First Roadie Advice

[Cringles]

Hey guys. After visiting my LBS shop today, I've narrowed my choice down to a Felt Z100 & a Trek 1.2.

I wanted to know if any people on here have had any experiences with either bike. I haven't got any knowledge on bicycle parts.I have no idea which bike has slightly better components, or which shifters are better. I don't even know what a fixed wheel is! The guy in the shop was more in favour of the Felt himself also.

There is a £100 difference between the two bikes. At the minute the Felt is the cheaper bike, which gets my vote so far. I've seen many mixed reviews online from other sites. Before I make the plunge this week. I was hoping for some guidance from fellow forum members.

 

[zexel]

Whichever one YOU like.

Have you ridden them both? Which is the one the feels better to ride? That's the important thing.

There isn't going to be an awful lot of difference between components. Some people like Shimano hoods/shifters some Campag.

The cynic in me says there is more margin for the guy in the shop with the Felt . My point being, YOU decide.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Felt framesets have a weight limit of 16 stones, don't know how this fits with you but it's worth knowing

 

[Cringles]

So felt don't suit for the heavy weights? I'm about 12 stone, so I'm safe then haha.

Cheers for the replies. I've bought from the shop before. Really don't like it when sellers bullshit you for the sale, really hoping to come out with a good bike!

 

[Sonofpear]

Hi cringles. I've been in a similar position myself and have just bought my first road bike. Like you I didn't know much about components and stuff so did a lot of research. The trek 1.2 was on my list of possibles, as were 3 or 4 others. I take it your looking at spending around £700 yeah? I just had a little look at the z100 and it's pretty similar spec to the trek. As are most of the bikes in this price bracket. I think the z series felts have a little more relaxed geometry as they say. A slightly more upright riding position if you will to make longer rides more comfortable I think. Or so their website says. My advice would be to test ride both and see which you like the feel of. I was so indecisive when it came to choosing which bike to get and it wasn't until I actually rode a few I could start deciding in my head which one I liked the feel of best. A good bike shop should sell you the right bike for you regardless of how much money there gonna make from it. I experienced a shop where the staff tried to push me to a certain bike even though I hadn't tried anything else. I shopped around, tried a good few bikes and decided once I had a feel for them and how they rode.
So my advice would be just try them and go what what you like they feel of.
By the way did you have any others on the shortlist before you narrowed it down?

 

[HLaB]

I like the gearing of the Felt better a 52/42/30 as opposed to the 50/39/30 (or 50/34), the Felt in theory should offer a higher top speed but the main guiding fact should be how you feel on the bike.

 

[Cringles]

Hey guys, I tried out a few bikes. In the end, I settled for the Felt Z85. Cost a bit more, but I'm really happy with it, it just felt better than the other bikes I tried. Loving the drop bars!

Just a quick snap on my terrible camera phone to show you guys.

Forgot to add, I'm not sure what year it is. I forgot to ask the guy in the shop.

 

[Sonofpear]

Nice one mate. Bet your well chuffed. Looks like a lovely bike. Have you taken it for a spin yet.

Happy riding.

 

[Cringles]

Only managed to do the 3 miles home. It's terribly windy here at the minute. With winds up up 70mph at the coast, and 35 in my area. Tomorrow looks calm, so will have to do some miles tomorrow....Rest of the week has more weather warnings, just my luck!

 

[Sonofpear]

I know how you feel. I live on the coast myself and went for my first real ride on Sunday which was pretty hard with all the wind. Hopefully the wind dies down tomorrow as I was gonna have a little blast on the bike after work.
Hope you manage to get out on your new bike and stretch your legs.

 

[VamP]

Lovely looking bike, I am sure you will have lots of happy miles together. Remember to update this post once you've got some miles racked up

 

[Cringles]

Went out yesterday when the wind died down a bit, only managed to do 8 miles, because after 2 miles, the wind came back! Love the bike, the pedals really help to. Some more pictures!

Not street legal! Think he must of built it recently, there are other stickers talking about putting wheels on haha, plus some excess lube in parts.

Is everyones garage messy?

 

[Sonofpear]

Yeah nice bike cringles. Felt was on my shortlist but I opted for something else in the end. Hope uouve managed to get a few miles under your belt. I'm going for a nice ride tomorrow but the weathers not looking great.

 

[xxmimixx]

looks really nice congratulations have many happy and safe miles with it!