Originally Posted by the beef
The Felt F90 also has an aluminum frame w/ carbon forks - however, it has a double crankset (only two gears in the front instead of three) which will make hills harder to climb if you're used to dropping down into the small chainring on slopes.
I am pretty sure that is not true. According to the F90's I have ridden, the F90 on felt's website, and the ones I have seen, they are all triples. And even if it were a double, I would say thats better! I wish I had a double!!! (I will in a few days). I put my vote in for the F90, although as this price point all the bikes are very similar. Get whatever looks and rides best in your opinion. Also, look at Masi and Bianchi. I ride a Masi Alare that I am selling because I bought a new race bike
. I have always enjoyed the look and ride of the bianchis I have ridden. One more option is to go to bikesdirect.com and figure out the geometry of some of the similarly priced tiagra equipped motobecanes, fujis, etc. and figure out what the geometry of those is and then buy the one with the geometry most similar to the bike you test rode and liked the most. It would save you a lot of cash! Just some thoughts...my only advice: Dont buy anything too expensive for your first bike. I am glad I didn't. I fell a couple times my first time on clipless pedals and I wouldn't have wanted to do that on my more expensive bike.
~Nick