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2015 Felt Mountain Bikes – Lighter High End, Cheaper Low End & Plenty in Between

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2015-Felt-Edict-FRD-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

For 2015, Felt’s mountain bikes don’t introduce any brand new models, but like the road side they bring their top level tech down to more affordable level while also spreading their TeXtreme carbon to more bikes. They’ve also added a few women’s specific hardtails, from a carbon 29er racer to alloy 27.5 entry level builds. At the very top end, there’s a new FRD Edict that’s built with top shelf components to be a lightweight, World Cup level full suspension XC race rocket. We’ll start with that.

The new Edict FRD takes advantage of their top level UHC carbon and adds TeXtreme with a build that’s an XC racer’s dream with an XX1 Grip Shift group turned by a Race Face NEXT SL crankset, RS-1 fork with Monarch XX using their X-Loc Full Spring dual-push lockout to control both. An Easton carbon fiber cockpit, including the EC90 stem, and Avid XX World Cup brakes with 180/160 rotors. The Edict is a 100mm travel bike, but for this model they set the RS-1 at 120mm travel to make the bike a bit more aggressive. It’s rolling on the Rise 60 carbon wheels with Schwalbe Nobby Nics tires.

2015-Felt-Edict-FRD-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

With some top-tier full suspension XC race bikes easily topping $10K these days, the Edict FRD’s $8,999 price tag seems almost reasonable considering the spec.

2015-Felt-Edict-FRD-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The Full Spring dual hydraulic lockout controls both fork and shock, though it did require an unusual shock mount:

2015-Felt-Edict-FRD-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The shock is mounted upside down to accommodate the lockout hose’s angle of entry. Production models should have the Rockshox logo decal applied so that it’s right side up.

2015-Felt-Edict-FRD-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

XX brakes save a few additional grams over the new Guides, and with 180mm rotors up front and 160mm in the back should provide more than enough power for XC and light trail riding.

Below the FRD, the Edict 1 also gains TeXtreme carbon mixed with their third tier UHC Performance to drop a bit of weight. Spec is Rockshox 100mm SID RL and Monarch RT, XO1 and XO disc brakes for $5,499. The Edict 3 loses the TeXtreme, switches to a Reba RL fork and Deore/XT mix for $3,199.

2015-Felt-Edict-5-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The carbon line drops all the way down to the Edict 5 (shown) with a full Deore build and Suntour Raidon fork for $2,599.

2015-Felt-Edict-5-XC-race-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The idea here was to offer high school league racers a top level frame that’s worth upgrading with parts spec that’ll keep them rolling until they can upgrade parts here and there. There’s also the Edict 60, their lone alloy version, for $1,799 with the same fork and basic build with the exception of using a triple crankset rather than 2×10.

The Edict line uses their Fast suspension platform, which is a pivot-free rear triangle that uses flex in the seat stays to allow for a lighter, stiffer rear end. At the top of the travel, the flex is helping to unweight the suspension, creating anti-pedal bob. Weighting the bike with rider sag puts it into a neutral position, which they say allows for a very supple yet efficient short travel suspension that doesn’t need as much (or any) platform built into the shock. For longer travel bikes, they use their Equilink design that connects the upper and lower linkages to control the curve and axle path.

2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike

The Virtue is their 130mm travel 29er all-mountain trail bike, and it gets a couple new models at the top of the range. For the money-is-no-object crowd, the new Virtue FRD that uses the TeXtreme material to drop significant weight while getting stiffer, too. How much weight? Keep reading…

2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike 2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike

The frame is a blend of their top level UHC Ultimate carbon with the TeXtreme woven added for strength and impact resistance. It’s available as a complete bike with 140mm Rockshox Pike RCT3, Monarch shock and Reverb Stealth, Shimano XTR group and Easton Haven Carbon wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires. Up front there’s an Easton EC90 carbon stem with Felt carbon handlebar. Complete bike is $9,499, also available as a frameset for $4,499.

2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike

They tweaked the cable/hose routing so it’ll work with Shimano’s new XTR Di2 group and dropper seatposts, providing two exit ports under the top tube – one for front derailleurs, the other for externally routed dropper posts.

2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike

 

Mechanics will be happy to note that their Equilink bikes use a standard threaded bottom bracket. Besides being Felt’s preference for it’s proven simplicity, they need it to work with their suspension design:

2015-Felt-Virtue-FRD-130mm-trail-29er-mountain-bike

 

The pivots sit very, very close to the BB, so there’s no room for a larger diameter bearing or opening.

