I got my first bike when I was a freshman in college. It was a 2013 Trek Lexa with 8-speed claris components. I then upgraded to a 2013 Felt B16W triathlon bike, with 10-speed ultegra components, and I love that bike. Now, I like my Madone and my Domane, but I love my triathlon bike, and I think that love has helped me begin to start training more again. The only thing I don’t love about the bike is the rim brakes, so I decided it was finally time for a new bike, and while I wanted to wait for a disc brake speed concept, with covid and supply issues, I knew the likelihood of finding exactly what I wanted from Trek or Liv was unlikely, so I looked around online and found a 2020 Felt IA Advanced with disc brakes that was new and never ridden from The Pro’s Closet.
The only problem with this bike is the mechanical shifting, because when I did Ironman Louisville in 2016 I found I would love shifting on the base bars. So, like any good bicycle mechanic, I decided to buy the bike, sell the parts, and I am going to replace them with Force eTap AXS components, except the brakes, because hydraulic brakes are expensive, and I prefer TRP or Shimano hydraulic brakes that use mineral oil. I may still swap to the Sram in the end, only because of base bar shifter compatibility.
This build so far has been interesting. The Pro’s Closet did an excellent job packing the bike, but I honestly wish none of the cables were installed, because it would make taking it apart easier for me, but I know most customers probably aren’t taking the bike apart entirely. I have some Allen keys and a set of cable cutters at home, so I was able to disconnect everything myself, but it was a pain to have to take the cables out. I also borrowed the remaining tools I needed from the shop and returned them the next day while they were closed, so no one was missing the bottom bracket tool or the little star tool you use to remove Shimano cranks.
The other difficult part of working on this bike is the seat post. It is very wide and requires a special adapter to fit in a work stand, so I have been leaving it on the floor for most things, except installing the front brake, where I set the frame in the stand, but did not clamp it. Since I am going with eTap, I don’t anticipate too much need for a stand, especially since I already removed the bottom bracket while sitting on my living room floor. The bottom bracket removal made me very nervous. The IA has an English threaded bottom bracket, so first I double checked which direction it threaded in, because I am always confused by it, and then I had to take my bottom bracket tool and rubber mallet to actually remove it. In the end I was very proud of myself for getting this done at home without a proper stand.
I like my older Felt a lot, so I am hoping for a similar fit when I get around to making adjustments, but it will probably be a while. I have the Blip Box on backorder from Sram, and it will not be in stock until September, and I have wheels on backorder that are not available until January 2022. The remaining parts will come in between now and the end of July, so I am going to hold off on doing much until I can get further along, and I will post progress as the bike comes together.