Felt mountain bikes for 2015

Felt mountain bikes for 2015

All-new Compulsion enduro bike, revamped Virtue trail 29er, and more

The Compulsion 10 is Felt's top-end all-mountain/enduro offering for 2015, featuring 27.5in wheels, 160mm of travel, and a burly build kit that includes a SRAM XO1 transmission, RockShox Pike fork, and RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper seatpost

James Huang / Immediate Media

James Huang

Published: July 28, 2014 at 10:29 pm
The Compulsion 10 is Felt's top-end all-mountain/enduro offering for 2015, featuring 27.5in wheels, 160mm of travel, and a burly build kit that includes a SRAM XO1 transmission, RockShox Pike fork, and RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper seatpost - James Huang / Immediate Media
The Equilink hardware on the 2015 Felt Compulsion 10 looks fantastic in this monochromatic paint scheme - James Huang / Immediate Media
Tire clearance on the Felt Compulsion 10 looks rather tight with the stock Schwalbe Rock Razor tread - James Huang / Immediate Media
While carbon framed Equilink bikes can make do with some tuned flex in the stays, aluminum frames require a mechanical pivot to accommodate the change in geometry as the rear end moves through its travel - James Huang / Immediate Media
Felt will outfit both the top-end Compulsion and this second-tier model with RockShox's superb Pike fork - Felt Bicycles
The new Felt Compulsion 50 looks like it'll pack a heap of fun into its 160mm-travel, 27.5in-wheeled package for US$2,699 - Felt Bicycles
The new Felt Virtue 1 gets a TexTreme carbon upgrade this year that drops about 200g. Cable routing is also more refined than before plus buyers will get SRAM's excellent XO1 1x11 drivetrain - James Huang / Immediate Media
Felt's Equilink six-bar suspension system may be difficult for many to grasp but the takeaway is that it allows the frame designers to independently tune the anti-squat and wheel path characteristics - James Huang / Immediate Media
Cable routing on carbon Virtue frames is tidier than before - James Huang / Immediate Media
The stays on carbon Virtue frames change angle slightly relative to each other as the suspension moves through its travel but there's enough flex in the carbon structure to account for it - James Huang / Immediate Media
Felt has revamped the versatile Virtue 29er trail bike, lopping off about 200g while also cleaning up the cable routing. Carrying over its Felt's trademark Equilink six-bar rear suspension system - Felt Bicycles
US$3,499 will get you the new Felt Virtue 3, complete with 29in wheels, 130mm of travel, a UHC Performace carbon frame, a KS dropper post, and a Shimano Deore/Deore XT build kit - Felt Bicycles
Riders seeking a 130mm-travel 29er trail bike that prefer the durability an economy of aluminum can look to the Felt Virtue 50 - Felt Bicycles
The Virtue 60 is Felt's least expensive 29er trail bike at US$1,999. It comes with a 3x10 drivetrain but Felt would argue that riders at this level might prefer the extra-wide range - Felt Bicycles
Felt's full-suspension race rocket for 2015 is the 100mm-travel carbon fiber Edict FRD, which comes with RockShox's new RS-1 inverted fork - James Huang / Immediate Media
Felt passes over its usual Equilink six-bar suspension design for the cross-country Edict, instead using a simpler and lighter modified single-pivot setup called FAST - James Huang / Immediate Media
While the aftermarket price for the new RockShox RS-1 is astronomically high, it's a much easier pill to swallow as part of a complete bike - James Huang / Immediate Media
The RockShox RS-1 fork on Felt's 2015 Edict FRD is paired with a set of SRAM carbon fiber wheels - James Huang / Immediate Media
Felt gives the Edict 1 the TexTreme carbon fiber treatment for 2015, which should help shed a few grams as compared to the 2014 model - Felt Bicycles
The 2015 Felt Edict 3 pairs a 100mm-travel UHC Performance carbon frame with a value-minded build kit that includes a Shimano Deore/XT drivetrain, WTB Speed Disc wheels, and a RockShox Reba RL fork - Felt Bicycles
The Edict 5 is the least expensive carbon option in Felt's 100mm-travel cross-country category. Cost cutting measures include a Suntour Raidon fork and a Shimano Deore drivetrain - Felt Bicycles
Prefer aluminum for your full-suspension XC ride? The Felt Edict 60 is built with a hydroformed and double-butted 7005 alloy frame - Felt Bicycles
Felt has given the Nine carbon hardtails a mild facelift with new thru-axle rear dropouts and upgraded internal routing options for 2015 - Felt Bicycles
While the 2015 Nine 3 carbon hardtail comes with a mechanical drivetrain, the updated frame is now compatible with Shimano's new Di2 electronic systems - Felt Bicycles
The 2015 Felt Nine 5 carbon hardtail is a prime option for future upgrading, boasting the same frame as the better-equipped Nine 3 but with a more cost conscious build kit - Felt Bicycles
The new 2015 Felt Nine 6 lets buyers get into a carbon 29er hardtail for just US$1,499 - Felt Bicycles
Felt also offers the Nine carbon hardtail in a women's version, molded with the same geometry but a specific build kit - Felt Bicycles
Felt's top-end aluminum 29er hardtail for 2015 is the Nine 60, which is built around a double-butted and hydroformed 6061 alloy frame - Felt Bicycles
The 2015 Felt Nine 70 sports a hydroformed, single-butted aluminum frame and a very price-conscious build kit for US$749 - Felt Bicycles
Looking to hit the trails on a budget? The Felt Nine 80 costs just US$619 - Felt Bicycles

