Felt mountain bike (reviews)

Bikes of the American manufacturer Felt are often called one of the best in the world. What is this brand and why is it so popular? Read on, and you'll find out what kind of bike is Felt, what are the advantages and disadvantages.

A bit of history

Jim Felt became famous in motocross as one of the best mechanics for Japanese brands Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Working with the famous racer Johnny O'Mara, Felt built his first frame for racing / triathlon. The motocross star, although it seemed strange in 1989, used a bicycle to keep fit, and even competed. With Felt's O'Mar's frame in 1990, he won the California Individual Championship with a separate start.

Then came the cooperation with the sporting goods manufacturer Easton Sports. The designer made the Felt B2 bike for the triathlon legend Paul Newby-Fraser, who once again won the Ironman competition. Then Felt gained the reputation of a person who knows what speed is, and how to get it. Legends of sports lined up for his bicycles.

Not surprisingly, in 1994 he left Easton and launched his brand.

New target audience

After 7 years of popularity and high-profile victories of athletes who had a Felt bike, in 2001 it was decided to change the brand philosophy. Since then, he is not limited to producing two-wheeled friends for distinguished riders, but also produces models for fans. In the line there are road, mountain, city bikes, BMX and, of course, bicycles for the triathlon.

Simultaneously, the company entered the international market. It is noteworthy that Felt has two presidents - one is in America, the other - in Europe. Currently, 147 models are being produced, which are sold in 27 countries. But in fact, the state and volumes of the release of the company are small compared to such manufacturers as Trek, Specialized, Giant and Cannondale. The company is known not at the expense of advertising, but at the expense of the product itself.

Why are the models of this brand so popular?

The presence of famous riders in the company's portfolio is certainly a plus, but why do ordinary consumers choose Felt products (bicycles)? Reviews and opinions of experts primarily note such an important advantage, as a strong carbon frame and fork.

Carbon-plastic - an amazing material, hardness comparable to titanium, but it is lighter than aluminum. However, it also has its drawbacks: due to the peculiarities of the structure of its fibers, bicycle frames can crack from a strong impact. And at first it can be completely unnoticed, because the gap will occur under the layers of the upper fibers. But at one point, when you hit a small hummock, the bike risks falling apart.

Felt engineers are struggling with this shortcoming in two ways. First, they place the carbon fibers in a staggered manner and in the direction of the load vector, which increases their strength. Secondly, the component frames are made separately, each has a different number of layers of CFRP depending on the expected load, and then they are fused, which provides a seamless connection. Therefore, at competitions or simply when riding on difficult routes, the Felt mountain bike will not let you down.

Attention to details

Jim Felt never put it in the key advantages of his bicycles, and other manufacturers, much later, began to blow it at every step. It is about the diameter of the tubes of the frame, which varies depending on its size, which makes the bicycle light, but still sturdy. After all, if you have a model designed to grow to 1.7 m, why take into account the load for a rider under 2 m?

The Felt bike has good aerodynamics even in standard equipment. After all, the company often ignores the recommendations on the ratio of tube sizes of the frame of the International Union of Cyclists and makes models with a frame that significantly reduces air resistance while driving, taking into account even such small things as a bottle of water attached to it.

Non-standard mount for the saddle (taking into account the physical characteristics of the carbon), mounting under the carriage in the frame, so that it does not jitter and wear less, - the engineers of the company do not neglect anything, and as a result they create fast and durable bicycles.

disadvantages

But can not everything be perfect? Buyers have found such shortcomings in famous bicycles:

• Brakes. Often bicyclists do not like their quality, especially indignant fans to ride a mountain bike on steep hills. On an even area, the brakes work well, but with fast descents and terrain with a slope they do not do well. Therefore, many advise them to immediately change.
• Seat with gel cushion. Although it is intended to give comfort during the trip, not everyone likes this innovation. Plus, the saddle has a pretty significant weight.
• Frame quality. Despite all the efforts of designers, it can break. Also, paint can get off it.
• Narrow and heavy tires that come complete with bicycles with an aluminum frame.
• The winding is quickly peeled off the handles.
• It is very difficult to buy parts, most often you have to borrow second-hand. In the event of a breakdown, you will be asked to contact a specialized workshop where repairs will not be expensive.

But the number of disadvantages depends on the price: the more expensive the model, the less disgruntled buyers.

Price of issue

In the Felt lineup there are both budget variants and high-end models.

For example, the price of children's bicycles varies from 7 to 11 thousand rubles. Depending on the material of which the frame is made - aluminum or steel, such as brakes and other parameters. As for adult bicycles, here the cost can be significantly different. So, the city bike Felt Bixby with a steel frame and the usual foot brake (turning the pedal in the opposite direction) will cost only 13 thousand rubles. The ladies' model with similar characteristics, bright pink color and gentle name Luv costs 14 thousand rubles. Mining professional bike Felt Six 60 with aluminum frame and hydraulic brakes will cost 21 thousand rubles. Although you can find models and a little cheaper or more expensive - up to 70-80 thousand rubles. Depending on the brand of metal. Well, carbon bicycles cost from 50 to 150-200 thousand rubles. For the best recent models or developments from limited editions will have to give up to 13 thousand dollars.