Which one? Felt IA Advanced Ultegra Di2 Disc vs. Trek SpeedConcept Di2

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey,
With plenty of time on my hands (COVID related), I’ve been seriously thinking about upgrading my (don’t laugh) 2008 Scott Plasma (which has done me very well so far). Initially thought about just upgrading my old bike by adding racing wheels +/- some newer components but was convinced that the tri bike technology has advanced significantly since 2008 that it didn’t make sense sinking $2000+ into an old bike frame.

I’m in my mid 40’s, 5’9", 155lbs, pretty competitive in the sport mainly doing Oly tris (usually ranking top 3 in my age group) and have done a few half IM tris. My goal is to transition to mainly half and full IM in the near future (hoping to do triathlons well into my 50’s so would like a bike that will last me for a while).

  • Things I would like on my next bike (in this order of preference): a better set of racing wheels (carbon, deep rim >40mm), Di2 shifters, +/- Disc brakes.
  • Budget Max: $6000-$7000
  • Plan on getting professionally fitted for the bike (F.I.S.T.) before purchasing
  • Started travelling around North America to tris in different locations so, ideally a bike that can be easily packed, shipped and set up
    Narrowed down my choices to the following:
    Felt IA Advanced Ultegra Di2 Disc vs Trek Speed Concept Project One customization (and a possible 3rd Cervelo P-Series w/ Di2)

They all seem like great options, so assuming that my FIST fitting doesn’t significantly favor one bike frame over the other (I’m pretty average height and size), what do people think is the better option for my needs and why?
Trek is more expensive with the specs I want but love the options with the Project One customization.
Thanks!

2

Of those three, I vote for the Felt. I have a massively upgraded Felt IA, and I love it. I also love the Trek SC, and it is probably on par with the Felt. But, I like the looks of the Felt more. I would ditch the P2. Those take a lot of upgrade parts to get into the same speed class as the IA and SC. If you are buying wheels anyway, then you might as well make the transition to disc now. On the flip side, I traveled with my rim brake bike, and it was very easy. Not sure if hydraulic breakdown would be as easy.

3

He said a p-series, not a P2 so the new disc brake version. I’d say get a p-series and an aeria ultimate hydration system, basically a full on p5 disc at that point. Doesn’t need the upgrades a p2 would

4

Disc brakes make it for me so I would get those. I am that happy with them on my Canyon and QR.

5

I am all for the move to disc brake bikes now (just brought a P3X). I have had a Felt IA2 non disc in the past and really hated the front end. It was not super easy to work on and adjust things. The Trek is supposed to be a lot lot better, also super fast but obviously no disc version out yet.
I have to say I am not going back to Felt again after the issues I had with the front end (recalls etc etc). I love the Trek (have a Madone as my roadie) but just the issue that it is non disc and whether this puts you off for the future.

6

Based only on the sound of the two bikes, Felt IA. The Speed Concept sounds like a bucket of bolts.

7

Based only on the sound of the two bikes, Felt IA. The Speed Concept sounds like a bucket of bolts.

If your trek sounded like a bucket of bolts, then either you have a crappy mechanic, or you did a crappy job packing stuff into the draft box.

8

How important is it to you to have the fastest bike of the two?

edit
just saw you said you will need to pack and travel with the bike. The trek has a lot of bolts on the front end, so depending on your bike box and how much you have to take off to make it fit, it might take a little longer than some other bike. As for traveling with hydraulic disc brake bikes. I personally find them to be a bit more of a pain to pack than rim brake bikes but others may have a different opinion.

9

I had a Trek SC I built up myself and moved to a P5x/P3x/Px. Ya I know they are not on your list but i might be able to help on your decision.

If you do all your own work, the SC is not bad, but it does have its down sides. Cockpit is a PITA to setup and change. Di2 changes most of these issues, but it still is a bunch of spacers and risers and it may require you to take off most/all of the basebar, if not the entire front end to switch stuff out.

The cable runs in the front brake have a tendency to have some sharp corners which can result in the front brake being a bit of a pain to get just right. Rear brake is similar. If anything this is just a downside to owning a TT/tri rim brake bike. Nothing wrong with it, but understand that it can by a bit of a pain to work on and if you change the front end, the brakes may need some attention.