Just below the FRD model is the Virtue 1, which drops down to their UHC Advanced carbon but still gets TeXtreme blended in to drop a full pound off the 2014 Virtue 1. offering a still very light frame that’s a bit more affordable at $5,999. Spec is 140mm Rockshox Revelation RLT, SRAM XO1 group with SRAM Guide brakes, Easton Haven Alloy wheels and Reverb Stealth. You can also get this version as a frameset for $3,499. What’s even more impressive about the frame weight improvement is that the FRD sheds another 100g off this!

Continuing on is a Virtue 3 with their UHC Performance carbon frame, Rockshox Sektor Gold fork, an XT/Deore mix and WTB Speed Disc i23 wheels for $3,499. Two alloy models with double butted 6061 metal carry over, with the Virtue 50 getting the same build as the Virtue 3 for $2,399 and the Virtue 60 using a Suntour Aion LO-R fork, Deore group and basic alloy wheels for $1,999.

2015-Felt-Compulsion-30-enduro-alloy-650B-mountain-bike

Moving up in travel and down in wheel size is the new Compulsion, a 160mm travel bike using the same Equilink suspension design as the Virtue. It’s a 27.5” (650B) platform that was formally introduced at Sea Otter and now gets official as a three-model line. They’re all using a 6061 double butted alloy frame with a standard 73mm threaded BB and tapered head tube. The top level Compulsion 10 (blue, shown at Sea Otter) gets a Rockshox Pike RC fork and Monarch RC3, Race Face Turbine crankset and SRAM XO1 group, Guide brakes and KS LEV dropper post. WTB KOM rims on Novatec hubs with Schwalbe Hans Dampf tires round things out. Retail is $4,499.

2015-Felt-Compulsion-30-enduro-alloy-650B-mountain-bike

Below it, the Compulsion 30 (shown here) keeps the Pike fork, drops to a Monarch RT shock, Deore/XT mix with SLX brakes and KS Drop Zone dropper post for $3,299.

2015-Felt-Compulsion-30-enduro-alloy-650B-mountain-bike

2015-Felt-Compulsion-30-enduro-alloy-650B-mountain-bike 2015-Felt-Compulsion-30-enduro-alloy-650B-mountain-bike

Next down is the Compulsion 50 that switches to an Suntour Aion RL-R 160mm travel fork, Felt alloy handlebar, Deore/XT mix with Shimano’s M506 hydraulic disc brakes and KS Drop Zone (w/o remote) for $2,699.

They are working on a carbon fiber model, but wanted to prove the concept with the alloy bikes and get consumer feedback before bringing out the top end that needs very expensive molds. Plus, they wanted to start with something that anyone could afford.

2015-Felt-Nine-6-W-womens-hardtail-mountain-bike

The Nine hardtail gets a few refinements, namely the move to 142×12 rear axles and post mount rear brakes. The NINE 1 level gets a lighter frame with the addition of TeXtreme, and all frames down to the “3” level get revised cable routing and ports to work with Shimano XTR Di2.

The top level Nine FRD frameset (which remains a frameset only) has used their TeXtreme for a while, so the news here is the trickle down to the Nine 1, which blends it with UHC Advanced carbon to save grams over last year’s frame. Retail on that race rocket is $4,999. The other news is the growth of the Nine carbon lineup down to a Nine 6 with price of just $1,499. It’s the same UHC Performance carbon frame as the 3 and 5 models, but achieves the low price point thanks to spec like Sunrace chain and cassette, Tektro Auriga hydraulic brakes, Shimano Alivio 3×9 group and basic alloy cockpit.

2015-Felt-Nine-6-W-womens-hardtail-mountain-bike

2015-Felt-Nine-6-W-womens-hardtail-mountain-bike

On all the Nine frames, they run all the way down to a 14” frame size, so they’ve had one to fit most anyone. But, for 2015, there’s a women’s specific built and colorway (shown), running a different saddle, shorter stem and narrower handlebar. The color is a sweet matte black with fuchsia highlights and color matched grip and accessory color hits.

2015-Felt-7-Sixty-womens-650B-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike

The Seven is their alloy 27.5 (650B) hardtail line, and it gets two new women’s specific builds, too.

2015-Felt-7-Sixty-womens-650B-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike 2015-Felt-7-Sixty-womens-650B-alloy-hardtail-mountain-bike

Stay tuned for 2015 Road, Cyclocross, Triathlon and more.

FeltBicycles.com

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His Highness Lord Wrinkletits
His Highness Lord Wrinkletits
9 years ago

I say. Quite the impressive line up. I say. I say.

