gatechie291

As the title suggests, I'm looking to get my first road bike, and I have a number of questions.

I'm in college, so I don't have a huge chunk of change to drop on a new bike. This would basically be a late Christmas/early birthday present (and I'd probably chip in for some myself). I'm absolutely staying under $1000, but I'd much rather stay under $700 if at all possible. Naturally, I've been looking in a number of places to try and score the best bike for the money.

So far, I've come up with the following list.

• 2011 Raleigh Revenio 1.0 [LBS, $730, 2300 components]
• 2011 Fuji Roubaix 3.0 [Performance Bike, $650, Sora components]
• 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 [Performance Bike, $800, Tiagra components]
• 2011 Felt F85 54cm [New online, $770 + $100 shipping, Microshift w/ 105 RD]
• 2012 Felt F85 54cm w/ extras (Selle Italia Gelflow Max seat, Look Keo Classic pedals, Cateye Strada) [Used, $800 before shipping, Microshift w/ 105 RD]

While I'd love to get one of the Felts (I've always been attracted to them for whatever reason), I'm not knowledgable enough to know if the upgrades justify the prices. Also, I'm not sure if I'd be better off buying a local bike (LBS or PB) due to the ability to try it out.

I'm fairly short at ~ 5' 6.5"; however, I have long legs for my body. I mounted a 54cm bike that seemed to fit at a LBS. While I didn't ride the 54, I did ride a 52cm Specialized Allez that seemed small; the top tube seemed a little short, and I felt sort of "compressed" riding it around the parking lot. Of course, that could have been because I was wearing a puffy vest, because it was cold and windy, because I'm not used to a road bike, and/or because that specific bike has a certain geometry.

Since this is my first road bike, I'm not entirely sure how well a bike "fits" when I try it out. Should I just grab something in my theoretical size and let my body get used to a road bike? If I'm between sizes, would there be a benefit to choosing a larger or smaller frame?

Component-wise, is there a big difference between Shimano 105 and Micro.shift? I've heard from many sources that 105 is where one should start for "race-ready" components. How does Micro.shift compare to this?

Finally, all things equal, what are the differences between the 2011 and the 2012 Felt F85 models? It seems like they managed to shave $50 off the MSRP for the newest model (and $200 between 2009 and 2011).

Sorry about the wall of text! Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

ruskko

the 2011 f85 is 105 front and rear derailuer i own 1 lol i would say get the felts!life time warranty on alum frames

4.11

As much as I love my Fuji Roubaix, the Felt F85 looks like a good buy. The Sora components will be good on the Roubaix 3.0 and $650 leaves enough cash left over for all the extras you will want to buy.

Juan Foote

Simply based on what you listed the used '12 Felt is a no brainer. I will say the F series is a bit aggressive (geometry) so it might not be the most comfortable thing to jump right on if you don't already ride. I have an F5 and LOVE it. I flipped the stem on mine and it is very comfortable for me.

ruskko

get the 2011 if its new the warranty wont be an issue that way and ur can get help from felt if u have an issue

Hendricks97

I just recently picked up a Felt F75 as my first road bike and I couldnt be happier. As far as the components go, there is no question that the 12 F85 is the clear winner here

1nterceptor

I'm very satisfied with my 2009 FUJI Newest 1.0.
Bought new in '09, other than the seat and wheels
and stem; everything is original and seem to be
holding up ok w/ all the things I put it through



Going home, 2011 Tour de Bronx by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

rekmeyata

Lifetime warranty? So what? It's only for manufacture defects in material and labor. Aluminum bikes usually fail due to fatigue or crashes, no warranty covers fatigue or crashes. If the bike is use and it's already lasted a year, I doubt seriously if a defect in materials or labor will suddenly pop up. If your bike does fail 15 years from now, how are you going to prove it was a design failure and not fatigue? You send the bike bike due to a frame crack at a weld that appears 15 years later, Felt writes back the crack on the weld is due to fatigue, sorry but your not covered. I've never been one for warranties, I don't buy extended warranties on products that I buy either, so I'm a bit bias against that junk. It's great if it comes with a warranty but I don't go out of my way to get product that comes with a better warranty.

