Like most triathletes I decided it was time to get a new toy, but with a limited amount of cash its hard to buy new toys and that is when I came across Felt's 2010 S32.
I have always been a fan of Felt they provide good bikes with good components usually for cheaper than the competing brands. The S32 has an aluminum frame with a carbon fork. It comes with deep rim wheels and shimano 105 components not bad at around $1400. The next step up is the Felt B16 same components but carbon frame at around $2000.
I decided to go for the S32, mostly because it is more affordable and with the money I save by buying an aluminum frame I will be able to buy carbon aero bars or a better wheelset. The one thing I do not like very much about this bike is that the seat post is not carbon but that is also easy to solve since I just saved $600. The aero bars it comes with are nothing special but these are the same ones that come on the B16 as well. I guess what I am trying to say here is that I rather buy the aluminum bike and have carbon aero bars than buy the carbon bike and still have the same components and bars as the more expensive bike. What do you think?
What is the crankset you have on your S32? I thought the 2010 came with the new Shimano 105 Black crankset...
ReplyDeleteYeah thats what I thought too but when I got it from the shop it had this silver one as far as I can tell it is a Shimano FC-R550, Forged Aluminum. The Picture on the felt website is kind of missleading they have red accents on the seat tube and shifters and breaks that are not on the actual bike and the crank is different than in their pic. I also know from previous experience that this happens sometimes with bikes of all brands. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI just purchased the 2010 Felt and it is setup just as the Felt website, same components, but also the red accents and the red tires. I am looking forward to enjoying this bike.
ReplyDeletecan you tell me how is your felt s32...I am looking at one to buy, but the guy @ the shop is pushing for the carbon (B-14)...really like it but since I am starting to do the triathlon wanted to check what do you think of the aluminum frame vs the carbon frame....thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great bike! I love it I upgraded my handle bars to carbon with the money I saved from getting a carbon bike and it is really really smooth. great bike great price highly recommend it especially if you are just getting into triathlon you probably do not want to spend tons of money.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the great information. I am from Canada and I have been looking at buying either the Trek 2.1, the Giant Defy 1, or the Felt S32, they are all around $1550. I have still not decided, but I am buying next week as I need to start training for my first triathlon(s). The Trek does have a carbon seat post which is a bonus, but I am not sure about the handlebars. I'm finding this decision hard to make...
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