Swift Carbon Strike Vs. Felt B12

Triathlon Forum
1

I am currently in the market for a tri/tt bike, willing to spend between $3000-$3800. Two options that have arose this past week that I am questioning are:

A) Swift Carbon Strike frameset (2011), where I would then be adding all 2012 parts: Vision Metron shifters, Dura Ace f/r der, Vision Tri Max crank, Shimano 5700 10sp cassette, Profile Ozero base bar with Profile T2+ aero extensions, ProLogo Evo Tri saddle, TTR 3 aero wheels. $3685.

B) Felt B12 (2012), including Vision Metron shifters, Dura Ace f/r der, Vision Tri Max crank, FSA SI 10sp cassette, Felt Bayonet w/ F bend extensions, TTR 3 aero wheels. The only other difference being in the TRP SL/U-Brake R, rather than the Swift’s TRP SL, Felt Tri saddle, and Vittoria Zaffiro Pro tires, rather than the Swift’s Michelin Lithion. $3339.

After mulling over countless websites on the Felt B12, I have yet to come up with any real knowledge on the Swift Carbon Strike. I understand that it is made with T800 carbon, rationalizing the higher frame price, but aside from that I can’t seem to find any more information on its performance. I also know it is a relatively new company, therefore explaining the lack of info.

I would like to know of anyone’s experience/ knowledge on the Swift, as well as its performance against the B12. Does the Swift justify a $300 price gap. And most importantly, which would be the most economically friendly and performance friendly?

As a side note, I do plan on getting a pair of race wheels in the summer. So for now I am ok with the TTR 3 wheels, as they will be used mostly for training until season starts in a couple months.

2

do a bit of research, I’m pretty sure that there you’ll find a lot of reasons to pick up the Felt over the Swift especially if it’s only a $300 difference. Not trying to knock the Swift but I’m pretty sure that you can get that exact same frame with a similar build at a lot lower price. I’m not saying that it’s not worth a higher price but realistically it can be found for quite a bit cheaper under many other names.

FWIW I have a Felt B2R and it’s a beautifully engineered frame and bang for the buck wise they are hard to beat.

3

Right on, thanks. The past day or two, I have begun to lean towards the Felt anyways. But I still am wondering about any info on the Swift, and how it performs. I checked as many sites as I could find on the bike but never came back with any solid full reviews. I will definately look into other pricing.

Another option that has been placed in front of me is the 2012 Argon 18 E112. W/ Dura Ace shifters, Ultegra f/r der, Ultegra crank, Profile t2+ bars with t2 ext. Similar to the other builds aside from that. $3139

Does any one know how the Argon holds up against the other two?

4

I’m riding a 2011 Felt B12 and love it.

My thoughts on your options;

While I am no expert on aerodynamics, my guess is that the B12 frame (based on Felt’s countless hours in the windtunnel) is a faster frame. Add to that, the b12 will come stock with all the components (there has to be some value in avoiding tracking down all those parts and then getting your LBS to assemble it). I understand the Felt has to be assembled too, but my guess is all those components aren’t kept on the shelf either. It seems to me you if you go with the Felt, you’ll get a better frame, similar components, and potentially avoid some unnecessary hassle for less cost. No brainer?

Subjective point: I think the Felt looks super slick too … check out the “Big Race Wheels Photo Shoot” on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/big.race.wheels

5

Thanks for the reply, I also really like the look of the B12. On the point of parts for the swift, that explains the price increase compared to some other packages around the net. The parts would all be sourced and then configured at the shop in the city where I reside.

Have you had any issues with your B12? Any things you would change or suggest?

6

If you can find one, the B14 is a better value. Full DuraAce. Same frame. Same wheels. About $500 cheaper.

7

There is no B14 in 2012, only a B16. The B16 is ultegra, different base bars, wheels, shifters and most other parts, excluding frame . And only runs for 2199$

8

There’s a reason why Felt has a good following. the frame feels good under you. Everything fits together perfectly and works well. They’re beautifully made bikes from a company with an excellent reputation that puts out products that are highly competitive price-wise. When it comes time to sell your Felt, you’ll be able to.

er… what’s a ‘Swift’?

disclaimer: I just bought a B10- so I’m highly biased.

the TTR3 wheels (according to superDave) are more aero than you might think. (although pretty heavy). But a great set of training wheels that you can actually race on if you don’t want to spend another $1600-$2400 on Zipps or Heds.

