Felt B16 v. S32

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Felt B16 v. S32 Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-09-04 12:41 PM

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: Felt B16 v. S32
So in looking at the new 2010 bikes I am just wondering, when it comes to felt in particular, if it is worth the extra $600 or so list price between the B16 and S32. It does not seem that there is a big difference in the component list. The only real diference I see is between the Aluminum and the Carbon frames. Am I missing something as I dream/shop around the new 2010 models?

2009-09-04 12:50 PM
in reply to: #2389933

User image

Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Felt B16 v. S32
If you want a carbon tri bike with good geo, the B16 is hard to beat for the price. Very hard.

On the other hand... the S32 is (was at least, my exp on the newer ones is a bit limited) a good, solid tri bike, but, it's aluminum.

How fast are you on the bike? There comes a point where the carbon and geometry of the B16 will take you farther than the S32... but I'd think you'd need to be pressing mid 20's for a while to really see it.
2009-09-04 1:36 PM
in reply to: #2389933

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: RE: Felt B16 v. S32
Right now I ride a trek Hybrid and on my long ride (at least before my knee) I could maintain 16-19 for 20-30 miles on regular terrain (mix of flats and rollers). Any tri/road bike will be a big upgrade for me and I have not nailed down what I want yet but in looking at the different options out there this just stood out to me for the felts. I may still opt for a road bike that I set up with Aero bars and new seat post etc. as it looks like I could get a slightly higher quality frame/component set for a similar price point on a tri bike (brand dependant of course) still a lot of options to look at.
2009-09-06 1:08 PM
in reply to: #2389933

User image

New user
108
100
Kansas City Metro
Subject: RE: Felt B16 v. S32
Go with the B16.  The wheelset upgrade is worth the extra cash.
2009-09-06 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2389933

User image

Expert
770
5001001002525
Long Island, NY
Subject: RE: Felt B16 v. S32

With the S32, you may look to upgrade to carbon sooner or later.  Then you'd be buying two bikes and end up shelling out a lot more dough.

With the B16, you'd get the carbon frame and maybe upgrade components as time went on.  It's the same geometry as the high end bikes, you'd just have a lower grade carbon and no bayonet fork.

I'd go B16

2009-09-06 4:08 PM
in reply to: #2389933

User image

Master
1249
100010010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Felt B16 v. S32

This is my 4th season riding an S32, it's seriously been a great bike.  Done numerous HIM's and an IM on it.  I think the only thing I've really upgraded is the aero bars.  That said, if I had to do it over again(buy my bike) I'd have looked at the next model up...back then(2006) it was a S22.  But at that point, I was lucky to be allowed to buy a tri bike after doing just one race.

If the B16 is still within your price range, I'd get it.  But if not, I think the S32 has been a super bike- my husband actually has the same one and we've not had any issues, but I think it's the quality of Felt, not the specific models.

Oh, and since someone mentioned the higher quality wheels on the B16, I think that does make a difference.  Our bike mechanic has mentioned several times that the wheel set on the S32 is pretty low quality and we both need to look at new training wheels in the next 6 months-1 year.  Not sure the typical wheel lifespan, but that seems a little short, but all in all not bad consitering the complete bike was +/- $1500.
 

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Felt B16 v. S32 Rss Feed