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Entry level tri bike on very tight budget

solb0039's picture
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988 days
started by solb0039 on March 8, 2006

I'm a budget minded student who is looking to buy first tri bike, and money is a big factor. I have been comparing the usual QR kilo, cervelo dual and Felt S32 and they all fit more or less well for me.

My dillema is do I go for the cheaper bike (felt) and invest the difference of the money (~$650) into wheels or go for the more expensive Cervelo that seems to have better reviews and I just like the quality of better? Even my LBS couldn't give me an answer to this question.
Thanks

Triguy98's picture
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.

If you like the Cervelo, go with the cervelo. Race your stock wheels for a season or two. If your budget is real tight, shop around for a used bike. The sport is littered with the types that go all out on gear and then tire of tris and sell it all off. That way, you could get a nice bike AND nice wheels. Especially if you know your size on a specific model.

I like road bikes cause the wear and tear on them for a season or two isnt too bad at all, whereas with MTBs, I am reluctant to buy used as you can trash a mtb in one season with rough riding. Most roadies just need new cables, housing, and a truing.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.

ironmike12's picture
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ironmike12 posted 2 years ago.

Take a close look at the felt and you will see why it isn't as expensive. The frames are very nice and aero, however, where they save you money is in the components. look at the stem and seat post stuff like that, it's all made by felt and the quality isn't as good as a company that focuses just on those types of components.

Triguy98's picture
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.

ironmike12 wrote:
Take a close look at the felt and you will see why it isn't as expensive. The frames are very nice and aero, however, where they save you money is in the components. look at the stem and seat post stuff like that, it's all made by felt and the quality isn't as good as a company that focuses just on those types of components.

Yes, but you see house branded stuff on bikes up into the $2k range. Very rarely will you find an easton stem or seatpost speced on a bike.

Brakes are the first thing to suffer. The levers and calipers are weak. I just noticed the one inch fork?! Not quite common today, but not really BAD, just outdated. Might limit stem swap selection a little. And a low end Shimano wheelset. Felt has just found a way to price things low, much like Giant.

Theyre not bad bikes at all, just make concessions in some areas.

Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.

runpuddrun's picture
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runpuddrun posted 2 years ago.

I just got a felt, I looked at the 05 Dual for 1499, the 05 Kilo for 1049, and an 05 felt for 850 at my local LBS. I actually liked the s32 better than all of them, it rode better, and absorbed bumps better than the dual. This was my first tri-bike and previously I was riding a trek 1000 w/aerobars with mostly sora and tiagra components so this was a major upgrade.

I figured that for 850 I couldn't have done any better than what I did. I had permission to get the Dual but I chose the s32 for the awesome value. It rides like a dream and while it's not as expensive or good as some other bikes, I will still be kicking some major arse this season passing up guys w/ $3k p3's and such. It's the motor that makes a bike fast, not the bike. I figure that in acouple years I will outgrow the bike and get a better, more expensive bike. I am very young so I have time to grow into the sport. Good luck w/ your decision.

Plus its RED

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift."
"Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it."
"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts."
"Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off."
"I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it." -Steve Prefontaine

rbreddin75's picture
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rbreddin75 posted 2 years ago.

I've heard WONDERFUL things about FELT...
It's a good bike.. which one are you more comfortable on? <--- that is the question..

oh and "branded" components are just that.. components that cannondale or felt buy from a company that makes those items and then they put their own name on 'em...
(that is no reason to shy away from a bike)

I ride a cannondale btw..

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