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Road Bike Conundrum
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 2004-09-29 6:33 PM |
Veteran  134   Marietta, GA |  Subject: Road Bike ConundrumI finished 4 triathlons so my hubby gave the go ahead for a road bike (I've been riding a tricked out mountian bike for ages) We went to a LBS and I fell in love with the Felt line. Since I wanted to start entry level we ordered a 50 cm 2005 Felt F80 and waited and waited and waited (4 weeks to be exact) Today after raising total hell with the LBS owner (who had promised a 7 day turnaround) I have been given 3 options 1) Wait until early November for my size bike (Felt hasn't even shipped 50cm bikes out yet) 2) Get a total refund on deposit I put down 3) or He'll sell me a 2004 Candy Red Bianchi Veloce for $1000 (list $1600) What would you do??? |
| 2004-09-29 6:39 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Extreme Veteran 356 Dorset | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum i had a similar problem with a shop on a bike i wanted i waited for ages and weeks later they told e they had reached their credit limit with their suppliers! i figure whatever the deal do u really want to be dealing with this store if anything goes wrong with your bike? so my advice take your money and go else where defintely  |
| 2004-09-29 6:41 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Regular 292 Mississippi | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum never settle!!! if the felt is what you want, get a refund and go elsewhere!!! |
| 2004-09-29 6:48 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Veteran 134 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum If I go somewhere else there is going to be wait too... Felt shipped over larger sized bikes first The smaller bikes won't be in the US for a while I guess they don't think us smaller people want to ride bikes! damn the luck |
| 2004-09-29 7:39 PM in reply to: #67900 |
Member 38 Altadena, CA | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum aims - 2004-09-29 6:48 PM If I go somewhere else there is going to be wait too... ...but it took your LBS 4 weeks to tell you their 7 day turnaround wouldn't be met? Have you worked with this store before? I think I might look around for a different shop... Edited by lheiss 2004-09-29 8:08 PM |
| 2004-09-29 7:54 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Master 1558  Pensacola, Fl | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum I agree with the others that I would go elsewhere. I would call all3sports (there off of GA-400) and see what they can do for you. That is where I bought my bike (a Felt S22) and they treated me great. I hope this is not the store that you are having problems with, becuase that would come as a great suprise to me. If not, all3sports is not that far from you there in marietta, even close enough to make it your "new" LBS. Good luck! Edited by Cavu9 2004-09-29 7:55 PM |
| 2004-09-29 9:30 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Expert 1836 Lafayette, CO | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum You can, and should, sound out other places for the Felt F80, if that's the bike you really want. I just spent several weeks trying to track ANY tri bikes down. I ordered from www.racycles.com; I'm completely happy with their service, and the bike (sweet, svelte Mikaela...oops, sorry). There was only one LBS that didn't try to sell me something else (something I didn't want) - all of those places lost my business. One shop offered road bikes, but they said they'd help me if I ordered a tri bike, and they've been very good since. If you really want the 2005 model, you'll have to wait. Just about every bike manufacturer is gearing up for the new model year. You might be able to find a 2004 around, but the ultimate decision is yours to make. Do you wish to settle for something that you might not like in a year? Do you HAVE to have the bike before November (any big "A" races that you need a certain placing in)? I'd ask for my deposit back (it's better for YOU to earn the interest on that money, instead of them), tell them to call as soon as they get a 50cm F80, and check around to see if I could locate one on my own. If you like the shop, you'll need accessories at some point - they'll know this and (most likely) be glad to help assemble and fit the bike for you, even if you didn't buy it through them. Good luck! (You really will love that Felt bike, when you get it! Mikaela was awesome on my last race!) |
| 2004-09-29 10:03 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum I think that a Bianchi Veloce for $1000, red or otherwise, is a pretty darned good deal as well as well as being a cut above the F80. However, just remember that a "deal" is not a deal if it is not what you want. If your heart is set on a Felt F80, then that is what you should hold out for. |
