Been using my road bike for tris, but it's time now for a dedicated tri bike. Target is to be at $2K or less purchase price (not including pedals, power meter, race wheels, etc). Based on that price range, and my fit size needs, I found myself converging on the Felt B14, which has a list price right at $2K. Certainly not a "sexy" tri bike choice, but seems to be a good solution for me, as it handles well, is OK from a speed perspective, includes Ultegra, and is relatively adjustable and easy to maintain. (If any of you disagree strongly with the above assessment, please chime in. Would love to hear your input!)
So my plan was to monitor the local and on-line sources, to hopefully find a dealer closeout (shave a couple hundred off the price) or a late model, low mileage used one (if I could shave off even a couple more hundred). However, I recently came across a used 2014 Felt DA4 that is being offered at a price that seems like a really good deal. Of course, would need to validate the bike's condition and list of installed components which I would definitely do. For now, though, let's assume the bike is really in very good condition, with no crashes/major repairs.
If I understand correctly, once you get past the cockpit and fork, the B14 and DA4 are the same frame. DA4 has the integrated front end, whereas the B14 has a "traditional" front end. One person's input to me was that "... basically, the DA4 is a 'superbike' (integrated) version of the B14 ...". Also, it looks like there are some differences in the stock components between that DA4 and the B14, but (at least to my novice assessment), they don't seem all that significant. So, it seems to me, the DA4 is at least every bit as good a tri bike solution for me as the B14 (and my fitter confirmed that both are fine from fit perspective).
Given that -- and assuming the 2014 DA4 is still in very good condition -- since the 2014 DA4 is priced somewhat lower than I would expect to pay for the B14 (even assuming closeout or used), I'm having a hard time coming up with a reason not to buy the DA4. I guess the only thing I can come up with is if being a model that is 4 years old is that significant a reduction in the useful life of the bike. Is a 4 year old tri bike really that old in "bike years"? Are there other factors that I'm not considering that would tilt the scale back toward purchase of the new B14 (or a used one that is only a year or two old)?
How's my logic above? Just trying to make sure I'm not failing to take into consideration some import aspect. Any feedback or experiences with similar decision processes is much appreciated.
Michael
So my plan was to monitor the local and on-line sources, to hopefully find a dealer closeout (shave a couple hundred off the price) or a late model, low mileage used one (if I could shave off even a couple more hundred). However, I recently came across a used 2014 Felt DA4 that is being offered at a price that seems like a really good deal. Of course, would need to validate the bike's condition and list of installed components which I would definitely do. For now, though, let's assume the bike is really in very good condition, with no crashes/major repairs.
If I understand correctly, once you get past the cockpit and fork, the B14 and DA4 are the same frame. DA4 has the integrated front end, whereas the B14 has a "traditional" front end. One person's input to me was that "... basically, the DA4 is a 'superbike' (integrated) version of the B14 ...". Also, it looks like there are some differences in the stock components between that DA4 and the B14, but (at least to my novice assessment), they don't seem all that significant. So, it seems to me, the DA4 is at least every bit as good a tri bike solution for me as the B14 (and my fitter confirmed that both are fine from fit perspective).
Given that -- and assuming the 2014 DA4 is still in very good condition -- since the 2014 DA4 is priced somewhat lower than I would expect to pay for the B14 (even assuming closeout or used), I'm having a hard time coming up with a reason not to buy the DA4. I guess the only thing I can come up with is if being a model that is 4 years old is that significant a reduction in the useful life of the bike. Is a 4 year old tri bike really that old in "bike years"? Are there other factors that I'm not considering that would tilt the scale back toward purchase of the new B14 (or a used one that is only a year or two old)?
How's my logic above? Just trying to make sure I'm not failing to take into consideration some import aspect. Any feedback or experiences with similar decision processes is much appreciated.
Michael