My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: faded_memories on 2010-11-04 6:15 PM

Purchased Monday.

A short ride on Tuesday convinced me I made a great purchase and was significantly faster.

Group ride last night furthered that analysis when I didn't get dropped for a change.

Today, well, today was an even better test.

I decided to go out even though I'm sore from the slight position change and the 2 rides already this week. It is also a bit windy, or so I thought....

I leave the house with one less layer than I wore yesterday because I got a bit warm last night.  Um no, couple hundred yards up the street and I came back to change.  Pretty brisk out today with the breeze.

Off I go.  Once I got into some open areas I started feeling the wind.  Oh well, not too bad, and I'm riding into it now so later I can FLY with it behind me right? No problem.  I'll warm up.

Wind was coming from the NW and the start of my loop had me heading mostly north. Not too bad.

When I turned east I had to start coming out of aero on some of the faster steeper descents so I wouldn't get blown off the road.  When I turned south the fun started.

I got into a good groove anticipating the hills and shifting at just the right moment to keep pedaling smoothly.  After one good downhill run I noticed my top speed read 36.8.  I only approached 35 a couple of times on my hybrid and 35.9 on Monday.  Cool.

On the last leg I was headed mostly west.  In one open area the wind had me almost at a standstill, coming at me from about the angle of my right shoulder, slowing me down AND trying to shove me into traffic.  I was GLAD to hit the next hill since it had buildings and trees on either side.

When it was all said and done I finished this particular loop 5 minutes faster than the last time I did it.  That doesn't sound like much apples to apples, but this was probably the windiest ride I have ever taken today!

When I got home, before I checked BT I had a look at weather.com to see what wind it was reporting here: From NNW at 25mph gusting to 37mph

So there ya go, a little faster on a windy day.  Woo HOO!
I can't wait 'til I get another nice warm day. (Might be a while....)

-eric

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: tri808 on 2010-11-04 6:19 PM

what a tease...

NO PICS???

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: faded_memories on 2010-11-04 6:23 PM



Alright, I'll go take some, but it isn't 'done' yet.  The extensions are going to be swapped out for a different bend and I have some accessories  ordered...



http://memoriesgames.com/gallery/v/TriStuff/DSC03118.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Edited by faded_memories 2010-11-04 6:48 PM

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: cbrave on 2010-11-04 6:24 PM

Glad you are enjoying the bike. I spent a couple hours on a B16 about a month ago and really liked it. The bike felt stable and was really comfortable. What other bikes were you considering and what won you over to the B16?

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: morey000 on 2010-11-04 6:37 PM

Group ride on a B16?
How did that go?

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: faded_memories on 2010-11-04 6:44 PM



I hadn't really been exposed to many bikes. In fact, I have ridden exactly TWO tri-bikes.

I went out to a Cervelo e'ride event and rode a P3 and a RS.  I wanted to try the 'entry level' P1, but they don't even haul those out to the test rides!

I watched Craigslist like a hawk but hardly ever saw anything remotely near me or in my (probable) size.  If I found one I was broke. When I had a little money nothing turned up.

Came across mention of the 2011 B16 and its value being a good full carbon bike with good components. I decided it sounded like a good value and I got to try one out a couple times and it seemed to fit about right with only the seat adjusted.

I kept looking for used bikes, but decided if I came up with the cash before something used presented itself I would get a comprehensive fitting and buy the new bike.  Having a full warranty on my first bike also had me leaning towards NEW if I didn't find a great deal on a USED.

I went in on Monday with enough in the bank to pull the trigger, and the shop owner had enough time to give me a fitting. Actually in hindsight, more than enough perhaps. My fitting went quick and he didn't charge me as much as he had quoted. Apparently having the clip-ons on my hybrid had me pretty close to where I needed to be and already used to aero.

I REALLY like the look of the bike, but I was lucky that it did fit me well.  I would have spent more on a bike that didn't appeal to me as much visually if I needed to. (See, some of us do pay attention and put emphasis on FIT!)

