Hello everybody need your input and expertise. – I have been riding my 2011 P2 Cervelo (48cm frame) for the last 4-5 years and I believe it is time for an upgrade. Im looking at Felt’s IA10, any comments? What makes me a little bit nervous about this bike,felt IA 10, is the fact that is a heavier frame (21ish pounds) and that it is electronic shifting. Please let me know your thoughts… and also if you have any other recommendations… that would be great. At one point I was looking at Cervelos P5 but I’ve heard is a maintenance nightmare, besides the fact that it is a little bit more expensive. Thank u for reading this post.
I am biased, because I have and IA. I love it. Don’t worry about the weight. The IA is fast because it has wide, slippery tubes. Those are heavier than the smaller tubes, because it takes more material. But the effect is worth it. Most modern bikes follow a similar design approach with the resulting weight outcomes.
Frames don’t weigh 21 pounds.
If you are on the small end of the bike size spectrum I would really investigate which frame will fit you best. Personally I feel if you are on a 48cm frame with 650 wheels going to a “s” Felt frame with 700c wheel is going to be significantly different.
That said, if I were buying new (and I may this winter) the 2018 Trek Speed Concept for $4k is REALLY hard to beat IMO, it will have a better front end and aerobar than the IA10, comes with a decent set of aero training wheels and you can spend the extra $$ you would save over a P5 on a SRAM Etap.
Here’s a couple days worth of reading! This has been going on since the launch of IA models but they’re all basically the same so hop on your trainer and flip through it.
I have recently shifted my opinion on E-shifting. Now that I would say my bike handling skills are above average, I am swapping my Di2 out for mechanical (going to my fiance, who is much less confident in her handling skills) as I feel the need for e-shifting it mostly about handling (the ability to shift on bullhorns)
thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate the advise. Im planning to test ride one this weekend.
TY! I looked a little at the Trek and it looks like an awesome bike, pretty much as fast as cervelo P5
Yep, the Cervelo P5 and P5x are pretty much the standard-bearers for speed. They have their downsides, like cost, funky cockpit (P5), maintenance hassles (P5), etc., but there is little point in arguing that anything else is faster. The Felt IA and Trek Speed Concept are in that next tier of almost-as-fast. And, those have some upsides, like way lower cost and some easier livability benefits. You cannot go wrong with either one. Others that could be in that 2nd tier, but do not have as much wind tunnel data, are bikes like the Canyon Speedmax and Premier Tactical.
I would like to point out that the P5 is only fastest at ±5 degrees of yaw. I’m sure it’s not exactly that, but I really don’t feel like looking it up. Somewhere in that range, both the IA and the speed concept both surpass it for greater yaw angles. Additionally, the P5 is only marginally faster at that. There are definitely conditions and courses on which I would want either an IA or a speed concept over the P5, kona comes to mind for example.
I’m officially throwing money down on a new IA10 myself, after 4 years on my Kestrel Talon it’s time to take a big step.
Right there with you bud! Let’s buy some carbon!
If you are on the small end of the bike size spectrum I would really investigate which frame will fit you best. Personally I feel if you are on a 48cm frame with 650 wheels going to a “s” Felt frame with 700c wheel is going to be significantly different.
I agree with this. Personally I think it’s even more important as a short person, because there’s less adjustability when you’re at one extreme or the other.
Isn’t there a not-insubstantial geometry difference between the Cervelo and an IA at any size? Either way, a new Cervelo 48cm will also have 700c wheels (you have to size down to the 45 to get the 650c).
There are definitely conditions and courses on which I would want either an IA or a speed concept over the P5, kona comes to mind for example.
Yep, if I had the combination of unlimited cash and awesome skills, I would want both an IA FRD and a P5x. The P5X would be for the 95% of races that are typical low yaw. And, the IA FRD would be for my Kona race with higher yaw.
I am quite content with my IA16, and maybe it will help get me to Kona someday. Though, I guess I will have to sign up and train for a full IM for that to actually happen. 
I would like to point out that the P5 is only fastest at ±5 degrees of yaw. I’m sure it’s not exactly that, but I really don’t feel like looking it up. Somewhere in that range, both the IA and the speed concept both surpass it for greater yaw angles. Additionally, the P5 is only marginally faster at that. There are definitely conditions and courses on which I would want either an IA or a speed concept over the P5, kona comes to mind for example.
jsmith82 yay!! Nice upgrade! No matter what going from my old 2011 P2 cervelo to a new triathlon bike will help Im almost 5’6" so I think I will fit better on the 51cm Felt frame.
I was looking at the 51 cm felt frame because Im almost 5’6" and the 48cm felt frame just seemed too small. I think cervelo runs a little bit bigger therefore I was ok with the 48…
jsmith82 yay!! Nice upgrade! No matter what going from my old 2011 P2 cervelo to a new triathlon bike will help Im almost 5’6" so I think I will fit better on the 51cm Felt frame.
I’m 6’6. Per my fitter, the GURU data, and my X/Y in the Felt calculator, the 58 should fit me like a glove. Might be the tallest person on an IA ever.
I was looking at the 51 cm felt frame because Im almost 5’6" and the 48cm felt frame just seemed too small.
Fair enough. I’m 5’3" - wholly different set of “short person” issues!!
I’ll sell you my IA so I can get a Trek SC.
which IA, what size and how much?
52 cm IA10 (the original blue/carbon/black/white one). $3500.