Felt 75/85 Sportive bike advice needed

Lambretta

Hi all,

I am considering getting a new bike for Sportives.

I am looking for a comfortable bike but also a good hill climber, as most of my cycling will be done in Wicklow. In summary I am probably looking for a performance sportive bike and not a 300km Audax tourer or aggresive racing bike and will be hoping to complete a good few sportives each year.

I have very limited technical knowledge so I would be very appreciative of any tips you have.

I currently have a trek 1.2 alpha 2010: Here is the spec:http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/12-triple-2010-road-bike-ec019677#features

I am thinking of upgrading to a felt f 75 or Felt f 85 here is the spec: http://www.feltbicycles.com/Ireland/2012/Road/F-Series/F75.aspx
http://www.feltbicycles.com/Ireland/2012/Road/F-Series/F85.aspx


My preference would be to get a carbon (based on reviews etc) or even better an understated titanium bike but these are out of my strict budget of 1,400 Euro. I am also sticking to giving my money to a local Dublin bike shop and not to the UK.

My concern would be that I have read that alum frames are quite uncomfortable in general and I have noticed this on the trek 1.2 but then again I haven’t compared this to another road bike. However is the alum honestly any stronger than carbon? I would damage bikes quite easy so this could be in favour of the alum Felts.

How much difference will the alum frame make to someone who likes to complete sportives comfortably but in good times competing against themselves compared to an entry level carbon bike?

I have heard that the components are good on these felt bikes but would not know how to gauge this.

Any ideas or thoughts and is it worth upgrading at all from the trek 1.2 or have you any ideas on other bikes you would consider, I also looked at the BH range but got negative feedback in relation to components. So much information out there but very hard to decipher.


I really appreciate any of your thoughts on this.
Lambretta.

TheBlaaMan

You could consider this. Wexford LBS
Ridley Orion carbon for €1200

youtheman

If you are going to be doing a lot of hill climbing then you need to look at your gear ratio. The new bike you propose is a 50/34 compact with an 11/25 cassette. So your lowest gear ratio is 34/25 (use a calculator to work it out). I've ordered a new bike at it is a 50/34 with 11/28, so my lowest gear is 34/28 = 1.2.

If you are happy with the gear ratio of your existing bike make sure you're new bike has the same range of gear ratios.

bedirect

i have a similar trek and i have about 14,000 km on it no problem. I then bought a carbon, its smoother, looks better, lighter but the trek is still a great bike and I use it all the time over winter. friend has a felt f95, nice bike and nice welding.No point getting too technical, train on tough hills and it will stand to you better in the long run, I have been on tours where fellows on carbon bikes have had to walk up hills when i could cycle up ok. So it reallly depends on fitiness and training, A fellow said to me one time just because you buy an expensive pair of football boots its not going to make you as good as Wayne Rooney

check_six

I have a Felt F65 and I find it very comfortable for long sportive spins. It's got a carbon fork, carbon seatpost, and carbon seatstays and is supposed to be a notch up from the F75. However, I thnk the things that help most are the fancy wheels and a saddle that fits me well. The bike you have now looks fine for any sportive, so you might consider just upgrading your wheels. Good wheels make an immediate difference to any bike. Maybe you could spend a few quid getting someone to check your bike fit, this is going to make your day much more comfortable if you are sitting just right on the bike.

I don't think there is enough of a difference between the bike you have and the ones you are looking at to justify the expense of buying a whole new bike.

McTigs

bedirect wrote: »

I have been on tours where fellows on carbon bikes have had to walk up hills

Tell me this did not go unridiculed

StaggerLee

youtheman wrote: »

If you are going to be doing a lot of hill climbing then you need to look at your gear ratio. The new bike you propose is a 50/34 compact with an 11/25 cassette. So your lowest gear ratio is 34/25 (use a calculator to work it out). I've ordered a new bike at it is a 50/34 with 11/28, so my lowest gear is 34/28 = 1.2.

If you are happy with the gear ratio of your existing bike make sure you're new bike has the same range of gear ratios.

I wish I knew what this meant

I think the key point is to get a compact double though.

smacl

Leave a few bob in the kitty for a comfy saddle, and decent cycling gear. While I cycle a pretty crap hybrid, I was getting some envious looks and comments about the Brooks saddle towards the end of last years WW200.

If you are going to be doing a lot of hill climbing then you need to look at your gear ratio. The new bike you propose is a 50/34 compact with an 11/25 cassette. So your lowest gear ratio is 34/25 (use a calculator to work it out). I've ordered a new bike at it is a 50/34 with 11/28, so my lowest gear is 34/28 = 1.2.

+1, and the trek he's got at the moment is a triple with 11/26, so his lowest gearing is 30/26 = 1.15 For €1300, Irish based, maybe the Planet-X carbon rival fitted with a bigger cassette.

petethedrummer

check_six wrote: »

I don't think there is enough of a difference between the bike you have and the ones you are looking at to justify the expense of buying a whole new bike.

+1.

Just take your current bike for a full service.

Lambretta

Lads,

Thanks a mil for all the comments, will take them on board and have a good think. Bike fit is now scheduled and I will consider new wheels and a good saddle over a new bike.



Have a good safe year on the road.
Steve