I'm in the market for a Tri specific bike. I did one small "Try it" triathlon this summer and have been bitten by the Tri bug. I love my Giant OCR C2 road bike but felt like I lost power with clip-on aero bars on it and am now going to get a Tri specific bike.

Would appreciate input on the Felt products, especially the S22 and the S32. The S22 has agreat set of components considering the price and it is the same frame as the top of line B2. End of season sales are pushing the price down.

thanks,
- tom

The S 22 is a nice ride, I have a S 32 and love it, great ride for a good $. the only thing you should do is change out the aero bars I didnt like the ones they came with.

i've got a 2005 S32. its a great bike and very fast. also easy to adjust as a beginner. the frame and fork are really the best parts - which is good.

as i get faster and more critical i've upgraded the following:

vision tech base bar, carbon r-bend clip-on aerobars and aero brake levers
dura-ace derailleurs and brake calipers
carbon aero seatpost
zipp 999 race wheels

probably do the cranks and cassette next...

no need to upgrade that frame though...

Tom,
I see you're from SE MI, and no doubt you are dealing with Bikesport in Dearborn - if not, check them out. I just bought one of two remaining S22 in 58cm from factory. Hope to have it in a couple weeks and will report back on my experience. I "FELT" I couldn't beat the price anywhere for the compo group!

Scott
Auburn, IN

Hi Scott,

Yep, working with Tom at Bikesport. Have had a great experience working with him on bike selection so far. I missed out on the '06 models. I first went in about three weeks ago and they had some, went back this week after getting home from a business trip and no more 54cm S22 were left, even at vendor. Soooooo.... I ordered an '07 S22. Should be in by mid November. I can't wait to get it.

Check here for some info and pics of the new frames and bikes for 2007 from Felt.
http://www.sandcanyoncyclery.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid=100

I see you are in Auburn... I drive through Auburn a few times each year. I have family in the Fort Wayne area.

cheers,
- tom

odl21 - WOW Zipp 999's!!! They're more expensive than the rest of your bike.

How did you go about deciding which race wheels to get? Did you get something in between the wheels that with the bike and the 999's or did you just go straight to the top?

The 07 S22 that I ordered comes with Alex ALX-2095R wheels which I don't know much about. I'm thinking of using them for training and getting some better for events.

thanks,
- tom

Tom,

Looks like that '07 is another sweet machine from FELT!! Congrats on your new ride. I've got to ask, what did you pay for that? I paid $1999 for my '06 S22. It's full DuraAce except for crank and wheels! Who else can do that for that $$$? Nobody that I know!

After you get your new S22, you're have to bring it next time you travel to Fort Wayne, and we'll have a shootout! HA!

Scott

Thanks, I can't wait for it to get here. The next couple of months are going to be long. There is an article on the new Felt DA in this months's Triathlete magazine plus a 2 page add.

Felt has actually lowered the price on the S22 for 2007 (SRP for '06 was $2599, right?). I paid $1999 plus tax. Changes that I know of from '06 include:

new frame design (still Al with carbon seat stays & fork)
new carbon seat post with 2 position saddle mounting
Alex ALX-295R wheels (don't know how these compare to the Eason Vista SL
FSA Gossamer crank (instead of FSA SLK - from what I can tell, the only difference is the cranks arms are Al instead of carbon, same chain rings and BB)
Felt basebar, Profile Design S bend T2+ aerobars (instad of Vision bars)
Shimano Super SLR brake calipers (instead of unbranded)
Shimano DA shifters and derailers (same)


I guess instead of charging more with the new frame and seat post design, they saved some money in other areas. The Gossamer crank is cheaper than the SLK. It has the same BB and machine chain rings, the only difference I can tell from the FSA site is the carnk material being Al vs. carbon. The Profile bars (base and aero) are Al whereas your aero bars are carbon (right?) with Al base. I don't know how I will do with the S bend bars, I kind of like the J bend bars. On the other hand, it has Shimano break calipers.

