Felt F5

[Doyleyburger]

Right iv decided that after my London to Paris charity ride in September it's N+1 time !

Currently riding an early 2013 Giant Defy 4 which is in all honesty a size too big for me....(my own fault for buying second hand on eBay)
I took a trip to my LBS with the wife, in mind to try on a few lids but secretly eying up a new Defy Advanced. Whilst she was mooching around the shops I sat on the bikes and it turns out I actually felt more comfortable on the medium sized Defy which is TWO sizes smaller than what iv got
Anyway the bike felt great but then the guy threw a spanner in the works and showed me the Felt F5. I sat on a 56cm frame for a about 5 minutes and even in my jeans it just felt right and I honestly could have whipped out my new credit card there and then.
Having read some reviews once I got home I think it would be a good choice. I would just need to swap the cassette for a 11-28 rather than the standard 11-25. The quality of build seemed to by far exceed the quality of the giant which seemed strange as the advanced has won bike of the year many times !
It was a good job I didn't buy it then as I saw it for £200 cheaper online at merlin cycles.
Has anyone got a F5 or ridden one as it'll be nice to get some feedback from real riders rather than the sales guy in Tredz.

 

[RebornBumbler]

If you like it, you should probably buy it
You're unlikely to buy rubbish from any of the larger manufacturers at that price, TBH.

Here are a couple of reviews, anyway:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-felt-f5-13-46996/
http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bikes-and-gear-features/felt-f5-2299
http://t3multisport.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/photos-2014-felt-f5-road-bike-review.html

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thanks, it seems like they are incredibly hard to get hold of now. Been looking at the more relaxed Z5 which seems more readily available. Also the aluminium Z85 looks a belter with cracking reviews too. That also felt very comfy when I sat on it.
If I go for the Z85 will I regret not going carbon?
There is 1kg difference in weight

 

[RebornBumbler]

Felt undoubtedly know how to make a good aluminium frame - they're probably not bad at carbon either

There are probably pros and cons for both materials, but neither is inherently 'best'.
1kg less weight sounds well worth having, but it's much easier and cheaper to get that off you than the bike!

Also, the Z series bikes aren't a logical alternative to the F - they're quite dissimilar - only you can determine which suits you best.

 

[Smokin Joe]

1kg less weight sounds well worth having, but it's much easier and cheaper to get that off you than the bike!

Or knock 1kg off the bike and another off yourself. Best of both worlds.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Or knock 1kg off the bike and another off yourself. Best of both worlds.

Not much chance of knocking 1kg off me..... There's sod all of me as it is. But I could lighten the load off the bike

 

[Smokin Joe]

Not much chance of knocking 1kg off me..... There's sod all of me as it is. But I could lighten the load off the bike

Me neither, at 6' tall and 70kg I'm at the minimum.

I think the people whom advise you to lose weight off your body instead of getting a lighter bike are porkers themselves and assume everyone else is the same

 

[Doyleyburger]

Me neither, at 6' tall and 70kg I'm at the minimum.

I think the people whom advise you to lose weight off your body instead of getting a lighter bike are porkers themselves and assume everyone else is the same

Ha ha iv been trying to put on weight for years. Given up now.

 

[RebornBumbler]

Me neither, at 6' tall and 70kg I'm at the minimum.

I think the people whom advise you to lose weight off your body instead of getting a lighter bike are porkers themselves and assume everyone else is the same

You might well be right
I'm exactly your weight, but only 5' 10" - I reckon I should lose 3 or 4kg