Felt F5

[cameramanjim]

There are some good deals around at the moment on the Felt F5 but the riding position looks a little too agressive for me. I was wondering if there is any way to adjust the bars to make them a little higher and the riding position less worisome for the back. I´m 54 and normally use a single speed Charge Plug which has a more relaxed riding position.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Depends how many spacers the stem can accomodate as supplied, and how much height you'd gain by flipping the stem. You could always replace the stem with a steeper one. The online pics always show the most aggressive set up - saddle high, no spacers, stem down - sexier that way!

 

[cameramanjim]

Depends how many spacers the stem can accomodate as supplied, and how much height you'd gain by flipping the stem. You could always replace the stem with a steeper one. The online pics always show the most aggressive set up - saddle high, no spacers, stem down - sexier that way!


Not with me on it it isn´t!

Thanks for that. I meant to ask if anyone has a Felt F5? For around a grand it seems like a good buy to me (a mere newbie). Was looking at Wilier but seems you have to pay more for the same spec. Both look great IMHO.

 

[jimboalee]

I wouldn't call that 'aggressive'. Looks pretty normal for a roadrace bike.

 

[accountantpete]

If you are looking at a road bike and want to save the back then just get a slightly larger frame - I'm 5' 9" and ride around on a 56cm frame with no problem although you may need a slightly shorter stem to compensate for the longer top tube.

Have a sit on a larger bike and see what you think.

Re the merits of the various bikes I don't think that (differing geometries apart ) there will be much between them in terms of quality.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I wouldn't call that 'aggressive'. Looks pretty normal for a roadrace bike.

- agreed - I only used the term as the OP did.

 

[tigger]

If you are looking at a road bike and want to save the back then just get a slightly larger frame - I'm 5' 9" and ride around on a 56cm frame with no problem although you may need a slightly shorter stem to compensate for the longer top tube.

Have a sit on a larger bike and see what you think.

I don't get that? Wouldn't a longer top tube stretch you out and make lower back pain worse? Sure it would help your neck but I don't get that.

And then getting a sorter stem would negate the longer top tube anyway. Example: 570mm top tube + 120mm stem = 690mm reach. 590mm top tube + 100mm stem = 690mm reach. The difference is only the steering/hamdling?

Am I missing something?

 

[InspireTheEmpathic]

I don't get that? Wouldn't a longer top tube stretch you out and make lower back pain worse? Sure it would help your neck but I don't get that.

And then getting a sorter stem would negate the longer top tube anyway. Example: 570mm top tube + 120mm stem = 690mm reach. 590mm top tube + 100mm stem = 690mm reach. The difference is only the steering/hamdling?

Am I missing something?

no that's pretty dead on. bigger bike equals much longer reach and you'll be stooped over. it'll destroy your back. technically the smaller the bike the better your back, so try the right size for you and shorten the stem, and try a size down...

 

[cameramanjim]

no that's pretty dead on. bigger bike equals much longer reach and you'll be stooped over. it'll destroy your back. technically the smaller the bike the better your back, so try the right size for you and shorten the stem, and try a size down...

Funny you should say that...I´m 6´3" and my Charge Plug is a medium. Suits me just fine and I´m working my mileage up, and so far the back seems to be getting stronger.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Isn't the idea that a bigger frame will have a longer headtube, thus giving higher bars for the same reach when a shorter stem is fitted?

 

[jimboalee]

If you're going to buy a roadrace bike, you should be accepting roadrace bike geometry.

The quickest method to find your framesize is to measure your Leg Length by subtracting Sitting height from standing height.

Take a tape measure or look on the bike manufacturer's website and find 'Stand over height'. This is the height above the ground to the top of the top tube where it meets the head tube.

Your Leg Length should be 40mm more than the standover height. All the other frame angles and dimensions, seat pin and stem will be suitable for your body size ( if you have average proportions for your leg length ).

For a more upright seating position, a stem with an angle will do the trick. You will have to make a guestimate of th enew stem reach as the handlebars should ideally move toward your eyes, not vertically upwards.

 

[cameramanjim]

If you're going to buy a roadrace bike, you should be accepting roadrace bike geometry.

The quickest method to find your framesize is to measure your Leg Length by subtracting Sitting height from standing height.

Right, I´m reaching for my tape measure!

 

[cameramanjim]

The quickest method to find your framesize is to measure your Leg Length by subtracting Sitting height from standing height.

I must be doing something wrong here as I´ve measured my standing height as 190 cms and my sitting height as 146 cms making my leg measurement by this method 44.5 cms.
But I measured my inside leg at around 86cms.

 

[gavintc]

I am 185cm and ride 56 and 57 cm bikes. I think you should be looking at 58 cm bikes.

 

[jimboalee]