But I must also wonder, where are the frames made? Are they of a domestic provenance? Or do they arrive via the high seas?

Dr. Sartorious
Dr. Sartorious
9 years ago

@His Highness

Does the answer to that question even matter anymore, what with the global supply chain web? Are you really being patriotic by buying an “American-made” bike whose components are all made across said high seas?

Buy an American frame, then build it up with Made In USA components. Good luck with that, by the way.

NASH
NASH
9 years ago

That pivot would need to be removed before a bottom bracket bearing change, could have left room for a tool to fit the bearing cups.

Ve
Ve
9 years ago

With an open cup bb wrench there should be plenty of room without removing the pivot.

Peter
Peter
9 years ago

@NASH, no it doesn’t you can get a TLFC32 on there no problem.

FBCanada
9 years ago

There is an open ended tool for BB cup removal. You would not have to remove that pivot. The park Tool would not work on this but there are others.

brattercakes
brattercakes
9 years ago

Good job, Felt. They look great.

badbikemechanicx
badbikemechanicx
9 years ago

2015 continues to be a great year for new mountain bikes, while a mediocre year for road. I am digging the felt this time around.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
9 years ago

The BB cup access doesn’t worry me but the rear brake hose routing on the Virtue scares me because I can see all sorts of scenarios where it gets snagged or pinched and the same applies to the Compulsion. I also miss the red anodized Equilinks that gave the bikes a touch of color and emphasized the distinctive suspension design.

Jim
Jim
9 years ago

Anyone else notice the complete lack of rear tire clearance on that Virtue FRD? Check out the close up pic of the BB where the pivots are shown.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@ dr sartorious. Yes it does matter to some. to build a 100% made complete bike really isn’t the point, because anyone a little educated knows that isn’t possible.

Anyone who buys any premium high end hard tail (f/s gets a little more tricky) frame in a certain price point of any bike discipline made in asia, (IMO) is a fool. when there are sooooooo many custom frame builders and materials. a custom bike designed around a person is something that must be experienced. I’m custom US made frames all day everyday.

Wut.
Wut.
9 years ago

@K11 I believe you’d be hard-pressed to build a complete bike with a custom frame from a US builder for the same price as a major manufacturer offers a bike with the same components for, not to mention within the same time frame. Not everyone has the time or money to take advantage of a custom build, or is willing to sacrifice component quality for frame quality.

Wut.
Wut.
9 years ago

@K11 Placing values on different things doesn’t make them a fool, any more than it makes you one.

Personally, I like *riding* bikes more than I like *having* a particular one. So if the choice is between waiting 4-6 weeks for a custom US-made frame or riding an Asian-made bike today, I can hardly fault anyone for the latter.

AbelF
AbelF
9 years ago

These look like winner bikes from Felt. Definitely a brand I will consider for my next purchase. Good job sticking to threaded bbs!

Frippolini
Frippolini
9 years ago

@ Dr. Sartorious,

So for you it does not matter if your stuff is made in North America or North Korea?
It doesn’t matter to you if the bike comes off stolen technology, child labour, shady business practices, criminally run state, etc.?
It doesn’t matter if the country has a high adherence to quality standards of products, production, business ethics, human rights, etc., just as long as the marketing ads for the product are glossy and sexy and the price is right – correct? In other words following your reasoning: what’s the point of trying to buy something good when the economy and forces of interests are global – correct?
Buy what you want, from wherever you want it; but please don’t try to spread your victimized “no point in choosing, no point in trying” attitude to others. Thanks.

Wut.
9 years ago

North Korea? Really?

AbelF
AbelF
9 years ago

Chill out guys, the bikes are made in Taiwan with well paid labor, good conditions and adherence to rigurous quality standards. I bet they even have dental. Dont make stuff up just to make foreign bike manufacturers look like the devil. Yes, some stuff is made with sub standard conditions for the workers but that is not the case for bike frame manufacturers in Taiwan. The quality of bike frames has never been this good. They really have the science down.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@Wut. patience, danielson.

@frippolini. finally someone on my side

@abelF. could care less about how the workers are treated, or i am NOT saying that the materials/methods they use are always inferior, that is not the point. think arts and crafts movement. (google it, read AND comprehend it, then you may understand my point of view.)

AbelF
AbelF
9 years ago

@K11
“Anyone who buys any premium high end hard tail (f/s gets a little more tricky) frame in a certain price point of any bike discipline made in asia, (IMO) is a fool.”

