Which of these 2 would you buy?

[line71]

Hi
I have my mind on buying one of these bikes(links below) as there are significant reductions and i have set my heart on a carbon frame and 105 groupset and they both fit my budget
I favoured the Felt F5 but noticed the Ridley orion is very much cheaper but i dont know a great deal about it due to lack of reviews
They both appear very similar bikes,i would appreciate any advice as either one will be my first foray into carbon and a higher groupset,i have limited finances and want to make the right decision
many thanks for any help

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-105-2013/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-orion-105-special-edition-2013/

 

[Cyclist33]

Better to get a bike direct from your local bike shop if you're budgeting as good as 105 and carbon.

Where are you based?

 

[line71]

Thanks,im in S Wales
I chose the 2 models above due to the large reductions in price and they meet the criteria of the bike i want
Unfortuneatly my local bike shops do not offer these sort of sale prices for the quality im after or the frame size i need
i really want to get an end of year 2013 bike as opposed to a full price 2014 model due to the big savings still on offer,it just makes sense to try and grab one of these bikes before they go in the next couple of months and i have to wait till November to get a bargain again

 

[Kbrook]

I bought the Felt z5 through Wiggle. Arrived the following day well set up and I love it. Remember if you buy it to sign up for newsletter for £5 off and go through quidco for an extra £30 or so pounds off. Think its just the geometry on this thats different, mines more for old codgers like me, exactly the same coulour as mine.

 

[SteCenturion]

O.k chap.

Here's the scoop (kinda).

I looked at both & although advertised as both having 105 groupsets, they actually both have a mixed group.
This is often the case at certain price points & with many brands.
You in fact get the gears & shifters only in Shimano 105 - everything else is own brand or leaning more towards budget spec - so chainset/cranks - brakes, cassette & chain supplied lower spec by in house brand or lower tier Shimano.

This isn't a massive issue as long as your not expecting the full set & don't feel a bit let down.

Both brands are very well respected & should give you a lot of enjoyment without any major hassles.

I noticed while reading the spec sheets of both bikes that the Warranty for the Felt was 1 year (frame/forks/parts) & 5 years (in one column ?) & 3 years in another for the Ridley frame/forks (1yr parts) this needs checking directly with Wiggle but the Ridley in any case has a much better warranty.

Also & (sorry to go on) but...
I checked the frame sizes recommended for Ridley (in centimetres) & then used a converter website to get my size (this was quite confusing) it suggested a large for my height 6ft (actually 6 - 7/16 converted) with a top tube of 58.5 & an inside leg of between 35-36 inch.
Gobsmacked.

I have a 33' leg so wouldn't get anywhere near a large.

I didn't see anywhere that suggested these were minimum or maximum measurements (but then I am looking off my phone & on a moving bus).

So sizing is really important - phone Wiggle & double check - it might save that wrong bike size hassle later.

 

[line71]

Ok,thats really interesting,i have been worried about the Ridley Orion as there isnt a great deal of information on sizing or customer reviews
It is now 930 pounds which is nearly 300 cheaper than the Felt F5 which is why i am giving serious consideration to buying it

I am about 6'1' and the sizing states a large would be for a height of 184cm
I will contact Wiggle to establish some clarity on the sizing,it looks a nice bike but with so little feedback from customers online i am apprehensive about purchasing it
I have a window of a couple of months where i can buy one of them while my finances allow and want to be 100% sure i will not be making a big mistake
Thanks for the advice

 

[SteCenturion]

Ok,thats really interesting,i have been worried about the Ridley Orion as there isnt a great deal of information on sizing or customer reviews
It is now 930 pounds which is nearly 300 cheaper than the Felt F5 which is why i am giving serious consideration to buying it

I am about 6'1' and the sizing states a large would be for a height of 184cm
I will contact Wiggle to establish some clarity on the sizing,it looks a nice bike but with so little feedback from customers online i am apprehensive about purchasing it
I have a window of a couple of months where i can buy one of them while my finances allow and want to be 100% sure i will not be making a big mistake
Thanks for the advice

Hi again line71.

Yes - definitely it is worth the phone call to Wiggle to clarify - you could also get the warranty info confirmed as it seems much better than a lot of other brands including the Felt.

FWIW - Ridley as a brand are very well respected across our European neighbour countries & here too by those in the know.

As with all brands - you have to pay a King's ransom to get the best carbon & groupset in the range (nothing new there).

The good news for yourself, buying a previous year model is the savings & so you can then afford to upgrade parts as they wear out.

Your chain, cassette, tyres & tubes will be the 1st things to wear out & small upgrades when replacing will make a bigger difference eventually & shouldn't cost a fortune.

Have you looked at any 2013 Cube bikes ?
Very highly specced for the money & have quite a big following on here.
Just another option.

Sure you will pick the right bike for you in the end.

 

[line71]

Hi Ste
Thanks for the invaluable advice,its a coincidence but i have been looking into the Cube range since i posted my query here
Ive decided not to bother with the Ridley or Felt now,ive been looking at the Cube Agree and Pelaton Race models from last year which i really like
Im not too bothered about a carbon frame now as long as i get a decent Aluminium with a higher grade groupset
Unfortuneatley i need a 60cm frame in the Cube range and most of 2013 models are sold out so i may have to get a 2014 model
I have my eye on Ebay and Gumtree for any used Cubes,ive seen a 60cm Cube Attempt from 2011 which im keeping my eye on,it has a full 105 groupset so i hope i'll have some luck
Thanks for the advice

 

[musa]

with ridley go a size down
so where im a 54 on felt its equivalent for ridley is a small

ridley finishing is hit and miss and can be dreadful to sort out...lets just say i wouldnt be in a rush to buy a ridley and i see them daily where i work....the felt is much lovely bike all round

 

[musa]

consider a trek madone 2.1 full 105 for a grand or so

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi again 71.

The 2014 Cube Peloton Race is my next purchase come spring/summer.
Gonna do thia on C2W scheme for the savings against tax & n.i contributions.

Quite a few have recently bought or own Cube Pelotons or the carbon Agree & have posted their thoughts on CC recently.

Only snoberry would make cabon absolutely essential.
I do own a carbon bike but only cause the deal was too good to miss.
An excellent alloy/steel frame would almost certainly be better than a mediocre carbon frame anyway & it crashes better.