Felt B2 PRO

Price Paid:  $6100.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Added a wireless Cateye
Profile design WB up front

Summary:
2009 B2Pro

Its pretty much everything I was hoping for.For one,I wanted a bike that would stop me from searching for something better. The B2Pro has all great components. The new Dura Ace is crisp. The wheels are superb. There isnt anything that I would upgrade. So now I can just concentrate on riding hard. I beat my best time on my 22 mile route with it already, by 3 minutes! The adjustability that the cockpit offers has put me in a super comfortable powerful position. The bayonet fork does seem to keep its line well. Its fast!

Strengths:
Frame,Dura Ace 7900 is solid, The adjustability of the front end. The wheels. Its good looking. Stiff.

Weaknesses:
I dont want to ride my $4000 road bike anymore.
The rear brake better be adjusted well or it will drag.

Similar Products Used:
2007 Madone 5.5
2004 Trek 1500
2006 Equinox 9

Price Paid:  $6000.00 at Revolutions Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Felt B2 Pro

Bike Setup:
Bike as delivered, mainly. I used the more forward seat mounting position option, that worked very well for me. I had to replace factory saddle with the best for me...the Koobi Tri saddle. Put a behind the saddle bottle holder on it for training...will work on fitting aero-bottle for racing to get the more aerodynamic tail effect.

Summary:
Tried out a Felt B2 Pro 2008 a couple months ago, then bought it a few weeks ago. First, it is expensive! I previously had a Felt DA 700 frame from several years ago (aluminum). I had bad problems with the seatpost clamp on the DA. It froze up in the hole for it and made the frame useless...Felt was no help when we tried to get the flaw fixed. But I decided to take a risk and get this beauty, the B2 Pro. It has a very smooth ride and all the latest tri-bike features. The bars squeeked a lot until the shop took the adjustable part of the stem apart and greased it all up. Now only the brakes rattle during riding. It is a really fast ride and crosswinds aren't the concern I thought they'd be. Major issue...after 1 and a half weeks, the seatpost clamp broke! I was shocked and dismayed. However, my LBS was aware of the problem and replaced it quickly. But, wow. After the known problems with the DA seatpost clamp, you'd think they'd get this one right! Very disappointing. I just keep thinking, what if this had broke during a ride rather than when I was getting ready to go. Dangerous. What else isn't designed right? In any case, the aero setup takes a little getting used to (not bumping bar ends when trying to go from aero to bars quickly and straight aero bars), but it corners surprisingly well.

Strengths:
Smooth ride and fast. Still gives stiff feeling even with the straight-style aero bars. Bayonette (sp?) steering is unique, feels stiff and smooth. Did I say it was fast?? Corners surprisingly well. Of course, much better on bars, but also pretty decent in aero position.

Weaknesses:
Design issues continue with seatpost collar. Very disappointing. It has some noises (breaks rattle) and bars have potential to be pretty squeeky. I know it's an individual thing, but the saddle was not working for me. Can't really tweak the centering of the rear brake calipers since they are upside-down under the chainstays. So, you have to adjust it by the mounting bolt when turning the frame over. And why is it so expensive...because people are willing to pay?? I'm a sucker.

Similar Products Used:
Had about 5 years on a Felt DA 700. It's their top of the line frame, but was aluminum...but it was sweet aluminum!