I ride a Felt DA. I love the bayonet fork. It’s very stable at high speeds and it handles great. I know that the Argon 18 E-114 has a similar fork design. Can any owners comment on the ride quality of the bike? Is it stable at high speeds, on descents etc. I have an aluminum Cervelo soloist that speed wobbles like it’s going out of style. It always has. I’m helping my brother build his first bike and I would hate for him to spend the money on the Argon 18 only to have it speed wobble like my first bike. Also, is the ONEness stem aerobar fairly adjustable?
i don’t the answers to all of your questions, but i do know the “stem” on that bike has zero fore-aft adjustment. not sure what they were thinkin’ when they came up with that one …
Are you trying to hinder your brother by having him on an Argon while you ride a Felt?
That’s the kind of thing I would do, except my brother wouldn’t fall for it.
Haha. So you’re saying the Argon is not a good bike? It’s funny I had a guy in a shop today tell me that the Argon was a much better bike because Felt bikes are cheaper foreign imports. I wanted to slap him.
I have E-114 and love it. It is fast, comfortable and handles very well. This was my first tri-specific bike, but the transition from my road bikes to E-114 was not difficult at all. Of course, these characteristics depend heavily on fit. Because of its unique design, you want to make sure that your brother chooses the right size. Argon 18 has very helpful sizing chart in their home page.
Assuming that you choose the right size, E-114 allows you to adjust parts fairly well to fit your physique and specifications. It seems that they changed the design of the fairing component for the 2010 model so that wiring is done more easily.
I should also add that their customer service is excellent. Some other ST members experienced the same.
I don’t have the e-114, but I have the e-112. So not the same thing because it lacks to “cool” front end. But I will tell you the e-112 is ridiculously stable. I love it and it was a shock to me how much better it is than my old bike. I had a Kestrel Talon which is a great bike, so it’s not like I went from a beater to a Porsche. I’m able to ride the 112 hands free as much as I want including down hill. It bombs down big hills with no wobble or chatter. The Argon’s are not super light, but they feel fantastic. Great aero frame and impossible to flex. I have murdered all my best times on my training loops this year with less training than the years before.
If he fits the geometry then I wouldn’t hesitate suggesting one. I have had no buyers remorse and haven’t heard anyone around here that is displeased.
Great bike. I’ve had one for the last 2 years and it’s super stable, stiff, and a true pleasure to ride. I would definitely recommend it. I’ve had a P3C and Cannondale Slice and this is the bike I chose to ride in Kona.
I just purchased an E-112, but when I test rode (for geometry) I rode an E-114. In comparison to a properly sized Cervelo P2 and one of the Trek TTX bikes, the E-114 was by far the most stable. After getting the E-112 (for price and adjustability reasons), I think the pursuit and aerobars being as stiff as they are help to make it even more stable.
As a disclaimer (or as credibility?), this is my first TT bike (gone through a few road bikes) and I test rode everything I could find to decide which to get. Some other ones were the specialized transition and a lower model felt (none with bayonet mount were in stock).
There is fore aft adjustment with the e114, and the ride is incredibly stable with the front end…even more so than the e112, but with that sort of a front end that’s not surprising…great bikes.
Hi guys, here is the direct link to the sizing chart we have prepared for the E-114 : http://www.argon18bike.com/DATA/MEDIA/652.pdf
Of course, we have prepared this chart only to help riders find the frame size they need, a real fit season can never be replaced. Last year we were in Kona with E-114 to try out and to the best of my knowledge everyone who tried them found their fit very quickly. For those of you who will be in Kona this year we’ll still have some E-114 to try. We’ll also have demos bikes at the demoday at Interbike in just a few days.
Do you guys have any sort of aero data about your fork that fairs the head tube?
Always curious about how effective that is.
Hi guys, here is the direct link to the sizing chart we have prepared for the E-114 : http://www.argon18bike.com/DATA/MEDIA/652.pdf
Of course, we have prepared this chart only to help riders find the frame size they need, a real fit season can never be replaced. Last year we were in Kona with E-114 to try out and to the best of my knowledge everyone who tried them found their fit very quickly. For those of you who will be in Kona this year we’ll still have some E-114 to try. We’ll also have demos bikes at the demoday at Interbike in just a few days.
I have an e-114 and really want to unload it. It is great looking bike and rides OK in the aero position. However, I don’t like the way it feels on drops. The extended fork has a limited turning radius and if you turn it too much the front brake rams into your frame and can damage it. The biggest problem I have with it are the brakes. The tetro brakes do not work as well and the standard road calipers. I actually switched out the rear brake with a normal one to increase the stopping power. In general, I find it to be the best looking bike on the market with some well thought out ideas. However, for me, they just don’t offer the feel I want in my triathlon bike. I actually hoping to sell it and get something else. But to your question of high speed wobble, I have never felt one.
“the “stem” on that bike has zero fore-aft adjustment. not sure what they were thinkin’ when they came up with that one …”
I guess they were ahead of their time…
OP - I have the E-112 and did have speed wobbles with the SRAM S80 on the front. I have changed to a S40 up front and have no problems now. The E-112 does have a different fork, and may react slightly different than the E-114. Or maybe the SRAMs are just wobbly in themselves…
BTW - LOVE the Argon. It must be an ok bike to have held the bike record at Kona for a year…