I like it just fine when it is hanging on the wall in the garage (it spent at least the first year in the bedroom when it was not on the road). I just don't like it so much when I'm perched upon it. Whether or not I'll like a different bike more remains to be seen.

I've driven several racecars on the street and they're cool for about 15 minutes. The one time I had to take a racecar 100 miles on the highway I couldn't wait to get out. Some days / trips call for Cadillac Escalades, others for CTS-V.

Good news! I checked the shipping to your area and it will only be $1250!!!!
I agree and if a new bike doesn't get me out riding then we know I'm more in love with the idea of cycling than I am with actually doing it and I can resign myself to that.

Just to bring this one to a close I looked at a bunch of bikes and test rode a 2017 Cannondale Quick 3. I was immediately more comfortable and secure on the Quick 3 than I've ever been on the Felt and a family member watching said it was obvious I had more confidence. I had planned on testing at least one other bike but the shop that had it annoyed me on 2-3 small things so I just went back and bought the Cannondale when I realized I was making excuses not to go back to the shop with the cocky owner.

In addition to all of the advice being given...

I'll put in the good word for so called "swept" or "north road" style handlebars. Some types to consider, just to get the picture of what I'm talking about:

Origin8 Citi Classic
Velo Orange Tourist
FSA Metropolis

(I have all three on different bikes). Relatively few bikes are furnished with these, but you can upgrade from a flat bar bike, typically without having to replace the controls. In some cases you might have to get longer cables, but that's less of an investment than totally new controls. So you can try the hybrid, with a relatively inexpensive upgrade option in case, like many people, you don't like flat bars either.

For me, rotating my hands eliminates the wrist pain, even when riding in the same hand position for 10's of miles.

^^^ Great! Now get out there and ride!

I think I am going to miss Petit this year for the first time in a long time. I might take a shot at the Rolex or Sebring ... See the new Joest Mazdas and Penske Acuras.

I was leaning toward going to Classic 24 instead since they are supposed to be featuring GTP / Group C cars I think but now I'm currently thinking Petit instead. Have to see how the funds are. lol
Daytona 2018 should be fun. Shame Speedsource got dumped after 20 years but business is business I guess.

Reading this thread with interest. My experience went in the opposite direction.

I was interested in a bike for general riding & fitness & was not riding my 1980's steel MTN bike because it was heavy & uncomfortable (it was actually way too small for me). I researched hybrids & ended up buying a very slightly used Cannondale Quick Speed 2 on EBay. The sizing worked out pretty well for me & I spent about half what I would have paid for a new one. The Quick is very "road-bike" oriented, with 28mm tires. The Quick is perfectly comfortable for me, the handle bars allow for a pretty upright position & a great sense of control when used on a bike path that has twists & turns& dips.

I found myself pushing hard with the Quick & soon started to think about getting a proper road bike. I ended up buying a Wilier Triestina Imperiale carbon bike on Ebay. Again, I got a great price, but the fitting issues with a bike like the Imperiale (with an ISP) are definitely a bit more complex than with a hybrid. I am experiencing some neck pain on rides, but this seems to be gradually diminishing as I become more accustomed to the riding position & my core strength improves. In general the Wilier is surprisingly comfortable to ride - the multiple hand positions are helpful with longer rides, but the bars on the Quick are perfectly comfortable for rides up to an hour.

I would suggest keeping the Felt for the time being, getting a hybrid (hopefully at a good price) & seeing how you get on with the two of them. Incidentally, I also bought a Sirrus Elite (for my wife). It's a very nice bike (I assume it's pretty similar to the Sport) - feels more mountain-bikey than the Quick, with 32 mm tires & a geometry that feels less like a road bike. I guess the Sirrus would be more of a contrast with the Felt. As others have suggested, I think riding the hybrid might provide a good re-entry into biking, at which point you could re-evaluate the Felt.

There's a reason that people in The Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Italy, China, France and dozens of other countries all ride upright Dutch bikes for everything but racing. Apes were designed for leaning forward, us humans not so much. Leaning forward works great if you're putting out enough power that none of your weight is resting on your hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders. Otherwise leaning forward is more detriment than benefit.

More: City Bikes | LocalMile

Even pro cyclists ride upright bikes for transportation and other non racing/training bits.

If your purpose is training & racing then a drop bar road bike is probably the right choice. Given time and experience you'll get use to the handling and it won't seem so twitchy. If your purpose is transportation or general recreational rides then an proper upright is likely a better option.

