General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Decisions Rss Feed  
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2009-07-27 7:26 PM

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Subject: Bike Decisions
Ok folks, I am currently riding an old (2001ish) Trek 1000 that has seen better days.  It was a hand-me-down, so it is not properly fit for my frame and I have decided to go ahead and get a "real bike for me".  I think I have narrowed my bike search down to two options.
1. Felt B16
2. Cervelo P1

Yes, I know that they are different composite frames (Felt is carbon and the P1 is Al)... but the P1 is about $500 less and has better components (Ultegra vs the Felt's 105).  The thing is, my budget was $2K and the Felt would be going over a bit.  I have read in reviews that the frame for the B16 is fantastic and with some upgrades to components over the years, it could be a very long lived bike.  On the other hand, I have also read comments regarding the P1 (I think Tom A on ST), stating that it is a very strong competitor (maybe better in some ways) to the P2C...just aluminium.  Is the $500 worth it at this point?  I have a fair amount of work to do on the engine, but I would rather build and tweak once rather than having to "re-learn" on a new geometry.

I guess the decision boils down to this: Is it better to buy for frame and upgrade the components, and how much better is the b16 fram than the P1 anyways?

Any thoughts?


2009-07-27 9:31 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
Which one fits best?
2009-07-27 9:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
I am going tomorrow to sit test both and see how they fit.  Obviously that will be the biggest issue, but assuming that they both fit (stupid assumption?)  any reason to spend the extra money?
2009-07-28 1:11 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
I'm looking at the P1 as well.  I haven't looked into the Felt but I know the P2 which has a carbon frame but same components (Ultegra) as the P1 with a price tag of about $1,000 more.  I know there is more to a frame than just the material its made out.
2009-07-28 1:45 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
fit aside.  i recommend reading these 2 reviews at least to have some idea.

felt
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/FeltB16-2009.shtml

cervelo
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/CerveloP1-2009.shtml

you are looking at 2 completely different bikes.  p1 is entry level bike, b16 is more of an mid level entry bike.  msrp on the felt $2300 on the p1 its $1750, these are '09 prices.

one is carbon the other aluminum.

i personally love cervelo, but if you had the little extra money for the felt go with that bike.  the frame is the same frame used in the DA bike. 

btw a better comparison would have been felt b16 vs cervelo p2c, same price range, same material.


2009-07-28 2:26 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
Just going to throw this out there... I have no affiliation but I have done a alot business with this company and have been nothing but impressed.

Bicycledoctorusa.com

The sites not fancy but the prices are great!

Good luck!


2009-07-28 4:36 PM
in reply to: #2313258

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
uhg. that's the worst designed web site EVER. Don't know if their prices are any good as I can't even find them in some cases.
2009-07-28 4:59 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
With Either one of those bikes I do not think you can go wrong UNLESS you get one that does not fit you. I would personally lean towards the P1 for less money, better components but on the same end the frame of the B16 is higher end and you can always upgrade the components later. with the P1 if you wanted to do any good updating it would mean, most likely, getting a new carbon frame later on or a whole new bike.
2009-07-28 8:37 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
after you get fit for the P1 and know the size you need, you may want to search for a P2 SL, same thing, last years model.  I got one for 999.00, ultegra components, etc.  With shipping it came to 1069.00 complete, delivered one month ago.  Very happy with it.
2009-07-28 9:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
Thanks for all of the responses.

I got to ride the P1 today and man is that a nice bike.  Unfortunately, they didn't have any Felts in a 58, so I couldn't test it.

I will say this, though, while the carbon fiber frame would certainly be nice, I would be so much more worried about damaging it that it might become a headache. Another thing, while they can be changed, the cervelo used a compact crank 50/34, which is much more useful to me.

I have a little thinking to do, but I am swaying towards the P1.
2009-07-28 9:12 PM
in reply to: #2314046

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
Where did you order it from?  I can't seem to find anyone who still has them new and will ship.


2009-07-28 9:27 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions

Found it on Craig's list, saw some on ebay also.

2009-07-28 9:31 PM
in reply to: #2311372

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Akron, OH
Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
There's a brand new one on ebay right now with Dura Ace.  3 days left on auction, starting bid 1300.  It's a 56cm.  What size did you settle on?
2009-07-28 9:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Decisions
Hmmm, need a 58.  The 56 was a bit too short for me.
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