Bikes from the American manufacturer Felt are often called some of the best in the world. What brand is it and why is it so popular? Read on and you will find out what it is - a Felt bike, what its advantages and disadvantages are.
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 renowned racer Johnny O'Mara, Felt built his first racing / triathlon frame. The motocross star, although it seemed strange in 1989, used a bicycle to keep himself fit, and even participated in competitions. With a frame made by Felt, O'Mara won the California Individual Separate Championship in 1990.
This was followed by cooperation with the manufacturer of sports goods Easton Sports. The designer made the Felt B2 bike for the legend of the triathlon Paul Newby-Fraser, who once again won the Ironman competition. Then Felt gained a reputation as a person who knows what speed is and how to get it. Sports legends lined up for his bikes.
Not surprisingly, in 1994, he left Easton and launched his brand.
New target audience
After 7 years of popularity and high-profile victories for athletes who had a Felt bike, in 2001 it was decided to change the brand philosophy. Since then, he is not limited to the production of two-wheeled friends for eminent racers, but also produces models for fans. The lineup includes road, mountain, city bikes, BMX and, of course, triathlon bikes.
At the same time, the company entered the international market. It is noteworthy that Felt has two presidents - one located in America, the other in Europe. Now produced 147 models, which are sold in 27 countries. But in fact, the company’s staff and production volumes are small compared to manufacturers such as Trek, Specialized, Giant and Cannondale. The company is known not for advertising, but for the product itself.
Why are the models of this brand so popular?
The presence of famous racers in the company's portfolio is certainly a plus, but why ordinary consumers choose Felt products (bikes)? Reviews and expert opinions first of all mark such an important advantage as a durable carbon frame and fork.
Carbon fiber is an amazing material, comparable in hardness to titanium, but lighter than aluminum. However, it also has its drawbacks: due to the structural features of its fibers, bicycle frames can crack from a strong blow. And at first it can be completely invisible, because the gap will occur under the layers of the upper fibers. But at one point, when hitting a small bump, the bike risks falling apart.
Felt engineers deal with this flaw in two ways. Firstly, they arrange carbon fiber in a checkerboard pattern and in the direction of the load vector, which increases their strength. Secondly, the component frames are manufactured separately, each has a different number of carbon fiber layers depending on the expected load, and then they are fused, which ensures a seamless connection. Therefore, in competitions or just when riding on difficult tracks, the Felt mountain bike will not let you down.
Attention to details
Jim Felt never put this into the key advantages of his bikes, and other manufacturers, much later, began to trumpet about it at every step. We are talking about the diameter of the tubes of the frame, which varies depending on its size, which allows you to make the bike lightweight, but still strong. After all, if you have a model designed for growth up to 1.7 m, why take into account the load for a rider under 2 m?
The Felt bike has good aerodynamics, even as standard. After all, the company often ignores recommendations on the size ratio of the pipes of the frame of the International Union of Cyclists and makes models with a frame that significantly reduces air resistance when riding, taking into account even such trifles as a bottle of water attached to it.
Non-standard mount for the saddle (taking into account the physical characteristics of carbon fiber), mount under the carriage in the frame so that it does not rattle and wear out less - the company's engineers do not disregard anything, and as a result create fast and durable bicycles.
disadvantages
But can't it all be perfect? Buyers found such flaws in the famous bikes:
- The brakes. Often, cyclists do not like their quality, especially those who like mountain biking in steep hills are indignant. On flat terrain, the brakes work well, but on fast descents and on terrain with a slope, they do a poor job. Therefore, many advise them to immediately change.
- Sitting with a gel pillow. Although it is designed to give comfort during the trip, not everyone likes this innovation. Plus, the saddle has a fairly significant weight.
- The quality of the frame. Despite all the efforts of the designers, it can break. Also, paint can peel off from it.
- Narrow and heavy tires that come with aluminum frame bikes.
- The winding quickly peels off the handles.
- It is very difficult to buy spare parts, most often you have to take used. In the event of a breakdown, you will be asked to contact a specialized workshop, where repairs will be expensive.
But the number of shortcomings depends on the price: the more expensive the model, the less dissatisfied buyers.
Issue price
In the Felt range there are both budget options and high-end models.
For example, the price of children's bikes ranges from 7 to 11 thousand rubles. depending on the material the frame is made of - aluminum or steel, type of brakes and other parameters. As for adult bicycles, here the cost may vary significantly. So, a city bike Felt Bixby with a steel frame and the usual foot brake (pedal in the opposite direction) will cost only 13 thousand rubles. A ladies model with similar characteristics, a bright pink color and a delicate name Luv costs 14 thousand rubles. Mountain professional bike Felt Six 60 with an aluminum frame and hydraulic brakes will cost 21 thousand rubles. Although you can find models a little cheaper or more expensive - up to 70-80 thousand rubles. depending on the brand of metal. Well, carbon bikes cost from 50 to 150-200 thousand rubles. For the best recent models or developments from limited releases, you will have to pay up to 13 thousand dollars.