Felt S32

Price Paid:  $1015.00 at ACME Multisports - G

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Felt S32

Bike Setup:
Felt S32, Dura Ace Bar end shifters, Ultegra rear, 105 front, FSA crank, Ultegra Cassette.

Summary:
Got this as a closeout - couldn't believe the bang for the buck ratio. I test rode some Cervelo's, Kuota's and Roo's and this one out shined them all. Comfortable, speedy and really good looking. Componetry level is unheard of at this price bracket. If you are a beginner or intermediate triathlete, then an S32 is the hot ticket.

Strengths:
Stiff but smooth riding frame, High componentry level for the $$, good entry level Tri bike.

Weaknesses:
Wheelset. However I was willing to accept a poor wheelset (I'll train on 'em) as I have a good set of racing wheels anyway.

Similar Products Used:
2005 Specialized Allez

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Brickwell Cycling

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Felt S32

Bike Setup:
Carbon Fiber Fork
Shimano 105 components in the back
Ultegra in the front.

Summary:
I just recently bought the '07 S32 and thoroughly impressed with the bang for the buck ratio. Though reading other review they did the same thing and put a junky set of wheels on it. I barely put a couple hundred miles on it and one pothole seems to have shot the back wheel all out of true. The wheels are Shimano R500 which if you look under the wheel reviews are not particularly well liked by the reviews for the truing issue. Overall, though it's a great bike and my first tri bike. Look forward to riding many tris with it though when I get the money I'll be investing in a much better set of wheels.

Strengths:
-Frame doesn't bend too much and I'm 210lbs dry.
-Shifts very smoothly.

Weaknesses:
-Wheels could be much better but then again you get what you pay for with the bike being the bargain it is.
-Where the shifting cables come down next to the steering post above the front fork is spring loaded. If the wheel gets turned too far the metal ends of the guard will pop out compress the spring and you won't be able to shift.

Price Paid:  $1400.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Galena, IL

Bike Setup:
New saddle and water bottle cages. New ROL wheelset. Works great now! After I dropped a little more dough.

Summary:
Great bike. The wheelset is horrible though. After just few short months they were no longer true and unable to be done. According to my mechanic friends. The stock rims are crappy. They got replaced... MUCH BETTER!!!

Strengths:
Price
Lightweight
Dura-Ace Shifters

Weaknesses:
Saddle
Wheelset
Only 1 place for bottle cage (not a prob. for me I use and Aero-Drink and Aero-bottle holder)

Similar Products Used:
Road bike Lemond Nevada City

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Campus Cycles

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Deer Creek Canyon up to City View

Bike Setup:
As it came from the factory except for a new set of Hucthinson tires.

Summary:
Bought my S32 at the end of the 2005 Tri season after having ridden my mountain bike for the first season.

After 2 years of riding it, I'm extremely happy w/ it!! I've done several sprint distance races and an Oly which included some pretty good climbing (Old Stage Hill in Boulder), even a century a couple weeks ago and I have zero complaints.

Minor problems: (1)The rim tape on the front wheel wasn't quite up to par and caused several flats. After replacing the rim tape - problem solved. (2) After a year of almost 2 years of riding the saddle has been causing the sensitive bits to go numb so a new saddle is in order. To be fair, a proper fit is in order too. I had one when I bought the bike, but it'd be worth it to go to someone who is more familiar in fitting triathletes.

About 3 weeks after buying the bike I managed to hit a pot hole that pulled the tire off the rim at about 25 mph. Had to readjust the aero-bars and brake levers, but the ALX 220 wheel is still true and un-damaged.

Bottom line is this: You can spend more but why? Aside from the 105 components (Ultegra on the 2007 now?)you can't by a better bike for even twice as much.

Strengths:
-Highest bang to buck ratio I could find
-FSA Gossamer cranks are quality stuff
-Frame: At 160 lbs soaking wet I'm no powerhouse, but I certainly don't feel any flex in it.

Weaknesses:
-105 components and even that is debatable.
-Profile aero-bars are heavy

Similar Products Used:
Test rode a Giant TCR & Specialized Multisport.