to those of you who have a 2011 felt b16 how are you liking it? does it fit your needs? would you have upgraded to the b14? is it worth the extra 800 if you planning to upgrade later? thank you for your time in this matter.
I have an '09 B16.
I’m upgrading all sorts of things on this bike already. I have new aero bars. I have a new cassette, and a new saddle on the way. Honestly with everything you are going to want to change or need to change to personalize the bike to work best for you, I’m glad I got the 16 instead of a different bike. I got the best frame I could afford for the most reasonable price.
Everything else is changeable and will be changed. I’ll recoup a lot of my expense reselling parts I’ve decided not to use.
I will be on my 3rd saddle via the ST classifieds later this week. Then soon I will be having a saddle sale.
I’m going to be needing a wider base bar or elbow rest extensions soon too.
Get the best frame you can afford in your size…
seeing that you have the 09 b16…i can get one of those too brandnew at a rock bottom deal… so would it be better than an new o b16
I got a new '09 myself for a great deal in Dec '10.
Honestly, I’d do it again.
The new one does have different components. It might even be Ultegra instead of 105. I think the crank is still FSA though.
I just got an Ultegra cassette in a different ratio than the factory one. I’ll be putting an Ultegra chain on it as well. I might even pick up an SRAM Force crank ('10 model) cheap on fleabay.
One trend I am noticing about grouppos is that this years awesome stuff is next years bargain. I don’t need the best right now since I’m not a pro. I need what works for me, is reasonably budget conscious and so on.
The frame from '09 to '11 is exactly the same. It’s just painted different. I like the black, and like the '11 paint scheme too. I’m glad I didn’t get a '10 model though as that green just doesn’t work for me.
I love mine.
Only upgraded wheels with power.
I suppose I could upgrade other stuff but I haven’t felt the need to do so. I had it fitted and it all feels perfect.
The b14 does come w compact cranks. I thought about buying the b14 for that reason but don’t really need it cause I ended up w 650 c wheels
I have the 2011 B16 and love it. I looked at the B14, but the major upgrades from the B16 are the Vision crankset, the Bayonet Aerobar, and the slightly deeper wheelset. For the difference in cost I have purchased a used 6750 Ultegra crank, a carbon 3T aerobar, Cobb saddle and I am eyeing some carbon Flo wheels. I would say that though I will end up spending the same amount, the upgrades I have made are better and are tailored to my fit (shorter crank, higher stack 3T Aura, narrower base bar).
Not saying that the B14 or the B16 is the right or wrong bike, but if you tend to upgrade and tinker with things like me, then the B16 might be the better bike. If you don’t want to ever touch a component, then go B14.
The upgrading is a sickness, I’m even considering buying the bayonet fork and having it custom painted to match.
I am in the same boat as the 2nd post.
I have an 09 and it was the most bike in my budget at the time. I didn’t change a thing on it for 2 seasons. Now this winter I have upgraded the derailers to Ulteggra, b2 bayonet aerobar, cobb seat & zipp wheels. All parts I found used and great deals on them.
Very happy with the bike and I think it was the right decision for me at the time. If I had a larger budget at the time I would of got the b12.
I absolutely stinking love my 2011. Can’t wait for the weekends to ride it. Still tweaking the cockpit, its really adjustable.
I haven’t upgraded anything yet, but looking at getting an Ultegra 11-25 cassette. It has a 105 on there (12-25) stock. (Ultegra Front and Rear Der.)
The B14 just wasn’t worth the extra cash for me. I can upgrade the cassette and get Bayonet handlebars like the B14 and still be $225 ahead.
I have the same frame shape as Felt’s $7,000 B2. Upgrades can come later when I get more cash and know what I want.
I have the 2011 B16 and love it. I looked at the B14, but the major upgrades from the B16 are the Vision crankset, the Bayonet Aerobar, and the slightly deeper wheelset. For the difference in cost I have purchased a used 6750 Ultegra crank, a carbon 3T aerobar, Cobb saddle and I am eyeing some carbon Flo wheels. I would say that though I will end up spending the same amount, the upgrades I have made are better and are tailored to my fit (shorter crank, higher stack 3T Aura, narrower base bar).
