ArchEtech

Me:

5’9-1/2” 32” Inseam
220 lbs. Probably 60/40 Weight distributed up top.
Weight lifter.
Mountain Bikes for years.
Switched to Road Bike a couple of months ago.
Really got into Road Biking Hard a few weeks ago.
I completely love it.

Current Bike – 2008 Fuji CCR-3 53cm. I feel like the frame is a bit too soft at the front. Its actually a really comfortable bike, but feels a bit small. LBS Agrees that its probably too small.

I have the bug good or bad for another bike.
I want to do some Mini-Tri racing next year.
I typical go on 20-30 mile rides 2-4 times per week with shorter ones mixed in. Longer rides are by myself.
I can maintain 18-21 mph for 20 miles then it tapers off depending on amount of hills. I ride for fitness and like to ride as fast as I can push myself. I have ridden some tri bikes and have zero problems in relaxed position. My biggest issue right now is elbow pain and hand numbness which has been improved with fitment.


Bike #1 – Kestrel Talon Road 105 $1299 – Hard price point to beat brand new. Has some Tri Bike genetics but not the full on geometry. Like the looks, but have read many mixed reviews.

Bike #2 – Kuota K-Factor $1700 – Road/Tri Bike, more of a Road than Tri they say, but on the aggressive side for Road geometry. I really like the looks.

Bike #3 – in the Lead – Felt F5 2011 Special Edition. Like the looks. New frames getting good reviews. Aggressive Road Geometry but not that aggressive. Not a Try bike. Good Price point at $1700-$1800

justkeepedaling

F5, it's easily the best option here. One of the best bang for buck bikes

Steve90068

go with the felt, but also look at the Z series

Painful Chafe

Also, keep in mind resale value. Felt will be easier to sell if you get the itch for something new down the road.

Mike F

The F5 is a sweet bike. They should be announcing the 2012's soon. They added a new limited to their web site that is pretty cool. 900g frame is hard to beat on a bike that goes for 2 grand.

elzy0000

Go with the Felt. You'll love it. That is an incredible price too. I'm kinda mad at how much I paid for mine right now.

MikeyBoyAz

I suspect there are a few felt owners... I am also. the F5 is in no way a tri bike, but I love mine. The wheels suck, so get the LBS to buy them back ( that's what I did )

ArchEtech

Well... I had a good experience with a LBS, paid a couple hundred more, got some 20% off coupons, some free accessories, and walked out with a beautiful blue/white Trek 4.7 with full Rival. I was a bit more comfortable than the Felt, and they didn't have an SE at this other shop (and staff not as good).


The felt has a beautiful looking frame. Not too stiff, maybe not stiff enough for my weight, maybe the lesser components made it feel that way. What i mean is the frame is said to be so good some of the parts may seems a bit bla to keep the price down. To be honest thats just as fair approach as lesser frames with fancy grops. That is great bike. Ultimately the geometry was quite as nice for me. Had they had the SE might have been a harder choice.

I liked the specialized Tarmac with rival but that shop wouldn't go under $2400.
Very nice bike though had the price been closer the decision would have been harder. I tried a Roubiox as well - great bike. The shop itself just wasn't as helpful and friendly out of the three times I was there. That didn't help. The Tarmac geometry was good. The roub. Was a bit cramped.

The Madone wasn't cheap $2100, but there was custom cable work done to fix issues people have had with Rival group and I just loved the blue white color scheme. The cabling was all rewired from factory at the LBS because they had been having QC issues with the SRAM groups on some of their Madone 4.7. The salesman was honest about it and was a SRAM skeptic personally (rides a giant with ultra) - but said with the shop work they are fine if you like the double tap. He doesn't. I also just wanted to buy the bike from this particular shop because they really work with you to get things right. You can demo stuff, they are great about returns. I bought a seat for $99 with a 20% off coupon. I returned the seat for store credit, and they gave me the full 99 back.

I also liked the built in computer thing on the rear fork. Got that cadence meter stuff thrown in with a computer as well. it seemed to have good comps on it too, full rival , not different cranks, and pretty good wheels. The Bontrager stuff seems ok. There is a lot of Trek hate - but they are one of the "big ones" somare going to get hate because of it. I have no fear that if I run into issues with warrant that the shop will make due.

ArchEtech

I just wanted to add:

I'm not a roady expert, and I didn't look at geometry diagrams of all the bikes, but the Trek supposedly is considered slightly relax compared to the Felt and Specialized and has a longer top tube for the given frame size. I have short legs and a long torso, not severe, but enough that the Madone felt a bit more comfortable.

After all the EBay and online shopping it's funny I ended up at a LBS and felt ok spending more. I'll get free tune ups and fitting for a year or so to get it right - I doubt they keep track, they put any accessory you buy on for free, repair/tune prices are pretty reasonable, and made me feel good about the purchase.

Bike World West DES Moines Iowa