Reviews help for Felt/Cervelo

[CyborgQueen]

I need some honest reviews on Felt ZW25 2009 bikes, and Cervelo bikes.

I've tried looking around for Felt bikes, but not the specific models.

I most likely will get the smallest size with 650c wheels. I have a bit of a small feet, so I don't think it will be such a big deal for toe clipping.

Felt ZW25 looks pretty solid to me, but I wonder if I should swap out the Shimano 105 components to Ulterga.

I most likely will not be doing professional racing or any TT events - maybe a couple races, but not to the point where I absolutely want to win. More likely will do charity rides/century rides, etc. So, I need to have a good solid bike.

I haven't heard much about Felt. Cervelo seems to be more racing geared. I doubt that they build it in my size as the smallest is 49cm, and I need around 44cm to 46cm.

Thanks for any opinions. I'm still shopping around and will do so for couple weeks or so.

[Triskeliongirl]

I absolutely love my 48 cm cervelo RS w 650c wheels. It has the most amazing handling of any bike I've ever road and I highly recommend it. Its just made to climb.

What is your cycling inseam?

[shellabree]

I absolutely love my 48 cm cervelo RS w 650c wheels. It has the most amazing handling of any bike I've ever road and I highly recommend it. Its just made to climb.

What is your cycling inseam?

This is GREAT to hear! I'm thinking about a 48cm RS to log my longer base training rides on.

[ilima]

My guess is that if you're under 5' 2" the Cervelo is most likely too big.

[CyborgQueen]

At the moment, I have no idea. I will be getting a Pro Fit tomorrow. The LBS sells Cerevelo and Felt bikes, not the other bike stores. This bike shop doesn't sell Specialized, Trek, Terry, or Cannondale (which they all have bikes 'kind of' in my size).

I'm 5'. I can fit Specialized Dolce 44cm (I think?) on 700c wheels, but, I got no clearance...meaning the top tube is RIGHT 'there'...I can't lift it up any further.

Again, I'm just looking and getting opinions. I know eventually I will be test riding this and that and everything will 'fit' to me. I'm just getting opinion of the quality of the bike.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hmmm, I just looked up the standover height of that bike and its 27.5" so I would guess your cycling inseam is close to that, and you are looking for a bike with a standover of 26.5" to clear the top tube.

That is going to be tough on a stock bike. The 48 RS is definitely too big for you. You may really want to consider custom. Margo of Luna cycles on this board has a lot of experience building frames to fit women your size, and its not as expensive as you would think.

[CyborgQueen]

Hmmm, I just looked up the standover height of that bike and its 27.5" so I would guess your cycling inseam is close to that, and you are looking for a bike with a standover of 26.5" to clear the top tube.

That is going to be tough on a stock bike. The 48 RS is definitely too big for you. You may really want to consider custom. Margo of Luna cycles on this board has a lot of experience building frames to fit women your size, and its not as expensive as you would think.

That was one of my thoughts, but this is my first road bike, so I'm not sure if totally customized through Luna Cycles would be a good idea, but it doesn't hurt to try. I will do the ProFit and then I will know exactly what I need...cuz right now I have no idea..all I know 44cm on a 700c is a perfect fit, but no clearance of top tube.

[ilima]

That was one of my thoughts, but this is my first road bike, so I'm not sure if totally customized through Luna Cycles would be a good idea, but it doesn't hurt to try. I will do the ProFit and then I will know exactly what I need...cuz right now I have no idea..all I know 44cm on a 700c is a perfect fit, but no clearance of top tube.

Felt is a good brand and 10-speed 105 components are very good and will last for years. I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

That being said, you might be able to get a good deal on an upgrade to 6600 series Ultegra components, since a new version has been introduced. I would say for a first bike the new 6700 Ultegra is probably not worth the $$ for you, though. Save it for when you go custom!

One other thing--the problems of toe clip overlap have been greatly exaggerated. It's only an issue when you're making a very tight turn. And you only can make very tight turns when you are going very slow (4mph).