tiiger

My 14-year-old son wanted a road bike for his birthday. Both he and I have had steel fixed-gear bikes for the last three years, and we both have had the bug to get nicer bikes. Well, I got a great deal on a Felt Z-85 (aluminum frame, carbon fork, 105 drivetrain) for him, and now I'm kinda jealous.

I'm 51 years old. 180lbs. 6'1.5". My current bike is a fixed-gear Surly Steamroller. I commute on it daily (unless the Minnesota weather is hideous), but will go on longer rides with my son. We both want to do more group/club rides. Might do a century or two. He might become interested in racing, but probably not me. But if I'm gonna be able to keep up with him, my Steamroller isn't going to cut it.

For me, I'm looking at staying in the 105 world as well. I've been looking at the Felt F5 and the Wilier GTR-Team 105. Either one of those I can probably get in the $1500-1700 range.

Looks like the Wilier has a slightly more relaxed geometry, so that might lean me in that direction, as it might be more comfortable for longer rides.

So, any opinions on those two bikes, or others that I might consider in that same arena?

seymour1910

I was going to suggest Performance bike but I notice they don't have on in your area. They have Ridley and Fuji bikes with 105 and Ultegra in your price range. Do you plan to buy from a shop or online? Does that matter to you?

exime

Trek ALR 5. Top Shelf Aluminum, Full Carbon Fork (carbon steerer). Relaxed geometry. FULL 105 (inc. brakes and crankset). 3 colors to choose from. $1,600-1,650. Boom done.

tiiger

I'll likely buy from a shop. I know I could save a few hundred online, but I like the shops in my neighborhood, and it's worth it to me to give them the business. One of the shops carries Felt, the other carries Wilier.

ypsetihw

Nashbar has a Carbon 105 setup for $1199, and you can get it cheaper with coupon codes. I have the Alu 105 version and it's friggin sick. bang for your buck it's better than anything out there.

TenSpeedV2

LBS might have last years Felt Z5 in stock. Full carbon endurance geometry, 105 everything except the brakes. I looked on the US Felt site and couldn't find the F5, only the international site. I have one, really nice bike to be honest. Did 2 centuries last year and one really fast group ride.

Stratocaster

A few months ago I also purchased the Felt Z-85. It's a solid bike. It's not the lightest bike you'll find, but it's pretty much everything I wanted. I think I might want to change the seat, though. I imagine you're looking at carbon fiber. If you can, ride the F5 and Willier - see which one you like.
btw - mine cost under $1200 for the 2016...but my lbs really wanted my business I think.

cicatrize

I am literally in love with my ALR 5. I think my wife is kinda jealous, actually.

I know you said carbon, but the ALR line is really nice stuff, and as exime pointed out, it's a full 105 gruppo. The components are great, and the bike is light. I have a 60cm ALR5 with pedals and DuoTrap S and the whole thing is under 20 lb. That was with stock wheels. I've since replaced those.

kc0bbq

Not sure what part of town you're in, but if you're near-ish Champlin, it's worth looking at Giants at Trailhead Cyclery, a little more bang for your buck with Giant and Trailhead discounts bikes pretty decently post-season. I'm in the southeast metro, so my local shops are Erik's and Penn, but there's also Spokes and Pedals in Hudson, WI, which is a neat place with a really cool owner. Not sure what brands he carries other than Look, but I know there's a few.

tiiger

In St. Paul, Highland Park. Now Bikes and Grand Performance are the two best shops nearby. Erik's is also close. I'll check out Hudson, too. Thanks!

kc0bbq

There are a ton of shops in the area of all descriptions, so you we do get a lot of choice. People like Grand Performance a lot. Depending on which route you'd take to Hudson you probably pass within a couple miles of a half dozen other decent shops, including some with pretty narrow focus.

I tend to stick to the eastern edge of town not just because it's close but also because it's nice to have shop rides that can be into the countryside in a few minutes. The St. Croix River Valley is a nice place to spend time in a bicycle.

I think most brands have something good that fits your criteria, so try a few and see what feels best. You're kind of in a standard range for price, especially if you don't mind a 2015 instead of a 2016.

tiiger

Well, feeling slightly guilty, but very excited.

Found a 2016 Wilier GTS Ultegra for $1900 (Competitive Cyclist), so I kinda jumped at it. They only had a one XL left at that price, so I got it.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/wi...lsaWVyIGd0cw==

Slightly less racy geometry, better for longer rides. I'm not getting any younger (it's a chronic problem), so I figured I didn't need to be too bent over.

The last real road bike I owned was a new 1988 Trek 660 (steel, Shimano 600), and I crashed that and bent it up after owning it about a week.

Gawd I hope I have better luck with this one.

Gonna do the MS150 with my 14-year-old this summer.

Can't wait.

MWF78RIDER

Congrats on the new Wilier and happy riding!

Joeyseven

Very nice ride.I like the detail down to the cranks and brakes.It looks like just add your own saddle and go?
Wilier was on my short list of endurance bikes I was looking to buy.
Ended up buying A Scott Solace 30 size 58cm that I got A good deal on.

TenSpeedV2

Congrats! Looks sharp and well equipped.

tiiger

Yeah, I've never ridden that saddle. (Selle Italia X1) Probably pretty firm for long rides.

I have a Brooks B17 on my Steamroller, so I might look at the Brooks Swift for this one.

seymour1910

No need to feel, you work and make your money. You spent it the best way you saw. Enjoy your new bike, and please update the thread with a pic once you get it and set it up.

thin_concrete

Congratulations on the purchase! I looked at Williers on CC as well, but eventually settled on my bike as I was able to test it locally and confirm it was what I wanted. I do love the look of the Williers though and would love to have one in the future.

Shuffleman

Wilier and Felt both make great bikes. I love the Wilier frames though. They are awesome. I hope that you enjoy it.

TexMac

I had a felt F5, super comfortable and fast bike, well priced and i believe their frames have very good warranty.