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Great to hear! Thanks alot! Yea all I’ve eard about Felt is good news, and I know there reputation, just want to get a feel for other opinions.

Do any of you know much about the QR CD0.1 Ultegra?

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Do any of you know much about the QR CD0.1 Ultegra?

Yes- I’ve ridden it. The CD0.1 is very likely more aerodynamic than a Felt Bxx frame, so there are some ‘free’ watts there. I also really like the feel of the CD0.1 frame. In comparison to the Felt, the Felt has a more lively handling, whereas the CD0.1 is more stable feeling. Threre’s no right or wrong here- just how they feel to me. I’ve descended at 45mph on the Felt and it was still very secure feeling- just more nimble in its handling. So, I’d gather some might find the CD0.1 to feel ‘sluggish’, others might find the Felt to be ‘twitchy’- although I’d imagine that you’d get used to whichever frame you spend time on. I also don’t know how much of the handling feel difference I’m describing is due to the difference in fit, as perhaps I was positioned a little more behind the cockpit on the CD0.1 and I’m a little more forward on the Felt. I was never really ‘fitted’ on the CD0.1. If I’m totally wrong on the handling differences- others, please chime in!

All in all- I think the CD0.1 is a better frame. Almost certainly more aero. While both bikes are for the longer torsoed type of people, I believe that the CD0.1 is a little bit longer/lower even than the Felt. Not a huge amount, but something to consider.

I’m happy with my B10, but I sometimes secretly dream that it was a CD0.1.

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Awesome, thanks for the feedback. The shop I am dealing with has both the Felt and QR, so headed there tomorrow and maybe be able to swing a leg over each.

Anyone have feedback about the argon 18 e112?

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Awesome, thanks for the feedback. The shop I am dealing with has both the Felt and QR, so headed there tomorrow and maybe be able to swing a leg over each.

Anyone have feedback about the argon 18 e112?

Ride both. Would love to hear what you think about them.

If you fit on the Felt and QR- you won’t fit on the Argon (or vice versa). Different geometry. Never ridden one, but they’ve got a solid reputation and it would be a cool bike to own.

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Sounds great, I will let you know how the testing goes about.

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There is no B14 in 2012, only a B16. The B16 is ultegra, different base bars, wheels, shifters and most other parts, excluding frame . And only runs for 2199$

Some local shops still have 2011 B14s in stock. I’d call around as our local shop had a B16 price on their remaining B14 inventory.

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Yea I will look into it. If the price is 500$ less there must be something different. They would not make two identical bikes.

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I had a B14 for a short time last year and it felt like a tank. I then ended up with a sponsorship from Planet X and got the exocet frame which is the same open mold frame as the swift. For the most part I’ve been very happy with the planet x/swift frame. If you want the swift but aren’t married to the paint check out planet x for the exact same frame.

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We did a pretty thorough review of the Swift Aeronaut (their new TT frame) here… http://tribomb.com/review.php?ID=175

As for the Strike, as Tai says, if you do some research for the Strike (FM-R833) frame, you will find the exact frame from other sources.

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Wow! I can’t believe I never came across that review, that was excellent, thanks.
I have been able to gather more and more info on Swift, and I think the conclusion for me would be to go with the Felt or possibly the CD0.1 if the option arises. Maybe in years to come Swift will really break on to the scene, shoving my nervousness about it under the rug. But thinking about resell value also affects my choice. Thanks for all the great info!

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I can’t comment on the B12, but I have the Swift Carbon Aeronaut.

http://oi56.tinypic.com/105s6fq.jpg

IMO, the bike is fantastic. In addiition, the folks at Swift Carbon are outstanding. I commented on their customer service here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=3398638;search_string=;#3398638.

Best wishes on your decision.

20

We did a pretty thorough review of the Swift Aeronaut (their new TT frame) here… http://tribomb.com/review.php?ID=175

As for the Strike, as Tai says, if you do some research for the Strike (FM-R833) frame, you will find the exact frame from other sources.

Indeed a thorough review…nicely done.