I lurk, but rarely post here. However, y’all seem knowledgeable, and I’ve got a question. Anyway, I’m considering buying a tri bike. I bought my first bike, to be used in triathlons, 4 years ago. Trek 5200 with aero set up. Got a good deal on it. It’s taken me through 3 IMs. I love it, but I can’t stop thinking that a tri bike might be a better fit. In talking to people and doing internet research, I’ve run across Felt bikes. They seem like a good deal. The S22 which appears to be pretty similar to the top of the line B2 (slight component differences and it doesn’t come with Zip wheels) for less than $2,200. Still pricey, but better than the $3,600 for a Cervelo (which I’d love to buy), but simply shouldn’t due to cost. Anyone with knowledge of Felt bikes? Any advice? Don’t know if I’ll actually make a purchase. If I do, maybe I should suck it up and go for the top of the line. Or, maybe there is a good tri bike out there for a little less cash?
Good observation on the S22 vs the B2. For some reason everyone was “wowed” or “wooed” by the B2. It is a cool bike, but the fact of the matter is that the Profile one piece carbon bars only fit so many peopl correctly and frequently need to be changed. If you get a B2 a good cockpit alternative are the new FSA Visiontech sero base bars and aerobars. They are more adjustable for size than the profile one piece and you can vary your stem length.
In general, Felt is a leader in the tri bike segment. They feature excellent component spec at fantastic prices. Sometimes the bikes can be tricky to get, but that has improved greatly.
Frame quality of value priced Felts is very good. They incorporate the bottom bracket bulge in the down tube and other features fro their hand made, high-end models such as the DA650 and DA700, which are awesome bikes.
Bottom line, if they fit you, you will like them. Get measured, get fit and look at what matches your body dimensions. If it is a Felt, I think you’ll be pleased with the bike.
johnt - I know that the Felt S22 and the P2K is a better comparison. One of the things I’m struggling with is to go top of the line or not. I was originally looking at the Felt B2 and the Cervelo P3. Then I started to compare the Felt B2 w/ the S22 - and saw few differences aside from the Zip wheels. So, it appeared to me that with the S22, I’d pretty much be able to buy a top of the line bike for less $ and be able to make an easy upgrade with wheels in the future. The frame on the P2K is different than the P3. In my mind, if I went Cervelo, I’d consider going top of the line to begin with.
In all honesty, I shouldn’t buy a new bike at all, but I want one!! I’m doing a bit of research right now to see if it is a possibility … and I’m going to see if I can get a good price for my golf clubs which will help my cause. I haven’t played a hole of golf since I started doing triathlon in 2000.
Felt rocks. Have an '03 S22 and love it. Got it at the end of last season from a shop that takes care of me, it was going for the same price as a Dual. Thought the Felt was a lot more bike. Buncha miles later and I couldn’t be happier with it (well, maybe if it had a pair of Hed 3s on it). Also, I really liked the idea of knowing I was buying a dedicated tri-bike from a dedicated tri-bike maker like Jim Felt. I’m sure Cervelo and QR owners feel the same way about their bikes. Seems to me if a bike from any one of those dealers fits you – you almost can’t go wrong. Also, for what it’s worth, I thought about the whole high end/ mid level thing as well and decided I’d worry about getting a high end bike when I’m winning my age-group every race have sponsors banging down my door. That said, the S22 is nothing to sneeze at and I smoked a whole bunch of people on higher end bikes this past weekend. At a certain point (right around mid-level IMOP) differences in bikes get pretty slim.
The B2 is NOT the top of the line Felt tri bike. It is an S22 with bling-bling.
The top of the line bike from Felt is the DA.
Don’t be fooled by all the carbon and the Zipps. If what you really want is a mid range bike frame with the cool toys, then the B2 is the right bike for you. If you want a top of the line frame/fork, and are willing to sacrifice some components to get there, consider the P3 or a DA with Ultegra or Campy Centaur, they will come in at or below the B2 price.
In my opinion, you should buy the best frame you can afford - components can always be upgraded later.