Road Cycling - Felt 60 or Spec Allez Elite ?

OK, I'm a newb and have been lurking and absorbing for quite awhile. After reading all the "best bike" for under threads I started my search. So, after visiting my local LBSs and viewing all the web sites I could find I've narrowed my decision down to two, Felt 60 or Specialized Allez Elite

But, now I'm stuck.

Opinions please, on the two mentioned above.

Thanks!

Joe

I bought a Felt this spring and have been very happy with it. I think they put together a nice bike.
Go with the bike you like the best. If you like your bike you are going to ride more.

Felts are sexy!

I'd go with the Felt because it's not as common. There are a lot more Specialized out there. Felt is uncommom / different / almost exotic :eek: - you don't see many of them out there. The comman man that has ventured into the local lbs has most likely seen the Specialized name. I've only seen one Felt on the road and couldn't tell you how many Specialized.

That just me, but I like to be different.

Mark

I have to agree with all the above.

Looks like I'll be ordering a Felt soon.

Joe

I have to agree with all the above.

Looks like I'll be ordering a Felt soon.

Joe

Even though felts are "sexy", I am very happy with my 03' Allez Elite. I would suggest riding them both and seeing which one fits you best. You might be surprised.

I haven't ridden the Felt, but I do own an 03' Allez Elite. I have been very pleased with it. It's very responsive (stiff), and surprisingly comfortable. The only problem I've had is with it's wheelset. I'm a heavy rider (210-215 lbs.), and the wheels kept going out of true. From what I've heard, most lighter riders seem to be fine with these wheels. Frame and components are a great value.

Ride them both & then decide. I can't say I have personal experience with the Specialized (the dealer here kinda sucks), but I won't say one bad word about the Felt. I just got an F50 a while back and love it. I bought it based on a test ride of the F90 (the low end model) and it even rode like a dream.

i'm not trying to mess with your shopping or sound like a broken record on this board, but my friend just got this bike and is quite happy with it:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/legacypro.htm

the only reason i post is that it has full Ultegra and and Reynolds 853 and is about the same price as the two rides you're looking at ($1095 shipped).

my friend had his assembled for $70 at performance is good to go.

I've had my Felt 85 for almost two years. Every time I'm out someone will say "Nice bike" "Sweet-looking bike" "That look's like a fast bike"

You get my drift? Get a Felt. Case closed.

I bought a Felt F65 last year and in the rides that I have done I have only seen one other person that has the same bike as mine. People are constantly riding along side and saying how cool looking it is. As far as quality I have put almost 2000 miles on it and have only had problems with the tires, which is pretty good considering I am a larger rider, (6'4" 240lbs.) I would highly recommend the Felt but go with whichever bike fits you better.

I ride the Felt F35 and love it. A great ride and superb value for money. Having said that, I strongly suggest you ride both bikes for a few miles and make your own decision. I don't think you'll go wrong with either bike.

Felt made their name primarily in Tri bikes, but they have tried hard to get into the road scene over the last few years and have done a pretty good job of offering good performance at a decent cost. You'll see the Colavita Pro Team riding Felts:

http://www.feltracing.com/colavita.html

I think ALL other concerns are secondary to ride comfort. If the bike doesn't have the right geometry, doesn't fit right, feels to stiff, too whatever, you won't ride it as much and that defeats the purpose no matter WHAT name graces the downtube or the spec on the group. My advice is to ride everything your shop has, and choose the bike that FEELS the best within your price range.

Judd

I love the value FELT offers but when I rode a F45 it didn't feel right to me. So I bought another- Lemond Zurich. It's been said on here already but it never hurts to say it again.

Ride them and see what feels right, FITS best!

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either bike/brand.
PJ

I love the value FELT offers but when I rode a F45 it didn't feel right to me. So I bought another- Lemond Zurich. It's been said on here already but it never hurts to say it again.

Ride them and see what feels right, FITS best!