Not saying that the B14 or the B16 is the right or wrong bike, but if you tend to upgrade and tinker with things like me, then the B16 might be the better bike. If you don’t want to ever touch a component, then go B14.
The upgrading is a sickness, I’m even considering buying the bayonet fork and having it custom painted to match.
Hey Lou, I have a 2011 B10 and its in right now getting the Aura put on. How are you liking it so far? They just called me to let me know they need to change out the stem because the 3Ts clamp diameter is different. Which Cobb are you looking at? The 170 looks interesting…
Yeah, I’ve really enjoyed the Aura, it has a lot of trainer time, but really only about 100 miles on the open road (2 rides since the weather got nice down south). My previous experience is limited to the B16 stock setup, and my TTX 9.0 setup with a T2 wing/T2+ setup. So this is my first carbon bar, and it seems very comfortable in comparison to my older aluminum bars. Plenty stiff when using the base bar. And for the price I just don’t think it can be beat.
I don’t know if it is as aero as the bayonet or the old aluminum Vision bar, but Cervelo puts them on their bikes so it should pass the Slowtwitch test. I like the fact that the fat profile actually sort of tucks the cables behind them so from the front it looks very, very clean.
My biggest complaint is with the cradles for the extensions. To adjust the extension length you have to remove the entire cradle, but seemingly more annoying is that I felt like I was over torquing the screws and the extensions would still move under any force. I have a bottle holder zip tied between them now so they don’t really move around anymore. It is also not very adjustable, but if it works for you then its awesome.
Cobb is the V-Flow Max. Still getting used to it. No numbness anymore, but adjusting to the different pressure points.
The aerobars on the B14 are well worth the price bump by themselves. Combine that with better crankset, derailleurs, and such and I think it’s a no-brainer.
The aerobars on the B14 are well worth the price bump by themselves. Combine that with better crankset, derailleurs, and such and I think it’s a no-brainer.
those are the reasons i went with the 2011 B14. im going to have to change the saddle, but i think thats a given on most stock tri/tt bikes
The aerobars on the B14 are well worth the price bump by themselves. Combine that with better crankset, derailleurs, and such and I think it’s a no-brainer.
those are the reasons i went with the 2011 B14. im going to have to change the saddle, but i think thats a given on most stock tri/tt bikes
The stock saddle isn’t bad though. I liked it better than the one on my old Kuota K-factor. I might not have replaced it if I hadn’t already bought a Cobb V-flow Plus (I’m finding I really like seats with a channel in the middle).
The stock saddle isn’t bad though. I liked it better than the one on my old Kuota K-factor. I might not have replaced it if I hadn’t already bought a Cobb V-flow Plus (I’m finding I really like seats with a channel in the middle).
that’s my problem, i think i need something with a channel in the middle. thinking of trying either a cobb or ism…
The stock saddle isn’t bad though. I liked it better than the one on my old Kuota K-factor. I might not have replaced it if I hadn’t already bought a Cobb V-flow Plus (I’m finding I really like seats with a channel in the middle).
that’s my problem, i think i need something with a channel in the middle. thinking of trying either a cobb or ism…
The Fizik tri seats have them too to a degree and they look like to be narrower as well. Still might try one of those out.
purchased my brand new 09 b16 for a great price …thanx for all the input…now to decide what to get next for my new toy
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Afternoon,
I managed to bash my Felt b16 saddle up in a crash, (its the standard saddle) i love it and cant replace anywhere do you or know of anyone who has one for sale?
Cheers
I think I still have the one from my bike - i will check when I get home tonight and let you know.
Cheers… what year would that be? 2001 or 2012, im sure they are similar saddles any way…
I’ve got the stock saddle from a 2012 b16 if you would like.