NDG

I'm just about to ready to purchase my first bike in 15 years... Considering the dough I have available, I have selected three road bikes as serious possibilities. These are the Felt F70, the Cannondale R700-triple and the Giant OCR1. The Felt F70 sounds especially good because it has front and rear carbon forks. The Cannondale looks terrific in terms of general esthetics. Otherwise, they are equiped pretty similarly, mostly with Shimano 105. Please help me decide by telling me your impressions or personnal experience. Thanks. Louis

JT354

The F70 is especially good.

I bought mine about 2 months ago for $980. So far, the frame seems to be excellent, although my bike has paint chips around the derailleur hanger. The carbon seatstays add to the "bling" factor, although they DO NOT make for a smooth ride in this case. The bike is a fairly harsh ride, although it's not uncomfortable. The component package is superb for the price. The bike comes with 105, which is as much as I'll ever need. If this is your first bike in 15 years, don't worry about the OCR 1 having Ultegra- it is hard to notice a major difference between the two. The crank (FSA gossamer) is nice, and I like the Shimano wheels a lot. The tires are better than what you'll find on most road bikes in this range (definitely better than the crappy Michelins on the OCR1) The seat is decent but could be better. Clipless pedals are also nice, although they are a cheap set of pedals. I am very happy with my bike so far, and would recommend it. Of course... As you will hear a million times on this forum: TEST RIDE all three bikes before you buy! First look for good fit, and then for the best components.

NDG

Thanks GT354.
Why do you think the F70 does not offer a particularly "smooth ride"?
Is this simply due to fact that the frame is mostly aluminum or to the compact design of the frame (both of which are pretty much standard for this type of bike right?)?

Louis

g3ck0

Did you have to change the clipless pedals to double-sided ones?

NDG

No, I dont. I plan to buy a pair of appropriate shoes to use the clip pedals.
Why do tou ask?

Louis

JT354

The F70 doesn't have a true "compact geometry" frame. It is closer to a traditional geometry. The OCR 1 is a good example of a true compact frame. Look at the attached photos with the line drawn in. The Giant has a much more sloping top tube than the Felt.

As for why the ride is not very smooth: I don't really know. I haven't had the opportunity to ride too many road bikes, so my opinion of the harsh ride could be a little off. I know that it is a less smooth ride than my OCR 3, and some of the other bikes I test rode, like the Lemond Tourmalet and Trek Pilot 2.1

JT354

Are you asking me or NDG?

If you are asking me: No. Why do you ask? (I do WANT some better pedals, but an upgrade is not necessary)

NDG

I was asking c3gk0.

slowgo

I just went and put an F70 on hold today. Will be going back tomorrow to get it fit to me and pay for it. The main draw for me is the all 105 and carbon stays, as well as some nice features like in-tube cables. I compared it to a F80 and it felt smoother, although the F80 was set up alittle better for me fit wise. I have a certain affection for the Felts, and feel for the money, I will get more bike. What competes, at $1069? My LBS has Cannondales, and the F700 is over $1200. I should go to the other shops, try a Trek 1500, Giant OCR and Specialized Allez and Roubiax, I guess. I'll probably end up with the Felt. It's just sweet.

NDG

Hi Slowgo. I'm in Montreal and here the F70 and R700 are essentially the same price. I'm really hesitating because I prefer the looks of the R700. It also has a Ultegra rear derailleur and a carbon/alu seat tube (but unfortunately not a carbon rear fork). Another issue is that the Cannondale frame is made in North America and the Felt is Asia (but that's not such a big deal for me). I had a road test of the F70 today and it felt pretty good. I will try to get a roadtest of the R700 tomorrow (and hopefully reach a decision by Friday!).

By the way, another question: according to measurements made today at my bike shop, I would be theoretically OK for either a 56cm or a 58cm frame. What would be the better choice?

Louis

Smaug

I have an '04 F65, which is essentially the same as the '05 F70. Same frame, although it they have different wheels. I can't say enough good things about the frame. I find it to be very comfortable, smooth and quick.

I haven't ridden the R700, so I can't speak to that, but I can tell you that the F70 is a great bike for the price. You'll love it.

thad

Get which ever fits/feels best. I got a R700 (my first road bike). I wouldn't characterize the ride as smooth, but its not at all harsh. In my test ride the frame just felt snappier, if that's a word. It just felt more lively than the F70, but what did/do I know? If I went back and rode them again I might think otherwise. You can't go wrong with any of those bikes.

Serpico

get the felt, more bling points, easton frame and carbon bits, too much slope on that giant--they pride themselves on inventing the compact frame. slope is fine, but compact is too much slope

NDG

Thanks for the input.
What would really be helpful would be comparative reviews done by professionals.
Do you guys know of any good sites/magazines that do that?

AdagioCA

Where can you buy a Felt in Montreal. I'm was going to buy one while living in the SF Bay Area. But I might be moving to Montreal eventually and I was wondering where best to get it. What are they asking for. My LBS can do an F70 for $1000.

NDG

You can get the Felt in Montreal at Velodidacte. The price is 1575 Can$. That's a bit high, but I suspect that's because they go through a distributor.

g3ck0

yea i wasking you actually haha because I read somewhere that ppl were complaining about the single sided cleats...so they're not that bad after all?

formulaben

I have yet to see ANY good reason why anyone would want a sloping top tube. Please, somebody...anybody enlighten me!

JT354

Really, the single sided pedals aren't that bad. They are a little hard to get into, but the pedals function fairly well. Don't replace them immediately unless your bike shop will give you some credit towards a set of nice double sided pedals like Shimano M520's or Crank Bros Candy C's. Eventually you probably will want to swap them out for something easier to clip into, but don't feel like you have to lay down the extra cash immediately.

JT354

Obviously some people want them, since a lot of companies (Trek, Giant, Specialized, Lemond, Litespeed, etc.) make bikes with sloping top tubes. I don't really like the "compact geometry" frames though. They never seemed to offer a good fit for me. Giant has the idea that since they have the compact frames, they can get away with making 4 or 5 sizes to fit everyone- which usually results in people being unhappy with the fit.

Cycliste

Having tried both bikes, I can say at equal price, the R700 is a superior bike. The CAAD7 frame is stiffer, lighter but still smooth enough to absorb road irregularities. The F70 was probably more comfortable , difficult comparison though as I tried each bike on very different roads, but I could say that I liked the Cannondale better.
I tried these two bikes because I was interested in the F65 and F55 (that I could not get ) and the R900 and R1000 among other choices in my selection. Purchased the R1000 in the end after two test rides.
Regarding the size, you will need to try both, pay particularly attention to length and not simply height, don't let the shop fool you with stem adjustment alone as a too long or too short stem will affect steering. Both Felt and Cannondale in 60 cm fitted me fine but that is just me.

MattinNY

I ride a Felt 70. I love it.

Its the first new bike I've gotten since the mid 80's.

NDG

So how does one determine the optimal length? I tried the Felt 56cm in one store and they told me that the frame size was ideal for me (in that store they did not have the 58 cm frame). I another store that had the 58 but not the 56, they told me that the 58cm was best for me. How can I determine that by myself?

CyLowe97

Are those pedals the Wellgo's that came with the bike? They came stock on the '05 F65 model, too. I am still using them, since it was one less expense for the time being and I have SPD shoes already. Being one sided, they are a little more effort to get clipped in but once in, they work well for me. I'd like to get something with two-sided entry like Speedplayss, but finances now make that something for the future (road shoes + nice road pedals, that is).

JT354

Yes, I was talking about the Wellgo pedals that come on the bike.