teamam

Ok so after much thought ignore my last request for info on the raleigh and trek hybrid bikes i have decided the road bike is the way to go.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Felt Z80 and teh Trek Pilot 1.2 and how they compare etc...

Getting brain overload on my own need help clearing up the fog..

BT

couleeman

Ive been shopping this segment recently for a friend and looked at both of these. In the Felt line (and I ride a felt myself), I wound up looking strongly at the next model up from the Z80, the Z70 (about $250 more) due to carbon stays and ultegra 10spd (some really nice stuff).
The Giant OCR1 is a very solid ride in this segment as well. https://www.giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11472/ Again, no carbon stays but it does have a full 105 10spd drivetrain and external BB. Definitely take a look at this bike before making your decision.
I have no issues with the pilot but I would probably buy the Z70 or OCR1 before Id go for the pilot. The main reason is the bontrager stuff; its okay, and I dont have any glaring issues with it. My Gary Fisher MTB has plenty of Bontrager stuff on it, but given the choice, I like Felt's or Easton bars or FSA's cranksets, etc. instead of bontrager's.
IF it were me, I would test ride the Z70 with carbon stays compared to the Z80 without. "IF" I didnt need carbon (or wasnt completely blown away by the silky smooth Ultegra stuff), it would be down to the Giant OCR1 and the Felt Z80 and I would probably strongly lean toward the Giant.
All of this assumes they all fit you well, and of course, that they are all priced well. Im guessing the Giant would be the easiest one to score a good price on but it depends on your market. Lastly, whichever bike your "go to" LOCAL bike shop sells would be given some degree of preference as well. Its always a good idea to support your local shop: WHERE you buy is sometimes just as important as WHAT you buy.
Hope this helped out.

Hope this helped.

stapfam

Yet another Bontarger distruster. Saddles have never felt comfortable and is one of the first upgrades to make. Wheels--- Not bad wheels but Have you tried to fit a tight tyre onto a bontrager rim? Or had a set of bontrager rims that the tyre falls of off? I have found both when working on other peoples bikes. Then they are unusual spoking that does mean the LBS to true up. Stems seat posts and cranks are no better than standard parts but due to Bontarger name are a price range higher.

Cannot find any Faults with Bontrager but for the same price- you can get better. In other words--Cheap basic stuff- overpriced.

As to the suggestion of the OCR1. Definitely a bike to look at.

atomship47

from a "fit" standpoint the pilot series and z series were the 2 most comfortable bikes i test road. hands down! i can't speak to "ride" between the 2 models you listed. i only test rode the z35, 5.0 and 2.1.

i bought a felt z35. personally, i've decided i'm not into the proprietary components you get with a trek or specialized (i own 2 treks). and felt seems to like to put so-so hidden components on their bikes to keep costs down. i upgraded everything on my felt except for the headset.



also, when i looked at the pilot series, it wasn't long before i decided the 2.1 was a MUCH better buy than the 1.2.

happy hunting. only you can decide what feels best for you.

teamam

Thanks so much for the info.

The Z70 is $1390 and the Z80 is $980 as you can see about $400 diff. I continue to creep my $$$ figure up as we all do justifying the $$ and never go down in price... Is the $400 worth the move and how do I find it cheaper?

Also are these prices "Fixed" as all dealers are the same can they be negotiated? I am buying my daughter teh Felt Z90 ($699) and my wife the Raliegh Passage 6.5 (around $500 or so) so is there any negotiating on this??

atomship47

if you're buying 3 bikes from one dealer, i'd move on if they don't at least throw in extras like supplies/services. ask for free tune-ups for a few years and/or cages/bottles, and/or pedals, and/or cyclometers, etc.

its a little early (around here) to tell, but it looks like the felt z series is going to move pretty well. at one shop, where i bought mine, they said they're having people walk in and order them. it that's true, sticker price may be tougher to negotiate.

here's what i did....besides referring a buddy to the lbs who bought an ocr3, i had them upgrade wheelsets, cranksets, stem, tires, seatpost and down-grade rd. out the door, i paid $100 over list to get rid of the marginal components. i didn't try for any freebies since they worked with me on the upgrades.

if you're looking at a leftover '06 (or even an '05), they're probably more likely to negotiate on price.




when all is said and done, you have to like/trust your lbs. its hard to put a price (or price savings) on an lbs you want to do business with. there are a handful of lbs around here i'd buy from if the price was right. however, there are really only 2 mechanics (at 2 different lbs) and 1 lbs that i really trust. i drive by 4 lbs on my way to the one i bought my bike from.

atomship47

looking at the specs on the 70 vs 80, i suppose if the carbon seat stays and 9 speed vs 10 doesn't matter to you, then don't spend the $400. from a component standpoint, i'd want to upgrade the crankset and hubs on either model. therefore, why spend the extra $?

i prefer the 10 speed brifters over the 9. i don't like the thumb shifters and the 9sp hoods aren't as comfortable to me.

test ride both. if you don't "feel" much difference, don't spend the extra $.

good luck

couleeman

"Is the $400 worth it?"

Well the answer really should present itself when you ride both of them. Be advised that there are other differences between the Z70 and Z80, but the carbon and 10spd are the main ones.
One of the reasons I suggested you test ride the OCR1 is because it is priced very well and has a 10spd drivetrain, but doesnt have the carbon stays. Of course there are a few other differences but its a reasonably close comparison to the Felt Z series. An OCR1 should be priced at discount, even now, though it is a big time seller.
Ive seen the Z70 on sale for $1149 but it was about a month ago and you are buying at prime time right now. Regardless, you are well within the bounds of good taste expecting some kind of accomodation buying three from one shop.
If you are asking for an opinion: To me, I think the bike is worth the $400 difference (especially if you ride it more and more). In our case, I was haggling on the Z70 including swapping the wheelset out with Mavic Aksium's for $1299 ( I wanted Neuvations, but they werent a rep for them ). My LBS didnt have a problem with the Aksiums swap at that price.
Go ride them back to back, you may not even notice the $400 difference. Just do youself a favor and make an informed decision by having tested them...and dont forget to enjoy buying your new bike(s)!

teamam

Thanks to all I really appreciate the feedback..