rexford

A lbs told me they could get me a Felt F70. I've been waiting a month and a half and they cannot even give me a firm price yet and do not call me back when they tell me they will. Felt ignores my Emails, and they are not going to stock them (no test ride), so I am at square one, again.

I am looking at Cannondale R500 ($1000) and R700 ($1250) and Specialized Allez ($900)and Allez Elite ($1100). I am big, 6'2 and 270 (hope to get down to 210). I will use it for fitness, as long rides as I can handle, and some triathlons (sprints and international eventually).

Is it worth it to step up and buy as much bike as I can afford ($1250 will be pushing it with the wife, taking into account shoes, comp, tax will add a couple hundred more), or will I be just as happy on the R500 or base allez? Is the Cannondale frame really any better ($100-150 more for same components)?

I know there are other brands that compete, but I have a limited number of shops locally and would rather buy here for better customer service later. The Elite seems like the most bang for the buck and is a hot looking bike.

Any input is appreciated.

formulaben

Well, I too am waiting for a Felt. I am getting fed up, but the problem is they are a great buy for the money. The lone exception is the Supergo Scattante 2004 CFR Carbon Ultegra...and I just might do it if my LBS can't give me a firm date soon. This is very close to your budget and it a much better equipped bike. I'd look into it.

rexford

Decided to give it one last chance (it seems like so much bike for the $$$). LBS now says Felt has the F70 in stock and they can get it for me in 5 days for $989. If they are right it will have been worth the wait.

aluckyfiji

I am sorry to hear about your troubles with Felt. I have had good luck with them I guess I am lucky.
This is where being a smaller company (compared to someone like Trek) hurts them. They are going to be one of the last company to recieve parts from say Mavic. They sale fewer bikes a year with Mavic wheel than say Trek, so Mavic is going to fill Trek order first (b/c Mavic makes them more money on the Trek sale than Felt) and Felt just gets screwed because they have to wait on Mavic to fill their order with them. I agree that there are times when Felt should be more upfront with their stores, but I bet you your store owner does not know when he is going to get your bike in either.

I hope everything works out for you, and you enjoy your Felt or whatever you end out with. i have been on a Felt for two full years and starting my third here soon.

DogBoy

I'm not trying to nit-pick, but I don't think Trek/Klein/Lemond use mavic parts??? I thought they had some kind of arrangement with Bontrager....Doesn't change the significance of your comment (which I agree with), I was just curious about the actual parts use.

Chef23

The company that owns Trek/Klein/Lemond owns Bontrager. That is why you see all Bontrager stems, seatposts, bars and wheels on their bikes.

jsigone

supego is a retailer for Felt bikes, they don't lisrt them on their site but should have very good access to any Felt bike you want. My local Supergo has over 20 felt bikes, anything from the F90 I got to the full carbon bikes. I think they were selling 04' F70's for $700 but thats on sale due to last yr model. The difference between the F90 i got and the F70 are componites.

$900 for a Specialized Allez is pretty steep, I seen them for $600-$650 at my LBS

Sigurdd50

I concur with this comment.

I guess I got lucky
er, rather, it was a matter of the 'bird is in the hand vs. the (special order) bush'

My '04 Felt F65 was on the 'peg' at the LBS and I got it down, drove it around, and $699 dollars later it was mine
...considering it was 1199 reg price. Happy happy

I think issues of delivery are greater with smaller outfits, but issues of quality control are GREATER with larger outfits. Go with your feeling. Around here it is feeling damn cold, so if I had one on order, I'd be okay... (your weather may vary)

aluckyfiji

your right, trek uses bontrager, i just could not spell in off the top of my head, so mavic is what came out

Brett 12

Wow you got a F65 for $699?

Good work.

rexford

I guess I lied. I started looking again, and at the price mark nothing comes close to exciting me as much as the Felt does. I like the Cannondale R700, but it is $300 more and, even at the same price, the Felt looks like as much of a bike (minus the rear ultegra, an easy but probably useless upgrade). I'm not sure why, but the Allez Elite doesn't excite me. So I called my lbs one last time. $989 for an F70 and they claim they can get it in about 5 days. I went in and got fitted and rode a couple others to see what geometry was best. I would prefer a test ride, but the dealer says they won't stick me with it if the fit is bad. Fingers and toes are crossed.

JoeOxfordCT

My Felt F65 came in about a week ago. I had ordered it in the first week of December.
I will be most likely picking it up tomorrow.
I had the LBS (Class Cycles in Southbury, CT.) swap the FSA conventional double for an FSA Gossamer MegaExo compact which didn't come in til this past Wednesday.
I feel your pain but you can call Felt directly. Go to their site, get their number and call them. Tell them what bike shop ordered the bike for you. My bike was a special order separate from the shop's regular order of Felts.
Hang in there
Your bike should be in very soon.
Call and pester Felt
Six months from now you'll be happy you waited !!!

Good Luck !!

Joe

CPcyclist

One shop here in Madison had lots of Felts on sale for 30-50% off this past weekend when I was in. I think Felt is a company of equal size to Trek (maybe a little bigger at least int the rang of their line) they just don't sell a lot of them in the US.

PM if you want prices I can check Mon. for sure and may get in to there on Sun.

rexford

My patience appears to be paying off. In addition to the dealer getting it together, Felt responded to my Email that the '05s are ready go. I can't wait.

velocipedio

felt's not the only manufacturer with problems. trek is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy behind on deliveries of madone 5.2s, and don't expect to be able to buy a madone 5.9 ssl this year. specialized has a shortage of tarmac pros [partly because they had to trash a bunch of frames due to a manufacturing defect]. and then there's the ultegra 10 shortage...

JoeOxfordCT

Go check out the thread "2005 Felts in Abundance" thread. You'll be happily reassured reading it