Z6 vs F75

subscriber

So i finally sold my old piece of junk and im gearing up to get something decent for the upcoming cycling season. I was originally going to go for canyon online because of their fantastic value for money but I don't like the idea of buying something without having seen it and test drove it, so I abandoned that idea.

I was in to the shop today looking at a few. I told the guy I don't plan on buying a bike for a good few more years and want to it right this time around. He was recommending the brand felt mostly which I didn't mind, they look like a decent brand and there becoming increasingly popular over the last 2 two years. He showed me two that he would recommend and said it depends on my budget what I want to go for. The first was the F75 with a lightweight aluminium frame and 105 groupset coming in at 1200, and the other was the Z6 coming with an all carbon frame and with a tiagra groupset at 1600. He mentioned weight is only important when climbing hills and on the flat it's more about power transfer to the road, but the weight difference between them was quiet substantial, the Z6 being far lighter. I have to presume that is going to make a difference on the flat as well. Is there any major difference between 105 and tiagra in terms of performance? Im aware tiagra is at the lower end of the scale, but im torn between going for the carbon with a lower end groupset, or go for the F75 and get the 105 groupset. Both had the same mavic rims so no contrast there. Which would you choose if you were in my position, go for the lighter carbon and sacrifice components, or go for the components and sacrifice the carbon for less weight?

Alternatively if you know of something that is far better value for around 1500 and want to recommend, I gladly appreciate being steered in the right direction. I am parting with a lot of cash so i want to get it right as you can imagine.

Plastik

Tiagra for €1,600 is a joke.

For the same money you could have the Planet X SL Pro carbon with mix of Sram Red & Apex or the Planet X RT-57 with mix Sram Force & S350.

DirkVoodoo

Felt have been popular for a little longer than 2 years.

What will your cycling season entail? The Z and F series are pretty different bikes in terms of geometry.

Z if you want to cruise around the Burren eating cheesecake in the sun, F if you fancy getting the legs ripped off you in the rain in Donegal.

Really, pick a bike that fits your cycling needs. If neither of those bikes suit your needs/budget, move on to the next shop.

Frame first, components second. Tiagra is 10 speed now and you get (slightly older) STI shifters anyway so it's not a huge step down from 105.

subscriber

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Felt have been popular for a little longer than 2 years.

What will your cycling season entail? The Z and F series are pretty different bikes in terms of geometry.

Z if you want to cruise around the Burren eating cheesecake in the sun, F if you fancy getting the legs ripped off you in the rain in Donegal.

Really, pick a bike that fits your cycling needs. If neither of those bikes suit your needs/budget, move on to the next shop.

Frame first, components second. Tiagra is 10 speed now and you get (slightly older) STI shifters anyway so it's not a huge step down from 105.

This is the major problem im having, How am i supposed to know what geometry frame is correct for me? I find none of the shops can help me with this, there only interested in making a quick sale and pushing me towards the most expensive. It prob wouldn't be of any use to give ye my measurments either. I will mainly be doing flat races, but will train on a few hills as well. There is such a montage of bikes to choose from, how i anybody supposed to even begin to decide what is right for them. Total pain in the arse.

dave_o_brien

subscriber wrote: »

This is the major problem im having, How am i supposed to know what geometry frame is correct for me? I find none of the shops can help me with this, there only interested in making a quick sale and pushing me towards the most expensive. It prob wouldn't be of any use to give ye my measurments either. I will mainly be doing flat races, but will train on a few hills as well. There is such a montage of bikes to choose from, how i anybody supposed to even begin to decide what is right for them. Total pain in the arse.

For racing you want a longer top tube and shorter head tube, so more stretched out and lower front end. For sportive (or cheesecake rides in Sydney with Dirk), you'll want a shorter top tube and taller head tube, so more upright and a shorter reach. Ask for a brochure or a source of their geometries and compare them. That will give you a first indicator as to what bike geometry will suit you better.

mp31

subscriber wrote: »

This is the major problem im having, How am i supposed to know what geometry frame is correct for me? I find none of the shops can help me with this, there only interested in making a quick sale and pushing me towards the most expensive. It prob wouldn't be of any use to give ye my measurments either. I will mainly be doing flat races, but will train on a few hills as well. There is such a montage of bikes to choose from, how i anybody supposed to even begin to decide what is right for them. Total pain in the arse.

Research, research, research ... and not just online.
Go to as many shops as you can and talk to them all about what you want from a bike. Make a note of the bikes they recommend, their size and their price and then look for reviews and prices online of those bikes.
This all takes time I'm afraid but you'll learn an awful lot more other stuff that you wouldn't otherwise.