Felt SR81

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Spokes in Wheaton

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
commuting to work

Summary:
Good starter bike, however the components quality are not good, cheap but after years of use it's falling apart. Had I known that I would outgrow this bike I would have not bough it. I'm passing it down to my teenage son.

Strengths:
quick and comfortable

Weaknesses:
cheap components

Price Paid:  $700.00

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
not sure if it possible on this bike

Bike Setup:
Stock...unfortunately.

Summary:
I am really dissapointed in this bike and in Felt.
The components are really cheap in a lot of areas.
The adjustabl;e stem is a joke and should not be fitted on bikes. It creaks and loosens almost instantaneously.
The brakes are cheap and the could not be of any lower quality.
My new bike had the bottem bracket inserted improperly and it had to be removed and reset.

The ALEX DA22 rims are very weak and very entry level They go out of true within days and this is not even after nay abuse.
Teh biggest dissapointment has to be FELT and their customer service or lack of it.
Don't be fooled by the Shimano 105 rear derailluer or the carbon fork.
Look closely at the other components.
The handle bar, wheels, stem, headset, pedals, crank and handgrips are all low-entry level quality stuff.
You will want to replace all of them if you own this bike.
Spend a few hundred more and get a decent bike from a manufactuer who might actually give a *&#$ after you buy the bike.

Strengths:
None really. nice fork and the frame is light.
Too bad about the reats of the bike.

Weaknesses:
A lot. A pretend higher end road bike with entry level components everywhere you look! Customer service is non-existent.

Similar Products Used:
none by FELT fortunately.
I had a specialized Crossraods that was actually a better bike than this one!

Price Paid:  $820.00 at local bike shop

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
back and forth

Bike Setup:
52/42/30 in front, 12/25 in back (for now), fenders, rack, water bottle battery headlight, spd clipless pedals, 28 mm michelin transworld city tires

Summary:
Good commuting ride but a teensy bit high-strung. Still plugging away after a year of commuting in nasty weather, though. I really think they're onto something, but still not sure if they want this to be a total racer or a 'comfort bike' or what. A lot of fun to ride, but was it really worth what it cost?

Strengths:
Zippy bike w/ eyelets for fenders, rack, other commuting gee-gaws. Marketed as speedy, but all the add-ons weigh it down; listed as 23.5# for 53cm frame, my 50cm frame adds up to 30# before I put the panniers on. I like the saddle and seatpost.

Weaknesses:
Flimsy parts for a commuter: 23mm stock tires not great for tough roads; did not like adjustable headset (kept creaking), had them swap it out; one pedal broke quickly, but not bad 'cause replaced w/ clipless; one shimano shifter failed quickly (there was a recall?); snapped 2 seatpost binders before stopped using Felt model (is both the seatpost not quite the right size so I need to over-tighten *and* the binder flimsy so it snaps, or just the latter?); rear-wheel constantly going out of true, but that may be due to a poor rebuild by LBS after I got rear-ended by a car. However, the out-of-true wheel causes all kinds of problems w/ the mini-v-brakes which seem very high maintenance themselves. Any bump in the road may disrupt them, making them brush on either the front or rear rim. maxi-Vs or plain old calipers might be better.

My biggest issue is with the gearing. 52/42/30 in the front, 12/25 in the back. 12/27 would be better to begin with, but I am still thinking about gearing down to a 30 in the back. 52/42/30 not really wide enough either. Would prefer 52/39/28, say, if I do need 3 chainrings for this topography (and I do).

Similar Products Used:
1998 gary fisher hoo koo e koo also for commuting

Price Paid:  $650.00 at The Bicycle Place, S

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Yes

Bike Setup:
7005 Aluminum frame, Carbon fork and stock drivetrain. Easton EC-70 seatpost, Shimano clipless pedals, and a Terry Butterfly saddle swap out original parts. I added a rack and I use 700x28 reflective tires for fall/winter commutes.

Summary:
I LOVE this bike!
I went looking for a "flat bar road bike" (I don't know why they have this listed as a hybrid) to replace my old Bianchi Eros as a commuter. I wanted something durable, but not a slouch. I never heard of Felt bikes until the guy at the shop pointed me towards this bike. The bike is light, quick, responsive, and a whole lot of FUN to ride. I smile after every ride and look for reasons to go for ride. I primarily use it for my 14 mile round-trip commute to work 2-3 x's/week, but would not hesitate to take it out for a 40-50 mile ride.

Strengths:
Surprisingly good value. Quick, nimble, and very comfortable. Also very pretty to look at.

Weaknesses:
Platform pedals are cheap throw-aways. I replaced immediately with SPDs. I also replaced the power robbing suspension seatpost with a carbon Easton, and the ride improved tremendously.
Only regret on the bike: I wish I sprang the extra $$ for the SR71, which in '05 has a compact crank, rather than the triple, and slightly better components. Live and learn.

Similar Products Used:
I had an old Miyata hybrid, and this bike replaced a Bianchi Eros (road bike). My main ride is a Ti Seven Axiom. Sweet, but I'd never commute on it.

Price Paid:  $699.00 at Bike N Hike Portland

Favorite Ride:
In the country passing the mint fields

Bike Setup:
Shimano Clipless and airstrike aero bars.

Summary:
Road 15 miles today and was very impressed with the quickness and smooth ride from the carbon forks. The bike feels light and rigid. O4 model so got it at a good price. Color was not first choice, but it is growing on me. Bike looks sharp. Im 5'6" and size 50 fits perfect. Wanted the SR71 but no one had one and if they did it was too big. Saved $300.00 by buying this model and don't regret it at all. Recommend anyone looking for a flat bar road bike to give the Felt line of bikes at ride.

Strengths:
Light, rigid, fast, good looking and good components for the price of the bike compared to others in its class. 700 25c are perfect size wheels for commuting, conditioning and smooth ride. 7005 aluminum frame and carbon forks.

Weaknesses:
Don't realy like the suspension seat post. Will replace it with carbon. Wish the bike came with clipless pedals.

Similar Products Used:
03 Cannondale Road Warrior 900 medium $1100, 04 Felt SR81 medium $800. 04 Specialized Sirrus Comp Medium $860, 04 Sirrus small $500, 04 Fuji Royal 19" $950, 04 Trek 7300 18", 04 Specialized Sequoia Comp $1200.