The SLX is many things, but easy to travel with - it is not. The cableage inside the stem area is a nightmare.

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ZONE3 - We Last Longer

Basically you’re gonna get answers based on what people own. I own a Felt IA 10 so that’s my pick. I intentionally did not want integrated brakes or bars (I prefer tririg parts) so I got the 10 instead of the 1. But I also considered briefly the non-integrated Speedmax as well.

Somewhat true, but not entirely fair comment IMO.
Yes, many people want to think what they own, regardless of how they came to buy it, is the best and will say that it is as a default position.
However, many also put lots of consideration into what they bought, and therefore, it's obviously very likely they own what they judge to be the best purschase. And yet more, like myself, own one bike and would happily give it's pros and cons versus another in favour of the other. It's not as simple as people recommending what they own. That's just one element.

I've tested both bikes and for me (and for my setup) the IA (integrated one) is faster than the Canyon. Not significantly, but it is faster. Also, get that 3d printed plate for the calpak and you get an additional bottle (18 ounces) of fluid with zero drag, and then get the front bottle (FC35 or the Torhans bottle) and makes the bike even faster. Then use a rear bottle (behind the seat) for a flat kit.

With the addition of the disc brakes on the next generation of integrated IA's I'm getting another IA (already have the IA FRD).

That being said, both are extremely capable machines, and I would recommend either, but ride both to make sure which one you like better.

What do you mean "a spare", a spare what? If you are talking about a spare tube, try and move it into the top tube and use that as an extension of the compartment, works great and allows for even more items in the tool compartment.

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-Brad Williams
Website | Twitter: @BW_Tri |Instagram: @BW_Tri | Strava | Co-Founder & Coach at: KIS Coaching
Partnered with: Zoot Sports | Precision Fuel &Hydration | ISM

The OP asked “would you rather buy a Felt IA or Canyon”. If you own one of these bikes you obviously would rather buy that one. Correct?

I’ll try that. Do you use the sock with the spare tube in the top tube. Do you use the sock at all?

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Team Zoot So Cal

Still use the "sock/sleeve", but use it for a multitool now rather than the tube. It takes a bit of patience to get the tube in the top tube but I know it is possible to get it in there, and also have had to get it out during a race and that was completely possible as well.

Drop me a PM if you have any issues.

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-Brad Williams
Website | Twitter: @BW_Tri |Instagram: @BW_Tri | Strava | Co-Founder & Coach at: KIS Coaching
Partnered with: Zoot Sports | Precision Fuel &Hydration | ISM

No. Not always correct.

First time tri bike owner.

have been looking at these two bikes.

I think I found a steal on a 2017 IA1 felt frame, built up with full dura ace Di2, alto cc56 wheelset. the IA1 with sram etap in 2017 was 11K MSRP. i got it for 5500K. I will build it and test it out with option to return.

On the other hand, the convenience of the integrated nutrition and hydration system on the canyons and the better wheelset of the canyon speedmax SLX 8.0 SL, despite coming in ultegra Di2 has me second guessing myself. I am considering returning the felt.

obviously, i will build the felt and try it out, but what are your opinions on these two specific bikes? any advice would be appreciated!

I live in Podunk, Arkansas and we have a Mercedes dealership and ride Canyon.

I bought a Speedmax SLX 9. I also own an Ultimate SLX. Frankly, I regret buying both.

They're great bikes for the price, no doubt, but Canyon customer service is an absolute nightmare to deal with. Spare part availability is piss poor. I've resorted to all sorts hoop jumping to get replacement parts -- namely ordered parts from Canyon Global to a mailbox I set-up in Germany and forwarding the parcels to the US. It's a huge PITA and takes weeks to get anything. God forbid something should break or I lose a small part just a few days before an A race -- you'd be total screwed.

I don't know anything about the Felt IA (it was never on my short list), but I'd skip Canyon if I were in the shoes of a new buyer.

That is a tough choice. I have a Felt IA, and I love it...

• Both bikes are proven fast-- Canyon wins men's Kona and Felt wins women's Kona
• Both bikes are good looking
• Both wheels are negatives to me-- I would dump them and put a disc in back and 80mm up front
  
• Canyon is lighter
• Felt DuraAce is sweeter
• Canyon integrated storage & hydration is nice
  
• Felt draft box is excellent
• Canyon cockpit is better-- no objective data here, I just like the look of the Canyon cockpit
  
• Felt is cheaper

Looking at my subjective preferences objectively, I would probably get the Felt. But, the Speedmax is totally sweet.

Thanks for this.

One comment is that since this is the 2017 ia1, there are no bosses for the btspac. Unclear what I’m going to do for storage hydration with the felt. I know aeria makes a integrated front hydration set up but haven’t heard much about it.

I agree that I would do disc/80 for wheels so maybe go with the get and save the money for the wheelset.

So you get a "super bike" fully integrated everything then go and tape a bunch of gels on top of the stem right in the wind.
How about taping a banana to the top tube?

Doh, that is a big negative. I forgot what year got the bosses on the single-digit bikes. I love my draft box.

I had the XLab Versa 500 on the front of my original Felt cockpit. That is excellent, especially the computer mount part. I upgraded my cockpit to a Tririg Alpha X, so now I still use the Torpedo bottle and cage but attached to the Alpha's integrated mounting plate. And, I have a custom attachment for the out-front computer.

Never said I was happy about it! But thanks for the helpful comment!

And there is nothing 'fully integrated' about the '15 FRD...

Sounds like you break that bike a lot...and Canyon sounds like a horrible experience...may as well build an open mold...

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Canyon. I like the integrated hydration.

I saw someone on ST post that they used the specialized fuelcell on their ia. Wondering if anyone has tried that.

If that truly works, I could either opt for the modded specialized fuselage hydration in the calpac or maybe the profile design integrated stem/cockpit/hydration attachment.

Do you or anyone else reading this have any experience with that?

Think you can read about it on this page:

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/..._latest_reply;so=ASC