botto 

out of curiosity, what frames were they?

formulaben

2 Treks, and a pretty expensive aluminum Klein. I was hoping to get PedalMasher to ride it after the Monster Cookie last weekend. He has a new Scandium Felt and used to ride (still has?) a Trek. Next group ride I'll make sure to do it.

2l8

well the whole reason i had to stop running was because of bad knees.
also the reason why im buying CF.

the compact design looks like a "girl's bike."
i heard that before too...

i am also in nyc.
how will the "racier" felt bike hold up in nyc traffic?
don't wanna go flying being the newb that i am
then again i figure ill go flying with either the giant or the felt considering you guys said the degrees in difference is 9.2 versus a 9.4...not a 9.0 versus a 7.4 on a rating scale.

yeah i do think no test rides is major bs.
but all the BF people rave bout RA cycles... + its pretty close to home.

i mean if im going to spend 2gs im gonna try to make sure im happy w where i spent it.
thanks again u guys.

formulaben

I just want to be clear here, that was my analogy to the differences between the bikes. The numbers are just to give you an idea of what I'm talking about, not strict ratings of the bikes.

botto 

if you're worrying about your knees, then it doesn't really matter what you ride on (steel/Alu/Ti/CF/etc). It's your position on the bike that matters. You need a GOOD FITTER for that. Felix (at R&A) is a GREAT fitter, although I'm sure there are others in NYC.

some people like it, some people hate it. who give a flying ****?

listen, and listen good - you don't fly through NYC traffic unless you're a messenger getting payed based on how many runs you do. you "fly" when you're in PP, CP, Palisades, 9W, etc. Either bike will do nicely

IMO test rides are over rated. that said, i'm glad i did one - even though itwas nothing more than a placebo - at a different shop, out of NYC. ymmv

let me repeat myself - if you buy at R&A, make sure Felix fits you. Felix, and only Felix. Tell him i said Hi.

Otto

Psimet2001 

Wow...

Personally I've bought a Giant TCR C2 at the beginning of last year. Best bike (frame) I have ever owned hands down.

It sucks up vibration like a Hoover, and yet the BB is stiffer than my old BASSO Columbus steel lugged frame. Rear triangle can be slightly loosy goosey under heavy cranking. You usually can't feel it, but it has been enough to cause interrupts in the reading from my computer (probably more wheel than frame, but doesn't bother me).

I have limited experience with Felts, but I am not impressed with what I have seen to date. I have never seen a BB shell so out of line WRT BB threads like I saw on the last Felt I worked on. This was from the factory, and yes the LBS should have chased and faced before building...yadda, yadda, yadda.

A 2005 TCR C2 with the appropriate component spec is an amazing buy at that price.

2l8

went to ra today...
the Giant TCR Composite 2 '05 for $1895.00 is out of stock in my size...
pretty bummed bout that.
Curse my metal body. I wasn't fast enough. It's all my fault!

now for my size im lookin @ the '06 felt f4c @ $2299 / felt f5c @ $1999
maybe
the '05 giant tcr comp 1 @ $2495 / 3 @ $1495
depending on price and advice...
i mean its weird haggling...
theyll throw in a free fitting (-$150)

i dont want to get too much machine for what i want to do.. (be able to push myself 30 miles / day... x2 occasionaly on weekends).
i mean i dont plan on racing or competing, just training.

is there much difference in the tcr 1 vs. 3 for the 1g markup in price?
i THINK i can get the f4c for $2000 if i pay cash / spend more on shoes / helmet.

thanks again you guys. i really appreciate the help.

botto 

can only speak about the giants. iirc the tcr comp 3 is a 105 equipped bike, right? both prices you're getting are very good. IIRC the comp 1 has ultegra brifters&fd, with a DA rd, and mavic equipe wheels. i think it comes with no name carbon wrap breaks, am i right? the comp 3 has an alloy steerer, the comp 1 has a CF steerer. while i don't like the graphics on the TCRs, the comp 1 has the best of the lot - the silver/carbon. the one thing i'd check is to see if you could swap the fsa crank for an ultegra crank. ymmv, but i'm not a big fan of cf cranks.

whether it's worth the extra grand is really up to how much you use it.

IMO the 150$ fitting for free should be standard for any bike purchase over 1,500$

Once again, let me repeat - make sure it's Felix who fits you.

Good luck making your choice.

pelikan

I test rode the F4c yesterday, all I can say is phenomenal, it was like riding on butter. For a $100 I say it's worth making the jump over the f5c. They are kinda strecthed out though.

