Felt F70 or Felt F80? Pedal choice?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello all. First, thank you for your excellent advice to others…I have learned a lot by reading these boards and articles for the past few months.

I am planning on buying my first higher-quality road bike early next year, and I was hoping to get some advice on what that purchase should be. After doing some homework, I am leaning towards a Felt bike. My LBS is a dealer for them, and Felt seems to provide a very good value.

I will mostly be using the bike for rides of 10-50 miles (occasionally longer) by myself about 3-4 times per week, on suburban and semi-rural roads. I intend to do my first tris on it next spring as well. I’m a large guy, over 230#.

I’m pretty sure the correct choice for me is the F70 ($950). While it has the same aluminum frame as the F80 ($800), it also has 105 shifters, front derailleur and brake levers (all of those are Tiagra on the 80). The 70 has a FSA Gossamer crankset, while the 80 has a RPM (by FSA) alloy crankset. The 70 has a Formula XR-4 wheelset, while the 80 has Alex double wall alloy rims with CNC sides.

What the 80 has going for it is a better color (to me…it is silver, versus the blue 70) and is $150 cheaper.

Is it worth $150 to step up to:
105 shifters, front derailleur, and brake levers (from Tiagra)
Better crankset
Better wheelset

This will be my first bike with clipless pedals. The LBS is recommending the Speedplay X/3 for me. I have read very good things about some of the Speedplay products (e.g. Zero). As a new rider, are the X/3 a good choice for me? Any other ideas? I am thinking about buying the pedals soon, to use on my older bike with a trainer.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Jeff

2

Consider upgrading the wheelset on the F70. IT isn’t that the Formula/Velocity wheels are not nice, I’m just not so sure that you’d like the performance of a low spoke wheelset at your size. Deep section wheels with LOTS of spokes are going ot give you the torsional and lateral strength us Clydesdales need. Ritchey Pro DS wheels come to mind. or just a shimano hub laced to a 32 hole Velocity DEEP rim.

The F70 is a home run. The biggest improvement you are going to see is front shifting performance. This overlooked facet of derailleur/chainring function is handled with aplomb with the FSA chainrings and 105 front derailleur. Anything less is, well, significantly less.

Enjoy your new Felt!
SD

3

TriAlbany,

I puchased a FELT F65 last year (yellow color) and my wife recently purchased a FELT F85 (red), and the difference between these two 2003 models is probably similar to the F70 and F80 as 2004 models.

The 105 components are the most significant thing for me as far as comparisions to a “lesser” component bike, and they are worth the $ difference. I have 3,000+ miles on my F65 now and a few podium placements. Great bike - and a significant upgrade from my 20+ year old, oversized, rusted, 14 speed that I used in 2002!

I have only ever had one pair of clipless pedals and I went for Shimano SPD-R - I always thought the Speedplay’s had such a small support area, but they are very popular, and I have NOT heard that they place extra/painful bearing stress on the underside of your feet - but that probably depends on the stiffness of your shoe sole too.

Hairy Legs.