Getting back into cycling and shopping for a new bike!

[MountainCruiser]

After many years of not riding I picked up a hybrid bike a few months ago and I am really enjoying riding again. My rides have gotten progressively longer and I have decided to pick up a road bike so that I can ride with some of the groups in my area. My main goal is fitness, I don't expect to be doing any racing but who knows what might happen, a few months ago I wouldn't have thought that I would be getting a road bike.

I have looked around at all of my local bike shops. My closest LBS carries Giant but I have been less than thrilled with the customer service there, I have also heard the same from other people so I have ruled out Giant. The other brands that I have available locally are Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher, Orbea, Felt and Cannondale.

I have decided that I want an aluminum framed bike with at least 105 componetry. I have around $1500 to put into the bike and equipment. I have found a couple of NOS Felt bikes that seem to offer the most bang for the buck. There is a F60 and an F65. Both bikes have carbon forks and carbon seatstays. The F65 has a triple crank and a mix of 105 and Ultegra and has Alex rims for $1149. The F60 has a carbon compact crank full Ultegra and Shimano rims for $1299.

Felt seems to have a good reputation but I don't personally know anyone who owns one. I have seen some complaints about the Alex rims. If anyone has any feedback I would greatly appreciate it. I am wondering if it is worth paying the extra for the F60. The F65 would leave me some extra cash available to pick up some more accessories.

 

[MountainCruiser]

Wow! 147 views and not a comment yet. I hope that means that no one has had any bad experiences with Felt bikes, I'll be going to pick mine up in just a few hours.

 

[steve]

Wow! 147 views and not a comment yet. I hope that means that no one has had any bad experiences with Felt bikes, I'll be going to pick mine up in just a few hours.

It might be worth seeing if you can take a few for a test ride, you have a lot of options in the price range. Felt are def good bikes

 

[MountainCruiser]

It might be worth seeing if you can take a few for a test ride, you have a lot of options in the price range. Felt are def good bikes

I have done some short test rides. I'm going to take my pedals and shoes and test out a couple of different bikes back to back just to be sure. If I buy from this shop my choices will be one of the Felts or a Trek 2.1.

 

[kdelong]

I have done some short test rides. I'm going to take my pedals and shoes and test out a couple of different bikes back to back just to be sure. If I buy from this shop my choices will be one of the Felts or a Trek 2.1.

Felts are good bikes. I don't think that you will be disappointed. Trek is a good bike too, but the company has been so successful in their marketing that it seems as if every third bike out there is a Trek(at least in my area).

For future reference, a lot of the forum members just scan the posts but don't contribute for whatever reason, and a lot of the others are a bit busy riding this time of year. It usually takes a little while to get an answer during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

 

[GT Fanatic]

Have you heard bad things about Giant (the company) or about the dealer in your area? Big difference.

Reason I ask is because I am probably going out and buying a Giant Defy 1 today that I saw yesterday and fell in love with.

I'm not trying to up-sell you on a Giant, but from your description, a Giant Defy 1 may be your ticket. Also look into the Cannondale Synapse.