Submitted by
EAGLE42
a Cross Country Rider
from Geneva, IL USA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2012
Strengths: Solid frame, geometry - Durability for daily commuting terrific!
Weaknesses: Cheap fork and hubs - Would go to a Reba or Fox for a fork and to a minimum Shimano 575 hubset
Bottom Line:
Bought this in April, 2007, after looking for a good everyday, durable bike for about 2 months. Best bike I've have ever bought hands down for the money. I ride 98% year round (from 100 degrees to minus 15), daily 10 miles to work on a river trail, and have been all over the country on rail trails from Pennsylvania to Idaho. This bike has endured all the grit, gristle, mud, flood and high speed bug impacts of all in an outstanding fashion. After 16,000 miles, with typical annual maintenance (since I am a bike mechanic of 15 years) , I finally had to replace the bottom bracket, wheel hubs (cones were nasty), and shifters which had worn out. I did the upgrades/changes as per above and am ready and looking forward to another 16,000 adventurous miles......
Would recommend this bike as a great starting platform for a truly lifetime bike for the more savvy recreational enthusiast.
If you intend jumps of more than 18" or have CAOB (Crazy Agressiveness On Bikes) I'd pass on this one since the upgrades needed would buy another more suitable bike.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Homegrown, Trek Y50, Gary Fisher HKEK
Bike Setup: Upgraded shifters and front derailleur to new XT 9-speed, cranks to 2pc Firex, brakes to mech Hayes BB7 180mm fr and rear (much better for control in rugged terrain!), carbon bars/ends, seat, rack, panniers, Cygo lighting
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Submitted by
theotagoboy
a Downhiller
from Dorrigo Nsw Australia
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2011
Strengths: it has great balance easy to throw around and is tough
Weaknesses: Non so far
Bottom Line:
the bike is awesome it is one of the best bikes so far i have riden it has taken a pounding as i am a intermediate rider and it suits me well
Submitted by
BurnNotice
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2010
Strengths: Decent components for the money.
Weaknesses: Fork if you need something for minor jumps.
Bottom Line:
I have the 2009 model which I got from the great folks at Carolina Fatz. The bike was fairly well equiped other than the fork. The fork sufficed but really should be a better one for Felt's top of the line Q series hardtail. Don't get me wrong the Dart 2 worked well for easy trail riding and minor technical areas but could use an upgraded fork for more hardy stuff. The brakes work very well and are responsive. Never had hydraulics but they are similar to mech. disc to me just a little more fancy. The frame is a beautiful hydroformed process. The crank suffices and shifts fairly smooth. I would suggest a more aggressive tire from the factory as well. The wheelset is more than sufficient for the price range bike. The only thing is......on Felt's site they say a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear. The bike had 160 front and rear???? No real problem on my part. I did upgrade the fork; crankset; wheels; and tires; and a few other tid bits. Now that $750 deal of a bike is more like a $1700 bike now! But hey, that is what it is all about in the end. Wish bike companies would let you design your own frame to components so you would get what you want factory! Now there is a novel idea! Overall I would have given this bike an actual 4.75 out of 5.......but since that is not possible here I gave Felt the benefit of the .25 and rounded up to a perfect 5! The 2010 version is identical in all ways except paint scheme. So consider the 2010 reviewed here as well.
Incredible value for a single track bike for people with a modest budget(i.e. 500 to 1k for pricing). I spent around 200$ total to improve the small things; seat, pedals, grips, tires. After that I've found a bike in my budget that does everything I want for moderate trails without going with a full suspension or outside the budget of a weekend warrior.
Bike Setup: Shimano MX30 pedals, Ergo GR2 Magnesium grips, WTB Speed V saddle, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires. The weight seems like a trade off, it's heavy but feels incredibly strong and well built - like something I could upgrade for years of use.
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Submitted by
Amateur_Solider
a Weekend Warrior
from Alicante, Spain
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2010
Strengths: Light, affordable, comfy
Weaknesses: Hardtail design makes big drops a bit jarring, Upshifts could be smoother
Bottom Line:
This bikes works very well for pedaling around the city, to school etc, but with some coaxing can compete with even the most heavily modified bikes. Like I said on the Weknessess, on some of the biggger drops, if you don't porperly anticipate them, the jolt can a bit much. I would buy this bike again if it got stolen or broken beyond repair.
Submitted by
rider4jesus
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville N.C.
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2009
Strengths: Good build kit,Strong frame,Looks Great, Good Price.
Weaknesses: Front Fork
Bottom Line:
My bike is the new 2010 model. This is a great bike for the price. The fork is the only weak point on the bike and thats only if your a Clydesdale like myself (220lb). A U-Turn Tora would be awsome on this bike. I would have gladly paid $100-150 more for this bike if it had the upgraded fork. The hydraformed frame is strong and looks great. I'll have to ride it for awhile before I'm able to give a fully informed review I'll post another one in a few months.
