PLANTETX V Felt Z35

DA_BURB

Can anyone helpe me decide between a PLANTETX SL Pro Carbon Road Dura Ace and the Felt Z35? I orginally liked the Felt for its relaxed geometry position and its good reviews - I am buying it for "commuting" 2/3 days a week (13 - 24 miles each way into Birmingham) and sportives which I have not done before, although have been cycling up to 50 miles for a while now. Also, my local routes are quite hilly - Shropshire.

Just when I had made up my mind, along comes the Planet X - mostly dura ace kit against 105/ultegra but a nore aggressive frame (40mm less head tube height, I think) and about £250 cheaper.

Would appreciate your opinions.

David

amcgill69

I use my Planet X SL Carbon for racing, and really like it. It's replaced my Trek 1500, corners much better, and is a more aggressive ride. Not sure if this helps, but it's a bike that I'd certainly recommend.

DA_BURB

Thanks - not sure I'll be racing (45 is perhaps a little too late to start). Do you use any spacers under the bars or is it as low as poss?

D

amcgill69

I have a small spacer under the bars - about a quarter of an inch. I'm 5ft 11 if that's any help?

DA_BURB

amcgill69 - What size is your PlanetX? My brother is about your height and he thought the Medium was smaller than he expected. I am 5 9, so it might be ok for me.

mdg1157

"Thanks - not sure I'll be racing (45 is perhaps a little too late to start). Do you use any spacers under the bars or is it as low as poss?"

Never too late!! I turned 47 last month, and decided to start racing. Never giong to win anything ,but what a buzz!!!

DA_BURB

"Thanks - not sure I'll be racing (45 is perhaps a little too late to start). Do you use any spacers under the bars or is it as low as poss?"

"Never too late!! I turned 47 last month, and decided to start racing. Never giong to win anything ,but what a buzz!!!"

I thought I might get a response like yours - thanks fo rthe encouragement - I was secretly thinking about some racing! How did you get started?

ronkerr

I recently bought a FELT Z35 and have been very pleased with it. It is a great quality frame and fork for the money. If your looking at longer sportives it might be the easiest on your back if your not that flexible (like me), but I havent tried the Planet X bike.

blorg

I think if buying the Planet X you can request that they leave the fork uncut with plenty of spacers, and flip your stem so it points upwards. You could always get the fork cut later if you choose. But ultimately I don't think it would be a good idea to go for fundamentally the wrong sort of frame for your use; the Felt gets good reviews and sounds like it is the right sort of bike for you. You can always upgrade groupset bits on it later. 105/Ultegra is going to shift almost as well, you will notice the frame a lot more (and remember it is just the mechs and shifters that are Dura-Ace on the PX, it's not a complete groupset.)

MIsterGoof

I'v just got my new Plant-X bike and lovely beast she is.

I ordered with the spacers under the stem so that I can shorten it if I want to.

Mine has a compact chainset (50/34) and a 12/27 on the rear, plenty of gears for those sportive hills

when choosing the bike I spent a lot of time researching which size frame and stem to get, as unless you live near them you won;t get a fitting. (GB in Croydon had 1 frame when I went there for a fitting)

I love it!

Nuggs

I'd go for the Felt Z35 because of its more relaxed position. It's a lovely bike and received a cracking review in C+ a few months ago.

I was going to get one myself until I found out that the UK importer doesn't import the larger frame (60/61cm I think)...

DA_BURB

Thanks to all responders. Possibly againstthe majority view, I have plumped for the Planet X - currently awaiting delivery. I have specc'd max spacers under the bars but couldn't see much else different other than head tube length in the frame specs. At the end of the day, it was c£200 cheaper with a lot of Dura-ace stuff and I was struggling to justify the xtra £200 to SWMBO!