Hi guys, I hope this is the right forum for this.
I have a felt s32 TT bike that I really like, however, I've accomplished my triathlon goals for the time being and will not be doing long distance tri's for many more years while I finish school.
I feel I would get a lot more use out of a road bike at this point now that I'm not training nearly as much for triathlon. I would like to commute on my bike, and I just moved to a place that is literally all hills. I am probably going to cut swimming time down significantly because I hate it, but I'd love to compete in more cycling races just for fun. These are the 2 options I'm considering:
#1 Sell the tri bike, and buy a road bike. I can't afford to own both right now. I will have to sell the TT bike and buy a less expensive road bike. My TT bike cost me about $1400, and I think I could get around a grand out of it, which would put me around the range of a Felt F95 ($850). It has cheaper components (9 speed tiagra/sora combo). My current bike has a 10 speed 105 drivetrain. The F95 looks significantly less cool than the s32.
Here's a link to the 2010 felt s32, the geometry can be found here: http://2010.feltracing.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/TT-TRI/TT-TRI-Series/S32.aspx
#2 Keep the TT bike and modify it. Buy some road bars and some 105 shifters off a friend or ebay. I'm okay with doing this as I will not have to ship a bike, but there will be a significant amount of work involved. Things I think I'll have to do is get new cables, and a new fit. I'll keep the TT cockpit for years down the road when I want to compete in Triathlon again, or if I want to sell the bike and bring it back to stock. Things I'm not sure about is if this bike will ever be a decent road bike. I know I can adjust saddle height and move it back (it is currently as far forward as it goes, I'm sure I have 5+cm that I could move it back). I've heard that the TT fork might be too short, and I may not be able to bring the handlebars up enough to be like a road bike. I can also not change certain angles, like seat tube and head tube (I think). I would like to try some hill climb events, and maybe some crits just for fun. Would this bike not be competitive, or do you think this will not be a limiter at all for a beginner?
Here's a link to the 2011 felt f95
http://feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Road/F-Series/F95.aspx
What do you guys think? I would really appreciate your advice, and constructive criticism.
Thanks!
-Max
I have a felt s32 TT bike that I really like, however, I've accomplished my triathlon goals for the time being and will not be doing long distance tri's for many more years while I finish school.
I feel I would get a lot more use out of a road bike at this point now that I'm not training nearly as much for triathlon. I would like to commute on my bike, and I just moved to a place that is literally all hills. I am probably going to cut swimming time down significantly because I hate it, but I'd love to compete in more cycling races just for fun. These are the 2 options I'm considering:
#1 Sell the tri bike, and buy a road bike. I can't afford to own both right now. I will have to sell the TT bike and buy a less expensive road bike. My TT bike cost me about $1400, and I think I could get around a grand out of it, which would put me around the range of a Felt F95 ($850). It has cheaper components (9 speed tiagra/sora combo). My current bike has a 10 speed 105 drivetrain. The F95 looks significantly less cool than the s32.
Here's a link to the 2010 felt s32, the geometry can be found here: http://2010.feltracing.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/TT-TRI/TT-TRI-Series/S32.aspx
#2 Keep the TT bike and modify it. Buy some road bars and some 105 shifters off a friend or ebay. I'm okay with doing this as I will not have to ship a bike, but there will be a significant amount of work involved. Things I think I'll have to do is get new cables, and a new fit. I'll keep the TT cockpit for years down the road when I want to compete in Triathlon again, or if I want to sell the bike and bring it back to stock. Things I'm not sure about is if this bike will ever be a decent road bike. I know I can adjust saddle height and move it back (it is currently as far forward as it goes, I'm sure I have 5+cm that I could move it back). I've heard that the TT fork might be too short, and I may not be able to bring the handlebars up enough to be like a road bike. I can also not change certain angles, like seat tube and head tube (I think). I would like to try some hill climb events, and maybe some crits just for fun. Would this bike not be competitive, or do you think this will not be a limiter at all for a beginner?
Here's a link to the 2011 felt f95
http://feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Road/F-Series/F95.aspx
What do you guys think? I would really appreciate your advice, and constructive criticism.
Thanks!
-Max