Stopped in at a bike shop yesterday and one of the owners was showing off the new line of tri-bikes - pictures only, but they look pretty good.
Looks like they are getting rid of the TT 700 name, and instead are going with just the B2, but in 650c and 700c. They added and aero seat tube (but not aero seat post like on the DA) and I believe a carbon rear triangle, but I couldn’t tell. They are also selling it fully built with dura ace and Zipp wheels for somewhere north of $3K. Frameset alone is something like $1200.
They also re-did the “S” line of tri bikes. The S-22 now has dura ace components, aero seat tube and clearly carbon seat stays, the s-25 is the ultegra flavor with I believe the same frame as last year, and the bottom end bike stays pretty much the same and is priced just over $1000.
The most interesting part to me was the carbon seat stays on the S-22 and possibly the B-2. Big bike producers will slap these things as a bit of a gimmick without much thought to actual performance, but smaller outfits (Yaqui comes to mind) have actually done these things right and make the rear triangle much stiffer - which is nice for someone like me at 6’0, 185. You gotta figure that with Jim Felt behind it, there is more to it than just looks.
Personally I am drooling over a 700c B-2 with a Campy build, but am waiting for the off season before I commit to anything (that P2k still looks really nice…).
I have no idea what he did or didn’t do, but Slowman reviewed the carbo a while back and noted:
“But the unistay that Mandaric has put in his new Yaqui is an entirely different animal. It’s robust. It ain’t gonna move. It gives the bike, I believe, an added amount of lateral stiffness, which might not be necessary in a round-tubed road race bike but is a nice gift to a bike with a downtube only 26mm wide across its minor diameter.”
Hopefully Ves will post on this. We were talking about this a few weeks ago when I was in his shop. The gist of it (if I can paraphrase correctly) was that carbon is not known for its flexibility. If used properly, it can be a very stiff yet light material. Most companies throw CF seat stays and market them as pseudo shock absorbers. (You know, things that deflect then spring back.) I believe he looked at a couple different CF seatstays and chose the ones he did because of its stiffness. Most manufacturers seem to go the “comfort” route. I’m not sure who the manufacturer he chose is. I was a bit skeptical that the seat stays would really stiffen up the rear triangle and thought that would be better done through the chainstays. He echoed the same skepticism but said that he was very suprised at the impact of the stays, but swears its there. Ves, I hope I’m not misrepresenting out conversation here.
The Felt tri bikes do not have carbon seat stays, none do. The seatpost on the B2 is bladed, like Guru and Giant uses.
B2 full DuraAce 10s w/ Zipp 404s, Project X…$3699
S22 w/ some DAce, Project X…$2139
S25, like last years S22…1699
S32 should be everyone’s first tri bike…1199 (!)
Frame prices
B2 1299.99
DA 2199.99
…drool away
DA650 and DA 700 stay the same They’ve added a couple road models, a 'cross bike, track bike. The line for '04 looks good.
You sure they aren’t carbon? Hmm. Looked like it in the pic, and the guy at the shop mentioned that they were. He only had pics, so I didn’t see the specs.
So if the only difference between the 2003 TT-700 and 2004 B2-700 framesets is an aero seat tube and the resulting different weld pattern, then why the $300 or 30% price jump in the frameset costs? Demand?
If you know more, which it seems you do, maybe you can explain it.
Made another trip back to the shop and looked at the spec sheet. Looks like carbon, but it’s metal. Still no idea why the price jump, doesn’s seem right.
Pegasus Bicycle Works in Danville, CA. Great guys, deal in the high-end stuff mostly - not FIST certified, though
They have an '03 S-22, but in a 58, which is too long in the cockpit for me for me. I rode it today anyway to get a feel for the frame, and it rides really well in the aero bars - stark contrast to my retrofitted road bike.
I am bummed that it is too big, because the price is so good. They are asking $1599. At that price, I could afford to buy the whole bike, strip off the Shimano drivetrain and wheels, slap on the Campy components and wheels and come out way ahead over buying just the frameset.
They were pretty traditional - I think the B-2 was black with white decals - reminded me of the DA, the S-22 is red with black seat stays, the S-25 I think is white with black stays, and I believe the S-32 is still red, don’t recall, though.
The B-2 done up with the Zipp wheels and Project X bars looks awesome.
Does anyone know if pictures of these '04 bikes are on the net? I have gone on Felts website and nothing is listed for the '04 models. I would like to see these if it is possible… Thanks…
I saw your post about test riding the 58 S22. Would a 56 be your size. I’m also 6’ (without shoes ;). I’m looking at the Felt also and want to get the right size.
Sounds like you would need a 56. But…it’s best to stay safe and get measured and then see how the bike feels, etc. I ride a 56 S32 with a Aspide Triathlon Saddle and a Thomson (aluminum) post and I feel very comfortable on it during long rides. I suppose the fit, which for me is very good, has most to do with my comfort on it during long rides rather than the material it’s made of. Though I did just buy a Felt F1R road bike made of scandium and I find it to be pretty darn comfy.
I might suggest you call my LBS which is one of the best bike shops in the nation: R and A Cycles in Brooklyn NY. @ 800 825 3762 or racycles.com. Phil (the owner) has some really good deals on '03 Felts and they ship all over the world.
I could probably get a 56 to fit me, but I am a tweener - which two bike fitters pointed out to me. I am 6 feet tall, but my inseam is 34, so my inseam wants a 57, my torso wants a 55. After going back and forth on this a bit, I finally decided to get a custom bike built.
The S-22 is a whole lot of bike for the money, but you need to make sure it fits you. If it does, and you can find one, take it and run. The frame and forks alone sell for $1000.
I’m currently riding a 57 LeMond which usually translates to a 58 in a typical frame. So I’m figuring a Tri Bike should be approx. one size smaller hence my feeling that I need a 56 Felt S22.
I know a test ride is the tell tell sign. I’ll try to test ride one as soon as my local dealer gets on in. I may have to get on a waiting list as it seems the Felts go pretty fast.
“I could probably get a 56 to fit me, but I am a tweener - which two bike fitters pointed out to me. I am 6 feet tall, but my inseam is 34, so my inseam wants a 57, my torso wants a 55. After going back and forth on this a bit, I finally decided to get a custom bike built.”
From what my rep told me about the S22 (which is what I have, btw), it’s probably a good idea. I guess the distance from seat to aero bars on the S22 gets unproportionally longer as you get taller. And if your torso is already short in comparison to others your height, that bike might not be the best for you. That’s just going off what I remember when purchasing the bike. YMMV.
I’m a 200 pounder too.