General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike? Rss Feed  
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2012-06-11 1:35 PM
in reply to: #4251179

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
Also, check around for year end closeouts.  I just picked up a 2011 Speed Concept 7.0 series for less than $2000. 


2012-06-11 2:12 PM
in reply to: #4251179

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

Here's what I ride now.  How much of a difference would one of the ally bikes mentioned here feel in comparison with mine?  (other than being a a tri bike of course....).

 

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/rwt_tri.htm



Edited by GatorDeb 2012-06-11 2:12 PM
2012-06-11 4:03 PM
in reply to: #4255864

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
GatorDeb - 2012-06-11 2:12 PM

Here's what I ride now.  How much of a difference would one of the ally bikes mentioned here feel in comparison with mine?  (other than being a a tri bike of course....).

 

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/rwt_tri.htm

Do you have a way to accurately see how much yours weighs by any chance?  My googling didn't help. 

2012-06-11 4:18 PM
in reply to: #4251179

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
I'll weigh myself and then weigh myself holding the bike tomorrow
2012-06-11 4:55 PM
in reply to: #4251179

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

I am curious, the bike and specifically the choice of components they used is quite unique.

Assuming it's not an anchor, I think by far the biggest bang for your buck would be go get someone help you out with the fit.

If you really want a new bike, I would recommend the same thing my wife has, which is a road bike, again a good fit being the most important thing.  Aero at 16mph is overrated, comfort isn't.

2012-06-11 5:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

Do you have a way to accurately see how much yours weighs by any chance?  My googling didn't help. 

Why does this matter? Weight has little meaning for a tri bike. 

To answer the question about how much of a difference would you feel.  That is a hard question to answer without knowing how your current bike fits and how you would be fit on a new bike (dependent on a lot of factors like flexibility, injuries, training history, your goals, etc).  You mentioned either in this post or another post that you had trouble staying aero for very long.  Understanding the reason for this could impact how you are fit to a bike.  Its possible that you just need more experience riding to stay aero.  But if you have injuries or other issues preventing this, it could change what is best for you.  A good fitter can help you with this.

With the wrong fit, it could be extremely uncomfortable and/or slower than what you currently have.  With the right fit, it may be more comfortable but slower or it could be more comfortable and faster or it could be less comfortable and faster.  It all depends on where you are starting from and where you need to go. 

If your goal is to complete a HIM and eventually an IM, you need to be comfortable enough to stay on the bike for however long that will take you.  To do that, it may mean being in a position that is less-aero, which at some point, it may be best to stay on a Road Bike.  Generally speaking, you give up a certain amount of comfort and power to be aero.  At some point, the aero benefits may no longer be beneficial to warrant being on a tri bike.  For example, if your position is so up right that it is no longer Aero, it doesnt really make sense to be on a tri bike since you are likely giving up power (and perhaps comfort).

Whether its made of Carbon or Aluminum though, will not change how it feels that much.  The important thing is getting you into the correct position on the bike. That is why I recommend getting fit from a qualified fitter first (and being open to using a Road Bike if that is the best option for you to meet your goals).



2012-06-11 5:06 PM
in reply to: #4254717

Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
GatorDeb - 2012-06-11 3:10 AM

I'm so bummed the Felt is not a good fit   It was a great carbon-based tri bike for the money.  Recommendations for us leggy folks?  The QR Kilo is aluminum-based.  So is the Speed Concept.

Compact crank, narrower cassette, thanks   Since I replaced them both they stayed a combo in my head.  I won't switch it until after my HIM which is here in the hills, I think a narrower cassette would fit Texas better than Vegas.

I wonder if I can't comfortably get in aero because of the short torso, I know the fit is not perfect with just grabbing the handlebars even with the longer stem.

Did you get a fit? I went into mine thinking I wanted a Felt.  After the fitting I was put on a Slice 5, it ws one that fit and in the price range.  The fitter then took me off the "set-up" bike and adjusted the Slice to me.  No buyers remorse here.  My speeds have only improved a little.  However I am riding longer standard loops and my average heart rate is 17-23 BPM lower then last years bike.  The aero will come to you after awhile

I have to admit I was very uneasy about dropping a few hundred bucks on a fit.  I was really, I have to pay for you to tell me what bike to buy.  I got over it as soon as I took my first ride.  I was doing so many things wrong, mainly from taking youtube advice.  There must be some good bike shops in Vegas given the size of the city.

