Post this I the Felt manufacturer's forum under "Ask Felt". Also check Bikipedia.com

 

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I could be wrong and the above advice will get you an actual authoritative answer, but....

You're right you have a 58cm Z1 frame on that bike. I'm not sure how the serial number relates to the year. I don't have ready access to my frame. My guess is that your Z1 was originally purchased as a frameset, not a complete bike.

Back when I bought my Z frameset ('10 or '11) they sold three Z framesets, the ZA (aluminum), the ZC ("basic" CF) and the Z1 (upgraded/lighter CF). Now I believe they only sell a Z1 frameset.

Also in the past, if I'm not mistaken (could be, it's been a while) they didn't even sell a Z1 complete bike, the bikes ended at Z2 and the Z1 was reserved for frameset only.

Recently they do sell a Z1 complete bike, but I don't know when they started.

However, a Z1 would have higher end (I didn't say better, that's up to you) components than Sram Rival. It would be more likely to be Sram Red, Dura Ace or Shimano electronic. And most likely, Shimano, not Sram - again when I was shopping higher end Felts a few years ago, they didn't sell them with Sram. Again, I'm not saying better, Rival's good stuff, but wouldn't have been sold on a Z1 complete bike, I don't believe.

Anyway, regardless of whether it's a Z1 complete bike that was changed to Rival or a Z1 frameset that was built up with Rival, you have a top of the line, very nice, very lightweight frameset worthy of any rider and certainly worthy of any "upgrades" you care to put on it.

I absolutely love my Z bike (a ZC frameset, it was about 200 grams heavier and about $800 cheaper than the Z1 frameset the year I bought it... but I received an upgraded fork, the same as on the Z1 which greatly mitigated any differences) I have built it up with decent wheels and Sram Red.

Don't let anyone tell you that Z frames are "slow" because they're more relaxed designed. I can set my Z up very comfortably for my needs compared to my old Cannondale R2000 (CAAD7), and compared to the true racing bike, it's is a wonderful riding, fast bike. I can get as low as my body will allow, and it's very lightweight for the uphills, and very fast and stable on the downhills (my PR is ~50 mph on the Z, compared to not quite so fast on the Cannondale....which I don't even care to go any more). Difference is I'm just more comfortable and confident on the Z - can also ride a 60 miler faster because I just have less all around fatigue.

Z1, verrry nice!

 

Thanks for the info Camilo. Yeah, it's a great bike, light as a feather, but a hair too large for me (I'm 5'10"), but it's so dang stiff that around 15 miles, my whole body hurts, especially my back. It's very jarring when going over bumps. Of course I have 700 x 23 vittorias on it pump to around 140 lbs. I'm not sure how much better it would ride with 25's at about 100-110. The bike is dang sure fast. When you jump on it, it shoots off like a rocket. Climbs are very easy too....like you said. I'm 58 years old, so I've got to have comfort. I'm thinking of selling it and buying a Specialized that I really like. Still not sure. Thanks again.

 

I'm 60 and my Z is very, very comfortable. My opinion is that your discomfort is largely fit related, not the stiffness of the frame. I'm a tad less than 5-8 and ride a 54. I would say you're right that it might be a tad large, but my guess is that you you might very well be properly fit on a 56 or a 58 with some thought and experimentation. If you're just jumping on the bike you obtained without making saddle, bar and stem adjustments, it's not surprising you're uncomfortable.

Improper fit and balance on the bike can really make the ride uncomfortable, especially on the arms, and can cause back and neck discomfort.

Not only that, you're probably way over inflating your tires which is 99% of the reason it feels so jarring. I don't know your weight, but I run 23mm Michelin Pro Race 3's on my Z at roughly 105 PSI in the rear and 90-95 PSI in the front and I haven't had a pinch flat in at least 5+ years. I weigh around 165. If I rode 25's I'd probably go down 5 psi each. There are a bunch of different charts and formulas for tire inflation on the web - check them out.

There's no reason your bike should be uncomfortable unless it's not fitted properly and the tires are too hard. I'm not discouraging you from getting a different bike, but not because it's a Z1, but because it doesn't fit. You might or might not be able to make the bike fit you, but don't assume either way. You should get some expert advice on fit and also try different tires and pressure before you do.