I own a tri bike (Felt B2) and I want to buy my first road bike. I’m after a cheapish bike and I’d like it to be able to double as a tri bike (few social weekends planned with group rides and triathlons). I’m looking in particular at the Felt F75 and the Cervelo S1 although I’m open to suggestions.
I know that the Cervelo is capable of the road → tri transformation (76 degrees and nose ride) and I know that it’s designed to handle well as a tri/road hybrid. Looking at the seat tube of the Felt it also looks like it is capable of being turned around for a steeper angle (does anyone have details on this?).
I like the idea of the Felt largely because it’s significantly cheaper, I love my B2 and I’m also conscious that Tom D reviewed it and compared it favorably to significantly more expensive bikes.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried riding the Felt F75 as a tri bike or from anyone in general with an opinion on a cheap road bike that can be set up as a tri bike. Is the consensus that the extra ~$700 for the Cervelo is money well spent? Or is the Felt capable of being a solid hybrid?
Perhaps I didn’t quite understand what you are after for your first road bike. You already have a top-end TT bike in the Felt B2, and you want an entry-mid level road bike to complement that…I’m missing the desire / need for the entry-mid level bike to double as a TT bike? A “few social weekend planned with group rides” does not call for a TT bike, does it? I think you would always be dissapointed in either the S1 or F75 set up as a TT bike seeing as you have a machine that is much better designed to handle the job.
I bought an F75 last June as my first road bike, and have nothing but good things to say about it. I’ve put ~4000 miles on it, and have only done the routine maintenance on it. With water bottles, pedals, and spare parts - it weighs in around 19.8 lbs ready to hit the road. I think you would enjoy the F75 quite a lot.
I have ridden a few S1’s, and the bike did feel a little smoother, although it did have a higher end component set. It really comes down to fit and cost, if you’ve got the extra 700 bones laying around, the S1 may make you happier in the long run. The F75 is no slouch though, and will handle just about anything you throw at it.
Cervelo S1 !!! Hands down, it is a great bike. It is entry-level price for a pretty medium-high end bike! I purchased an S1 a few months ago and am extremely happy with it. Great road handling and responsive!!!