Good luck

2012-06-11 10:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
Deb...I have a B2 that I absolutely love, however I am one of those with a longer torso. As mentioned previously, there are many other rides that are more compact in the fit with Scott, Cannondale and and the Specialized Transition come to mind first but there are many others. Ideally you would get fit on a stationary machine then look at the list on slowtwitch (http://www.slowtwitch.com/stackreach/)  of stack and reach and find which fits you best. It is important to mention that if you follow this approach, pay little attention to bike "size" I ride a 54" giant road bike and my B2 is a 56", however i would have had to go even larger on the Specialized, Scott, or Cdale to stretch out my torso. 
2012-06-12 12:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

Ok, here's the thing with the current bike.  I believe it's a 52cm... it's the one for someone who is 5'4".  But I didn't count on the torso/legs thing.  An acquaintaince who does fittings did a semi-fitting for free but just over the surface, nothing in-depth, and she said the bike will never fully fit me.  Even with the longer stem, It's still a reach for me.  So this bike is serviceable but it will never be a good fit.  So I don't know if I should cut my losses.

I'm willing to pay for the fitting but I have to shop around and be careful because it would suck to do the fitting at one store and then buy the bike somewhere else.  Maybe just go get on a tri bike for the first time, who knows, I may hate it.

2012-06-12 4:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
GatorDeb - 2012-06-12 2:41 AM

Ok, here's the thing with the current bike.  I believe it's a 52cm... it's the one for someone who is 5'4".  But I didn't count on the torso/legs thing.  An acquaintaince who does fittings did a semi-fitting for free but just over the surface, nothing in-depth, and she said the bike will never fully fit me.  Even with the longer stem, It's still a reach for me.  So this bike is serviceable but it will never be a good fit.  So I don't know if I should cut my losses.


Perhaps you could post a picture or video of you on the bike; I would be very surprised if a 52cm frame was too small for someone who is 5'2".

Shane
2012-06-12 4:42 AM
in reply to: #4256979

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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

gsmacleod - 2012-06-12 2:35 AM
GatorDeb - 2012-06-12 2:41 AM Ok, here's the thing with the current bike.  I believe it's a 52cm... it's the one for someone who is 5'4".  But I didn't count on the torso/legs thing.  An acquaintaince who does fittings did a semi-fitting for free but just over the surface, nothing in-depth, and she said the bike will never fully fit me.  Even with the longer stem, It's still a reach for me.  So this bike is serviceable but it will never be a good fit.  So I don't know if I should cut my losses.
Perhaps you could post a picture or video of you on the bike; I would be very surprised if a 52cm frame was too small for someone who is 5'2". Shane

Can do, I'll set it up on the trainer!  What do you want me to do in the video?



2012-06-12 4:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

How's this for now 

?

2012-06-12 4:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?

And yep 52cm, since the 50cm was stated as 5'3"-5'4" amd 52cm was stated as 5'4"-5'6" amd om ,u imfinite wisdom I decided to err on too big rather than too little

 

BTW 5'4" not 5'2"



Edited by GatorDeb 2012-06-12 4:53 AM
2012-06-12 5:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
GatorDeb - 2012-06-11 5:10 AM

I'm so bummed the Felt is not a good fit   It was a great carbon-based tri bike for the money.  Recommendations for us leggy folks?  The QR Kilo is aluminum-based.  So is the Speed Concept.

My wife is all legs (two inches shorter than me but her inseam is two inches longer than mine).  She went with a Cannondale Slice.  Other options that were presented to her were a Blue Triad and a Scott.

2012-06-12 7:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
Oohhh all three of those look pretty, the Blue Triad is winning because it's my favorite color Gonna see if a local shop has all three and gonna ride one for the first time.

Edited by GatorDeb 2012-06-12 7:19 AM
2012-06-12 7:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
GatorDeb - 2012-06-12 6:42 AM

Can do, I'll set it up on the trainer!  What do you want me to do in the video?



Just ride; hood, drops and aerobars. Warmup for a bit first and then take the video while pedalling under load. Aim for 20-30s of normal pedalling in each position.

Shane


2012-06-12 7:20 AM
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Miami
Subject: RE: Felt B16 2011 good first tri-bike?
Hi Deb,I really really wanted a Felt Tri bike because I have a Felt road bike and have been very happy with the Felts. I'm 5'7, and the 52 Felt was too big on me and I didn't want to get a bike with 650 wheels. I opened up my options and choices and tried on other bike brands. Trek and Quintana Roo were the ones that fit me the best. I really liked the Trek Speed Concept 7.0, but got a great deal on the QR CD 01 from last years model. It's a size small and my LBS did all the bike fitting for free. When you shop around you should be able to sit on them, either test it on the parking lot or on trainer, and they should be able to tell you what size is the best for you before doing any adjustments or any purchases.Good luck!
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