felt bikes?

[SouthernBelle]

Darcy, If you post the general area where you live, somebody may be able to recommend an LBS for you.

[NJBikeGal]

Felt is more well-known for tri-bikes. Although, you will see a few pro teams riding the really high end versions! They are great bikes.

I also have the F70...my pretty yellow Athena!!! I LOVE this bike! Rides great, handles bumps and road garbage well. I don't think that they make it any longer, but they have the F75, which is a step down (I think it does not have the carbon in the back triangle) and the F65(?) which is a step up.

When I bought her, I also test rode a Scott and a Cannondale. She rode nicer than those and was a lot cheaper!

[CyclaSutra]

Check out what other people who own Felts say on road bike review.com... the F70 got a 4.56 based on 16 reviews, but like NJ said, they don't make it any more. The F75 and 65 both look like they got above a 4 out of 5 ...

http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/fe...2_5668crx.aspx

Maybe compare that to other brands you were considering?

[Darby361]

Thanks for the encouragement on the Felt bikes. I loved the way it rode, but I am just leery of a brand I am not familiar with. Thanks for the suggestion on roadbikereview.com - it seems Felts get good reviews overall even though the Z70 is not listed. As I said above, I would really like to buy my bike from this LBS, as they have outstanding service and a great reputation.
Trish

[newfsmith]

My F70 is also 3 years old. I've ridden 3 Pan-Mass Challenges on it. I like it very much. I have the smallest frame they made, with 650 wheels. No toe overlap. It has been crashed, and came out better off than me. It is quick and not a harsh ride like other Al frames I've ridden. The carbon seat stays and fork really work. Felt has made a very good line, and most of their frames have shorter top tubes than other brands so they tend to fit women well.

[michelem]

I test-rode my first Felt yesterday and hated it (it was either the F4 or the F55, can't remember which one). Granted, I am about 5'2" tall and was put on a non-wsd 50cm frame with a 52.5cm top tube. I felt like I was bent in half and really stretched out and was in lots of pain as a result. However, I have to say that the carbon frame absorbed road chatter very nicely and the price point for a carbon frame, and a combo of Ultegra/DuraAce components was the best I've seen so far. My physical therapist has said that Felts are really good bikes (he's a US Cycling Coach as well).

So, while this particular bike certainly was not for me, that is not to say that Felt's are a bad bike. I'd encourage you to take a test ride.

[Darby361]

Thank you for the words of encouragement, and the link to the roadbikereview.com! I am going back on Thursday night to ride the bike again.
Trish

[Alex]

FWIW, I test rode an F4 last November and my reaction was, "Eh." I wasn't in pain or anything. I just wasn't going to spend that kind of money on a bike unless it blew me away and was significantly better than my steel Paramount. Well, I then rode an F3C and fell in love. Go figure. I test rode Orbeas and Scotts and some other bikes and I kept coming back to the F3C. It is an incredible bike and I am a very happy woman. I can't believe how well it climbs.

Alex

[Darby361]

for all the great advice and encouragment! I am off to test ride the bike again on Thursday!
Trish