TnDiamondback

As I have ridden 1000s of miles in the 4 years I have had my FELT F90 and enjoyed all of them and upgraded several things, Neuvation M28 AERO3 wheels, replaced SORA shifters and fd with Tiagra adding 9 speed cassette, replaced the FSA/RPM crank with Tiagra ( all the tiagra was lightly used, good deal ) replaced Tektro brakes with Cane Creek SCR5s.
I have never ridden another modern road bike I was wondering where on the quality scale my frame was, is it considered harsh or a comfortable aluminum frame, it doesn't matter as I am very happy with it and will put many more miles on before moving on to another bike.
Just wondering.

lechat

My first bike was an all aluminum Jamis that i rode for 4 or 5k miles. I now own a carbon Roubaix and a C'dale caad7. The local rd.s I ride on are in good shape, so there's not a lot of noticeable difference. Unless i hit a damaged or repaired spot. Wished i'd had the Roubaix a couple of yr.s ago tho' when I was working and riding in N.E. FL. Sure it would have been a big improvement on that damn chip seal.

muraii

TnDiamondback, even given your limited exposure to other road bikes, is it safe to assume that you'd consider an F90 a good starter, even if is older (assuming, of course, only common-and-not-brutal wear, good care, etc.)? I'm one of this week's n00bs here, and may have found a nice deal on an '05 F90 for $250 about a 1.5 hours or so away. I don't have a good feel yet for bikes, but the Felts seem to get respect 'round the forum.

shovelhd

I would jump on that F90. Immediately. Beware of CL scams.

muraii

I've emailed with size, component, general mechanical fitness, etc. questions. My only other question is about braze-ons, for a rack. I'm guessing this is a "no," from the searching I've done.

shovelhd

The F series are racing bikes. You might want to look at something more relaxed.

muraii

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure it could be made to work; my current (and only) beater doesn't have braze-ons, and I use a rack that clamps around part of the frame. However, it's steel, so the F90 would seem poorly suited to that sort of thing.

I think I'll pay more attention to threads in the Commuter subforum, since that's my primary aim at the moment.

TnDiamondback

Yes, my F90 has been an excellent bike, it also was a very good starter bike that I have upgraded enough to be able to serve me well for many miles, whenever I go on group rides I never feel the bike is holding me back, that would be the motors fault.
Moving up to Tiagra from Sora gave me real STI shifting and 8 to 9 speed, the Neuvation M28s wheelset was a very good addition, I have been told "nice bike" more than once.
Yes, go jump on that $250.00 deal.

muraii

I'm trying. It doesn't appear to be a scam. I'm figuring how to use it as a commuter, e.g., managing the logistics so I don't need a rack every day. I'm really enticed by this deal, but honestly I feel a little like a deer in headlights; there are a baffling variety of options for cycling, even with a low target budget and intent to ride with STI. I could go on but don't want to jack the thread.

Thanks for the recommendation.

shovelhd

Use a sling pack instead of a rack.

10 Wheels

I use a seat post rack on my Felt F-80-85 with 26,000 miles no problems.

muraii

Thanks for the tip. I guess there are sensible considerations to make, but perhaps the moral of the story is: a bike can be made to work. Especially for $250, even with another $100 for tune-up and accessories, and the drive from Cincinnati to Louisville to get it, it's definitely in the middle of the money I think I'd like to spend for now.

Gotta say, the pics you PMed (I don't have 50 forum posts yet, or I'd have replied) are inspiring.