I have been looking at getting a Felt road bike, particularly the F1R frameset. I am wondering what your thoughts are on it. I know it is light, and made out of the Easton Scandium. Because this frame doesn’t have the carbon seat stays (like the SC1, F15 or the F35), will it be a fairly stiff ride? I know the Scandium helps make the ride more comfortable.
I currently have a Felt B2 Tri bike and I love it. I am looking to add a road bike for the purpose of easy and group rides, along with commuting to work, and possibly even doing some tris on it.
Well, I have to be honest: I ahve not ridden one of these F1R’s yet.
I have ridden the F15 quite a bit. I love that bike. Two guys that were on F15s here switched to F1R framesets by swapping their parts kits over becasue they said the F1R “rode better”. It is a lighter bike and they told me (MNike Aderhold in particular, but then Mark Trzeciak chimed in on the deal) they felt it was snappier and lighter feeling while being more comfortable. These guys weigh about 140 (Aderhold) and about 180 Trzeciak.
I wish I could give you personal insight, but Ihaven;t ridden the darn thing yet. I do have my eye on a 52cm though- fits me perfectly and has a 74.5 degree seat tube angle so I could get away with 250mm Visiontech aerobars.
Tom, thanks for the quick response! It sounds like those two guys are happy with the F1R. BTW…on the Felt website it says the the ST angle for a 52cm is 73.5. Is the website incorrect?
I have an '02 F1R that I got at R and A Cycles here in Brooklyn. Scandium, compact, really sweet and sure ride. It handles like a dream without being to nervous or sketchy. Responsive. Light. Matte black and comfy (for a race bike). racycles.com has the frames in the “Steals and Deals” section going for $995.00 (regularly $2000.00).
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