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Felt Introduces All new Virtue 9, Longer Legs in Equilink 29

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Felt 2014 Launch080613_0970

As one of the standouts from Felt’s 2014 presentation (at least one we can talk about at this point), the all new Virtue 29 looks to be a welcome addition to Felt’s mountain bike line up. With their previous 29er full suspension models topping out at the Edict 9, the Virtue offers a trail worthy longer travel big wheeler, ready for the dirt.

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The Virtue will be offered in 5 models total, 2 carbon models and 3 alloy versions. The dedicated 130mm travel Virtue 9 is based around a 140mm fork, and carries 450mm long chainstays with a 69º head angle. All cable and housing is internal through the front triangle with the exception of the rear brake.

Carbon Virtue 9 frames us Felt’s UHC Advanced carbon fiber for the top end Nine1 and UHC Performance for the Nine3.

Felt 2014 Launch080613_0979 Felt 2014 Launch080613_0974

This includes dropper posts with an internal option for non-stealth posts as well as accommodations for stealth posts as well. Bottom bracket is a standard threaded unit, while the headset is a 1 1/8″ to 1.5″ tapered.

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In order to make room for the 29″ wheels, a front derailleur, and the Equilink system, the Virtue 9 uses a Shimano high direct mount front derailleur standard. Edict 9s are now using a Low Direct mount because of the difference in suspension. Like most of the other full suspension bikes, the pivot hardware has been beefed up dramatically with large diameter aluminum hardware and bigger pivot axles.

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Rear brake on the Virtue is 160mm Post mount on the seat stay, that sits above the Syntace X-12 style 142mm axle. On the Virtue a DT Swiss axle is used.

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The carbon bikes take advantage of Felt’s FAST (Felt Active Stay Technology) seat stays which flex and prevent the need for an additional pivot. Unlike other SDL bikes, the distance between the upper and lower rear swingarm mounts actually changes resulting in the need for a pivot or flexible stays.

Felt claims the top model Virtue 9 carbon frame with shock weighs 5lbs or about 2267g. The carbon models will retail for $6199 for the Nine1 and $4149 for the Nine3.

Felt 2014 Launch080613_0966

The top end alloy Nine20 uses a 6061 double butted aluminum frame with the same 130mm of travel, as do the Nine50 and Nine60. Built to a high spec, the Nine20 feature a RockShox Revelation, full XT 2×10 drivetrain and brakes, and a KS LEV dropper post with DT Swiss wheels. $3799.

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The Virtue Nine50 drops things down to a Sektor Silver fork, Shimano SLX/Deore drivetrain with Avid DB-1 brakes, and a KS e-Ten dropper post and WTB Speed Disc wheels. $2799.

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As mentioned, since the aluminum can’t flex like carbon, the alloy models have an additional pivot at the rear just above the dropout. New for 2014 are dual row cartridge bearings for pivots like these, that replace DU bushings used in the past.

Not pictured are the Nine60 which will retail for $2199, and the Nine1 frameset for $3499. Availability is set for November for the alloy models, and hopefully by the end of the year for the carbon bikes. Sizing will be set at 16,  18, 20, and 22″ frames.

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JC
JC
10 years ago

Just love it.

Ck
Ck
10 years ago

Avid DB-1 Brakes? I take it that’s a new product for 2014 to start phasing out the Elixir lineup? Curious to see if they can repair the damage done to the reputation of Avid brakes.

Catch Any
Catch Any
10 years ago

so all Avid brakes have a ‘bad reputation’ then. Stupid comment…Try something constructive next time and don’t ‘trash’ all of the brand’s products.

Fabricio
Fabricio
10 years ago

DB-1 is the new serie of Avid Brakes but what I see is a new caliper design, the rest is taperbore technology inside the levers…. Let´s see how they perform. I just had problem with my Avid V1 Elixir, the last X0 set are very good compared to my first set of brakes. The best of Avid over Shimano IMO is that if any happen or if you are a wrench guy, you can open, repair o made some maintenance all over the system, Shimano doesn´t allow you because even diagrams are top secret and no spares are sold to customers, so you need to send them back to them for maintenance or if warranty before 3 years, after that you ahs to pay for repairs that maybe you can do by yourself if had the kits. Overall the Shimano also are great performers and powerful as any brakes in their level.

Jamie
Jamie
10 years ago

Fabricio

For Shimano spares info check the website below:
http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp

If it is for older parts, then check this website also:
http://www.paul-lange.de/service/Support/Shimano/Explosionszeichnungen/index.php

For purchasing Shimano spares check out this website:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/

Sardinian Rider
Sardinian Rider
10 years ago

Is it me or it’s a Rockshox forks smorgasbord for 2014 ?

JOEP
JOEP
10 years ago

Sardinian, its not just you. They are hitting it hard and that new Pike is pretty sweet. Like the fact that almost every fork maker is putting out an incredible amount of new models and hitting the market with lots of competition. Competition is good.

Big Cow
10 years ago

what the hell is SDL

Big Cow
10 years ago

12 bearings and a flexing seatstay, or 14 bearings on alloy. no thanks

big wheelie
big wheelie
10 years ago

Hey Catch any, that comment didn’t ‘trash’ Avid brakes but they did earn the reputation. When a shop mechanic makes the comment that “The biggest problem we have in the entire repair shop is Avid brakes” it doesn’t leave a lot of room for interpretation, and I’ve heard that from 2 shops. Bit reactionary on your part.

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