-eric

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: faded_memories on 2010-11-04 6:52 PM



Well, just like I said!

Group here doesn't have one of those aero-bar 'tudes.
I already had clip-ons on my hybrid and nobody ever said a word.  I might have asked back at the start of the season but nobody cared and I never ran into anyone.  If anything I'd be using them to try and keep up at the back.

Some of them were more impressed with the bike than I was!  One of the girls was chatting with someone else and all of a sudden just went "Holy cow! Is that a new bike?!? Nice!"

They were happy for me for sure.

-eric

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: peteweb55403 on 2010-11-04 8:27 PM

i got my B16 back in august and absolutely love it, also!

just kind of sad the weather is turning in minnesota, so it is going on the trainer.

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: Prolite on 2010-11-04 10:15 PM

You bought a new bike and they charged for a fitting?


Nice bike. Congrats! 
-----
There is something in every human being that seeks testing. A yearning to discover just how far one can go, how much one is capable of achieving. From this desire was born the most demanding athletic endurance test ever........- the Triathlon"
- unknown

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: Sous on 2010-11-05 8:29 AM

Great Bike... I was looking at that one as well, both the '10 and '11 B16 two different shops.  I ended up with the B12 in the end... mainly because of the deal I got, but I went looking for B16.  Congrats on your new ride. 

Also, much like you my first ride was windy as hell!

And yea... what's up with the shop charging you for a fitting on a brand new bike?

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: Sous on 2010-11-05 8:31 AM

After looking at your porn, now I know why they charged you for the fitting... they threw in the trick pink water bottle!!! 

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: Sous on 2010-11-05 8:33 AM

Hey BTW not sure what you're looking for in the way of bends on your extensions, but the f bends on Felts are designed so that you can cut them from the front as well to give you more of a traditional ski bend (upturned).  A lot of folks aren't aware of that... even shop guys.  If that's what your looking for make sure they know that.

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: DanielG on 2010-11-05 8:42 AM



If he's talking about a comprehensive fitting then that's correct. They run $200-500 and they're not the "here, stand over the top tube" fittings, it takes an hour or three depending on the requirements.

Worth every penny, too.

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: uhcoog on 2010-11-05 9:18 AM



A lot of the shops I've been to will charge you if you don't buy a bike from them.  If you do they write it off as part of the purchase price.
-----
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
USA Cycling Level 3 Coach
Co-Owner/Coach Sonic Endurance

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: SammyKarch on 2010-11-05 9:44 AM

Nice!!! I picked up the same bike last month. 

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: jhouse4 on 2010-11-05 9:52 AM

Great looking bike.

Edited by jhouse4 2010-11-05 9:53 AM

-----
There is only one cool gear, 53X11. All of the other cogs are just a negotiation over how much frailty you’re willing to admit to. –Style Man

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: AngeloS on 2010-11-05 9:58 AM

I have the 2010 and I love it, couldn't be happier. two things though, the pink water bottle has to go!! after you get your position dialed in, get those aero bar extensions cut off or you knees will hit them while climbing. have fun!
-----
Team Hammerheads: South Florida Triathletes
sponsored by:
Christopher Bean Coffee www.christopherbean.com

"In life absence may make the heart grow fonder, but in triathlon it may just make you fatter..."

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: DanielG on 2010-11-05 9:58 AM



That's a different type of fitting. If a bike shop didn't offer that fitting with the price of the bike I would find another place to go. This is a F.I.S.T. or ReTul fitting.

RE: My new bike rocks! (Felt 2011 B16)
BY: AngeloS on 2010-11-05 10:00 AM



got mine for free from the shop I bought my bike...took about two hours and was done by one of our local tri coach guru's. he really shouldn't have had to pay extra for that
-----
Team Hammerheads: South Florida Triathletes
sponsored by:
Christopher Bean Coffee www.christopherbean.com

"In life absence may make the heart grow fonder, but in triathlon it may just make you fatter..."