| 2004-09-29 10:29 PM in reply to: #67888 |
Master 2447 Marietta, Ga | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum Amy, Where did you go? As Lane stated, All3Sports carries the Felt line and are very helpful. Being a Felt owner myself, I can understand the passion. However, you're catching all the manufacturers between seasons and many are not yet shipping the 2005 bikes. I know a few of the folks at All3sports, if you do wind up there, ask for Alex or Patrick (the owner). Karl |
| 2004-09-30 7:59 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Veteran 134 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum I'm going up to "All 3" this afternoon, my friend and I are picking up wetsuits for the calhutta triathlon this weekend, so I'll talk to them about the Felts. I checked out the specs on the Bianchi (talked to a few bike fanatics), and I decided to at least test drive it today just for the hell of it. It's such a pretty bike and freaking loaded compared to what I ordered. So we'll see what happens Thanks for all the input guys, I was so afraid I was going to make a emotional decision. Dangle a pretty red bike in front of my eyes and it's hard to look at the big picture. cheers Edited by aims 2004-09-30 8:00 AM |
| 2004-09-30 8:37 AM in reply to: #67975 |
Master 1558 Pensacola, Fl | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum aims - 2004-09-30 6:59 AM Dangle a pretty red bike in front of my eyes and it's hard to look at the big picture. cheers Damn it! I resemble that remark! I hate when that happens! Hey Karl, sounds like me huh! Aims, the people will treat you very well at All3sports. I just laugh at your comment becuase I went in there looking at a couple of bikes (and for the record, red is not a color I like) and out I come with a brand new RED Felt S22. Actually, I couldn't be more pleased. Happy bike shopping and enjoy the All3sports experience. I am already needing another roadtrip fix to do some more shopping there. Good Luck! |
| 2004-09-30 9:01 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Master 2447 Marietta, Ga | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum Lane, If you come to Atlanta, call me and lets set up a ride. Then, we'll hit All3Sports and wrap up at Three Dollar Cafe for some wings and beer. |
| 2004-09-30 9:13 AM in reply to: #67888 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum i agree that if your heart is set on a felt, then hold out for what you want. you don't want to spend that much money to look back at your purchase and think 'this is nice, but what i REALLY wanted was...' this was the justification i used to buy, oddly enough, a bianchi veloce. the veloce is a wonderful bike. i rode a felt, a trek, a surley, a slew of lamonds, and a few other bianchis. the veloce was over and beyond my favorite among them (but that's me!). i paid $1000 for a 2002 veloce and considered it a killer deal. it is light, fast, well made. not sure what the components are like this year, but i can recommend it as a wonderful bike. it can't hurt to test ride it and see how it feels compared to the felt. but again, if you KNOW the felt is it, get a felt. |
| 2004-09-30 9:25 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Veteran 134 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum Autumn: Thanks for the input on the Veloce. I'm glad you love yours! I'm interested to know what you think about the steel frame. These days Aluminum seem to be such the rage. I've heard arguements for both sides, AL is lighter but Steel has a smoother ride. Your thoughts?? Edited by aims 2004-09-30 9:26 AM |
| 2004-09-30 9:36 AM in reply to: #68009 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum AL is lighter but Steel has a smoother ride This is very much a generalization, much more depends on design of the frame. You can build a steel frame lighter than an aluminum one, and you can make a steel frame ride harsher than an aluminum one. |
| 2004-09-30 9:38 AM in reply to: #67921 |
Regular 292 Mississippi | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum i agree!!! |
| 2004-09-30 9:39 AM in reply to: #67990 |
Regular 292 Mississippi | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum order of speed... 1. red 2. black 3. everything else haha |
| 2004-09-30 9:41 AM in reply to: #68018 |
Regular 292 Mississippi | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum there is a trade off in all materials. pros and cons of each. unless you use unatanium!!! haha |
