Strengths: 105 Components, Carbon fork, weight, geometry. Overall looks of the frame. The Mavic CXP-22 wheels so far seem to roll pretty smooth but can see myself upgrading to a lighter and faster wheel later on down the road. Tapered headtube, BB30 Bottom Bracket. STIFF, STIFF, STIFF!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses: Not the biggest fan of the FSA Crankset but I really haven't had any problems with it other than it being heavy and the crank arms go inward towards the chainstays, which doesn't leave any clearance for a cadence sensor.
The Vitorra Slick tires flat out suck!
Bottom Line:
Yes, the 2012 Felt F75 is a Bike shop's best kept secret! After testing out several carbon bikes, I came across the F75. The looks of this bike kinda caught my eye and next knew, I was out testing it! I was amazed at how responsive, stiff and light this bike was. For an aluminum frame, it's just a little under 19 pounds. The geometry of this bike is an exact imitation of the higher end, carbon F-series bikes. The F75 is the aluminum version of the Felt F5 (which is one of the best carbon bikes on the market and retails at $2500)
I love this bike and wouldn't trade it for the world!
Strengths: Race geometry in an aluminum bike; which is extremely rare these days as everything has moved to carbon.
Stiff and snappy. The tapered head tube keeps things tracking up front and the BB30 creates the foundation for a stiff rear end to put the power down.
Almost full 105 gruppo, sans crankset which is swapped for the FSA Gossemer. The 105 is dependable group that will take you all the way to Cat 3.
It's a sexy bike, I have to be honest there. It may have been the thing that swung me as tested it and the CAAD10. The CAAD10 just wasn't stoking me on looks...because it's always about the bike.
Weaknesses: Wheelset will be fine for training but it will need to sit the SAG wagon for the first race in favor of something better.
The crankset will probably be off pretty soon in favor of something lighter as this will be a good place to shed some grams.
Bottom Line:
This is the bike that bike shops hide from the guys coming in to drop $3500 bucks on a bike...it's that good of a deal. From what I can find it is the F75 and the Cannondale CAAD10 that sit alone as the only contenders in the aluminum race bike class.
Great ride! Stepped up from an early 90s steel-framed 12spd w/downtube shifters and Biopace cranks. Old bike really wasn't geared for hills (54/42 front, 11-21 rear). 2:1 gear ratio was killing me. The 2011 Felt F75 was like a breath of fresh air. So much lighter and snappier.