I'm in the same boat, I was looking for a $1K bike, but somehow I am at the entry level CF framed models now. Checked out the treks and I think the Felt is a better bang for the buck. Next is Specialized and Giants and then check out the only other Felt dealer in town (which is closer to my house). The one I test rode is a big chain, no deals on anything, weird service options, all the way across town, but good sales people. Of they are always nice before you buy something

formulaben

I agree. That was one of the factors that made me look at other bike shops. I went into "The Bike Gallery" in Portland and they wanted to charge me for the stem and handlebar swaps and also for the fitting. The bike's price jumped up $300. I go to the Felt dealer and he's got a fancy laser fitting machine and he'll swap handlebars, stems, etc. as part of the purchase, and fitting included....all for FREE. It was a big difference: he wanted my business and that attitude continues well after the purchase. Your relationship with your bike shop should be one that you are comfortable with.

headwind_hater

I was in the same boat, trying to choose between TCR and FC. Both great bikes. I went with the GIANT, and I love it!! The color is way cooler and the compact geomerty works great for me (I'm only 5'7"). There are also a lot more LBS for Giant near me than FELT, but buy what you like...

My vote is TCR... TCR... TCR!

botto 

can't really argue with that

2l8

Damn! that is beautiful!
Is that the '05 TCR Comp 0 you bought from R&A in january?

not ruling out the felt but...
I think for my height (5'3") giant might be the best choice.

DAMN i wish the '05 tcr comp 2 was still in stock in my size.
now its either the tcr 1 or 3 a difference of $1G.

Botto:
If i do decide on the giant. tcr1 or 3? Think i can haggle it down to $2,200 or $2gs? I mean im not rich... and this is going to kick me in the balls. But its an investment right?

formulaben

I figured I'd rather be a little more broke than riding a lesser bike wishing I'd gone up...but that's me. No matter which bike you get, it's still a lot of money.

pelikan

I think a Giant is in my future. Freewheel (in SF) had two 05's my size in stock for killer prices. I put a deposit on the TCR03, but the TCR Limited is only $150 more, I just don't know if I'll know the difference. 105 9 vs Ultegra 10 worth it?

Gonna test ride them both tomorrow and see. I am looking forward to noting the differences between the two. I also dug the vibe of the shop and close to my house.

c4s6

Totally. 1-1/2 pounds (according to pedalforce.com)and two more rideable gears. Greatest no-brainer in the history of man.

botto 

i have to say that i'm not a huge fan of the fade graphics of the '05/'06 tcrs. that said, i was lucky: the '05 TCR Comp 0 came in gold last year, but they had some in silver. i guess they, or giant, put together a few extra using the stand alone comp frame? I was orignally going to buy the tcr comp 1 (silver) but my LBS didn't have any '05s, and the '06s are in a hideous yellow, so then i started thinking about the comp 0

i'm not rich either, that's why i bought a giant i kind of doubt that you'll be able to shave off 300-500$ from those guys, but hey - if you don't ask, they can't say no. 2,500$ for the tcr comp 1 is a pretty damn good price btw. the one thing is that it will end up being +/- 2,700$ with the sales tax.

bitingduck

I was just in a shop the other day and noticed the same thing. The CF Felts give you a nice frame and nice parts for a lot less than the Treks (and I love my 1999 Trek 5000). I had just been noticing that I'd have to pay a bunch more to get a new OCLV when I saw the Felts. I checked both the Trek and Felt websites and they have very similar geometry, but I haven't been for a test ride.

botto 

You're paying X% more on the Treks for the Lance Factor.

pelikan

2l8 thank you so much for starting this thread, I was not even considering the Giant line and now I am the owner of a TCR Limited, a very happy one at that.

I had three good test rides on the Felt f4c, TCR03 & TCR Limited.

First off the F4c has a huge drool factor going, it's the kinda bike you bring on a first date. As for the ride, it reminds me of a 125 2stroke MX bike. In other words, the only way to ride is hard, putting around feels un-natural. No complaints at all on that bike, it rode, shifted & climbed awesomely.

The TCR's I rode had one big thing in common, the shock absorption. They felt like the tires were made of marshmellows. I could actually see taking an easy relaxing ride on this frame as well as riding my legs off. Not like the Felt, which is a pedal till you drop kinda feel (which I dig). I didn't expect much difference between the 03 and the limited, but it was huge. As stated, for $150 it was a no brainer. The only compelling reason of the 03 over the limited besides price was the red frame seemed to appeal a lot more to the eye in a blingy way. All awesome bikes, if price weren't a factor I'd be on a f4c, but at $600 less the limited was too good to pass up.

2l8

pelikan:

glad to help.
now i wish my decision were easier.
i'm short and i want a tough workout AND commute bike.

thanks to this forum... giant is in the lead.
i lost the '05 tcr 2 in my size... so its deciding between the '05 tcr0 or tcr3.
felts not too far behind.

not a big fan of the color red either.

willus

any updates on your bike quest?


As for R&A, I've been to R&A a few times, in fact i bought my shoes(sidi mega) from there and felt the service was great. I did go in looking to spend $100-150 for shoes but since I have feet with *special needs*(flat) my options were pretty limited. The shoes I got are great. They have a ton of great stock and easier to go there than head into manhattan...

This thread is bad for me... I wish I could buy another bike now but I bought an entry level roadie last year and still have lots of miles in it. The Giant pic looks sweet. I too love the Felts too. I've seen a few in Prospect park nice looking machine.