What would you choose and why?
I’m looking for input from owners of 2012 models especially. Either one will be built up with Shimano 9070 Di2.
Both fit me perfectly. After fit, ride quality (balance of stiffness vs comfort, climbing, descending, etc) and dependability are key to me. Looks count too. I race all distances (sprint to full) and train on everything from mountain passes to flatlands, so the bike has to do it all.
Thanks!
I’d lean toward the Felt. Everybody seems to have a Specialized. They are dime-a-dozen. Kinda like Gary Fisher mountain bikes. Doesn’t mean they are bad bikes, just blah. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a DA1 in person. I use to be a big Spesh fanboy, but not so much anymore. I do own a 2012 Spesh Epic, but when I shopped for CX and Tri bike, I never even looked at Spesh. I have a Felt B12 Tri bike.
You don’t buy a bike because of what “someone else has or doesn’t have”, you get it because it FITS YOU, you like it and you can afford it.
can’t fix stupid
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i have a 2011 DA1 and a 2012 shiv expert.
i prefer the brakes on the shiv. they are easier to adjust.
both have very good di2 compatibility so that’s a wash.
the 2013 felt appears to have a nicer aerobar than the shiv.
i prefer felt’s paint schemes and finishes.
on pure windtunnel data the felt wins.
You don’t buy a bike because of what “someone else has or doesn’t have”, you get it because it FITS YOU, you like it and you can afford it.
… and because someone else has or doesn’t have it.
You don’t buy a bike because of what “someone else has or doesn’t have”, you get it because it FITS YOU, **you like it **and you can afford it.
For a lot of people, what goes into determining whether they “like” a bike is whether or not there are a lot out there that are the same or similar.
For some people, it helps validate their decision. For others, they want something that others don’t have.
Nothing wrong with either position.
And just remember all this ‘buy the bike that fits you’ is by and large totally overblown. The difference b/t long/low and short/tall is typically 2cm or less in stack and reach. So, if you can tolerate 2cm of spacers or a slightly longer shorter stem anyone can ride just about any frame out there. Not every manufacturer denotes the same size so if you just pay attention to the stack/reach tables you can get the right fit if you have your fit dialed in already. There isn’t a single frame on that chart I have looked at that I couldn’t duplicate my coordinates on to within 2cm.
I’m a perfect candidate for the Slice type short/tall frame, but ride a long/low QR Kilo. Ooooh oh the horror I have 15mm of spacers under the stem it’s got to be the wrong frame!
Thanks for your input everyone.
I’m not trying to start a angry thread. I’m simply trying to learn from owners’ experiences living with these 2 bikes. Yes I’m able to make up my own mind. Yes I know what fits me and what doesn’t.
Thanks for the positive and informative comments.
Thanks for your input everyone.
I’m not trying to start a angry thread. I’m simply trying to learn from owners’ experiences living with these 2 bikes. Yes I’m able to make up my own mind. Yes I know what fits me and what doesn’t.
Thanks for the positive and informative comments.
Go enjoy your bike hunting experience…either frame will work just fine and be plenty full of modern day fastbadassness!
or the fact that the tri-shiv is fugly 
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Just on the looks count alone, go with the DA. No need to be an owner of the world’s fastest petri dish.
I looked at both of them actually, and eventually bought a DA. they both fit well, but i got a deal on a 2012 so i grabbed it. Loving it so far. I’m not sure what i would need with the specialized bladder anyway, and it just seemed like a hassle. I had a trek 7 series prior, and loved that as well.
So…is the concensus buy which one you think looks better? (I had this exact question this week…amazing how often that happens on ST.)
Thanks.
For what it’s worth, I love my 2012 DA3. Great overall bike in terms of both its ride and how it looks. Certain things have proven a challenge, but with some time getting used to them and tweaks (talking rear brake adjustment) it is nothing to be concerned about. Handles great at speed, stiff frame yet forgiving enough that you are comfortable for long rides (100+ miles, no worries) and you can get a couple of either fixed position stems or an articulating, adjustable stem that gets you a wide range of fit options. If the DA is on your list, definitely give it some consideration. The current generation of bikes (DA, Shiv, SC, P5, etc etc) are all great choices so you can’t really go wrong, just get the one that appeals to you personally.
I think all owners of Shivs and DA1s should post pictures and see if that helps 
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I have a Shiv, comp model. Basic and does the job! I agree that Specialized are everywhere and whenever I see a Spesh road bike it’s inevitably and S-works.
Ubiquitous gripe aside, I think it’s a great bike. Takes some time handling cross winds but I’d never ridden a tri bike before so maybe they are all like that. It is very easy to customise and modify position, something I was quite keen on being able to do as my flexibility improved and as I nailed my position.
can’t fix stupid. X2. That is straight out goofball thinking to not buy a bike because others have it. Pick the bike that fits you and your budget…not the one that the Jones’s DON’T have.
I think all owners of Shivs and DA1s should post pictures and see if that helps
Here
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I went from a Felt B12 to a shiv comp this year. Felt and Specialized both make great bike so I don’t think you can wrong with either. The Shiv fits me better than the Felt did so I am happy to be on the Shiv. I will add that when I bought the shiv I didnt think I would use the bladder. However, I did a complete 180 on that and now love the bladder.