New Frame/Bike Quandry

Triathlon Forum
1

Interesting conundrum I am in. Have been looking at getting a new bike to replace my current 2008 Felt DA. Really had it settled on getting a Trek SC 9 series but couldn’t swing it this year with the vacation to Alaska.

So, as I was packing my bike realize the frame has a crack in it. Call my trusty bike shop and they ask for pics. Fast forward a bit and Felt is sending them a warranty replacement frame as this was a defect in the frame.

So, what do I do now? Really would want a new Trek SC and not a new Felt. Like the integrated storage on the Trek as on my long training rides the extra bottles and storage is nice.

Should I sell the Felt frame and buy a Trek? Is there any other option to swap this brand new unused Felt frame for a Trek frame?

2

The DA and SC frames are very similar. I really don’t see the point unless that’s what you just really want. The whole 2 bottle thing really shouldn’t be a selling point. You’re never going to race with 2 bottles on your frame since you’ll be using BTA hydration or behind the saddle. The only storage on the SC is the draft box that may or may not be faster. Definitely not easy to access while riding.

3

The desire for two bottles and storage is more for training rides which really are a majority of my time in the saddle.

But yeah, a good portion of it is the desire for the Trek SC. This might be my last new bike purchase so I really want to like it.

4

Fair enough. I think it may also be important to look at the 2018 model of the SC and see how it differs from the 9 series. They’re only offering one frame not that’s $1500 less than the 9 series frame. It makes you wonder if the new SC is actually any better than the old one.

5

Sell the DA for as much as you can get. Maybe the bike shop is interested. Then buy the bike of your dreams. The latest SC is a notch or two up from the DA, so it is worth it.

6

Looks like for 2018 the SC is 500 series OCLV like the 2017 7 series and not the 600 series OCLV of the 2017 9 series.

7

Yes…but you should be able to find the 2017 SC 9.9 frameset out there…and on sale too…the black/red one…it’s not cheap…but you can still get the 600 series carbon if you really want it…

8

What size is the new DA 😉
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9

Go for the trek. Sell your new frame and find a 2016 or 17 7.5 series. No need for the 9 series.

10

My existing frame was a 54"

I will get the details from the bike shop. I assume it is a 2017 Felt DA. Not totally sure though.

You interested in a brand new never used frame 😀

11

My existing frame was a 54"

Way too big.

12

I really don’t get the desire for the 9 series unless price really isn’t important. The stock 7.5 at 3999 looks like probably the best deal in “SuperBikes” at the moment. I think you might be able to get another 200$ off if you order by Sunday.

Doing a Project 1 bike starts at a 500$ premium, but that gets you something other than a black paint job ( reminds me of the Model T which was available in any color you wanted, as long as it was black). I don’t know what your current components and wheels are, but the wheels on the 2018 7.5 look OK and the Ultegra group is passable or you could upgrade through the P1. Pull the stuff off you don’t want and sell it on EBay.

13

In the offseason I’m thinking about going from a 56 to a 58 as I’m already at 110mm stem
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