In the end, I care the most about things that I couldn't change like the frame and seat post design. Bikesport will work with me to get the bars that are right for me so I may end up with J bars instead of S bars. I just can't wait to get the bike!!!

odl21 - WOW Zipp 999's!!! They're more expensive than the rest of your bike.

How did you go about deciding which race wheels to get? Did you get something in between the wheels that with the bike and the 999's or did you just go straight to the top?

The 07 S22 that I ordered comes with Alex ALX-2095R wheels which I don't know much about. I'm thinking of using them for training and getting some better for events.

thanks,
- tom

haha, no i went straight for the 999's and i've kept the old wheels for all training. i got the s32 for $1050 because i want to do a tri, (to win a $35 bet) but wasn't sure if i'd stick to it so i got a cheap, adjustable bike with a good frame that i could upgrade if i wanted. now i'm hooked and the bike is my fastest of the 3 sports, so i've gone for 999's for that little advantage you get. i just don't see the point in changing the bike.

odl21 has a good point, a lot of the "lower end" frames these days give up very little to upper end frames aerodynamically. Sometimes, looking back at how I spend my money in random ass way I think I would have been best off getting the clearance 04 bike and 05 race wheels for a total of $2000. Oh well, live and learn.


Get a bike you'll ride. Oh and FYI I've heard the S22 for 2007 would have a MSRP closer to $2000-2200. Close to what you'll way for the 2006 on sale.

I totally agree with you guys on the frames. I don't think there is much difference between the S32, S22 and B2 frames. The '06 S22 and B2 are the same frame and the S32 is only a bit different.

I can't wait to get my bike. I just hope the snow holds off until after I get it so I can get some road miles in on it. The estimate is that it will be here late October to early November.

I have all winter to research wheels and watch for deals.

I've only done one Tri so far and I am already hooked.

Haha, I'm an idiot, I didn't read the thread. Thats where I saw that the S22 would be a lower MSRP.

Man congrats, and as always, we want pics...

Too funny! I'll definately post pics when I get the bike.

I did 45 miles this past Saturday morning on my Giant. I love my Giant but I really wished that I had the new bike.

Well, I waited just over 6 months for the S22 to come in... We've had decent weather days here and there and I just couldn't wait any longer. I canceled the order for the S22 and went with a Cervelo P2 SL. The P2 SL and the Dual were the other two 'finalists' last September.

I picked it up on Saturday afternoon after an extensive final fitting session and got out for a quick and nippy (40F) ride yesterday afternoon. It's great! I knew I would have to post a pic so here is a shot I took just before the ride.

I'm sure the S22 is a great bike and I look forward to hearing feedback from folks when they get theirs. I'm already loving the P2 SL.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3130/img0841smst7.jpg

My favourite Cervelo :)

How do you like that saddle?

Thanks! I only have 12.5 miles on the bike plus the 2 hours of riding on and off during the final fitting but I'm already crazy about it.

So far the saddle is good. It will take a bit more mileage to tell if I will keep it. We switched out the Cervelo branded Sella San Marco (?) saddle that came stock with the bike and also made some other adjustments during the final fitting. This one felt better. I have a Specialized Alias saddle on my road bike and really like it. Time will tell...

Tom,

Sweet Bike! Congrats! Too bad Felt couldn't deliver for whatever reason, but I think you'll be just as happy with the Cervelo! So, bring that ride with you next time you head to Fort Wayne and we'll have that shootout!

Scott

Thanks Scott. Spring is officially here but it's cold and rainy. Hopefully Saturday will be warm and sunny. I need to get a lot of miles under me before heading to the Auburn area. ;)

Do you do any rides/tours in Michigan?

Tom,

I haven't ridden in Michigan yet, but then I'm fairly new to this, (after about a 20 year absense). But I'm open to recommendations!

Scott
Auburn, IN

It's a bit of drive from Auburn but the annual One Helluva Ride is a blast. It's in the Chelsea / Ann Arbor area so probably a couple of hours from your house to get to.

http://www.aabts.org/ohr/

It get's its name because it rides through Hell Michigan. Don't blink on your way through, Hell is pretty small.

Great colorful jerseys and the best ice cold watermellon at the finish.