The 2005 Felt road & triathlon bikes are listed on Dodds Cyclery. They have pictures (scanned) and descriptions. The New B2 has carbon seat-stays!!! Looks like I am going to have to get a new toy. http://www.doddscyclery.com
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That is really a strange bend in the top tube. Is there an aerodynamic advantage to that?
Magazine scan…
Felt’s top tubes do flare just before the junction with the seat tube. I’m not sure what the proposed benefit is though. Stiffness perhaps.
Duh
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Wow, that looks like a quantum leap in bicycle technology! I’d definetly pony up the 4 grand for that baby.
Not.
(I know, how 90’s is that)
Anybody know the price for the B2 frame set? I can get it that way right?
Dave
$1500, yes you can get it that way.
-SD
Anyone know if there are any other top-of-the-line tribikes without a rear-wheel cutout?
Does anyone know if there is any other way to get Dura Ace 10, zipp spinners, and profile carbon-x aero do-dads for this kinda price point? I think not.
Felt is cool because they don’t have to buy into the whole wheel cut-out norm. Their plenty fast without it. That B2 is hands down faster looking than most any other bike with a wheel cut-out.
While it’s still no DA, it is one of the sexiest double triangle frames out there.
My Cannondale IM5000 only has a little cut out and it uses normal dropouts. I think the cutout is more cosmetic but doesn’t effect the build of the bike and the ride is super nice. Ultra light frame too.
Well, La Woof…the vaunted P3 is 90s tech. Wanna argue about that one as well? If something works well…why change it? Profile Carbon X…old tech…but those bars won Hawaii last year and just went sub 8:00 at Roth.
But if you’re worried about having state of the art… tech goes a lot deeper than what your eyeballs can see on this bike. That Easton fork is a great spec (See Dan’s comments on Easton for reasons why Easton should be a top consideration). This B2 frame is NOT PNF’s early 90s B2. DA 10…NOT 90s. Zipp 404s…even clinchers…not completely 90s…see Zipp’s website…they are always revising their wheels to improve performance. The saddle is worth mentioning as well, even if those are individual preference.
Bottom line: This is as fine an off-the-shelf bike as has been marketed in my many years of tri.
I’m not a frame engineer, but I do have (2) Felts and very much enjoy the ride.
But, I gotta scratch my head on this complete bike. Who would buy this besides Dr/Lawyers jumping on the tri bandwagon? If that’s the case, they could pony up the cash for a QR/Litespeed Ti. The lack of tubulars is quite odd along with a front end which is controversial (to a fitter) to say the least. I love my Carbon X, but would be the 1st to chime in about fixed stem length isn’t for everybody. Why spec it on the bike rather than the super cool CBX?
I assume most bike shops would swap out the Carbon X for Syntace or more adjustable Profile system (and make money in the process), but it just seems odd to start thay way. Same for the clinchers.
But, the frame set sounds like it’s a bargain at $1500…
“Felt is cool because they don’t have to buy into the whole wheel cut-out norm. Their plenty fast without it. That B2 is hands down faster looking than most any other bike with a wheel cut-out.”
Hey, great! Its faster *looking. *
And as far as “buying into” things, are those carbon seatstays I see?
sarcasm
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Those are all very fine points about the spec sandbagger. But judging from the success of last year’s B2, I’d say this bike appeals to more than just the Dr/Lawyer crowd that we love to bag on. I have no fewer than three friends who bought the bike as is last year. Its the only bike they own, and they use the 404s for training AND racing. In their cases, I think the clinchers make the most sense. You sound like someone like me who has more than one bike, a stable of race wheels, and very particular preferences in parts. This bike obviously doesn’t appeal to us…at least in the off-the-shelf configuration.
Perhaps TD will chime in regarding these issue with the B2 spec from a dealer standpoint. IIRC, his shop did order their B2s with the tubie 404s. I’d just add that Tom’s shop isn’t every shop, though.
Does Felt use the same frame for the S22, S25, and S32 in 2005? If so, is it the frame that was used for the S22/B2 in 2004?
Thanks, Hein
no, the S22 frame is unique. The 32 and the 25 are nearly the same. The B2 is a different frame as well.
The S25 in '04 got the B2 frame from '04 for much of the year as well.
That S25 for '05 is a complete knock out. $1899 with Dura Ace 10 speed.
-SD
is the B2 going to be the top product offering from felt next year?