thomspins

I'm trying to decide b/w these two bikes. I'm going to use it for mainly (80%) racing.
I have seen the f-55 in a shop and i could not see one thing wrong w/ it..
If anyone has any info/experiences/ etc.. of these two felts let me know

Chucklehead

you'll get more chicks with the F2-C

JoeOxfordCT

I'm assuming you're talking about 2005 bikes ??
The F55 comes with a compact crank. The reason I know I have an F65 on order (since early December ) and I am having my LBS swap the Ultegra double for a compact.....just didn't have the money for the F55.

Wait, I just check the Felt site...the F2C comes with a compact too.
The F2C has a full carbon frame. The F55 has 7005 AL main frame w/carbon seatstays & fork.

Good Luck,
If your shop has both I'd ride both....but on the surface full carbon frame sounds pretty nice
At least you can plunk your money down and walk out with a bike..I have had my F65 on order since the first week of December and I spoke with a Felt rep last week and from what they're saying I won't see a bike til mid-Febuary earliest

formulaben

I originally ordered the F55, but upgraded to the F2C when I saw I could have a full carbon frame for only $500 more ($1799 for the F55, $2299 for the F2C.) Although the frame is a big question mark, the bike, IMHO, is better than what I originally wanted, the Trek 5000, but the components are much better: 10 speed Dura-Ace and FSA carbon cranks. Although I know I would have been very happy with the F55, I know that eventually I would have been thinking I should have paid the extra for a full carbon frame, so I changed my order to the F2C. I'll post pictures as soon as it arrives.

feltdude

I haven't ridden the F2C, but I've ridden the F1C as mentioned in another thread, and even took a tumble on it thanks to an irresponsible drafter, and the frame was great. I really like the carbon stuff Felt and Easton do and the F2C should be no different.

That said, the F55 is a great bike, but if you can afford the upgrade - I say do it.

Brett 12

Felt CF frame looks cool (plus I love the geometry)

I wouldn't mind picking up a F70 (cheap and fast).....just throw away triple for double.

Too bad Felt didn't make a steel bike also (Steel Felt= Instant Classic)

moonkat

You guys ordering FCs sight unseen ?!
No test ride of bike or similar Felt models ?
No concerns with the Velomax wheels ?

Moonkat,
Clydesdale seduced by F2C.....where's that report ?

formulaben

Yeah, I know it: it's crazy. BUT, the order was conditional on an acceptance ride. My dealer is guaranteeing/warrantying the wheelset.

moonkat

My experience parallels yours. Wanted a 5000 or Madone 5.2 but could not accept $2600 for Ultegra 9spd or 2800 for the new Ultegra 10.

The Felt 55, 35 and F2C look very attractive. I'd like to read a review by heavier rider on the Felt carbon frame.

formulaben

Will do. I'm sure you'll be sick of my postings about the bike before too long...

moonkat

just keep those cards and letters coming .....

Mojo GoGo

You guys ordering FCs sight unseen ?!
No test ride of bike or similar Felt models ?
No concerns with the Velomax wheels ?


What's the concern about Velomax wheels? I'm considering a F2C but am waiting until I can test ride one this spring... I've heard they need to be sent back if you loose a spoke - is that the concern?

Brett 12

What's wrong with Velomax wheels?

zacster

I rode Velomax wheels all last season and didn't have any problems with them. In fact, they are still perfectly true.

formulaben

Probably nothing. It's a new model so how could anyone possibly say they are anything? What they are is a question mark, but it's a name brand I trust, so I'm not worried about it. I asked my dealer about it, and he said if there are any problems, he'd take care of it, even if it means a new (upgraded) wheelset.

Mojo GoGo

I spoke with a local wheelbuilder a while back (when I was thinking about a Giant OCR) who told me that if you broke a spoke they had to be sent back to the factory to have the spoke redone due to the hub end of the spoke being threaded as well as the nipple end. I never double checked this info (and didn't check to see if the model on the F2C was like this or not) but my LBS also said not to worry. I'm a bit gun shy as my first bike was a Specialized with Alex rims that imploded after a season but all my friends who upgraded years ago have had no problems so I'm not going to worry about it as Velomax is a quality name.

formulaben

I believe the wheel/hub type you're thinking of employs Velomax's Twin Thread technology, which is not part of the Vista SL wheelset. They are normal spokes. The Easton (nee Velomax) Vista SL wheelset website has the stats, nad as you can see, they employ J-bend hubs with double butted spokes. Clearly they aren't top-of-the-line wheels, but I doubt they are weak.



Link to the Easton website showing the features of the entire wheelset linup.

moonkat

btw...s.
My concern re the Velomax wheels are for the model speced for the F2C.... Vista (iirc). Does not show up on their web site. The Circuits look good but nothing on the Vistas.

formulaben

Easton bought out Velomax some time ago. The link above shows the entire lineup. The Vista SL is the wheelset that comes with the F2C.

formulaben

I sent an email to Velomax and they were very helpful. They said the reason it was not showcased on their website is because the Vista SL wheelset is an OE (original equipment) wheelset for 2005 only; not for retail sale. They will be available to purchase next year, so no reason (or a bad excuse?) to put them on the Velomax website. Curiously though, they are on the Easton website.

moonkat

Ben,
Good find !
I learned Easton bought-out Velomax while researching for the Vista SLs but the Easton site provided no info....then. Looks like they just updated.

formulaben

It took a while, but it is finally here. I was given a surprise with the American Classic wheelset. I'm not really sure I like them more than the Velomax wheels that were supposed to come with it. They are certainly lighter and geared towards high performance, but I'm a heavy rider and liked the reviews I saw on the Velomax...we'll see how it goes. First impression: smooth carbon ride and gobs of gearing. It was a shame to put cages and my "emergency" bag on the seat. It makes it feel so much heavier. Weight with Speedplay pedals is 17lbs. Now if only the engine can lose some weight...

The pictures aren't the greatest, but I tried to get some details of the carbon. Click on the thumbnails for larger images:

53-11_alltheway

Wow, they threw in a AC420 wheelset? Nice!

joejack951

I have the weight limit PDF off AC's site because I saw various weight limits when I bought my 350 Sprints (anywhere from 180-200 lbs.) and I wanted to know for sure what the limit supposedly was. I just checked on the 420's and assuming a normal build (non-Sapim/bladed), their weight limit is 200 lbs. If you're a heavier rider, you may want to consider going with something a bit beefier although I don't have any real world experience.

formulaben

They are actually CR-420s. What that means, I have no idea. Click on the picture on that site for a better look.