My New Ride!
#1
Roadie and 'Crosser
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My New Ride!
I was just window shopping for new road bikes and stumbled across a Felt dealer that had 2011 Garmin team edition F95s priced a good bit lower than stock F95s. Since they had to order my size (and didn't have money tied up in inventory), they sold this one to me for $150 less than the stock F95. According to the shop owner Felt is discounting this model since Garmin no longer rides Felt bikes (kind of makes this a "second"). I was seriously considering a bikesdirect bike (I've had two of their bikes in the past and was really pleased), but this was only $100 more than a comparably equipped Motobecane/Dawes. Easily worth the extra $100 to have a relationship with a brick and mortar shop. I actually really like the whole argyle thing, and this frame is really gorgeous in my opinion. Tough to beat for an entry level road bike, and most likely faster than my cyclocross bike for the two triathlons I plan to do this summer.
#8
Roadie and 'Crosser
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Oh yeah, they're gone now. I didn't bother to take them off last night after my 3 hour commute home (major wrecks on every road coming out of Atlanta), and just snapped a quick picture this morning before removing reflectors, installing pedals, etc. Apparently in the state of Georgia you are required by law to install reflectors if you are a retailer of any type of bicycle (probably similar laws in most states). It's funny seeing $6000-$8000 carbon super bikes with reflectors on them in the bike shop!
#12
Roadie and 'Crosser
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I was looking at the Mercier Aero TT which is $699 and the Dawes Lightning 2300 for $599. I paid $750 for the Felt which is spec'd similarly to the Dawes, the notable exception being the Microshift shifters on the Felt. I was hesitant on the Dawes because I've never ridden a compact frame, and without being able to test ride I just wasn't sure. The parts spec on the Mercier is a little better in many cases than the Felt, although total cost would have been about the same once I paid a shop to assemble it for me. I know the Mercier is a good bike because my wife has a 2008 Aero TT, and I commuted for a couple of years on a Moto Fantom CX with great success. In this case the aesthetics were what sold me.
#14
Roadie and 'Crosser
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Just took it out for it's maiden voyage. It rides pretty doggone well, feels nice and quick. The aluminum frame is a little harsh, but then again I've been riding an all steel Soma Doublecross exclusively for the last several months so anything other than full carbon is likely to be harsh.
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Thats sweet but if its a 2011 Garmin team bike that would mean it should be a Cervelo yeah?
#17
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nice. vey nice. very very nice.
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#20
Roadie and 'Crosser
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It is actually a 2011: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011...l-Edition.aspx
The way it was explained to me is that Felt green-lighted the production of the team special edition prior to Garmin's switch to Cervelo, effectively making them like factory seconds now. The MSRP on the team edition F95 is actually $40 cheaper than the standard 2011 F95 on Felt's website. Given the lead time required for just about anything produced in China I would guess that this frame was actually made 6-8 months ago.
The way it was explained to me is that Felt green-lighted the production of the team special edition prior to Garmin's switch to Cervelo, effectively making them like factory seconds now. The MSRP on the team edition F95 is actually $40 cheaper than the standard 2011 F95 on Felt's website. Given the lead time required for just about anything produced in China I would guess that this frame was actually made 6-8 months ago.
#21
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Nice bike. I love my new F85. I had the special edition ordered, but it was never released. It was the same bike with out the argyle. I upgraded to the F95 since i couldn't get the one I ordered. I am really happy. I looked at Trek and for a comparable bike with the same components cost 300-400 more. Got a great deal. Hope you have a great time.
#22
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#24
Roadie and 'Crosser
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Same here...I checked out Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc. The biggest difference is the Microshift shifters that Felt uses. All of the other major manufacturers have entry level bikes that use 2300 8-speed components in that price range, so the Felt is pretty tough to beat. I would compare the Microshift shifters very favorably to Tiagra and like you said, to actually get Tiagra shifters on a Trek or Specialized would cost several hundred $$ more.
#25
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Haha. I actually looked at the Garmin kits on Felt's website, and predictably they're pretty deeply discounted. I don't know that I have the fitness to try to rock a Pro team kit, but I do have an argyle jersey from Twin Six though!
Last edited by fitzdawg; 02-13-11 at 08:50 PM.