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?

[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).

[Running Mommy]

I'm 5' 1" and I am fine on off the shelf bikes. Unless you have an unusually LONG torso and short legs, there are small bikes out there. And felt does make a bike small enough for you. I know, I sell them.
Since I am so short I help a lot of ladies of my "stature" get on bikes. Their smallest bike is actually pretty darn small. In fact I have put a few young girls on them. We have a large contingent of kids who "tri" out here, and mom and dad are always itching to get them on a road bike asap.
Unless you really want to spend the cash, there is no need to go custom.
I'm glad your getting a pro fit. Are they using a size cycle, measuring, or both?
If it's a "pro" fit you should be in good hands. BUt, If you have any questions I'd be glad to help you. I can't sell you a bike. But it's important that you get the right fit.
- This coming from the girl who KNOWS she's a 44-46 depending on geometry, but wanted the Felt garmin team bike SO BAD that she ordered the 47 (smallest size they make of that model) anyway... Yeah, it didn't fit..

edit to add: and yes their small bikes do have 650 wheels. They had a Junior roadie last year that had 24 inch wheels. Pretty cool.

[CyborgQueen]

I'm 5' 1" and I am fine on off the shelf bikes. Unless you have an unusually LONG torso and short legs, there are small bikes out there. And felt does make a bike small enough for you. I know, I sell them.
Since I am so short I help a lot of ladies of my "stature" get on bikes. Their smallest bike is actually pretty darn small. In fact I have put a few young girls on them. We have a large contingent of kids who "tri" out here, and mom and dad are always itching to get them on a road bike asap.
Unless you really want to spend the cash, there is no need to go custom.
I'm glad your getting a pro fit. Are they using a size cycle, measuring, or both?
If it's a "pro" fit you should be in good hands. BUt, If you have any questions I'd be glad to help you. I can't sell you a bike. But it's important that you get the right fit.
- This coming from the girl who KNOWS she's a 44-46 depending on geometry, but wanted the Felt garmin team bike SO BAD that she ordered the 47 (smallest size they make of that model) anyway... Yeah, it didn't fit..

edit to add: and yes their small bikes do have 650 wheels. They had a Junior roadie last year that had 24 inch wheels. Pretty cool.

I've checked out some of the custom sites, and they're a little too expensive for my taste.
ProFit - Well, the guy that I'm going to is apparently an expert in the field. From my understanding, he will measure my torso, inseam, leg length, height, arm lengths, sit bones measurements, feet measurements (perhaps for shoes/pedals? for now I'm just going to get standard pedals to start with then when I get more experienced, then I'll switch to clipless0, etc etc. Then you order the bike, then you go back and he fine tunes everything.

I have no problem doing the ProFit and stuff like that, but my main question was, I don't see any reviews on the bike that I'm looking at, hence why I'm asking you guys here. ;-)

[Triskeliongirl]

I looked up the geometry chart on the felt you are looking at. Indeed the standover on their smallest size is 26.5, so it will give you more top tube clearance than the specialized. From what you say its a good candidate, it will just depend on your proportions as to whether you can or can't be fit on it.

I agree that its cheaper if you can be fit on a stock bike. But if you can't be fit properly, you risk wasting more money going with a badly fitting frame that will make you either dislike cycling, or want to replace it soon. You won't know this until you have your fitting. If that ends up being the case, then take a good hard look at Luna. Her prices are better than most and she does a great job with petite women. For me the Felts have too steep a seat tube angle, but for you it may be fine. You won't know until your proportions are measured.

The Felt looks like a very nice bike and a good value from looking at the specs.

[AnnieBikes]

I have a Felt FW3 which I bought in January. I just love it. It has Shimano 105 as I could not justify $1200 more to get Ultegra. The bike comes in a smaller size than I got...I am 5'4". I bought a medium. Try to ride one if the LBS has one. Mine has a compact crank and it is just perfect for me...long distance rides, state rides, and charity rides, as well as the regular weekend rides. It is just what I need.

[CyborgQueen]

Well, I went to my LBS and did the ProFit - and discovered that the Felt bike that I was looking at will not fit me - it has too short of a top tube - which may compromise having a long stem, and may cause a bit of an issue with steering (I hope I remember correctly of what he said, but basically he said the Felt won't fit me well), as well as the sit angle will be too much.

Instead, he recommended that I get Jamis Elite. I have long femur, and short torso.

Cervelo has it in my size, but 650c wheels and different seat angle. Plus it's out of my budget range anyways.

I'm going to order this one to take advantage of the tent sale they're having then hopefully it was the perfect fit. I was told that my ProFit guy is da bomb, so we'll see. :-)

[Kelly728]

Instead, he recommended that I get Jamis Elite. I have long femur, and short torso.

I'm a fan.. though I have the bike a step below (Jamis Ventura Race).
Did you get to try one out?

[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.

[CyborgQueen]

I'm a fan.. though I have the bike a step below (Jamis Ventura Race).
Did you get to try one out?

Yep, I got Jamis Elite, and I must say I love it! Aside from little saddle issues (had to replace the stock saddle), and soreness from beginner rides, it's great. It was well worth the price and much more comfortable feel than the Novara Camara Pro (REI brand?). I was fitted for everything and even the guy that did the profit was really impressed how it fits me perfectly. He looks at the angle of my arms to the handle bars and the my torso...perfect angle.