Best entry level bike?

standard63 said:

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best entry level bike that I can get for under 1300. Right now im looking at an R700 and an Allez Elite. Which one do you think is better or do you think there is something else that I should look at?

Felt-70
Felt-60

Check them out. I love the feel of the Felt a lot better than the Allez.

standard63 said:

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best entry level bike that I can get for under 1300. Right now im looking at an R700 and an Allez Elite. Which one do you think is better or do you think there is something else that I should look at?

A quick search will pull up dozens of threads on this topic. It comes up often.

standard63 said:

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best entry level bike that I can get for under 1300. Right now im looking at an R700 and an Allez Elite. Which one do you think is better or do you think there is something else that I should look at?

I'd shop all the LBS, and test ride everything you can. Then buy what feels best to you. Also consider the LBS service and reputation. Service after sale means a lot.

fast fly, do you know a good place to look at felts?

standard63 said:

fast fly, do you know a good place to look at felts?

Well, I know Penn Cycle carries them.

http://www.feltracing.com - You can look at all there bikes and stats and geometry and I think they have a Dealer Locater on the website.

thanks man, and by any chance, does anyone have an R700 or know someone who does? I'd like to know what you think about them.

FastFly said:

Well, I know Penn Cycle carries them.

feltracing.comfeltracing.comOpen ↗ - You can look at all there bikes and stats and geometry and I think they have a Dealer Locater on the website.

Very good choice.

the Felt f60 might have an entry level price.

but the specs are so good i think you do it quite a disservice to label it as such.

it only weighs 19.3lbs my first bike was well over 24 lbs

its got carbon front forks and seat stays.

all this with Ultegra gearing, which are the 2nd best gears shimano makes for road bikes. I started with Sora.

I was thinking of upgrading to this bike, and ive been riding for a couple of years.

its get my vote, but personaly id disqualify it from the competition for being far too good.

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standard63 said:

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best entry level bike that I can get for under 1300. Right now im looking at an R700 and an Allez Elite. Which one do you think is better or do you think there is something else that I should look at?

A lot of entry level bikes are more or less the same. I'd just go for something that has full shimano. Some bikes have a different crank or brakes or something.

Well, I own Cervelo, Kestrel, and Giant bikes and I'm a fan of these bikes. But seeing people mention here the Felt bikes - you can get the Felt F65 mail order for $1299.00 So that's just at your price point and I have to admit it is the best buy I've seen so far. I was going to recommend the Giant TCR Aero 2, TCR 2, or OCR 1 - but the Felt was better and more expensive. And the Felt F65 has carbon seatstays.

[left]the felt looks really good. id like to test one out. has anyone heard anything bad about the brakes on them? All of the other components look awesome.
[/left]

standard63 said:

[left]the felt looks really good. id like to test one out. has anyone heard anything bad about the brakes on them? All of the other components look awesome.
[/left]

The brakes on my bike, F65, work amazingly well. I like them better than ultegra brakes.

What are you going to use the bike for? Racing? Commuting? Training? Triathlons? Or just to ride to lose weight?

ive got a Trek 1400

works just fine, and is amazingly fast and easy to ride.

standard63 said:

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the best entry level bike that I can get for under 1300. Right now im looking at an R700 and an Allez Elite. Which one do you think is better or do you think there is something else that I should look at?

I don't think you will find a better value than the Felt F70, F65 , F60. The $900. F70 has the same Frame as the $2500. F35. You may want to switch the alloy seatpost for carbon and throw the pedals away but that's about it on the down side. These are stiff fast bikes much like the Allez Elite.

One other thing, it's just about time for the "06" models to arrive, so if you can wait there will be deals on the "05" models (if they have them in your size).

Have fun, test ride all the bikes you are interested in.

LW

I really like how the felts sound, but i cant find anyone who has one in a 52. Which mail orders carry felts?

standard63 said:

I really like how the felts sound, but i cant find anyone who has one in a 52. Which mail orders carry felts?

I don't think Felt allows internet\mail-order sales.

Here's is some history on Felt, pretty interesting guy.

http://bicycleplanet.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=42

LW

standard63 said:

thanks man, and by any chance, does anyone have an R700 or know someone who does? I'd like to know what you think about them.

I have an 05 R700 and I love it. I purchased in in May and have logged about 700 miles on it in that time. It comes stock w/ a shimano 105 F/D and an Ultegra R/D; I have upgraded the F/D to Ultegra ($25 on e-bay) and the wheelset. The Shimano wheels the R700 comes with are better than the Alex rims the Allez comes with. The Allez is a great bike, but for the money It was a no brainer to go woth the R700 and I have had no regrets.

standard63 said:

I really like how the felts sound, but i cant find anyone who has one in a 52. Which mail orders carry felts?

This is the response I received. Words of wisdom....

Hi Michael--

We'd like everyone to enjoy riding a great bike at a great price--sort of
Felt's mantra. However, fit matters, particularly on a road bike, so there
are no Felt dealers authorized for mail order sales. Jim Felt talks a little
bit about why on their web site. We spend 1-1 1/2 hours with customers
fitting their bikes, trying different stems and saddles and making sure
they're on the right bike for their riding goals. We stock a size range in
Felt models up through the F60 and have just received the first of the 2006
F3C composite bikes which will be replacing the sold out 2005 F2C. The short
answer, anyone can buy a bike from a Felt dealer, but they have to come to
the dealer to purchase and pick up the bike. Thanks for letting us know
about the interest on the Cycling Forum.

Best regards,

Matt Colonius
GM
Bicycle Planet
www.BicyclePlanet.net
916.355.1234 T
916.355.8588 F

LW