The 2 bolts holding the aerobars to the base bar are prone to issues. If you get the new SC I heard they made the bolts larger, but the design is just not super great there. You also will get that area wet riding and you will likely sweat into the cockpit, which you will need to clean every so often or you will have a painful situation on your hands. Of course if you just sent it to the shop, its their problem and also your wallet.

You can see a post I made here for a few differences between the P5x and the SC: https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...X_P7226154/#p7226154

The SC is fast. Really fast… assuming you can get it into a good position. I did a bit of data analysis the other day and realized i was in a very good position on the SC. My power was way lower than most people pushing similar speeds and the CdA popped out a .2, and thats with me wearing a jacket for a cold race, so I am sure I am a bit more slippery than that (and I have data from a few races to back this up). I hope my P5x is faster. If not, it at least looks faster and thats all that matters.

As for your initial question, I hear the Felt can also be fast. I also heard the SC has tested faster than the felt. Never rode the felt so I can’t really say anything about it. If I had to buy a budget TT bike for speed alone it would be between the mech SC and the Premier Tactical. I think the project one is nice for customization but thats about it. You can build up a mech SC to Di2 Ultegra and good wheels cheaper than most other bike options once its all said and done.

If you can stomach the purchase to disc brakes, I think the new Cervelo P Series are quite nice. Disc brakes are very nice IMO and I much prefer them to rim brakes for multiple reasons, but from a speed/value perspective rim is the way to go. If you can get a BTA hydration system like the PD ultimate like another poster mentioned, you basically have a P5d. I would also consider the Felt IA disc as another option. Disc is totally overkill for a TT bike, but after working on a SC for a few years, I the move to the disc was very, very nice. I would never go back to rim.

Edit: Just noticed you said Felt IA disc, not the rim. I am not trying to bash the SC either. For what it is, its fast AF and thats basically without putting a ton of money into it. But its old tech and an old design and has its flaws. It can be broken down just like any other bike and IMO traveling with it is not THAT hard, just disassemble the base bar and fit it into the box. It’s imo one of the fastest bike on the market for a pretty “cheap” price. It also has rim brakes and some design flaws like any other bike, and its also old tech. But it will get the job done for way under what the other options will cost.

10

“How important is it to you to have the fastest bike of the two?”

To be honest, I’m a big believer of the engine (i.e. the athlete) being a major part of a fast bike split. I think having a ‘fast’ bike will definitely help me be more efficient/waste less energy etc but not necessarily trying to choose the fastest bike. If I’m sinking $6000-7000 into a bike, I just want it to be comfortable, no huge fuss to deal with, and last me for the next 5-10yrs.

11

Thanks for the detailed response. Very helpful indeed.
I heard the same thing about the SC being a PITA to breakdown and travel with. Debating on whether this should be a deal breaker or not.🤔

“Just noticed you said Felt IA disc, not the rim. I am not trying to bash the SC either. For what it is, its fast AF and thats basically without putting a ton of money into it. But its old tech and an old design and has its flaws.”

Curious what you meant by “ …old tech and an old design and has its flaws.” Were you referring to the SC or Felt IA here? Can you expand on what you think some of the ‘flaws’ are?

12

Thanks for the detailed response. Very helpful indeed.
I heard the same thing about the SC being a PITA to breakdown and travel with. Debating on whether this should be a deal breaker or not.🤔

Just noticed you said Felt IA disc, not the rim. I am not trying to bash the SC either. For what it is, its fast AF and thats basically without putting a ton of money into it. But its old tech and an old design and has its flaws.

Curious what you meant by “ …old tech and an old design and has its flaws.” Were you referring to the SC or Felt IA here? Can you expand on what you think some of the ‘flaws’ are?