We've already shown you the highlights of Felt's road, cyclocross, and TT/triathlon range for 2015 and now it's time to move on to the trail. This coming season will bring an all-new Compulsion 27.5in-wheeled aluminum enduro machine, overhauled carbon fiber Virtue 29er trail bikes, and upgrades to the Edict short-travel full-suspension line as well as the company's Nine carbon hardtails.

Check out more of our Felt 2015 coverage.

Meet the new Compulsion

Felt has completely redone its long-running 160mm-travel Compulsion range for 2015, giving it the expected 27.5in wheel treatment but also a substantially slacker front end for better stability at high speed and on steeper terrain. Carrying over is the company's well-proven Equilink six-bar rear suspension design layout but with revised pivot geometry that looks to provide a more active ride quality that's less influenced by pedaling forces than before.

The equilink hardware on the 2015 felt compulsion 10 looks fantastic in this monochromatic paint scheme:

The Equilink design may be confusing to many, but the takeaway is that it allows Felt to independently tune pedaling and wheel path characteristics

For now, the new Compulsion will only be offered in an aluminum frame, although given the company's history, we certainly expect that a carbon version isn't far off. That said, this alloy edition looks very well done with lots of forged bits and a neatly hydroformed top tube with an integrated brace for the extended seat tube. Durability and serviceability were clearly high priorities, too, with external cable routing for ease of servicing, a threaded bottom bracket shell, and grease fittings for the strut that connects the upper and lower suspension links.

Tire clearance on the felt compulsion 10 looks rather tight with the stock schwalbe rock razor tread:

Grease ports should ease maintenance, but rear tire clearance looks tight

Felt will offer the new Compulsion in three build kits, ranging in price from US$2,699 to US$4,499.

Carbon Virtue go on a diet

Headlining Felt's collection of Virtue 130mm-travel 29er trail bikes is the new Virtue FRD, which supposedly weighs just 2.30kg (5.06lb) for a medium frame and shock thanks to the ultralight UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme carbon fiber front and rear triangles. According to Felt, this new flagship model doesn't sacrifice any strength in hitting that number, either. In fact, it sports a rear end that's supposedly about 20-25 percent stiffer than previous editions for more efficient tracking and a snappier overall feel.

The new felt virtue 1 gets a textreme carbon upgrade this year that drops about 200g. cable routing is also more refined than before plus buyers will get sram's excellent xo1 1x11 drivetrain:

That checkerboard treatment isn't just for show. It's the visual indicator that TeXtreme carbon fabrics have been used

That frame will only come on the top-end Virtue FRD (or as a bare frame) but Felt has made improvements to other carbon models as well. The addition of TeXtreme carbon fabrics to the second-tier Virtue 1 helps that version shave about 220g (0.5lb) from last year, plus all three carbon Virtues get updated internal cable routing and compatibility with Shimano's new Di2 electronic drivetrain.

Other key features are carried over, such as frame geometry, the 142x12mm thru-axle rear dropouts, threaded bottom bracket shell, and 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered head tube. As with the Compulsion, the Equilink suspension system is used here as well although in this case it's tuned with more anti-squat for firmer pedaling characteristics.

The stays on carbon virtue frames change angle slightly relative to each other as the suspension moves through its travel but there's enough flex in the carbon structure to account for it:

The carbon rear stays flex open and closed slightly as the suspension moves through its travel

Felt will offer three carbon and two aluminum Virtue bikes for 2015 with prices ranging from US$1,999 to US$9,499.

Subtle tweaks to Edict and Nine

The more cross-country oriented Edict full-suspension and Nine hardtail ranges haven't been forgotten, either, although updates are decidedly subtle in nature.

The top-end 100mm-travel Edict gets RockShox's inverted RS-1 fork and SRAM carbon wheels in place of last year's SID fork and Easton hoops; the second-tier Edict 1 goes on a slight diet thanks to the use of TeXtreme carbon fabrics; and there's a new Edict 5 model with a more budget-minded spec that costs one-third that of the Edict FRD frame alone.

Felt's full-suspension race rocket for 2015 is the 100mm-travel carbon fiber edict frd, which comes with rockshox's new rs-1 inverted fork:

The top-end Edict FRD is said to weigh just 10kg/22lb as shown here - yowza!