The second you spit out a statement like that, the joke is on you. You might prefer a custom frame at a certain pricepoint and you might have your own valid personal reasons for it, but dont expect everyone to think alike or abide by your views on life. Just like there are some good reasons to buy a US made frame, there are many more to buy a frame made somewhere else. More so if you dont even live in the United States.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@abelF. the reason i HAD to put the part about a certain price point is that in the past i was attacked with comments about huge price differences on US made, let alone, custom US frame builders and so on. So…really “the joke is on you” as you put it, really isn’t. it is sadly just your take on what i said. bro

(don’t think you get the arts and crafts idea of the artist and craftsman being the same person)

Wut.
9 years ago

@abelF NO the US is the only place on EARTH. Only WE do EVERYTHING well and all other places are INFERIOR.

HA

@K11 Seriously though, my issue isn’t with your preference for US custom bikes, it’s with your notion that those who don’t share that preferences are fools. That’s silly.

Antipodean_G
9 years ago

Frames made in Taiwan are as good as any made anywhere. I have walked the floors of some of the biggest suppliers in Taiwan and there is nothing shady or shonky going on there. Top quality all the way through and staffed by well paid people to do a good job.

If you are comparing buying a frame made in the US, by a custom builder, against buying a made in ‘where ever’ frame, then clearly buying a custom frame is not for you – the two can not be compared and people buy custom for a wide range of reasons, none of which are price point.

Currently all three of my bikes are made in Taiwan and they all make me smile. My next will be made in the US by a custom builder and it too will make me smile but for very different reasons.

Trying to compare production frames with custom frames is like trying to compare a loaf of factory made, supermarket, white bread against one made by a local artisan baker. There’s a place for both but the mechanics and reasons of each are very, very different.

Dude
Dude
9 years ago

K11 Clearly showcasing the level of education he has attained. No offense pal, but if everyone was willing to pay the extra dough for a handbuilt U.S. frame then we would have thousands upon thousands of angry customers waiting for their frames due to such demand. AAANNNNND that would of course drive the prices even higher. I’m personally very satisfied with my current batch of handmade Giant bicycles (from well run facilities in Taiwan I might add) but still lust over a U.S. built frame at some point. Thanks for calling most of us fools though, really makes me proud to be a part of a community with such great understanding of others needs and such a vast knowledge of global economics. But hey, Fluidforming alloy and building molds for carbon is soooo cheap. Oh yeah, great looking bikes Felt. keep it up. Haters gonna troll.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@antipodean G. i agree with your first paragraph. Disagree with 2nd. Can’t argue the 3rd. The last paragraph makes zero sense if you read and comprehend what i am saying. i am saying spending $2000-to lets say $3500 on an asian made high end carbon frame vs stepping into a wide variety of custom builders using all different materials (even carbon) and have the artist/designer ALSO be the craftsman, just don’t understand why folks gravitate to this “stuff” Is it their tour heros ride this so it is for me??

Frippolini
Frippolini
9 years ago

@ AbelF

I was polarizing to prove my point; I hope you understand.

I’m quite sure the Felt company is producing everything right and that their bikes and staff all feel and run swell and well. In fact, considering how Felt has grown the last couple of years this should clearly be proof of their quality/features/price-point offering.

Personally I work in an industry and compete in a market where quality and “correctly” produced products have to compete on daily basis with products made in a “shady” country using “shady” business practices. Being marked after some time facing customers who’s attitude are “quality in production methods does not matter as long as the price is right” and not understanding the consequences of financially supporting a country who’s industry is plagued by e.g. child-labor; has its price on how you see the world but also enlightens one to understand that you always have a choice.

@ Felt company: I apologize for contributing bringing the comments off the topic from your bikes. Your bikes looks great and I’ll go and have a look at them in the shops when they will be available.

Wut.
9 years ago

@K11, again you bring up cost which is really what is in play here. So tell me, the complete carbon hardtail referenced in this story retails for $5000. Do you really believe that a person could build a custom US-made bike for that same cost, with the same spec?

Because here’s the thing, I just Googled “custom carbon mountain bike frame” and the first two results were Appleman and Kirklee. Appleman lists no prices, but notes that you give him a non-refundable $1000 deposit to secure your place in line. Kirklee’s base 29er frame is $5800.

If you cannot see why these things are not accessible to everyone then you’re the fool. You may believe that you are perfectly logical, but what people hear is “why doesn’t everyone just spend more money, it’s foolish not to” and that makes you sound like an ignorant, arrogant, rich a**hole.

