Felt F3

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at 123

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Port royal rd flat undulating hills

Summary:
love to ride this bike cant say it performs well in one area its a good all around ( not perfect) can take a beating too rode it alot . not the lightest carbon bike though. not going to sell it either.

Strengths:
has proven to be a solid bikefor 2 yrs of hard riding

Weaknesses:
needs a chain stay protector my chain came off the small chain ring and did some damage

Price Paid:  $2150.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
The roads north of Pittsburgh that roll through hills and flats and somehow are always empty...

Bike Setup:
Fantastic

Summary:
First off, I am absolutely convinced that this is the best value out there today. If you are doing your research that will be apparent immediately.

The bike is extremely light and loaded with top shelf components. The bike eats hills alive and tears through the flats. I was considering looking for a compact crank set (Felt had some in 2006) because of some of the huge climbs around Pittsburgh, but I have not found a hill I could not tackle effectively. Coming down the hills is when this bike turns into a freight train and you can do nothing but hold on and go fast. Through corners the bike is stable and when I want that extra "pop" the bike responds and leaps forward.

I have participated in triathalon's (borrowing a friend's bike) and raced mountain bikes, and being new to road bikes I did not know what to expect. Upon riding other bikes and borrowing bikes for weekends to see what I like, I could not put this bike down when I tested it. This bike makes me think I can go win the tour, and just knowing that I paid an amazing price for it is icing on the cake.

Strengths:
Component group and full carbon frame. The bike absorbs bumps well and you can almost feel it being dampened via the full carbon frame. I also like the blade spokes. The geometry makes for a comfortable ride at any speed.

Weaknesses:
Putting it down.

Similar Products Used:
Tested bikes from specialized (Robaix comp compact, Allez Expert), Giant, Trek.

Price Paid:  $3000.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere on the lakeshore in West Michigan!

Bike Setup:
Ultegra brakes, cranks; Dura Ace shifters; full carbon frame

Summary:
Awesome bike - unbeatable components, weight, etc. for the price. Amazing power transfer - vertically compliant but torsionally stiff.

Tested bikes that were in the 4,000 and 5,000 range - the Felt beat them all in my opinion. Rode Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Bianchi, Trek (probably others I am forgetting).

I felt (pun slightly intended) that the overall value of components and frame was the best.

Strengths:
Great for climbing, sprinting, open road riding. I can truly tell a difference in each of these "arenas", especially on climbs - the power transfer is great.

Great component set and light frame.

Total bike is only 17 lbs and is upgradeable in terms of wheelset, saddle, etc. Can easily be modified to enter the ultra-light arena of around 14 pounds.

Weaknesses:
Maybe the saddle - probably needs more "breaking in".

Wheel set seems a little heavy ("snap" during sprints can feel slightly sluggish), but this is an easy upgrade.

Other than that, no weaknesses to report at this time...

Similar Products Used:
Own both a KHS Flite and Motobecane - both great bikes for their purpose.

Tested those bikes listed above...

Price Paid:  $2160.00 at Bikesport

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Stony Creek Metropark

Bike Setup:
stock with ultegra pedals

Summary:
First road bike. I got the bike for $1999+tax from Bikesport in Dearborn, MI. A full carbon fiber and dura-ace/ultegra components for 2K can't be beaten. Ttested other manufactures in price range and liked the Felt the most.

Strengths:
price/value. Eextremely responsive to input and "feel" of the road is great.

Weaknesses:
Steering is twitchy at lower speeds but smooths out considerably at high speeds.

Similar Products Used:
none.

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