help me decide [Archive]

roadie gal

01-30-06, 12:22 PM

Sprocket Man

01-30-06, 01:05 PM

Help me decide between these two bikes:

http://www.feltracing.com/06/06_triathlon/b2/spec.html

and

http://www.sampsonsports.com/cz_escape.html done up as a tri bike.

Why these two? I've had a Sampson Silverton for about 5 years and really like it. But I also like the looks of the Felt and can possibly try the Felt out before I buy it, which I can't with the Sampson. Why not Quinatana Roo or any other good bikes? No logical reason. I just like these. So help me out, please.
I've never seen those Sampson frames before - nice bikes! I can comment a little on the Felt bikes. I own an S25, which has the same frame geometry as the B2, but it doesn't have the carbon rear triangle. The Felt tri-bike frames have a long top tube, making them ideal for people who have relatively long torsos. This is especially true in the smallest size (48cm).

I really like the looks of that B2 frame - stealthy black - it's a very sexy bike.

roadie gal

01-30-06, 04:18 PM

Thanks. It looks like I'll really need to try out the Felt. I don't have a particularly long torso and I don't like the stretched out feeling. I'm 5'6", so I think I would take a 50cm bike.

cslone

01-30-06, 07:24 PM

I;ve never heard of Sampson frames. it's a nice looking bike, but I love stealth black rigs. To me, since everything appears to be pretty equal, I'd choose the Felt since you get a better wheelset with it.

Triguy

01-30-06, 08:28 PM

The Sampson looks like a Kestrel Talon... Custom geometry though, thats very interesting. I'm guessing money isn't a huge limiter considering your choices.

The Sampson is damn light, looks good and custom geometry is always a plus. But as you pointed out you can't ride it so you better hope Sampson knows triathlon.

All in all, they're very different bikes. I'm thinking it would be more fun to own the sampson, I guess I just don't like the decals on that bike but thats the great thing about custom.

svpatel

01-30-06, 09:21 PM

go with the Felt. you won't go wrong.

audiojan

01-31-06, 03:35 AM

Never heard about the Simpson bikes, but I have heard about the their carbon brakes. Really nice quality and if the bike lives up to the same high standard, then I would probably pick that over the Felt. Don't get me wrong, Felt makes really, really nice bikes. The custom option offered by Simpson would also make that really interesting... You will always be faster if you are comfortable... A bike built according to your measurements will be beat a stock frame (unless you are really lucky and find a stock frame that has exactly the correct dimensions according to your build...)

Not that it really matters, but if you want to show off a bike, be unique and I would think the Simpson would be just that...

audiojan

01-31-06, 03:36 AM

.... and how's the moron... SAMPSON!!! SAMPSON!!! SAMPSON!!! Not like the da*m cartoons! Please forgive me... :o

roadie gal

01-31-06, 08:14 AM

[QUOTE=Triguy]The Sampson looks like a Kestrel Talon... Custom geometry though, thats very interesting. I'm guessing money isn't a huge limiter considering your choices.

lol This is my midlife crisis buy. I figure $4500 is cheaper than having an affair. So does my S.O.

merlinextraligh

01-31-06, 08:31 AM

Fit is really the most important thing. If you can try the Felt and it fits you and you're comfortable on it that would be a nice pick. However given what you've said about your torso, you might benefit from the Sampson custom fitting program.

Triguy

01-31-06, 09:39 PM

Haha, I agree with that. Have you gotten onto the Felt yet?? Also, I hate to make you think twice but I've heard rumors of a Carbon Felt hitting the market this year, B2 style thats all carbon. Thats the best of both worlds. I saw a track prototype a while back but Felt has not leaked much since then.

RoadToad

02-01-06, 07:30 AM

I test rode a Felt before I bought my new Equinox this year and it just didn't feel right to me...but definitely ride it to see. You may love it. If not, do the custom thing with Sampson...it is beautiful.

roadie gal

02-02-06, 03:10 PM

I decided to go with the Sampson. Thanks for all of the input. I'll post it when it gets here.

rlcpross

02-02-06, 03:41 PM

Go for the Felt, I have an S32 love the bike, just ordered the new 2006 S22 last week can't wait! Gonna keep the S32 for my sons first tri-bike.

racergirl

02-03-06, 12:57 AM

lol This is my midlife crisis buy. I figure $4500 is cheaper than having an affair. So does my S.O.

:D :D :D

Excellent choice. Bike frame dimensions are built for boys and we ladies tend to have shorter torsos relative to our legs. Swapping for a bike with an appropriate top tube length made a huge difference for me.

Also, whenever looking at bikes, remember that the components make up most of the weight of your bike, not to mention nearly all the moving parts (save the headset). Higher quality components on a slightly lower quality frame that fits properly will feel better than the uber-fast frame with half Shimano 105. It takes a while to build a custom frame so you may still have time to play with the component set.

p.s. if you happened to order shimano components, look into the ultegra women specific shifters that tend to fit lady hands better. if you ordered campy, good girl because campy rocks. :)