| 2004-09-30 9:44 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Expert 803 MD | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum Sounds to me like the only thing the LBS is guilty of is not notifying you sooner about the delay in shipping from Felt. You should bring up this concern with the owner and make a determination wether or not you feel confident in working with them in the future. If not, take your business elsewhere. If you truely did your homework and decided the Felt was the bike for you (best fit, best value, best feature set) then you should wait and get the bike you selected. The Bianchi is a nice bike, but if it was not your first choice don't jump at it just because of a $600 discount. Is it possible the LBS is trying to appease you with an in-stock bike they are having trouble moving? If I were in your shoes, and I still felt that the LBS was a respectable business, I think I'd sit tight and wait. (p.s. I love the Felt line, too! It would be worth the wait for me if I ended up with a brand new Felt). |
| 2004-09-30 10:35 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Veteran 134 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum Honestly, I like the LBS owner alot... (East Cobb Bicycles) This guy has gone out of his way to amend something that is totally out of his hands (if he hadn't promised a quick turnaround, I'd have nothing to gripe about) He's given me his cell number, home number, and I fully expect him to name his first born after me (ha ha ha). The more I read up on Bianchi, the more excited I am to give it a whirl today. Cheers |
| 2004-09-30 10:46 AM in reply to: #67888 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum By all means, give it a whirl! You may find that it is the bike you want after all. As for the components, someone said they were not sure what they might be ... The Veloce has Campagnolo Veloce components throughout (hence the name), which some believe to be superior to Shimano 105. |
| 2004-09-30 2:26 PM in reply to: #68009 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum it really depends on the individual bike, as bear said. while i did look at a couple of aluminum bikes, i still leaned towards steel because that's what i've always had - steel bikes. my old boss at the bike shop i used to work at was steering me towards two alum bikes (a cannondale and a redline), but was happy to hear that i ended up with the veloce. while speed and weight are a concerns, obviously, i believe that the more comfortable the bike, the more you will ride it, and the stronger and faster you will be. if the bike is uncomfortable, you won't enjoy yourself, won't be as apt to ride as much, etc. i love riding and i wanted it to be a joy, not an ordeal. in sally edwards tri book, she says that you should have a good, comfortable road bike to train on, and a fast, light tri bike to race on. i couldn't afford both, so i opted for a good, comfortable road bike for now. if i do enough racing and feel like i'm good enough to warrant shaving minutes off my time with a faster, lighter tri specific bike, i may do that and consider materials other than steel. don't get me wrong - the veloce still is VERY FAST! i was able to get to 30 mph with little effort, even while biking into the wind. anyway, a point, autumn? don't worry so much about the material - focus on the overall feel of the bike while you are riding it. if it feels good and fits well, then its a bike to consider. if the felt felt better (ba dum bum), then get the felt. for some pretty biased thoughts on the materials issue, check out this: http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/101_pureopinions.html Edited by autumn 2004-09-30 2:33 PM |
| 2004-09-30 2:29 PM in reply to: #68049 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum have a wonderful test ride! i did two test rides, two nights in a row, with the veloce and three other bikes. i was a happy camper when i brought the veloce home! ps: the campy veloce components are one of the main things that sold me on the veloce. the campy is heavenly! |
| 2004-09-30 2:35 PM in reply to: #68052 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum i second the vote for the campy. i looooooooooove the campy. the veloce is integrated, but felt much more solid that the integrated 105. i like the fact that the brake levers are brake levers and the shifters are shifters. call me old fashioned, but it felt better. the 105 felt loose and did not instill confidence - then again, i was upgrading from a bike that still had bottom tube shifters! |
| 2004-09-30 2:38 PM in reply to: #67888 |
| Online or Offline | Subject: RE: Road Bike Conundrum aims, Hopefully by now you've figured out what you are going to do about your bike. I bought a Felt from my local tri shop in August and when they called to place the order from Felt, at that time they sent out a 2005 model. It was a 50 cm bike too......granted it wasn't an F80, it was an F90 with cheaper components. The 7-day turnaround ended up taking 10, nothing to excessive. Now how much I'm really satisfied with the bike is another story... |
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