Can I get your opinion please? :)

Both have about the same level of components.

The felt looks like the geometry is more for time trials and the fit is the most important thing. Have both shops fit the bike to you and see what fits better. If it is cold have them put it on a trainer. At that price they should be willing to do this for you.

If both fit the same go for looks. Personally I love the lines of the Pinarello bikes and the colors are better also but that is just my opinion.

The Felt frame looks awesome! It seems quite pricey for a bike with only 105, the frame is certainly worthy of upgraded components down the track.

[IMG]cyclingforums.com500Open ↗[/IMG]

Thanks guys. Ive been on both bikes only on the trainer and both feel great compared to what im riding now. The felt frame is more aerodynamic then the Opera frame which has fat oversized tubing, does this make a difference to the smoothness/softness of the ride on the road?
To me both frames look great, though Im leaning towards the Felt in terms of looks, your right ambal its awesome! In australia the 2010 felt retailed for $4000, from what I understand compared to the 2011 model which retails for less they lowered the price by not selling it will a full 105 setup.

If you like the Felt, then go for it. I personally like Italian bikes, but they are both nice bikes with pretty equal components like MMMhills said.

Ha ha, let me guess all your life all you ever wanted to be was another anonymous poster of tripe on an internet forum?

Should introduce yourself to Chapeau and Roadhouse, sure you will have much in common.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fergie [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Ha ha, let me guess all your life all you ever wanted to be was another anonymous poster of tripe on an internet forum?

Should introduce yourself to Chapeau and Roadhouse, sure you will have much in common.

am i missing something here?

I believe the "missing" here is that you are spending alot of money on a highend bike when you do not plan to race. It would seem over-kill for most riders spending $4k on a bike that will be used for putting in the miles seems like a bit much and can be done for alot less miles. I do not know from your OP how you really train and what you are training for. May I recommend a lower end bike ($2k) with a PM on it and ride it into the ground until you are up to a really fit level?

Just observations as one of the nice things about cycling is that most folks with a little savings can buy high end stuff...

-js

Ok, clearly I didn't realize there were 2 threads on the same thing 🙂

Check out the Felt Z5 - a more "comfortable" bike with 105 components, for $500 less. If you want the racing geometry, go with the F5. Both the F and Z are cheaper than the AR and will serve you quite well. If you are willing to ride Aluminum, the Z85 has basically the components for a lot less, I love mine... 🙂

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by jsirabella [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I believe the "missing" here is that you are spending alot of money on a highend bike when you do not plan to race. It would seem over-kill for most riders spending $4k on a bike that will be used for putting in the miles seems like a bit much and can be done for alot less miles. I do not know from your OP how you really train and what you are training for. May I recommend a lower end bike ($2k) with a PM on it and ride it into the ground until you are up to a really fit level?

Just observations as one of the nice things about cycling is that most folks with a little savings can buy high end stuff...

-js

Actually the bike is only going to cost me 2500, theres noway or need for me to spend anymore then that.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by ccallana [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Ok, clearly I didn't realize there were 2 threads on the same thing 🙂

Check out the Felt Z5 - a more "comfortable" bike with 105 components, for $500 less. If you want the racing geometry, go with the F5. Both the F and Z are cheaper than the AR and will serve you quite well. If you are willing to ride Aluminum, the Z85 has basically the components for a lot less, I love mine... 🙂

Thanks ccallana. I'll check out the Z5, as you said in the other post i dont really need the areo design, I was just looking the the frame, components and the 2500 price and thought it was a good deal!

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by jsirabella [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I believe the "missing" here is that you are spending alot of money on a high-end bike when you do not plan to race. It would seem over-kill for most riders spending $4k on a bike that will be used for putting in the miles seems like a bit much and can be done for alot less miles. I do not know from your OP how you really train and what you are training for. May I recommend a lower end bike ($2k) with a PM on it and ride it into the ground until you are up to a really fit level?

Just observations as one of the nice things about cycling is that most folks with a little savings can buy high end stuff...

-js

Spend as much as you want and don't worry about what other people say. If they do say anything it's out of jealousy.

I do agree that these are both race level bikes and you could get by spending less money but who cares. I ride a High dollar bike and I don't race. A more expensive bike will ride better and look better so if it is in the budget go for it and enjoy it.

I absolutely agree with the above poster.

Bikes at this price point are pretty much all the same. And everyone has a different opinion so there's real point in listening to them. Just pick the bike you like best and go for it. It's only money after all, and if you don't get what you want you'll regret it later.

