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My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2
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 2012-12-11 1:26 PM |
New user 7 |  Subject: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2After a year of short-course tri on a used road bike, I am ready to step up to a tri bike. I am a 6', 156 lbs, male with long limbs and a running background. I am not a very strong rider. My A races are IM New Orleans 70.3 in April, IM Arizona in November. I may return to Oly/HIM for 2014 and beyond. My LBS is offering a nice winter sale that has me narrowed down to three choices in very different price points (within my budget, but I am a value seeker). Let me know what you think: 1) Felt S32 2013 $1160 Aluminum Frame, Carbon Fork, 105 components (discount of $390) I had set a $1500 budget, which may have been unrealistic. For better or worse, my wife will be joining me and is also looking at tri bikes (double the expenses, but double the fun). So I'm in need of convincing for #2 or #3. Thank you for the advice! |
| 2012-12-11 1:48 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
Pro 5892     , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 More important than anything else would be the fit. So don't get stuck on a specific brand or model just because you can get a good deal on it... If it doesn't fit YOU, then the deal will be bad no matter what. Cervelo and Felt are not that dissimilar in fit, so either one should work ok for you. Personally, I would pick the Felt B16 from that list; just a very well-engingeered bike. |
| 2012-12-11 2:06 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
Extreme Veteran 469 Albany, NY | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 Fit is the most important thing and that is what anyone will tell you. After that, I'll speak of my personal experience... My first bike was a 2008 Felt s32. I just sold it a month ago. It got me through 4 seasons including 2 full IM's, a half, I don't know how many olympics and sprints ,and ALL the training from September 2008-October 2012. I absolutely loved it and wish I didn't have to sell it to fund the bike I'm building. For the price you listed that's a steal IMO. The other two bike are definitely better, but I can't speak for them. I guess I'm just letting you know that should you chose the s32, its definitely a more than solid choice. Plus, you'd be able to splurge on some other nice things if you stay under budget. Edited by zee744 2012-12-11 2:06 PM |
| 2012-12-11 5:42 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 considering they all fit properly... I'd go with the S32 or the B16. The S32 is a race ready bike. You'll never lose a race because you were on it other than something (anything) else. Same thing with 105 components. Neither of them are all that sexy, but they are both serious machines at a killer price point. The B16/Utegra deal is a splurge. That said, The B16 is basically the same as *most* of felts higher end (all but the new DA's) frames (especially if looking down the future you replaced the fork with the Bayonet) it's a bike that won't leave you looking for an upgrade in a year or two if you find that you really like tri's. The Cervelo is a very nice bike, but IMO it does the same thing the B16 does for more money. Buy for name only in this case. The "smart" choice from the info you've provided is the S32. The B16 is the "deal"... the Cervelo is the snob's pick. Choose accordingly and keep in mind the other stuff you'll need to factor into budget (pedals/shoes/helmet/saddle/wheels&tires if you want to upgrade them.) |
| 2012-12-12 11:41 AM in reply to: #4530937 |
Extreme Veteran 469 Albany, NY | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 Ran across a deal "elsewhere" on a B16. Check your PM. |
| 2012-12-12 3:05 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
| New user 7 | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 Wow! Thank you for such speedy and helpful comments! BT can be a great asset. Agreed on fit - I need to get fit on the Felt S32, but the B16 fit well.
Can I throw another aluminum into the mix since it sounds like the Felt S32 is a realistic option? 4) Trek Speed Concept 2.5 2012 $1590 Aluminum Frame, Carbon Fork, Sram stocked (discount of $390)
Thank you SO much! PS - zee744, I'll keep that one in mind! |
| 2012-12-12 5:41 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 I would still pick the B16... it's a really nice frame |
| 2012-12-12 7:30 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
New user 129 Green Bay | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 I also would opt for the felt, maybe because I bought a 2012 b16 and have been fairly pleased with it. I'm curious, are you getting a full ultegra groupset with it? I ask because I thought stock on these bikes was an fsa crank and generic bar end shifters and brakes; the rear derailler was ultegra on mine. I was pretty sure the frame on most of the b series was the same, what differentiated them were the respective group sets. Anyway, I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you buy, just make sure you do your due diligence. Mike |
| 2012-12-13 11:01 AM in reply to: #4530937 |
| New user 7 | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 From the LBS's Felt B16 product description: Felt's aero carbon fork TTR-4 wheels Microshift/Shimano Ultegra 20-speed drivetrain Lightweight aluminum base bar with aero extensions
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| 2012-12-13 5:36 PM in reply to: #4530937 |
New user 129 Green Bay | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 If its the same as mine you'll have ultegra front and rear deraillers maybe cassette, micro shift bar end shifters and full size fsa crank. That's also what felts website listed as stock on the bike. Maybe they upgraded it in order to move a 2012 model. The stock crank isn't bad. I just prefer a compact and I'm partial to shimano. I would just be sure to look for yourself. |
| 2012-12-14 7:34 AM in reply to: #4534494 |
Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: My 1st Tri Bike - Felt S32, Felt B16, Carvelo P2 wisconmd - 2012-12-13 6:36 PM If its the same as mine you'll have ultegra front and rear deraillers maybe cassette, micro shift bar end shifters and full size fsa crank. That's also what felts website listed as stock on the bike. Maybe they upgraded it in order to move a 2012 model. The stock crank isn't bad. I just prefer a compact and I'm partial to shimano. I would just be sure to look for yourself. That IS a compact crank as standard... 52/36 FSA... You could just swap out the outer ring for a 50 and you're set. But yes, I would prefer a Shimano as well... just shifts slightly better (not that the FSA is bad though and honestly, how often do you shift the front in a tri?!). The Microshift bar end shifters are very much functional, but if you want to buy a pair of Shimano bar ends, you can find those used for less than $100... The TT4 wheels are heavy, but they are excellent training wheels (and aerodynamically, not that bad at all). All-in-all, the B16 offers an excellent package. |
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