I think I’m going to go with the Felt for my Tri bike. my question is Alum or Carbon. I ask because of price mainly. My thought is this.
B12 stock carbon $2699
or
S22 with better wheels down the road. $1999 then cost of wheels
Pros or cons of both? For the $700 difference what kind of wheels could I get and would it make a big difference and how much speed or time is gained. I like speed vs time.
I aim to do at least 70.3 or even 140.6, but mostly Oly and sprint tri’s. I train as I race so I’ll put a lot of time on the bike.
I would definitly go for the B12. You can always save up for a nicer wheelset later if you decide you want better than the stock wheels. It would cost a lot more to upgrade the frame later.
I personally am a huge fan of metal bikes, both aluminum and titanium. I know aluminum gives some weight to carbon, but my '05 (aluminum) cannondale ironman slice (no number, it’s been heavily customized) weighs in at 20 lbs. with all equipment on board, and I’m getting down towards 19. The two main non price differences is carbon has a tendency to soak up small road imperfections very well (nothing but shocks soaks up the big ones) and the other being that you are unable to see certain structural weaknesses, i.e. hairline/stress cracks, in carbon, whereas aluminum tends to have more of an obvious tell tale sign of structural integrity loss.
Your review claims that the new B12 shares the same frame as the B2. But, the Felt website says that the B12 has an “HM” carbon frame vs the “UHM” carbon frame of the B2-series.
I bought the B12 last year and love it. Like you, I’m newer to the sport after finishing my 2nd season. I’ve done two HIM’s with the bike last season. The only problem was a broken seat clamp. It was too tight and just popped one day heading out of the driveway. My bike store put a stainless replacement on it, and it’s been fine since. I wouldn’t worry about wheels until you have more than 2000 miles on your bike. My opinion - what’s more important than expensive wheels at your stage is having a very good fit and being comfortable for the long road. I waited too long to get FIST fitted, and it was the best $150 I’ve ever spent - huge improvement in comfort and speed. I’ve never had metal, but can’t imagine wanting to ride one. I have a carbon Specialized Roubaix for the road bike, and the felt feels comfortable on the road yet stiffer for better power transfer. I also ride it much faster for whatever reason - always turning out a higher avg mph on training rides than on the roubaix. If I were in your shoes looking for a “first decent triathlon bike” for as little money as possible… I’d buy the new B16 in a heartbeat. Great value, and you’ll probably be happier with it than the S22. As for wheels… ride what you have and shop ebay and your local friends as much as possible. I picked up a very used pair of HED3 tubulars for $250 for the pair from a friend and they are awesome.
Your review claims that the new B12 shares the same frame as the B2. But, the Felt website says that the B12 has an “HM” carbon frame vs the “UHM” carbon frame of the B2-series.
Am I reading something wrong???
Steve
The frame shape is the same as they come out of the same mold. Its the carbon layup/type that is different.
I think that the 2009 B12 uses the same material and layup as the 2008 B2. IIRC, the 2009 B2 uses a slightly different material or layup from the previous year’s. FWIW, I have a 2008 B12 and love it (especially the look - don’t really care for the 2009 paint scheme). I replaced the crank with an Ultegra SL crank and installed Zero G brakes and couldn’t be happier with the result. IMO, the B12 is an excellent value, even if you have to save a bit more for it over the S22. Good luck with your decision.
Your review claims that the new B12 shares the same frame as the B2. But, the Felt website says that the B12 has an “HM” carbon frame vs the “UHM” carbon frame of the B2-series.
Am I reading something wrong???
Steve
The frame shape is the same as they come out of the same mold. Its the carbon layup/type that is different.
I never questioned that they are the same frame shape. However, Tom’s review says that the '09 B12 and '09 B2 use the same frame, and clearly implies that, aside from paint scheme and the fork, they are the same, which, if they are made using different layups, they are not.
