2006 Felt F4C

waterloo · Jan 5, 2006

I am in the market for my first road bike and am very interested in the new Felt F4C. My LBS doesn't have any 2006 Felts in stock quite yet and I was just wondering if anyone has been on one yet. I am 21 and used to mountain bike quite a bit in high school and would like to get into road cycling for fitness and to lose a bit of weight, no racing in my future. I would like to buy a bike that I won't want to upgrade a few months after I get it and the Felt F4C seems like a great deal with and a great setup. The wheels aren't great, but I can ride them for a while and upgrade later.

If anyone has any experience with this bike, or really with any other Felt, please let me know what you think. Is this a good bike for a beginner roadie like me? Also how much have you seen the 2006 Felt F4C listed at in your LBS? MSRP is $2299.

http://www.feltracing.com/06/06_bikes/f4c/index.html

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,3253,s1-14279,00.html?category_id=361

Cruzer2424 · Jan 5, 2006

waterloo said:
I am in the market for my first road bike and am very interested in the new Felt F4C. My LBS doesn't have any 2006 Felts in stock quite yet and I was just wondering if anyone has been on one yet. I am 21 and used to mountain bike quite a bit in high school and would like to get into road cycling for fitness and to lose a bit of weight, no racing in my future. I would like to buy a bike that I won't want to upgrade a few months after I get it and the Felt F4C seems like a great deal with and a great setup. The wheels aren't great, but I can ride them for a while and upgrade later.

If anyone has any experience with this bike, or really with any other Felt, please let me know what you think. Is this a good bike for a beginner roadie like me? Also how much have you seen the 2006 Felt F4C listed at in your LBS? MSRP is $2299.

http://www.feltracing.com/06/06_bikes/f4c/index.html

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,3253,s1-14279,00.html?category_id=361

my LBS has a few of those. they're heavy. really deciptively heavy. around 19 or so. that's a brick for carbon. at that price range, check out some alu/carbon mix bikes. that F4C has a nice grouppo though. ultegra. I think last year's F55 runs in that price range. DA drivetrain (kinda) and FSA SL-K carbon cranks I think. weighs much less with the American Classic hoops, or the Easton/Velomax ones (depends on when you bought it...). Ask your LBS if they have one in stock, or if Felt still has some left. No clue about the 06 F55 though. worth a look.

there are 3 felt carbon frames. that's the lowest one. its carbon. all composites weren't created equal.

Doctor Who · Jan 5, 2006

My LBS, Campus Cyclery in Cincinnati, has 'em in stock. Beautiful bikes, really. The F3C and F2C are of course a bit lighter.

Honestly, if you aren't planning on racing and even if you are, the equipment on the F4C is solid enough for years of service. Barring crashes and all. As a first road bike, it's a better choice than say, a Colnago or something ridiculously expensive.

golzy · Jan 5, 2006

I feel like a bit of a putz because this is the second time in two days that I've cited Bicycling Magazine as a source but... FWIW Bicycling (the Jan/Feb issue I think) gave it a really good review.

Also, unless you're the kind of person who has to have the newest model of everything it may be worth looking at some '05s on closeout. I picked up a Giant TCR Comp 1 for about $100 more than what the '06 F4C is listed for. I'm not saying that it is the better way to go but It may be worth a look.

sdkwan · Jan 5, 2006

Hi, I was in the same boat 3 weeks ago but with a smaller budget. IMHO, Felts are the best way to go for your money and if you can pick up a 2005 closeout now like i did, you are up one.

I picked up a 2005 Felt F60 for $1000. Its a pretty sweet bike for a roadie newbie like me. And its only 19.2 lbs. Keep in mind that you will need to spend about an additional $500 +/- on accessories like shoes, pedals, a good saddle, shorts, jersey, bike bag, blah blah blah.

So overall, I spent about $1600 or so for the F60, Speedplay pedals, Cyclops trainer, shoes, etc...

Cruzer2424 · Jan 5, 2006

Doctor Who said:
Honestly, if you aren't planning on racing and even if you are, the equipment on the F4C is solid enough for years of service.

I should have said that too...

bahueh · Jan 5, 2006

the weight originates...

Cruzer2424 said:
my LBS has a few of those. they're heavy. really deciptively heavy. around 19 or so. that's a brick for carbon. at that price range, check out some alu/carbon mix bikes. that F4C has a nice grouppo though. ultegra. I think last year's F55 runs in that price range. DA drivetrain (kinda) and FSA SL-K carbon cranks I think. weighs much less with the American Classic hoops, or the Easton/Velomax ones (depends on when you bought it...). Ask your LBS if they have one in stock, or if Felt still has some left. No clue about the 06 F55 though. worth a look.

there are 3 felt carbon frames. that's the lowest one. its carbon. all composites weren't created equal.

from that crappy shimano wheelset...those things weigh over 2000 grams. I just test rode a pair on a Scott S1 and no matter what get I was in I couldn't snap the cranks like I can with my 1600 gram training set...upgrade the wheelset to a 1400-1500 gram set and that bike will treat you just fine. my $0.02

waterloo · Jan 9, 2006

Cruzer2424 said:
there are 3 felt carbon frames. that's the lowest one. its carbon. all composites weren't created equal.

Are you implying the frame on the F4C isn't a good CF frame? I'm looking to get a CF bike that I can be satisfied with for many years and not have to upgrade the components real soon down the line. As far as CF frames, how does this one stack up? Thanks

2006 Felt F4C

waterloo

Cruzer2424

Doctor Who

golzy

sdkwan

Cruzer2424

bahueh

waterloo

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