ST’ers,
I may be getting a new Felt road bike this year. Here’s the bikes in my $ range in the felt lineup:
AR3, Ultegra Di2, $4900; 17.35 lbs stock (lots of $ with added weight)
AR4, Ultegra, $3500; 16.93 lbs stock (2nd choice so far)
F3, SRAM Red, $4300; 15.59 lbs stock (1st choice so far but not as aero as AR 4)
F4, Ultegra, $3200; 16.53 lbs stock (least $ but not as sexy without Sram red)
Anyone ride AR vs F series? Which did you like better?
Thx.
F3, by a long shot. The AR series is decently aero, sure, but not stiff at all, and doesn’t has as good road feel. The Felt F3 is a VERY good bike. If you want an aero road bike, there’s no real choice other than the S5
A lot of talk nowadays is about aero road bikes, but I know a few roadies on Felt’s and all but 1 of them chose the F3 over the AR. Didn’t know the AR lacked stiffness so maybe that’s why. The F3 is probably better for resale too.
I test road both a year ago and the other comments are spot on. I prefer the ar geometry over the f series. But the f series is a far more enjoyable ride.
You didn’t mention if this would be raced…it’s pretty fair to say that in a pack or off the front, you will be expending less watts to go a given speed on the AR.
I have owned two “F” bikes and loved both. I know several riders who rode AR’s and weren’t crazy about the ride- but if you can live with it, their frame is an advantage.
-Physiojoe
I’ll be racing Cat3/Masters races. I’m leaning towards the F as well simply because I ride 10-15 hrs/week so I want to love what I ride and be comfy.
Also thinking of a felt TT bike…hmmm… DA4 vs B12. I figure if I go big may as well go DA4 (most $, but most aero).
On the other hand, If I’m going to try and save some $, I may as well go B16 vs B12. The TT’s are only 40 k or less, not like doing 1/2 IM or IM racing. I don’t expect I’d ride it much, maybe once a week or so.
I am looking to get my first road bike. Have only ridden a road bike once in my life and that was a cheapo rental for St. Croix. Have been on a Cervelo Dual the last 5 years and ridden many, many miles on it.
It sounds like the AR4 lacks the stiffness of the F series. Question is not knowing the difference and being Ok with how the Dual rides, would I be missing anything if I went with an AR? Would it ride worse, similar to, or better than the Dual in terms of comfort?
I ride a 2012 FC. Its the same carbon as the F3. Stiff it is, comfy it isn’t. Its a fast aggressive bike though. As soon as you push the pedal, the power goes straight to the road. If you want a comfy Felt, go with a Z. That being said, my buddy who is a much stronger rider than me, rides an AR1 and loves it. Don’t think he’s ever ridden an F, but he puts about 800 miles per month on his AR. You might want to find a dealer and demo the different frames. Where are you located?
i had the AR4 for a year before getting a Felt Tri Bike. I really miss my AR4. The bike handled great, even on the less than smooth roads in MI. A lot of people who saw my bike though I put road bars on a tri bike. I don’t know much about F series so I can’t help you with comparison.
I’m in Atlanta and know my local dealer well. They have 2012 closeouts in the F5 and Z5, but no AR. The AR would be bought used.
Just looking to get a decent entry level bike for group rides. I figure if I don’t think the Dual rides rough then any road bike would be a step forward in comfort. Is that illogical thinking?
I’d say the 2012 F series is quite a bit better bike than the 2012 Z series. Though the 2013 Z series looks pretty sweet.
So, I guess that leaves us with the F series.
The Felt F-series geometry is not for everyone. It is a long and low road bike.
For instance, I am 5’9" and ride a “53” road bike with a 15cm headtube and 545cm top tube; or a stack and reach of ~555, 385. I have a 5mm spacer on it and have something like 7-8cm of bar drop.
A 54cm Felt has a 12cm headtube and 545 top tube; or stack reach of 526, 389. I guess I could make it fit without a big spacer stack if I had a short, shallow bar, a 0 degree stem and a tall headset cap but I’ve got more drop than most people.
Typically, I’d go new over used and I think the F series is a “better bike” than the AR. However, a poorly fitting bike is never a good thing. Try riding and getting a fit on the F and if its a no-go, then try the AR.
I have a 2011 F5 LTD. With a few modest upgrades it is now as light as the F3. Just the hefty of the AR line is really offputting to me. I honestly hate every other bike I have ever owned or ridden after getting the F. I’m considering selling my tri bike and just making the F lighter still.