Felt Z85 v Spec Allez Elite v Scott Speedster S30

matt.cartwright7
Posts: 3
Hi,
I am looking at these bikes as they are options on my cycle to work scheme and are at the right price point for my first road bike. I am going to sort out a test ride of these at my local evans cycles ASAP but some advice would be much appreciated.
They are all pretty similar in spec (almost identical):
FELT - If I am being honest I like the look of the felt best of the 3 BUT they come with Alex R500 rims as standard and from looking at various reviews of these bikes there seems to be an issue with these rims (or alex rims in general!). Some situation with continually breaking spokes. These rims are on Felt hubs (if it makes any difference to being on other hubs) and to be honest it is the only thing I am dubious about as I dont fancy forking out straight away on new rims if the standard ones are naff and break easily. Does anyone know if this is a known issue?
SCOTT - The Scott is spec'd well for the price and has tiagra groupset throughout (as do the other bikes) but the scott has a 105 rear derailleur (bonus!) and Alex race 28 rims (possible downside?!).
SPECIALIZED - My head says go for the allez but for looks I cant help but like the felt and scott, plus there are plenty of allez's about now (plus my mate has one) and it is always nice to have something a little bit different.
I'll ride them soon but as I say, anyone with any advice would be great!
Thanks,
Matt
I am looking at these bikes as they are options on my cycle to work scheme and are at the right price point for my first road bike. I am going to sort out a test ride of these at my local evans cycles ASAP but some advice would be much appreciated.
They are all pretty similar in spec (almost identical):
FELT - If I am being honest I like the look of the felt best of the 3 BUT they come with Alex R500 rims as standard and from looking at various reviews of these bikes there seems to be an issue with these rims (or alex rims in general!). Some situation with continually breaking spokes. These rims are on Felt hubs (if it makes any difference to being on other hubs) and to be honest it is the only thing I am dubious about as I dont fancy forking out straight away on new rims if the standard ones are naff and break easily. Does anyone know if this is a known issue?
SCOTT - The Scott is spec'd well for the price and has tiagra groupset throughout (as do the other bikes) but the scott has a 105 rear derailleur (bonus!) and Alex race 28 rims (possible downside?!).
SPECIALIZED - My head says go for the allez but for looks I cant help but like the felt and scott, plus there are plenty of allez's about now (plus my mate has one) and it is always nice to have something a little bit different.
I'll ride them soon but as I say, anyone with any advice would be great!
Thanks,
Matt
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Comments
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go ride them
if your still in love with the felt, ask the shop about ugrading the wheels a bit?0 -
matt.cartwright7 wrote:Hi,
I am looking at these bikes as they are options on my cycle to work scheme and are at the right price point for my first road bike. I am going to sort out a test ride of these at my local evans cycles ASAP but some advice would be much appreciated.
They are all pretty similar in spec (almost identical):
FELT - If I am being honest I like the look of the felt best of the 3 BUT they come with Alex R500 rims as standard and from looking at various reviews of these bikes there seems to be an issue with these rims (or alex rims in general!). Some situation with continually breaking spokes. These rims are on Felt hubs (if it makes any difference to being on other hubs) and to be honest it is the only thing I am dubious about as I dont fancy forking out straight away on new rims if the standard ones are naff and break easily. Does anyone know if this is a known issue?
SCOTT - The Scott is spec'd well for the price and has tiagra groupset throughout (as do the other bikes) but the scott has a 105 rear derailleur (bonus!) and Alex race 28 rims (possible downside?!).
SPECIALIZED - My head says go for the allez but for looks I cant help but like the felt and scott, plus there are plenty of allez's about now (plus my mate has one) and it is always nice to have something a little bit different.
I'll ride them soon but as I say, anyone with any advice would be great!
