bryanuc

Hi all,

I appreciate all of the information on the forums, it's helped me narrow down my search immensely. Now I need some help deciding on a road bike.

I have three main contenders:

1) Scattante R-570 @ $899
2) Scattante R-330 @ $599
3) Felt Z95 @ $809

Here's the issue: Performance Bike is running a 30% points-back sale this weekend. Is that actually a good deal? I look it as I can get 180-270 back from the R-570 or R-330, or 0% back from the Felt Z95. I know there will be other things I need, so the store credit would be nice, but is it worth it?

If so, should I go for the R-330, which I was fine with getting a few weeks ago (Shimano Sora) or the R-570 with the Shimano 105 parts? It's my first road bike, so I doubt it will matter much to me, but I'm trying to think longer-term and am always looking for a good deal.

In the end, is the store credit worth it, or are those bikes inferior to the Felt to the point I should skip the store credit and go with the Felt?

PhotoJoe 

Welcome to the forum. And those triple points are doing EXACTLY what Performance hopes for. However, free money is free money!

Have you ridden any of these bikes. I would ride all three and buy the most comfortable bike that you can afford. If it's uncomfortable, even free is a bad deal!

The 105 will shift a little better than the Sora, but works differently. Some like the Sora. Some hate it. YMMV. Don't forget the deal-a-day think PB has going on right now, too. MAYBE one of your road choices will show up on that this weekend. Talk about a score!

Let us know what you decide.

SlimRider

There are several things to weigh here. First of all, you have to know how deeply you personally are committed to the sport of road bike cycling. You also have to know how much you are excited by cycling in general. Perhaps, just casually riding on the weekends through the paved parkways and a few miles of MUP will suffice. So first, truly discover the type of relationship you'd like to have with the sport and your bike. Will it be casual and occasional traversing less than 10-20 miles per week? Will a nice hybrid be able to satisfy your needs just as much, if not more than a genuine road bike?...Do you just want the exercise and the ability to personally challenge yourself?...Do you yearn to compete against others? ...Do you not know any of the answers to these questions?...Will riding over 100 miles within one day be far too much of a task for you to truly appreciate?

Need more time to do some soul-searching in order to answer these questions? If you need more time to do some soul-searching, then just buy the Scattante 330. OTOH, if you've already done all of the soul-searching that you've needed to do, and you feel as though you'd rather be cycling than exchanging text over the internet on BF, then either get the Z-95 or the Scattante 570.

Of course, as you already know, the Z 95 is a 10 speed and the Scattante 570 is a 9 speed. The Scattante 570 has a 105/Tiagra mix, while the Z 95 has Tiagra and Micro. The Z 95 is a gorgeous bike. The Scattante 570 looks nice and sleek.

In the end, it's your choice. Just make sure that you're certain about whatever choice you make!

PS.

Personally, I think that the MSRP of a Scattante bike is way outta line!

The sale prices are closer to what they really should be...

Capecodder

Z95

bryanuc

Those are actually questions I've been pondering. The most immediate goal is I'm riding in the 75-mile Pelotonia in August, and want to do a 60-mile ride as a "test" run July 8th. I have a basic mountain bike with road tires on it and am finding that, while I can do 20-25 miles on it regularly, trying to go further is just frustrating because I see all the road bikers just wizz by "effortlessly". While I understand part of that is they are in better shape, I definitely want to step up to an entry-level road bike and want to get into cycling more. After August, my next goal would be to either do the 100-mile or 2-day, 155-mile Pelotonia next August, so I am looking ahead a bit. That's where I don't know if the R330 would be 'enough' or if I just should dive in now.

I thought the MSRP vs Sale seemed kind of 'gimmicky', although I looked at a Trek 1.5 and a Specialized Allez or Secetuer (however it's spelled) and thought that 1100-1300 was high and they had tiagra parts. Thanks for the info!

Ghost Ryder

+1 for the Felt Z95
Better bang for the buck IMO.
You might want that 10 spd if you're doing a 1-2 day ride.

Check out the Giant Defy 3 or 2 for another entry level option in your price range.

SilverStretch

I bought my wife an r570 (not the women's one, a regular r570 in 51cm) last year...I have been pleasantly surprised at how light, reliable, and functional it is. The 105 drivetrain seems every bit as nice as my Ultegra 6700 setup and the thing has barely had a wrench put to it in a year. I have been very happy with it for the price.

I can't comment on the Felt or the 330, except to note that the Z95 is a nice-looking ride...!

nastystang

Another vote for the Felt. I really like the attention to detail on even the smallest things like the isolators felt puts on the cables where they make contact with the frame. But as stated above go ride them and decide then. Find the bike that makes you want to keep riding. Test rides are the best part of buying a bike.

bryanuc

Thanks everybody for the input. Rode both the R-570 and the Z95 today, the Z95 won hands down. One of the things I really liked was the micro shifters instead of the shimano. The R-570 also felt really stiff in the back, the Z95 was more comfortable/smooth. Went out this afternoon after buying the Felt and had a great first ride, look forward to many more!

nastystang

Congrats on the new bike.

SlimRider

Hey! Yeeaay for BryanUC and his brand new Felt Z-95!

a1penguin

That's a great looking bike! Ride the white out if it :-)

Ghost Ryder

Congratz!
Now all you have to do is post pics