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either bike/brand.
PJ

What shaped body do you have? I'm looking at the same two bikes. I was leaning towards the Zurich until I heard people say they are more suited to those with long bodies. I've got long legs/short body, so I could be the reverse of you. As it's hard for me to get a look at these bikes in the flesh, knowing this could save me a bit of time. :)

What shaped body do you have? I'm looking at the same two bikes. I was leaning towards the Zurich until I heard people say they are more suited to those with long bodies. I've got long legs/short body, so I could be the reverse of you. As it's hard for me to get a look at these bikes in the flesh, knowing this could save me a bit of time. :)

Don't believe that marketing crap/urban legend. Lemonds are about that same as others. It would make no sense to market a bike to people with freakishly long femurs and/or a long torso. Give either a ride, you'll have you answer.

Don't believe that marketing crap/urban legend. Lemonds are about that same as others. It would make no sense to market a bike to people with freakishly long femurs and/or a long torso. Give either a ride, you'll have you answer.

Thanks. It's a 4 hour trip to have a sit on these things, but I guess it's time well spent in the end to make sure I'm happy.

Yes, it is time well spent. Although 4 hours doesn't bode well when you want the free tuneup.

I am 5' 10" and "normal" if you ask me. I just didn't like the "feel" of the ride on the other bikes. Ultimately, I was torn between the Specialized Roubaix carbon and the Lemond. The Lemond won, obviously. I wasn't happy with the wheelset on the Roubaix (Shimano 540) and the LBS that deals Specialized is having a problem with the company (not the company's issue but the LBS's owes them $).

Besides a cm here and there can be adjusted with a stem, etc.

I LOVE my Zurich, although I almost made the jump to the Maillot Juane. The dealer was willing to make a very nice deal on the MJ but it was a bit too high and I liked the blue frameset better. I'm glad I stayed with the Zurich though- the forks were damaged in shipping and they upgraded me to Race XXX Lite for no charge! How's that for a deal? Shave 150 grams for free.

PJ

I get the same thing!! I even had to tape up the bike a bit because the graphics look too hot for the street! I have a Felt F85 and I am loving it. Definately check out Felt, Jim Felt designs a nice bike...I live in Chicago and ride everyday and the bike is a workhorse. Felt for life!!! :)



I've had my Felt 85 for almost two years. Every time I'm out someone will say "Nice bike" "Sweet-looking bike" "That look's like a fast bike"

You get my drift? Get a Felt. Case closed.

I rode an F60 and I absolutely love it! I'm just a little paranoid (probably unjustified) about having carbon fiber as a non-replacable part of the frame. I need someone to help convince me that it's okay. Plus I love that it's white. You don't see too many people riding white bikes.

What shaped body do you have? I'm looking at the same two bikes. I was leaning towards the Zurich until I heard people say they are more suited to those with long bodies. I've got long legs/short body, so I could be the reverse of you. As it's hard for me to get a look at these bikes in the flesh, knowing this could save me a bit of time. :)


FWIW I have an F45 and love the way it feels. I'm 6'1 riding a 58 cm and have "longer" legs and a shorter torso. Though to be honest my proportions are really pretty average.

FWIW I have an F45 and love the way it feels. I'm 6'1 riding a 58 cm and have "longer" legs and a shorter torso. Though to be honest my proportions are really pretty average.

Yeah, after doing measurements and looking at the geometries of a lot of bikes it looks like I'd fit an F45 like a glove. Now all I got to do is get my contract renewed then I'll have myself some Felt loving. :D

[Edit] Oh hey. After having a close look at some pictures of the F45 it looks like they might have some pretty dodgy welds on the frame tubes. Call me a prude but I prefer a frame with cleaner, less obvious welds on the tubes (or bonded) like a Lemond, Giant etc. Do they look that bad in the flesh?

They're not very aesthetically pleasing. It's not something I pay much attention to though. To be honest they rather remind me of the welds i've seen on c-dale road bikes. Though I think c-dales use a different welding process altogether. I'll try and take some macro pics of the welds with a digi cam and post them for you if you like.

They're not very aesthetically pleasing. It's not something I pay much attention to though. To be honest they rather remind me of the welds i've seen on c-dale road bikes. Though I think c-dales use a different welding process altogether. I'll try and take some macro pics of the welds with a digi cam and post them for you if you like.

Thanks. I'd really appreciate that.