Felt F50

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bikes Inc.

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Felt F50

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 9 speed (full). Mavic Cosmic and Spinergy wheels. Sella Italia saddle. Look pedals. Easton seat post. everything else is Felt.

Summary:
I did not know much about Felt but saw one years ago and thought it was a great bike. I think this was before Jim Felt started mass producing bikes. I saw this one on sale and noted it was full Ultegra and a double, not a triple. For the price paid I could not find another specd bike for the same price.

Just from initial inspection it did not seem to be like the Felt that had caught my eyes years before. I did note that it was a little lighter than my other rode bikes. I liked the silver look of the frame and threw on my Spinergy Rev X wheels just for the old school look.

No use talking about the Ultegra, it works like a champ. My first impression was that I would be ridding a watered down version of a high end road bike. I have put about 150-200 miles a week on this bike and love the ride for the most part. I have noticed it can be a little jolting on rough roads at speed. I think this may be the character of the frame material in general. It descends great and handles great as far as cornering, ect.

The one think that stood out to me is the way it accelerates. As soon as I push down on the cranks I am moving. I also noticed that it seems to climb well. After ridding this bike for over a year I would say I made a good buy for the price and the type of ridding I do. I know it is not a high end racing bike, but for group rides this bike does hold its own. I am glad I bought a Felt and would buy another one.

Strengths:
Accelerates and climbs well. Looks and component selection. Handles well in corners.

Weaknesses:
Can be a little rough feeling on bumpy roads at speed. I did not like the Mavic Cosmos wheels. Put them on my back up ride.

Similar Products Used:
Specalized M2 and Epic. Trek.

Price Paid:  $1395.00 at Spin Cycle - Salt La

Favorite Ride:
Up the canyons to Snowbird & Alta ski resorts.

Bike Setup:
Ultegra drivetrain, brakes, shifters.
Look pedals.
Cateye Mity 8 Computer

Summary:
Great bike for the money. I shopped around for 2 months and this was the only bike I found in this price range that offered a full Ultegra group along with carbon seat stays, fork, and cranks. The seat stays make the bike very comfortable on the road while keeping it around 18 lbs. I've put about 600 miles on the bike so far (including a century ride and some big climbs) and I have no complaints about the ride. One drawback is that I wanted a double chainring instead of a triple. To get it, I would have had to buy the F45, which has a nicer wheelset and therefore costs a couple hundred $$ more. I couldn't afford it so I've got a triple. Would have liked the option to swap out.

Strengths:
Light and comfortable. Great package for the $$.

Weaknesses:
Can't choose to have a double or triple chainring on the F50. Felt makes you spend more $$ and buy the F45.

Similar Products Used:
I've been on a dinosaur Giant Perigee for 12 years, downtube shifters and all, so any new bike feels like a sportscar. I test rode just about every bike I could find in the $1500 range (Specialized, Giant, Lemond, Trek, Schwinn Fastback, etc.)., and the Felt offered the best combination of price & performance. Lemond Buenos Aires actually had the best ride in this range but I didn't want another heavy steel frame. Nicest bike I rode was a Fondriest X-Status but it was out of my range ($2200).