fluffy1

So, I've done a couple tris and really enjoyed them. I did the bike portion on my father-in-law's 35 year old bike that's way too big for me. I'm female, 5'4", mainly a runner and do mountain biking but really enjoyed the road cycling. I'm looking at getting my own road bike and have narrowed it down to 2 choices. Of course I don't know a lot about road bikes and each shop is trying to sell me their bike. I'm looking at a Fuji Transonic, carbon with Shimano 105 11 speed, Fuji Transonic 2.8 Road Bike- 2015 - Performance Exclusive, for $1500. I'm also looking at a Felt AR5, carbon with Shimano 105 11 speed, AR5 - Felt Bicycles, for $2200. Of course the Felt guy says his is the best and the Fuji guy says there's no noticeable difference and I'm at a loss. I want to continue doing triathalons and maybe some road racing as well as cycling for marathon cross training. Is the Felt bike $700 better or is the Fuji the better option for the price? I don't want to end up wishing I'd gone better if the Felt is noticeably better. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

truflip

Felts are really nice bikes in general. The brand just simply makes nice things. Even their house brand parts are really nice for what money. With that said, it's $700 more. It has the better overall parts package but only you can justify it by riding both bikes. Are these the only two you can source locally? I'd recomemend trying similar bikes from other brands. Giant, Cannondale, Scott and so on. I hear good things about Fuji's as much as I hear bad things about them. Not so much with Felt for example. HTH!

PepeM

That Felt has an aero frame, the Fuji doesn't. The components are also nicer. Do you want an aero bike?

Shuffleman

They are both good bikes. You will probably enjoy either one. If you have ridden them both and they are both fine than it boils down to your budget. The Felt is equipped with better components though. Shifters are not the only part of the groupset. If you notice, the Felt comes with a full Shimano 105 groupset while the Fuji comes with different cranks, brakeset and chain. The tires on the Felt are also an upgrade. The Fuji is a nice bike but the difference is in the details. The way that Performance gets the price on the Fuji down is to cut some costs in some of the components. There is nothing wrong with this but it is ultimately what sets the price apart.
If you can afford the Felt, than that is a better bike but the Fuji is still a great bike as well.
I think that Performance is a great place to buy a bike for the first time buyer. They have good prices on good bikes. Many people who get into road biking either buy another bike after two years because they know what they want this time or they stop riding all together. You sound like an endurance sport enthusiast so that is why in your case I think that the Felt is a better fit for you despite the higher price tag. You just seem like you already know what the sport is actually about. As a runner first and a mtb rider as well, I got into this sport last. I like them all but it just seems like road biking and running are very well mated.
In short, buy the Felt if your budget will allow but if not, there is nothing wrong with the Fuji.

rms13

According to published spec on website they are practically the same weight (which basically tells me the Felt wheels are just as heavy as the Fuji's). The Felt does have the 105 cranks and brakes which is a little nicer. But the Fuji cranks look like the come with the Praxis Works chain rings which many people upgrade to so that's not a bad trade off. So it comes down to whether or not the 105 brakes are worth $700 and the answer is you can buy them for about $50 from the UK.


....Let the Fuji bashing begin

mawashi

Hi fluffy1,

First off welcome here !

Secondly, regardless of the brand, components or other factors, the most important thing is fit.

Third, if you are going to do triathlons and a bit of road racing, you won't be allowed to use a tri bike for road racing so your choices are pretty safe as you can add clip on aero bars.

Most of the guys I know who do tri, aren't too concerned about weight but rather aerodynamics. So it would make sense to get the best fitting, most aerodynamic frame for your budget, with the best wheels with the package.

A woman's specific bike might be more suitable like this Giant Envie at around $900.

I found this article rather useful:

In order of importance IMO,
1. Fit (see if it is possible for you to get a proper fitting done).
2. Proper fitting clothes, like a aero helmet, tight fitting tri or skin suit. Since, the rider makes up most of the drag this would be the cheapest way to get faster.
3. Clip on aero bars.
4. Fast wheels, as you are not that heavy, you could go cheap and get some light-bicycle.com carbon wheels. They seem to be quite well like by member giantdefy from his recent post. You could also check out this article on best all round aero wheels. I am also very interested in the new range of wheels from Vittoria, check them out here.
5. Last but not least, saddle get the best saddle for yourself. A woman's specific saddle for tri and road racing from ISM or Selle SMP or from Specialized. You can search online for the best prices available but its best you try them out first.

I've gotten a lot of stuff from PlanetX especially their mini pumps, tires, inner tubes etc, I found their prices very reasonable.

Cheers

caloso

Between those choices I'd get the cheaper bike and put the difference towards a set of clip on aerobars, aero helmet, and a deeper wheelset.

Krass313

The fuji transonic is an aero frame

Dan333SP

Edit: Advice no longer relevant.

I like that you registered at BF just to correct Pepe. Kudos!

WhyFi

Does the fact that he corrected Pepe outweigh the that it was a year and a half late?

(Tha's right - you got sucked in to a necro thread!)

Dan333SP

Damnit. But yea, extra kudos to that guy.

PepeM

Oof, my comeback has been a bit rocky, I must admit.