[Bike Rumor editors: I know, of course, that I’ve crossed the line, though I would argue that I’m merely saying what he sounds like. I don’t know him, and am not calling him an a**hole. I think that the world could be a better place if we are permitted to let people know how they are being perceived. But if you’re going to delete, please only delete the last part. The rest is still valid.]

Wut.
9 years ago

@K11, In your response, please specifically reference 1-3 US-custom builders providing a frame that could be used to build a complete bike within the price point being discussed.

K11
K11
9 years ago

my point is to get more riders really exploring what they can get (their options) WHEN SPENDING LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.

i never said the asian made carbon is bad, just there are options out there that in many cases would provide individual riders with a better feeling bike, than just going after an “in bike” carbon being made out to be the latest and greatest in tech, which may or may not be true, depending on who one talks to.

There is so much more than just a custom frame size fit. modern tubes have all sorts options of how they are drawn and butted, that a metal frame is more than just pipes welded into triangles. the frame can be tuned to specific rider weight, riding style, terrain, certain sections can also be made to give the ride a certain feel. Many would argue that high end carbon does the same, which is 100% true if one falls into the idea weight and height catagory that certain frame sizes where designed. But there are a number of riders that may be ultra light weight or extra heavy at a certain height, then these factory tuned frames are not providing the performance benefit to those riders. And not to mention all the other advantages, like preference in bb style options, different cable configurations, less important features (but not unimportant) like A LOT of bottle mounts, no bottle mounts, and the list goes on and on…

Example: F FRD Felt frameset @ $4000, one is better off spending that $4000 grand on a custom framset of a different material, IMO. (S-work framesets jump into even a higher price) Plus it is proudly made by craftsman in the USA or what ever other country has custom frame builders- Festka, troica are a couple examples) i said my 2 cents.

Wut.
9 years ago

Fair enough, but I still think you’re talking about two different price points. The Felt may be $4000, but the Kirklee is still almost $2000 more than that. Chances are the average guy who is buying a Felt, and stoked about it, probably can barely afford that. So another $2000 isn’t no big deal just because both are large amounts of money.

Again, all your points are fine and dandy, and great arguments for going custom. But you still haven’t proved a person foolish for choosing something else.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@wut. I was saying to go with a different frame material in the $4000 price range or maybe a mix with some carbon elements. Agreed, there would not be a full carbon custom from any frame builder at $4000. and myself included +$2000 grand to “get there” is kind of unreasonable. I myself feel that carbon isn’t always the best, most premium, most advanced, most performance packed material. that’s all. (not saying that you do)

I am back tracking here, but i should have not used the term “fools” in my original statement and i was wrong for doing so. Not as an excuse, but it stems from MY personal annoyance of what has happened to not only the bike industry but other industries as well, with PREMIUM products that may have at one time been crafted/homegrown, now being made overseas for a multitude of reasons, minus the desire to passionately manufacture it in house. (even if the quality is identical.) IMO sad 🙁

Ree
Ree
9 years ago

Very classy looking all around. Nice colours. Would have been nice with a spec overview table to compare the models easier.

Wut.
9 years ago

@K11 There’s still a staggering amount of expertise and work—engineering and design and otherwise—poured into these bikes from Felt, and the bikes from other brands like them. I don’t fault any of them for choosing to manufacturer elsewhere, when that often means a better product than they could produce themselves.

It’s actually sort of noble, if you think about it, to say, “these guys can do it better than I could,” and trust your name and well being to someone else. It’s honest. It also has the added benefit of allowing them to reach more people, both in volume and pricing.

I’m going to make an unpopular statement here, but I think it is awfully rare for a US builder to excel in all aspects of the process. There just aren’t that many guys (or girls) out there that possess the ability to design, innovate and craft the product all at the highest level of quality. So what you end up with, is a product that is unmistakeably handmade, which is what a lot of people—like you, and me believe it or not—are after. Nuance.

But a lot of people don’t want nuance. They want the $4000 hunk of material they just bought to be PERFECT. And while there’s no shortage of US builders, I don’t think that many of them are capable of that.

The other thing you may end up with, is that a builder may outsource parts of the process to another person, sometimes without disclosing that. Another guy might prep the tubes, or weld the damn thing. Funny thing is, that probably makes it a better product.

tim
tim
9 years ago

Is that a 14″ or 16″ Nine frame on the picture?

t
t
9 years ago

Is that a 14″ or a 16″ frame of the Nine?

DG
DG
9 years ago

@k11
Check your underwear dude. Where’s it made?

Mark Kelner
Mark Kelner
4 years ago

I was given a Felt bike from my brothers estate , can you please tell me how to tell which model it is ? Is it printed on the bike ?

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