Very C&V: Kestrel MXZ...

1989. Full carbon. They don't get much earlier, or rare, than this. It has the Zolatone granite-appearance finish, and it looks like the rims were selected to match as they have a kind of sparkle finish (non-braking surfaces). Out the door, these bikes would have come equipped with Shimano Deore throughout. Most of that is still here - front and rear derailleurs, brakes,  levers and shifters. At some point, the standard cranks on this one were switched out for a much nicer Cook Bros set - yet they are early enough that they say Cooks on them rather than the more recent Cook Bros.

Mountain Bike magazine did a review of this bike in their March/April 1989 issue. In it they note that the MXZ was the "first production composite monocoque mountain bike frame." At the time it was a completely unique, futuristic design which received good reviews on its performance.


This bike is in fantastic shape for a 23 year old - it really doesn't seem like it has seen much off-pavement use, or abuse. Museum quality.


And that little Patent Pending Brent Trimble sticker, so obscure you might overlook it, is icing on the cake.


As usual, you can gaze longingly at it by stopping in at the Velo, Worlds Smallest Bike Shop.