When I bought a new bike, I ended up buying it because it looked good to me - it's a Look 586 with Ultegra components - a few years old now so it doesn't have all the fat tubing bikes have these days. I think the fat tubing is ugly, but I guess they're doing it for aero and weight reasons.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by bigempty2011 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Quote:

am i missing something here?

Probably just the fact that Fergie hasn't taken his early morning meds... 😉

JS,

Sometimes it's not about "the purpose" - it's just about having something nice to go out and ride on. Only having a cool bike to ride on is like telling Ferrari owners that the HAVE to go race.

Cannondale have some ace bikes in the ~$2000 range. $2100 with get you a CAAD 10 with Ultegra with some nice kit to round off the bike or a SuperSix 5 105. The CAAD bikes are more than good enough for non-race use (hell, they're more than good enough for anyone to race on - it's not like Cipo didn't win a million Giro stages on one) and they're not the filling rattling death traps that everyone makes them out to be.

Swampy -> I agree that for some it is just "riding" something that looks kewl and not so much the purpose behind it. Like I said I think it is one of the nice thing about cycling that most folks can spend 4k on a bike and get a Ferrari. Just when the big boys come up to you and think you can ride that bike like a Ferrari and instead come closer to a Kia you see how fast the shimmer wears off.

For some reason it reminds me of when I had to be a guard at a race to make sure no one got onto the road when the packs passed by. A guy road along the side one morning with this beautiful cervelo bike but he was wearing his sneakers and trying to ride the bike which had clipless pedals on it. He had no clue...all I could say was nice bike as he passed by almost falling off the bike. He was so happy about the bike I did not have the heart to say anything to him.

-js

I favor the Felt. Mainly because I've been riding mine since 2007 and nothing else compares with its smoothness and handling. I've also tried switching out component groups to upgrade to Sram double tap Force and I ended up going back to the Shimano 105s. Just a personal preference I guess. Just seemed smoother and less noisy (don't like the click sound). I upgraded to lighter Easton Carbon wheels as well but found the original Aclass wheels to roll and handle much better. I've never ridden the Opera but I will admit that it looks HOT! :-)

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by jsirabella [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Swampy -> I agree that for some it is just "riding" something that looks kewl and not so much the purpose behind it. Like I said I think it is one of the nice thing about cycling that most folks can spend 4k on a bike and get a Ferrari. Just when the big boys come up to you and think you can ride that bike like a Ferrari and instead come closer to a Kia you see how fast the shimmer wears off.

For some reason it reminds me of when I had to be a guard at a race to make sure no one got onto the road when the packs passed by. A guy road along the side one morning with this beautiful cervelo bike but he was wearing his sneakers and trying to ride the bike which had clipless pedals on it. He had no clue...all I could say was nice bike as he passed by almost falling off the bike. He was so happy about the bike I did not have the heart to say anything to him.

-js

Was this cervelo guy in the race? If so, that's crazy. But if he was just riding by, maybe he was heading to registration and not kitted up yet? I have ridden my bike with flip flops before/after a race for a number of different reasons . . . and have come close to falling off for trying that!

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by swampy1970 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigempty2011 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Quote:

am i missing something here?

Probably just the fact that Fergie hasn't taken his early morning meds... 😉

JS,

Sometimes it's not about "the purpose" - it's just about having something nice to go out and ride on. Only having a cool bike to ride on is like telling Ferrari owners that the HAVE to go race.

Cannondale have some ace bikes in the ~$2000 range. $2100 with get you a CAAD 10 with Ultegra with some nice kit to round off the bike or a SuperSix 5 105. The CAAD bikes are more than good enough for non-race use (hell, they're more than good enough for anyone to race on - it's not like Cipo didn't win a million Giro stages on one) and they're not the filling rattling death traps that everyone makes them out to be.

CAAD 10 3 full Ultegra MSRP 2149. Worth every damn cent IMO. I have a CAAD 9 big fat thin aluminum tubes smokin hot bike.

Well said!

calico->trust me he was not going to register or race. The race was almost over. He was just going out with his new bike. Having worked with a guy who does some personal cycling training, you be surprised what you see. Plenty of doctors and lawyers in NYC who find dropping 4k for a bike no different than buying a suit. You do not know how many left over bikes you eventually find real cheap from these folks. But hey who knows maybe that guy eventually got into it.

-js

I'll probably take flack for this BUT, IMHO, go for the bike you love the looks of, and fits you and your budget. How can you go wrong with that logic, no matter what you do with it? (but Id go with at least Ultegra if you are going to be putting in the miles, and top quality aluminum frames are great) The Raleigh Revino is a great bike that can be had for under $1500 with Ultegra 6700 and is a nice riding and durable machine. Check one out.