Virgin BIKE PORN - 1st Time FELT so Good!!

Ah, January, when the bikes ordered in the fall finally come in.  I got my first tri bike (and hopefully last)  on Wednesday.  It is still unridden.  I took my old bike to spin because I didn't want to bang up the precious.  Here she is.

Hey Kevin,

 what did you ride prior to the new purchase? I just started training for a tri.  Other the time challenge to fit in 3 sports a week, I love it.

3 weeks ago I did not even own a bike...I have owned in the past, but my son left my Mtn bike out a few months ago and of course it was stolen right out of my own driveway.  So, when I started this endeavor I bought a cheap road bike for a couple hundred dollar.  Did not want to break the bank in case triing was not for me.

 But I was just curious what you rode before and how long it got you through and how many races.

jtflash,

I didn't even learn about and start training for tri's until Aug 1st of 2008 - I also didn't own a bike.

I bought a Diamondback hybrid, the Marvista model ... from Di<k's Sporting Goods ... I had it for 5 weeks before my first Sprint distance on Sept 14th, 2008 .. then another Sprint on Oct 18th, 2008.

I ride maybe 2 or 3 times a week training for those, from 10 to 17 mile rides.  I pretty much never got on the bike after October ... but I joined a Mentor group a couple of weeks back and have been contemplating training for and running a HIM distance in Sept this year ... so figured I better get a real bike ... either a roadie with aero bars or a tri bike.

Found this really sweet deal at a LBS ... you might find it to ... you can get good deals on 2008 model close outs ... esp. the Felt S32 ... I've learned 2008 is the last year for them ... they are combining the S32 and S22 and now there will only be the one model ...as their entry-level aluminum frame model ... so my LBS bought up as many S32's as he could and is selling 'em cheap!

Got mine for under $1,000 ... you can order one for $989 from BikeSportMichigan.com

This is me on the old hybrid at my first Sprint:

(angels_race_bike.JPG)

Like I said, this is my first time ... you know how that goes ... lot's of fumbling around and mistakes...

I tried to remember what to do ... I placed the crank handle where I thougt it should be .. but forgot to hide the valve stems, etc ... forgot about the rings and cogs ... I was just too anxious to get these posted ... so like most first-timers .... I guess I was a little pre-mature...

SWEET BIKE!!!

North Carolina...hows the weather?  Good enough to take her out?

I hear this is very true ... and really the smart thing for me to have done is keep shopping and waiting around for a great deal to pop up on eBay or Craigslist ... but ... the LBS was having these killer deals on the 2008 Felt S32's ... and I had a tad bit of money I was saving for a bike ... and figured if I don't spend it now I'll end up spending it on something else ... and even when that sweet deal on eBay pops up I'd be out of money ...

... so those were my main motivations for jumping into this bike after being in tri's so short a time ... great 2008 closetout deal ... better spend the money now while I have it ... and I'm going to attempt a HIM this year and my Mentor advises me that I better put in lots and lots of miles on the bike ... so instead of waiting halfway thru my training plan to get a tri-specific bike I got one now ...

But, the hybrid was just fine for the sprints ... and I was going to use it for more sprints and an Oly this year ... (my initial 2009 race goals) ... but now that I'm making the big jump to HIM ... I went ahead for the new bike now.

..

It's pretty chilly today, around the lo 40's and cloudy ... bu only if it was raining, snowing, or hailing was I not going out today!!  I did for a short while...

I took it for a short test ride today at Tangelwood Park.

I've not spent much time on it yet but I'm loving it.  The handling is quite different from a Hybrid or other bikes I've ridden - but it is schweet!  Got to going so fast down one hill that I scared myself ... I moved my hands from the aero bars and back to the outer bars just so I could have my hands on the brakes!

Then I spent some time in one of the parking lots doing Figure-8's and seeing how sharp I could corner or lay the bike down without losing my balance .. practice un-clipping a few times, etc ...

I as actually planning to get in a long run today and a long bike tomorrow ... but I've been so excited about the bike and took more time then I thought getting it setup ... I may run out of daylight hours .... if that happens I'll get in a treadmill run later this evening ...

... I should be out running now ... but had to run back home and tell everyone.

Klowman

 Nice bike, congrats.

How is the commute to Durham treating the running, I know you had question sa fwe weeks ago about what to run?

Have you signed up for any of Setups races?

Paul -- you are right I directed the question to Kevin, but really I appreciate all answers from anyone, so sorry that I did not make it more of a general question.  Thanks for your input.  Intellectually I know the engine is the most important aspect...I guess the lazy side of is hoping to hear from someone that if "i buy this bike or that bike, then I will sail to the finish line."

 Kevin - thanks for the background and the info.

I guess I should feel lucky then because my wife more or less agreed that if in a few months I still like training for tris as much as I seem to right now and once I compete in and finish a few races, then she would not mind me taking some $ from other places and start saving for a good bike. 

I just know that the geometry, fit, and components on my scwinn special are holding me bsome, but I chalk it up to an awesome training opportunity...train with something a little less now and how good will something good feel later!!  Kinda like running a lot of hills..then if you run a flat course you feel like your are smoking it!

Kevin,

 Nice Bike. I own a 2007 blue model and love it, especially the price I got on eBay! Have fun riding!

Welcome to the Felt Mafia!

~Mike

Still the same old drag commuting to Durham every day ... but I kinda adapted by doing runs on the YMCA treadmills vs. running outside at night.

I've not registered with any Setup Events yet, but plan on it.  I think an early one I was thinking about may already be sold old ... didn't realize the early races sell out so quickly ... I got started late last year ... in Aug/Sept ... and so the 2 races I ran I had PLENTY of time it seemed to sign up.

But I do indeed plan on running at least one in the Raleigh/Durham area ... just not sure which one or if a Sprint or Oly.  I want to do at least 2 Sprints and 1 Oly before a HIM ...oh, forgot to mention ... I'm about 1 week away from signing up for a HIM ... decided to upgrade my goals for the year and make a HIM my A race vs. the Oly.

If you know of any particularly good Setup Event races in Raleigh/Durham, please tell which one.

Thanks for the followup!

Eh, you talkin' to me?  Of course you are my brother, I FELT the family love coming through!

I wish I could tell you about the good ones, but this is going to be my 1st year so I have not done any of them.

I have signed up for the white lake sprint as my 1st race. I have also registered for the Beach 2 Battleship Half, but I plan on getting in 1 or 2 other races maybe the Kerr Lake Olympic or I thought of having a 2nd A race (B2B being the other A). I am looking at doing the Washington Olympic on Aug 1st as an A race.

Maybe I will get to see you at the races. Good luck on your new stealth machine.

Cool!

We should talk about the Kerr Lake Olympic .. cause I think that is the one I had in mind as well.

x2

Thanks!

I believe this should last me a few years.  It won't be until I actually think I might be competitive within my Age Group and Division that I'll have to start worrying about shaving off seconds and minutes and shedding pounds and ounces on bike weight, etc ... so the S32 should be fine for a few years before I have to breakdown and buy one of those sweet carbon fiber rides.

I think the S22 is the top-line aluminum frame, correct?  And the B12 is the "entry-level" carbon fiber?

As I was going out the door with my new bike Saturday I met someone there who was standing beside the B12 model on display ... and he had that primal, animalistic look on his face ... and so I had to ask him .... and yep, he was waiting on the salesman to get done with me so he could buy his first carbon fiber Felt.

..