4.11

c'mon, tell us how you really feel

Bit of truth to this though, not the aluminum bits failing but the warranty issue. There are plenty of outs for a company to keep from honoring frame warranties.

However, forums like this and honest LBS can keep the consumer in the fight. Although I also do not consider a lifetime frame warranty enough to sway my purchase decision.

gatechie291

Thanks for the input! The 2012 F85 definitely seems like a great deal, hopefully the seller still has it. If not, I'm assuming the 2011 F85 would be a pretty good bang for the buck?

ruskko

11 f85 is an amazing bike if not the best bang for the buck esp for a entry road bike

gatechie291

I'd like to throw another bike into the ring with the Felts... A 2010 Marin Argenta [New from JensonUSA, $765 shipped, 105 components]:

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...d+Bike+10.aspx

I didn't mention it before, but my main goal for the foreseeable future is fitness. Although I'm a lightweight 20 year old, I'm out of shape and could benefit from regular cardio exercise. Also, my girlfriend does triathlons and I'd like to train with her and complete a short one in the near future (by the late spring/early summer). I'm not sure if any of this makes a difference, but I figure I might as well add it!

ruskko

i would say get the felt either of the f85's

SlimRider

IMHO, I'd get the Revenio or the Newest. Felt has had some problems with quality control here lately...

- Slim

rekmeyata

Here's a great deal: https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1641008_400315
And if you order today they will take off an additional 15%. Performance is also offering no interest loan for 6 months, but you better pay it before the 6 months because if you don't they charge you ALL the back interest you thought was free.

gatechie291

I think I'm going to go with the used 2012 Felt. The seller is allowing me to choose between the stock Felt saddle, a (red) Selle SMP Glider, and a Selle Italia Gelflow Max seat. My only experience with a road bike was when I rented what I think was a Specialized Allez; the only thing I remember from that ride was that the seat was terribly uncomfortable! All things considered, what would be the best saddle choice?

Also, since this isn't an eBay sale, what would be the best way to arrange the sale? Should I call my LBS and see if they can act as a middleman and receive the bike and check it out before I send payment?

Thanks again for all the help!

DropDeadFred

felt /thread

gatechie291

Already figured that one out

nosaj

The stock Felt saddle is a torture device.

rekmeyata

Unfortunately the seat thing is a personal thing, I could recommend a seat that's comfortable for me but you may hate it. So it's a trial and error situation. But the best place to start is to get a block of Styrofoam about a foot square. then sit on it naked...yes naked, and let your body weight go into it. Then get up and look at the box, perhaps put your clothes on first then look at the box. You should see two indentations, on on the right and one on the left, those are your sit bones. Measure the distance between the two indentations then find a saddle where those measurements will put you sit bones squarely on the seat and not off to where the slope of the saddle is. You could also measure your sit bones by letting a good friend, hopefully female or your male friend may think you're a bit peculiar, anyways it's the same measurement, it's just that the foam thing is easier if everyone runs from you when you ask them to help you.

ultraman6970

Between all of those I would have picked the BMC street racer. In some brands to get the good stuff u are forced to go expensive, with other brands even the low end one is 100% race able and more impressive as a ride than other brands in the same range of pricing.




The size 51 (54 top tube) is around the size u are looking for (they run big). Sincerely u cant compare this one with your picks man. CC has it on sale just in case.

gatechie291

The seller accepted my offer of $700 for the shipped bike, Selle SMP Glider saddle (+ stock felt saddle), pedals, and what he says is an unused Cateye Strada. He got it packed and shipped last night, and it's supposed to come in by Monday. While that BMC Street Racer looks like a really nice bike and a great deal, I don't think I could've turned down what I just scored!

bassjones

You did really well there! That's a very nice bike!

rekmeyata

Congrats, I hope you ride it for many years. I think you made a wise decision, your first bike should never be real expensive, and $700 is right in the ballpark of a great beginning bike. Once you're well grounded in the sport, say after you've been riding for 5 years or more and decide to get a better one then that would be the time to do it.