Prices on the 2015 Edict models range from US$1,799 to US$9,499.

Meanwhile, the top two carbon editions of the Nine hardtail line now get thru-axle rear dropouts and Di2 compatibility; the second-tier Nine 3 gains TeXtreme fabrics to help reduce the weight; and there's a new budget-oriented Nine 6 for riders that want to start with a complete carbon bike and upgrade the parts as they go.

Felt has given the nine carbon hardtails a mild facelift with new thru-axle rear dropouts and upgraded internal routing options for 2015:

Carbon 29er hardtails get slight updates such as thru-axle dropouts and tweaked internal routing for some models

Prices for the complete Nine collection range from US$6,199 to US$4,999.

Key specs, claimed weights (where available), and retail prices for core US-spec Felt mountain bike ranges are as follows (UK models and prices are TBD):

Compulsion series:

  • Compulsion 10 (US$4,499; 12.9kg/28.4lb): RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, SRAM X01 transmission and Guide RSC brakes, WTB KOM wheels
  • Compulsion 30 (US$3,299): RockShox Pike RC fork, Shimano Deore/XT 2x10 transmission and SLX brakes, WTB Speed Disc wheels
  • Compulsion 50 (US$2,699): Suntour Aion RL-R fork, Shimano Deore/XT 2x10 transmission

Virtue series:

  • Virtue FRD (US$9,499): RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, Shimano XTR 2x11 transmission and brakes, Easton Haven Carbon wheels
  • Virtue 1 (US$5,999; 11.5kg/25.3lb): RockShox Revelation RLT fork, SRAM X01 transmission and Guide RSC brakes, Easton Haven wheels
  • Virtue 3 (US$3,499; 13.5kg/29.7lb): RockShox Sektor Gold fork, Shimano Deore/XT 2x10 transmission and Deore brakes, WTB Speed disc wheels
  • Virtue 50 (US$2,399; 14.8kg/32.6lb): RockShox Sektor Silver fork, Shimano Deore/XT 3x10 transmission and M355 brakes, WTB Speed disc wheels
  • Virtue 60 (US$1,999; 14.3kg/31.5lb): Suntour Aion LO-R fork, Shimano Deore 3x10 transmission and M355 brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Virtue FRD frame kit (US$4,499)
  • Virtue 1 frame kit (US$3,499)

Edict series:

  • Edict FRD (US$8,999; 10.0kg/22.0lb): RockShox RS-1 fork, SRAM XX1 transmission and XX brakes, SRAM Rise 60 wheels
  • Edict 1 (US$5,499; 10.6kg/23.3lb): RockShox SID RL fork, SRAM XO1 transmission and XO brakes, Easton EA70 XCT wheels
  • Edict 3 (US$3,199; 12.4kg/27.2lb): RockShox Reba RL fork, Shimano Deore/XT 2x10 transmission and Deore brakes, WTB Speed disc wheels
  • Edict 5 (US$2,599; 13kg/28.6lb): Suntour Raidon XC-LOR fork, Shimano Deore 2x10 transmission and M355 brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Edict 60 (US$1,799; 13.9kg/30.6lb): Suntour Raidon XC-LOR fork, Shimano Deore 3x10 transmission and M355 brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Edict FRD frame kit (US$3,999)
  • Edict 1 frame kit (US$2,999)

Nine series:

  • Nine 1 (US$4,999; 9.3kg/20.5lb): RockShox SID RL fork, SRAM X01 transmission and XO brakes, Easton EA70 XCT wheels
  • Nine 3 (US$2,799; 11.1kg/24.4lb): RockShox Reba RL fork, Shimano Deore/XT 2x10 transmission and Deore brakes, WTB Speed Disc wheels
  • Nine 5 (US$1,999; 12.3kg/27lb): RockShox XC32 Solo Air fork, Shimano Deore 2x10 transmission and M355 brakes, WTB SX wheels
  • Nine 6 (US$1,499; 12.8kg/28.1lb): RockShox XC28 fork, Shimano Alivio/Deore 3x9 transmission, Tektro Auriga brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Nine 60 (US$999; 13.5kg/29.8lb): RockShox XC30 fork, Shimano/Suntour/Sunrace 3x9 transmission, Shimano M355 brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Nine 70 (US$749; 14.4kg/31.6lb): Suntour XCM HLO fork, Shimano/Suntour/Sunrace 3x9 transmission, Tektro Auriga brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Nine 80 (US$619; 14.5kg/31.9lb): Suntour XCT fork, Shimano/SRAM/Sunrace 3x8 transmission, Tektro Novella brakes, aluminum double-wall wheels
  • Nine FRD frame kit (US$2,999)
  • Nine 1 frame kit (US$1,649)

James Huang

Former tech editor

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