God Speed, Mark
Similar Products Used: Haro 8.3, Haro V-4, Trek 4500
Bike Setup: Stock except for Manitou Relic to replace Dart Fork
And put on a Bash Guard
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Submitted by
TFKDave
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkley, MI
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2009
Strengths: Strong, but lightweight frame; great geometry (for me anyway); good for big dudes like me - instantly made me a better climber.
Weaknesses: The Felt seat that came with it was crap.
Bottom Line:
I went in expecting to buy either a Rocky Mountain or Salsa, also tested a Cannondale. None of those matched the comfort and value of the Felt and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm not a small guy (6'3"/205 lbs) and this rides great for me - not too top heavy, but not too compact either. It's light enough that climbs are easy, and it isn't too harsh on the descents. The quality on the Felt has been great, and the paint doesn't chip too easily. However, Felt seat that came with it was already starting to tear at one of the edges and then it collapsed while riding within the first year. Other than that, the bike has been great!
Bike Setup: i did some upgades,fox float forks,shimano XT hydraulic brakes,wtb rocket racing saddle,sette carbon seatpost,shimano SLX hallowtech 2 cranksetand tires panaracer fire xc pro tires
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Submitted by
Brent Parker
a Cross Country Rider
from asheville nc usa
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2009
Strengths: Very strong and light frame for the money, strong wheels and very good brakes
Weaknesses: only weakness on mine was the factory tires,
Bottom Line:
This is a great handling and very fast light mountain bike for under $1000.00. Just an all around great bike. Very happy and proud to own a FELT!!!!
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock except continental vertical tires and cateye computer
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Submitted by
Futuregrace
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City, KS
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2009
Strengths: Light, Solid, good components
Weaknesses: Front fork is not as nice as the rest of the components.
Bottom Line:
I rode many bikes before making a decision, KHS, Kona, Trek, Gary Fisher, etc. It rides similar to Gary Fisher, my previous favorite bike. So far I really love it. Only wish it was not such a boring color.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Big Sur, Gary Fisher Marlin Disc
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Submitted by
Fishboy9995
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Strengths: Relatively light, responsive geometry, great feel over many trail conditions, shifts smooth, most components above average
Weaknesses: Not much to complain about
Bottom Line:
Great bike, my favorite ride in its price range although I'm not that experienced. If you are a strong XC rider or planning on becoming one, this machine should do the trick. Well built, and Felt seems to be a good company to support, nice to ride a brand that is pretty new to the scene. I think it is a great value and built to take more than I can dish out for sure. Would reccomend.
Similar Products Used: Old Nishiki Backroads 21 speed
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock + Shimano PD-M520 pedals
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Submitted by
Larry Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol, TN
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2008
Strengths: Good component group for price, XT read-D, SOLE hydraulic disc brakes,
Weaknesses: Ditch the Felt Facade seat and the Rocky Wolf Duro tires.
Bottom Line:
Killer looking bike, gloss charcoal paint, excellent handling ,kinda neat riding something that the masses aren't, FELT is new to the MTB market but they hit the mark, 07 is first year. MTB Action called it mountian bikings best kept dirty little secret. It is well worth putting on your short list if looking for a mid range hardtail, beginner or seasoned riders both should be satisfied.
Bike Setup: SALSA RED PEPPER grips, PANARACER FIRE XC PRO tires, WTB PURE saddle, CATEYE MICRO wireless computer, SPECIALIZED RIB CAGE CARBON bottle cages.
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Submitted by
Johnny
a Racer
from Brookhaven, MS, USA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008
Strengths: Light, fast, excellent handling
Weaknesses: took 4 weeks to get her from Felt
Bottom Line:
Most excellent hardtail! This bike is fast and light. very responsive..this one is a 17'5" model...I'm a 5'11 190lb male and this bike fits me great. I'm no beginner, this is my 5th bike and the best hard tail in the corral.. Good for anyone wanting a hi quality hard tail, seasoned rider or beginner.
Bike Setup: good components, (deore XT, Deore, Hidraulic Brakes,Shimano,Rock sox Dart 2,etc)
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Submitted by
Hans
a Cross Country Rider
from Östersund, Sweden
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007
Strengths: Reliable, easy to manouvre. I´m satisfied with the deore/deore LX gears and the disc brakes. The price.
Weaknesses: I´m not so pleased with the fork, it feels numb. The bike is a bit heavy, 14 kg.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the beginner. I´m heavy about 90 kg, and ride fast ups and downs and the bike handles it well. Do not do drops much, though. I like the bike very much.