SC is not really a PITA to breakdown. All TT bikes are a PITA to break down. SC is actually quite simple in comparison to most TT bikes. TBH its actually super simple. Sure there may be some easier options out there, but I have a P5x which is just stupidly simple to break down so I am extremely “privileged” to have one of, if not, the easiest bikes to break down (I think the Dimonds are also stupidly easy). SC is legit just undo the base bar 3 bolts and the whole basebar+aerobar comes off. Stick it to the side and you are done, assuming it can fit in the box. Yea the brakes are a PITA but I mean again, its a rim brake so… ya. If you have a problem with disc brakes you run into a different but arguably more challenging issue re: race travel; If you have all the tools to fix the hydro and know how to bleed you are fine, but rim brake is an easy fix, although maybe slightly annoying and more common. Same with Di2 vs mechanical argument. Mech is like always fixable. Di2, not so much. No wrong answer here, but I am just pointing out that each tech has its own benefits and drawbacks. However, hands down SC would be the cheapest option if you are willing to go mech and build it up. I think I got mine into a super bike on well under 6-7k usd, and thats with ENVE wheels and I ordered a bunch of parts including the plug in adapter. I think tested the SC was just behind the P5 and ahead of the Felt for sure and Canyon as well, so IMO speed/$ the SC is hands down the best choice.

Old tech referring to the SC as it is like 5+ years old? Really its a re-designed SC gen 1 so you could argue like 10+. IMO Trek has had a ton of time to swap the bike over to disc and rework the front end to make it easier to adjust and stuff but has not touched the bike. What was once “technologically advanced” and “luxury” on tri bikes is now standard on pretty much most TT bikes; see integrated storage options, draft boxes, etc. Other than aerodynamics which is arguably still amazing (although peak aero is also an argument) and insane value (assuming you can settle for rim brakes), you can basically go to any other bike brand and get the exact same specs with better integration and/or disc brakes for the same price when you look at project one. Its hard for me to justify project one when I can get a felt disc or P5d or whatever other bike for around the same price. I dont understand why Trek sits on the SC and does not make a “minor” update including slapping on some disc brakes and calling it a day when literally ever other manufacturer has already done it. Even Specialized has the normal Shiv disc (non S works) that will compete with the Trek SC. If money is no object or you can stretch the budget, I would go and check out all modern options including the new specialized shiv (non s works), which is super easy to break down as well. The P3x is also nice but again, might be above your budget. If you can settle for rim, you can go used and get some sick wheels when everyone goes disc as well.

13

I can’t see the Felt being super easy to break down for travel as well, if the set up is similar to my IA2 (rim brake).
I am not sure if you have narrowed your choices down to what might actually be ideal for what you need??

14

With that budget I’d say go and get fit first. I did that recently and the result really surprised me - size wise not bike wise.

But even with the bike I fit (and want) I still need different cranks and extensions to get into the position I need.

So yeah, go spend some money getting fit and they should also be able to match your fit with bikes that will work.

15

I have a new Trek SC and I like it a lot, and it is easy to disassemble for packing.
Just to be really clear on that, I believe all that is involved is:

  1. Remove front brake cover and take front brake wedge out of calipers (no need to release the cable, just pop the wedge out). This takes roughly 1 minute, the time to remove the two screws holding the front cover on.
  2. Remove the 3 bolts from under the stem that hold the base bar and extensions on/together, rest the bars down side of bike. Takes maybe 2 minutes?

This video shows it well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVPIJlRv3FI

Now THAT said…I’ve had a Felt IA, and now the trek. If I were starting from scratch and didn’t need to ditch all my rim brake wheels etc., if I were you, I’d stretch the budget just a little further, maybe find a shop that will give you a 10% discount etc., and go for a P3X.
Why?

  1. May as well go discs if starting from scratch. Easier cable routing, better braking even if not really necessary…
  2. Better bottom bracket than the trek. (Felt BB is fine)
  3. Much better handlebar than both the trek and felt IMHO because of the mono post thing that allows you to very easily raise and lower the extensions.
  4. Excellent storage. Trek has great storage as well, but the Felt, I can’t stand the bento storage on them, even the updated version. My friends that have both the older and newer bentos on their IA’s hate them as well.

I guess maybe the ‘PX’ comes with an more adjustable bar? Not positive, and that would be a little more stretch to the budget.

.02

Edit - another option to maybe consider, a QR PR5 disc frame and put a tririg bar setup on it.