I am debating between a Cervelo Dual and a Felt s25. I was wondering if anyone had some insight on which is better for distance tri’s (namely half-irons, and maybe even a full). Any thoughts would help
thanks, matt
Now, while many people will argue with me, I will suggest that if one of these bikes fits you, the other will not. However, that is in my admittedly very strict interpretation of fit. I always assert that one bike is more correctly matched to a person’s dimensions than another.
So, that would be the basis for my decision since the fit is the one thing that will influence your lasting ownership experience with the bike. The fit is much more important than what derailleur or brake caliper or shifter it has.
Now, having said all that, the Dual has an impressively wide fit band. I hate the notion of a bike designed to fit a huge amount of people, but the Dual, in each size, has enough latitude with regard to seatpost fore/aft that you can do things with that bike (fit wise) that are simply impossible on the Felt. The other thing is, the Dual actually handles and rides well throughout most of this very wide adjustment range due to good design at Cervelo. Add to that the down tube design on the Dual (same as on the $3000 P3SL) and you have a tough deal to beat. We do find that the rearward orientations of the Dual’s “Variable Geometry Seatpost” is rarely used and not of much utility in an aero posture setting.
-Remember that the Dual is not just a bike with a “forward bending seatpost”. The frame geometry is specifically configured to optimize the variable geometry seatpost, and I’ll tell you it works very, very well.
Now, the Felt. Well… What’s your poison? Great component spec or frame design/quality/fit? That is basically the questions you are asking yourself.
I like (and sell) both bikes, but I ride a Cervelo P3SL because I believe in their aerodynamic frame configuration. Huge debate here, but my opinion is that it makes me faster on the bike than other so-called “aero” frames.
The Felt frames are very good quality, but the thought just hasn’t gone into the aerodynamics- particularly in the down tube area- and in the fit latitude. To Felt’s credit you cannot beat their prices. I think Dan put it best when he said that Felt intends to woo you with sexy component spec at improbably low prices. If that is appealling to you (over and above fit and frame design), you are going to be another very happy Felt customer.
I guess it boils down to an admittedly twisted analogy like this:
Are you the kind of guy who would prefer a pretty low-key, nicely designed, BMW 3 series type sedan that works very well, is nicely engineered and somewhat understated.
Or-
Do you want the Honda tuner car, lowered, $1000 wheels, kickin system, Sumitumo tires, aftermarket hood scoop, spoiler, NOS system, chipped out with a DVD player in the dash?
I’ll let you figure out which car represents which bike…
Happy Holidays,
Tom.
nice analogy, and thanks tom.
…one more question, i have an opportunity to buy a 2003 dual for alot cheaper. does anyone know if the frame has changed at all?
Which one do you like better?
That’s pretty much the answer right there.
I think they are the same… I believe the frame did not change. -Don’t quote me on that.
Tom,
Not sure I agree with you “comparison”. Doesn’t the dual have a round seat tube and the Felt a semi-aero tube (I believe the S25 has the same frame as the 32 this year).
Jim Felt has been designing TT bikes for a very long time. I’m sure he’s put some thought into the aerodynamics of his frames. I don’t see a whole lot of difference between the Cervelo and Felt downtubes. As far as I know, both use 1’ head tubes and have ‘aero’ tubing. How much faster do you really think the Dual is over the S22 based on the downtube? Plus, when I have people commenting on “how thin” my frame is, I know Felt is on to something.
I know when I decided which bike (Decided between the S22 and P2K), the components swayed me plus I really liked the Felt Frame better. Yeah, I didn’t get a rear cut out, but does it really make that much of a difference?
As far as the fit spectrum, yeah, the dual has a wider fit range, but it was designed that way.
I think a better comparison for the consumer would be: Here, ride the Cervelo - Now ride the Felt. Which feels better to you, Are you more comfortable on this bike or that one? And BTW, here’s the difference in components - what’s important to you?
I know I tell my friends interested in getting bikes to get the best components they can on their bikes. They’ll be able to tell a bigger difference in components than frame design. It’ll save them headaches down the road. And I tell everyone that’s buying a road bike to forget about triples - nothing but headaches!!!
Mike
"Doesn’t the dual have a round seat tube "
Nope. It uses the same aero seat post as the P2K, P3, and Soloist.