Enough's Enough

MattJPaul

I've been going back and forth over the eternal first bike conundrum for an age and I can't make my mind up.

Cube Attempt 2011: http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product.aspx?id=15397

or

Felt F75 2011: http://www.tweekscycles.com/Cycle/Brand ... 5/481/8052

The Cube has Fulcrum wheels and Ultremo tyres (not to mention coming top in BikeRadar's bikes under £1k category), but I'd like to know if the Felt has anything (beyond the styling I prefer, and beyond my limited knowledge of components) that would make you good people choose it over the Cube. My reptilian brain-stem is making me lean towards the Felt, but I'm unconvinced that going for a superior paint job is justified, even if the SRP of the Felt is £200 more.

I'd be using it to get into 25-mile evening and longer weekend runs, perhaps with a local club, leadiing to a sportive or two down the line. If anything, the geometry of the Cube looks slightly more upright, but I'm not sure that matters.

Many thanks.

rolf_f

You need to try to test ride them. Ultimately, you might just click with one more than the other. Some bikes just make you want to hurl yourself up Galibier on them, others just make you want to bimble along. No amount of advice from anyone else can tell you which will do what for you!

As for geometry - look at the numbers rather than the picture (not that Leisure Lakes crap website seems to feature such trivial things as weight and geometry! A sizing guide is no substitute for geometry charts......)

Hinzy9

I don't have any experience of the Felt but I do own the 2011 Attempt and use it for exactly what you are looking to use it for. I would say that it definitely fits the bill.

MattJPaul

Rolf F wrote:

You need to try to test ride them. Ultimately, you might just click with one more than the other. Some bikes just make you want to hurl yourself up Galibier on them, others just make you want to bimble along. No amount of advice from anyone else can tell you which will do what for you!

As for geometry - look at the numbers rather than the picture (not that Leisure Lakes crap website seems to feature such trivial things as weight and geometry! A sizing guide is no substitute for geometry charts......)

I figured the advice would be to test ride them, but on the off chance someone had done so already I thought I'd ask. I'm not sure who stocks the Felt but tis worth looking into. Thanks for the input.

Hinzy9 wrote:

I don't have any experience of the Felt but I do own the 2011 Attempt and use it for exactly what you are looking to use it for. I would say that it definitely fits the bill.

The positives are starting to shine down on the ol' Cube. My LBS stocks it so I'd perhaps get a test run and some money off with some gentle persuasion. No complaints about the Cube?

58585

I really don't think you need to worry about the difference in spec - these both look well finished for the money.
Really if you are just getting into road cycling then the best advice I can give is do not get worked up about the gear - buy a bike that fits and ride it as much as possible. Things wear out, you have crashes and you'll quickly learn what you like and don't like when the time comes for replacing parts. After a while you'll have a clear idea of what you want.

giant_man

MattJPaul wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

You need to try to test ride them. Ultimately, you might just click with one more than the other. Some bikes just make you want to hurl yourself up Galibier on them, others just make you want to bimble along. No amount of advice from anyone else can tell you which will do what for you!

As for geometry - look at the numbers rather than the picture (not that Leisure Lakes crap website seems to feature such trivial things as weight and geometry! A sizing guide is no substitute for geometry charts......)

I figured the advice would be to test ride them, but on the off chance someone had done so already I thought I'd ask. I'm not sure who stocks the Felt but tis worth looking into. Thanks for the input.

Hinzy9 wrote:

I don't have any experience of the Felt but I do own the 2011 Attempt and use it for exactly what you are looking to use it for. I would say that it definitely fits the bill.

The positives are starting to shine down on the ol' Cube. My LBS stocks it so I'd perhaps get a test run and some money off with some gentle persuasion. No complaints about the Cube?

Until you do you just won't know, it's the only way imo. No point getting a blind buy and regretting it ....

night_porter

While I agree that a test ride of both may help you make up your mind there could be a problem with that if you haven't really been road biking before. Simply put you don't know what you are looking for!

People who write the reviews have ridden many bikes and are telling your their preferences in bikes. IF you understand the nuances you can decipher the techno speak and make a choice based on your preferences.

If the tester likes hard riding racing bikes and you want a more comfortable sportive bike then it matters not what they have scored it. If you don't know the difference then it still doesn't matter about their score.

As long as you have got the right sized bike and you and the bike shop are happy with that then I would advise going for the one you like the best (the prettiest one).

Let's be serious about this if you spend £1,200 or £1,000 you cannot buy a BAD bike.

Components/tyres/bling mean nothing compared to a bike you love to look at and ride.

Get the Felt....you know you want to....

MattJPaul

night_porter wrote:

While I agree that a test ride of both may help you make up your mind there could be a problem with that if you haven't really been road biking before. Simply put you don't know what you are looking for!

People who write the reviews have ridden many bikes and are telling your their preferences in bikes. IF you understand the nuances you can decipher the techno speak and make a choice based on your preferences.

If the tester likes hard riding racing bikes and you want a more comfortable sportive bike then it matters not what they have scored it. If you don't know the difference then it still doesn't matter about their score.

As long as you have got the right sized bike and you and the bike shop are happy with that then I would advise going for the one you like the best (the prettiest one).

Let's be serious about this if you spend £1,200 or £1,000 you cannot buy a BAD bike.

Components/tyres/bling mean nothing compared to a bike you love to look at and ride.

Get the Felt....you know you want to....

I spent a summer with a Giant Defy 4 a couple years ago, and I don't do anything without researching the beejesus out of it first, so I'm confident on most of what to look for. I agree with what you say to a point; this whole choice is down to personal preference and one person's opinion won't necessarily match the next.

I'd since decided on the Cube anyway; I keep changing my mind because I'm an old student and need to find a summer job before I can get a bike on finance. It's all the free time spent looking at bikes that's messing me up. However, the Cube is the best all-rounder so that's where I'm headed.

Thanks for playing the devil on my shoulder, though. It may have worked a few days ago.

night_porter

Moi? :twisted:

Just enjoy your bike it is the most important part of it all!

zzgavin

Thanks MattJPaul

I've been going through pretty much the same decision process at about the same budget, though trying to convince myself that I do/do not want to go all carbon and get the agree gtc pro.

I've been off my bike for 8 weeks now, with another four to come from a broken collar bone, ribs and punctured lung. So I know completely about going round in circles planning and not buying....

benno68

If I was in the market for an Alu frame bike at that sort of price, I'd be looking at the Cannondale CAAD10 - 105. Maybe £100 over budget and in need of a wheel upgrade in time but from what I've read it's the D's B's.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cannondale-caad10-3-first-ride-27905/

@zzgavin - I've got the GTC Race (last years) and love it. If you're not in a rush try to wait until September/October. I managed to save £450 buying from a well know website in the end of season sale.