Here’s a quote from Tom’s review…
“For 2009 the frame of the B12 has been upgraded to the same frame used in Felt’s high end B2 bikes. You read that right: The new B12 actually uses a B2 frame. This means the bike is lighter, rides more comfortably and is stiffer than the previous version. To put that upgrade in perspective we are talking about the same frame used on Felt’s $7499 B2 Pro, but on a bike with an excellent component spec for an MSRP of about $3K complete.”
bump
I just heard of the b16 today from a friend and I never saw this on the felt website, but I read a decent review on the bike and it sounds like a great deal, I’m just not sure what you are losing vs the b12 or even the S22.
I wish there were more reviews on Tri bikes especially the b22, b16 and S22 other then the bikesport Michigan review that keeps getting posted. While I think the review is excellent, it would give the bikes more substance if there were other reviews from name brand sites like Bicycle mag.
Anyone have the B16 or want to chime in on if an age grouper would notice the difference is speed between the B16 and B12?
FWIW we have reviewed the B16 and, well, we are handling it delicately… It’s hitting our site soon.
Most honestly, I love the B12, don’t much care for the new B16. Here’s why:
I think the B16 is a compromise bike. It is an attempt to do price point carbon fiber. I’d rather have a nice aluminum frame than a compromise carbon fiber frame since it would be lighter, ride nicer (with the right tires) and be generally a better all-around bike.
Picture the fellow who buys a Dodge Neon and puts $2000 worth of wheels on it, only the B16 doesn’t even have the fancy wheels. Basically it is the least expensive carbon frame you can passably make with the least expensive kit. There may not be anything wrong with that in and of itself, but I think there are better options such as Cervelo’s P1 and Felt’s S32, both with aluminum frames and nice parts kits.
I rather have a nice aluminum frame like a Cervelo P1 than the absolute least expensive carbon frame. It takes a certain amount of money to do carbon fiber really well. I don’t think $2000 +/- for a complete bike in carbon fiber is enough to do that. On the other hand, for $2000 or less you can build a fine aluminum bike.
I rather have a nice aluminum frame like a Cervelo P1 than the absolute least expensive carbon frame. It takes a certain amount of money to do carbon fiber really well. I don’t think $2000 +/- for a complete bike in carbon fiber is enough to do that. On the other hand, for $2000 or less you can build a fine aluminum bike.
In four sentences, you hit the nail on the head.
“Brevity is the soul of wit”
Thank you for the feedback Tom. I look forward to reading more reviews on your website and the review of the B16. Sounds like I might have finally, after 6 months of looking, found the bike that I need to save up for in the B12.
After ordering a trek madone 4.7, I changed my mind and ordered a Felt B12, 2009. You should seriously look into that bike too, buying a bike is a huge decision, good luck on making the right choice. PS: I don’t think they make the S22 anymore, did you mean the S32?
Yes sadly the S22 is gone and I am sooo glad I got one before it went. (I ordered it at the end of October for a smokin’ deal but didn’t get it 'til a few days ago.) I was a little bummed at first when I saw that the replacement was a carbon goody until I started looking at specs. Aside from the frame (and I’m cool with aluminum with carbon stays anyway) every single component was a step down on the b16 from the s22. To top it off, at the same size the b16 looks like it’s a pound heavier.
I’m just a newbie at triathlon but I’ve peddled Felt MTBs through some pretty gnarly terrain on a few different continents and have never been disappointed, so Felt was the brand I gravitated too when I decided to get into tri (since mountain biking in Michigan is just average.) I would have got a B12 or B2 in a heartbeat but the price of the S22 was too good to pass up and it left over fundage for other stuff like a tricked out Tacx trainer, pedals, membership to a gym, the lame ass tight clothes, a bag, new shoes, etc. etc. etc. If you have the means, b12 is the way to go if only because you cant get an S22 now. It’s a big investment but in my case I couldn’t blow everything just on the bike. Maybe I’ll b2-it in the future but for now I’m a happy camper with my S22 and a pro fit.
The B16 and B12 use the same frame as far as I can tell. There’s a difference in the fork and a big difference in the component spec, but I guess I don’t understand your argument about the frame difference.
See my first post in this thread, too. Tom says the B2 and B12 are the same frame, while the B16 is different. But, Felt’s website says otherwise. I wish SuperDave would set the record straight.
I actually emailed Felt back in December on this (novel concept I know) and they responded that the B2 and B12 in fact do not use the same carbon layup and that the site is correct.