new bike and more than enough cash for some serious tech spending... did I hear someone say iPad 2?