Thanks,
Matt
just a thought but do you get a 10% accessories voucher. If so, you could put this towards sorting the wheel issues. I got a voucher a few years back and put it towards upgrades. The FELT was reviewed in C+ or CW recently and got a good write up. cant remember which mag though. I own a scott and am very very happy with it.Burning Fat Not Rubber
Scott CR1
Genesis IO ID
Moda Canon0 -
think it was CW the felt was reviewed in, they gave it a very good write-up and described it as being the best looking bike in the price range if I remember rightly?
Out of these choices I would plump for the Felt personally .... frame geometry is well suited to my "sit up and beg" comfort needs! :-)0 -
Yeah - it got 9/10 in CW and all it said about the wheels was that they were very average but it was only a little niggle at this price-point. I am hoping that someone on this forum has these wheels or even the felt Z85 with them on to give an accurate appraisal of either (a) they do the job or (b) they break/are naff and an immediate upgrade is needed.
I can get 10% off some wheels on the scheme but as I say I am at the top end of my budget getting the bike and couldn't really afford to upgrade the wheels straight away!
After another sift throught the bikes available on the scheme the giant Defy 2 seems an option. Good value and good reviews all round, even though it may not be as good looking as the felt...0 -
Just been looking at the Felt and the Specialized in Pearsons in Sutton and I've got to say although I've been thinking of getting the Allez for some time, the Felt is a much better looking bike with some lovely touches. It's like fancying someone for ages and then her better looking sister just breezed in! I'm definitely going to give it a whirl when I've got the money together. As for the wheelset, I'm thinking that I could get by with the Alex's and then find a set that are perfectly suited to me and the bike. A lot of good sets are quite cheap these days.0
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I have a Speedster 20, and it might just be a Friday bike, but I have had more problems with it than any of the bikes I have had over the last 20 years. I certainly wouldn't buy another Scott myself.________________________________________________________
It\'s not about where you are going, it's about what you leave behind.0 -
Definately a problem with these Alex rims. On my 2nd rear rim as first one popped 5 spokes and 2nd one 2 so far. All bar 1 sheared the nipple holding the spoke to the rim, has to be a manufacture fault. Getting free upgrade from shop.0
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I have had the Alex R500 rims on a Fuji for the last 2 years and commuted about 8,000 miles with absolutely no problems.
Also I weigh over 18 stone so if there was going to be a problem then you would think I would have it.
I will also point out that as my commute is in the dark I sometimes get caught out with pot holes that I simply do not see.
At least if you got the Felt you would have an easy upgrade path when you are looking to spend money on your new baby.0 -
Hi
I have a felt z85 the shop upgraded the rims for £70 to some shimano rs20 rims, seem to do the job all is good.
http://www.superride.co.uk/photos/index.html
Si0 -
I have had a Z85 since March and I have had not probs with the Alex rims at all (although no doubt the rims could be better). The bike is great though and the quality feels amazing. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone starting out on triathlons etc. Its looks represent bikes of much higher price points and I love the finishing touches (branded cables etc). Whenever anyone sets eyes on my bike for the first time they automatically think it is a full carbon frame!
Anyway, the rims aren't brilliant, but no probs at all for me, so given the choice of bikes again, I'd definitely choose the same make and model.P3. Building up a R5 VWD...
Ironman Austria 2013 to do....0 -
Hi, I have a 2009 Felt F75 and it is an awesome bike, very fast, very comfortable and looks sweeeet. I know its not a Z85 and it has Mavic Rims but its a big up for the Felt's.0
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RichardFcp wrote:I have a Speedster 20, and it might just be a Friday bike, but I have had more problems with it than any of the bikes I have had over the last 20 years. I certainly wouldn't buy another Scott myself.
Indeed! The S20 I bought has had nothing but rear wheel problems. Spoke went, constant creeking, repeated punctures. It rides wonderfully but the constant rear wheel issues have made me think that Scott aren't much cop - even their customer support never replies to e-mails.http://www.youtube.com/user/Eurobunneh - My Youtube channel.0