I'm sure this has already been said but I'll say it again, "this should have been included at the time of purchase".
If I now had to fork out any cash for a fit it would go to a different/and hopfully "your new" LBS.

Just read above that you did get a differant bike, hope purchase price included some level (basic, moderate,full) of a fit.

Good Luck!

Wider tires and a good saddle help. That front end should not feel loose.

Yeah, well ... Maybe your bike doesn't like You, either. Ever thought of that?

:D

It's been 60 days since you first posted this thread. What progress have you made? You'd better have something to report...

I'd BETTER have something to report???? :foo:

I know tone is hard to judge from electrons posted on a page but coupled with your post in another thread telling somebody he's wrong for wanting black stem and seat post instead of silver and he shops in the wrong order maybe you should evaluate your tone in your forum posts. :crash:

If you had read the last few posts you would have seen my update but I'll understand if you missed it because you need to keep up with telling people which parts they should or shouldn't like on their own bicycles. :p

It keeps me awake at night.:thumb:

Mr Gretz is not one of the bigger offenders here when it comes to unnecessary harshness (he's not as bad as I, for instance ...) I think I just reacted badly to that specific post. On the whole he is one of the good ones ... or he has me fooled.

I'll have to take your word for it - now, excuse me, I have to go prep for Lime Rock. :p

If I weren't too tired i would hate you for that. I have never heard anyone having a bad experience there ....

While watching qualifying, I will scan the crowd for someone on a bike, nodding ....

Yes. What we call a "road bike" in the US is more accurately called a racing bike. I think there would be a lot fewer disappointed customers if they were called racing bikes. They hear "road bike" and assume this is the preferred setup for road riding, when for many people, it is not.

I've been going to LRP for over 30 years and while I wouldn't say I've ever had a bad experience the trips certainly include some less-than-optimal ones. The heat in recent years has been unbearable for example - there was a big crowd yesterday but I saw some people leaving before the main event. Weather is always changeable and lightning at LRP can be scary - as I'm sure you know there is no place to go but your car for shelter.
I see you're a fan of the Alegra Porsche livery - not my fave but certainly a good looking car.

it happens
 

I just bought a 2012 trek madone from a man who said he rode it one time at large resort area called Calloway Gardens and then left it in his basement for 4 years . I gave him what the bike blue book value said it was worth . From the looks of it after I cleaned it up and adjusted the front derailleur it is quite possible it had no more than the 25 miles he claimed . Absolutely mint right down to the original tires with no apparent wear and not a scratch on it . The value of a bike continues to decline with time though , even if you are not putting any miles on it . So If you are not using it , sell it and invest in something you will use .


i suspect the fellow I bought this one from just could not get comfortable riding with traffic and so his impulse buy turned into a white elephant .
it happens . He was also middle aged with dunlap dis ease and maybe would not be seen in spandex . The value of the bike was about 60% of what he was asking originally though and what he claims to have spent on it new was no longer an issue to me .

I bought a Giant Defy to start riding about 4-5 years ago. I'd like to upgrade, so I'm looking for a 2012-2014 Cannondale Supersix Evo team (white/green/blue) frameset or complete bike. I'm assuming a 54cm is the correct size. I'm slight over 5'9 with a 30" inseam. I'm getting a fotndojenin this bike Saturday (7/29/17). I live in Northern Virginia, and I've found two throughout the country, but they both have damage. If you can share or point people you know to me I'd appreciate it! Looking to move fast!
Thanks!
Josh

Maybe the bike needs a new seat/saddle. Many people are all grumpy over a ride because the seat is wrong, but they blame the problems on everything else. Try a better seat.

I used to drive a 78 Chevy Monza sedan (not hatch back) with 400+ hp, custom built 5 speed automatic trans, and all gear heavy duty Eaton True Track differential (no clutches, all gear) with 3:73 or 3:72 gears. I'm forgetting some specs....... That car was insane. It even had A/C. It ran fairly quiet mufflers, and had 10 inch slicks out back. Could lift the front wheels a few inches at stoplights. It had a 400 cu in Pontiac block, and had aftermarket fuel injectors and throttle body, custom exhaust, custom radiator, trans cooler, cam, high compression and a tow hitch. And a computer that was re-programmed from a 2002 Firebird.

It was dark metalic blue, with black vinyl interior and 13? inch rims up front and 15 inch rims in back that were widened by the shop that did the custom rear axle/differential. No labels, no stripes, just plain old factory blue and quiet as can be when at idle. Oh, and plain old moon hubcaps and trim rings. LOL!

One of my favorite all time rods. A real sleeper.