seat could be a little more comfortable, but it's not horrible
This was my first tri-bike after riding a Specialized Allez Elite for the past 2 seasons. My criteria for this purchase was carbon fiber, but trying to keep the cost near or below $3,000 (pedals and a computer put me over). I also rode the Orbea Ora and a Cervelo P2C SL, but ultimately decided to go with the felt. Compared with the Ora, the Felt was more comfortable...I could feel the road through the seat much more on the Ora. The P2C was a close second. The different areobar shape was initially more comfortable, but there was something intangible about the Felt that just made it feel like it was cutting through the air more than the Cervelo.
Since this was my first tri bike, getting used to the S-bend areobars took a little while. After a few rides, I found a comfortable position for my hands and no longer find my forearms hurting shortly into the ride. The bike handles well and only once in the three months I've owned the bike have I felt shakey enough to have to ride out of the aero position...and that was during very high crosswinds.
After a few weeks of getting used to the new bike, I compared my typical speeds. I have picked up between 1 to 1.5 mph just by changing bikes.
As far as cons, I would consider a different seat if you have the $$$. This seat is usable, but on longer rides (50+ miles), I get a little sore, however not so much that I think it will impact my running immediately afterwards. Also, there is only one bottle holder on the seattube (or where the seat tube would be), however it is not easily accessible while riding. I highly recommend a bottle carrier mounted to the seat rails (what I have) or an aero drink holder mounted to the aerobars. I know that there was early speculation on the quality of the stock wheels since they are Felt's own internal wheels. Thus far I've been very happy with them, but I've never ridden wheels that were not stock (i.e. - no race wheels) so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, I've been extremely happy with the new bike. My first race of the season is a little under a month away and I can't wait to this bike out on the course for real.
Great first tri-bike
This was my first tri-bike after riding a Specialized Allez Elite for the past 2 seasons. My criteria for this purchase was carbon fiber, but trying to keep the cost near or below $3,000 (pedals and a computer put me over). I also rode the Orbea Ora and a Cervelo P2C SL, but ultimately decided to go with the felt. Compared with the Ora, the Felt was more comfortable...I could feel the road through the seat much more on the Ora. The P2C was a close second. The different areobar shape was initially more comfortable, but there was something intangible about the Felt that just made it feel like it was cutting through the air more than the Cervelo.
Since this was my first tri bike, getting used to the S-bend areobars took a little while. After a few rides, I found a comfortable position for my hands and no longer find my forearms hurting shortly into the ride. The bike handles well and only once in the three months I've owned the bike have I felt shakey enough to have to ride out of the aero position...and that was during very high crosswinds.
After a few weeks of getting used to the new bike, I compared my typical speeds. I have picked up between 1 to 1.5 mph just by changing bikes.
As far as cons, I would consider a different seat if you have the $$$. This seat is usable, but on longer rides (50+ miles), I get a little sore, however not so much that I think it will impact my running immediately afterwards. Also, there is only one bottle holder on the seattube (or where the seat tube would be), however it is not easily accessible while riding. I highly recommend a bottle carrier mounted to the seat rails (what I have) or an aero drink holder mounted to the aerobars. I know that there was early speculation on the quality of the stock wheels since they are Felt's own internal wheels. Thus far I've been very happy with them, but I've never ridden wheels that were not stock (i.e. - no race wheels) so take that for what it's worth.
All in all, I've been extremely happy with the new bike. My first race of the season is a little under a month away and I can't wait to this bike out on the course for real.