Submitted by
Marty
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2011
Strengths: I loved climbing on this bike and compared to my hard tail the down hill was amazing. I dropped in of of some crazy high drop (for me 3-4 feet) sideways, and the bike seemed to self right itself when I landed.
Weaknesses: Cleaning the link is a bit of an issue n the muddy NW.
Bike Setup: Full XTR upgrade.
Crank Bros. Colbolt Wheels
Rock Shox Reba
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
joeworrall
a Cross Country Rider
from phoenix, az
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2010
Strengths: duralink rear suspension design, geometry/handling, quality component group for the price
Weaknesses: stock grips, tires, seat and Rock Shox front fork. The screws on the stock seatpost stripped within weeks after purchase. The bottom bracket is a bit low thru rock gardens... And it has developed some chain slap, but what bike that's been ridden hard doesn't?
Bottom Line:
bought this as the 2009 models were being cleared out to make way for the 2010's. Huge improvement over my old Diamondback: better shifting and handling really improved my confidence on the technical trails. Stock front fork and tires have to go if you expect to ride on technical trails. Felt is better known for their road bikes, but I would buy another Virtue if I could get one for this price!
Strengths: Great agronomy, light and robust frame, great 130 mm travel
Weaknesses: Extra care has to be paid to the carbon fiber triangle. In a case of crash, inspect for scratches and cover them with paint ASAP to avoid getting water/moisture there.
Bottom Line:
A great race bike. It greatly handles uphills and very technical downhills.
Submitted by
GB_Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Granite Bay, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2010
Strengths: Equilink rear suspension works. Great for climbing and cross-country, holds its own on the downhill.
Weaknesses: No lockout on the Front Rockshox Recon shock. SRAM X-7 shifters. At 28 lbs it isn't the lightest thing out there.
Bottom Line:
I got a good deal on a '09 Virtue II and have been really happy with it. The bike geometry makes it comfortable and nimble for climbing and cross-country, and the equilink rear suspension does a great job w/o having a dedicated lockout. I've had issues with the SRAM X-7 shifters, and may upgrade them, but otherwise am really happy with the bike - especially factoring in the price paid.
Submitted by
White Lightning
a Cross Country Rider
from foothill ranch, CA, United states of America
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2010
Strengths: this thing climbs very well for a bike without lockout on the rear shock. the suspension is very solid.
Weaknesses: the SRAM x.9 derailluer. and x.7 shifters broke :/ but no worries, ii upgraded to a SRAM x.o derailluer and x.9 shifters now it rides like a dream.
Bottom Line:
This bike is really reliable and good quality. i would watch out for the x9 derailuer, it is very hard to adjust, thats why i got an x.o derailuer instead. otherwise, this bike rules!
Bike Setup: stock (upgraded shifters and rear derailluer)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
shane444
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2010
Bottom Line:
This bike is well balanced and climbs incredibly well. Upgrading from a hard tail I was concerned about it's climbing abilities and the effectiveness of the Equilink suspension and pedalling efficiency. Under heavy load energy seems to be translated into forward momentum as good as my hardtail, with the suspension still able to respond to trail input if needed. Downhill the bike is awesome, it sticks to the trail and allows me to take lines I wouldnt have thought possible. The Felt tyres it ships with are holding up well in the wet and loose trails I take it on. Avid Elixir R brakes can be a little noisy but I believe this is a common issue with this brake.
Submitted by
mikepenciner
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2010
Strengths: Climbing, sprinting, anything in between
Weaknesses: head-angle doesn't inspire confidence going down steep technical elements.
Bottom Line:
Climbs like a goat. The rear suspension in incredibly efficient even without lock-out. Sprints like a hardtail, but the suspension is plush enough to take most rough trails and technical elements. If you like to ride hard and fast, from cross-country to just short of all-mountain, this is the bike for you.
Bike Setup: Standard except for Schwalbe tyres, 2.25 Nobby Nick front and 2.1 Racing Ralph rear.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rbid
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2009
Strengths: The Equilink pattent FELT bikes use.
Maximum pedaling efficiency (like a hard-tail-bike), but still having a full suspension bike!
Weaknesses: The handlebar is to sensitive to the ground changes when you are going down a single trail. (I guess that this can be reduced by calibrating front Rock Shok fork.
Bottom Line:
Although the prices here in Israel, the bike provides all what I expected from it, it is light, better performance than other similar products (GT Marathon for example)
Bike Setup: With Crank and Brother pedals + cleats.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Coop29
a Weekend Warrior
from Rogers, AR
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2009
Strengths: Suspension is above and beyond any that I have ridden.
Weaknesses: As compared to the $2700 MSRP, components could be a little better, but hey, who pays MSRP anyway??
Bottom Line:
Equilink is the real deal!! If you have an opportunity to ride one of these, give it a shot. I have now put a few hundred miles on the bike and am completely impressed. It climbs like a mad man, and with 130mm of travel it decends like no other XC bike. It's hard to say this is a pure XC bike due to the 130mm of travel. It acts like a trailbike with the weight and control of XC.
Similar Products Used: There really isn't anything similar.
Bike Setup: Full XT drivetrain and clipless. DT Swiss 4.2 Wheelset. Thomson Masterpiece post and X4 stem. FSA Carbon bars.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
KOmen
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2009
Strengths: Climbs like a goat, only reason it stops is "legs on fire" Tracks great, smooth on the rough stuff. Feels lighter than the hardtails. Equilink truly works as advertised, great design.... will soon push it to my limits but I have to adjust from the shockless wonders I was riding! What was I thinking? Feeling fantastic about my deal...The bike listed at $3,000.00...half off....do your homework and search all options....it will pay off.
Weaknesses: Not too sure....narrow bars, grips
Bottom Line:
So far the bike has been a super buy. I've put it through the test for 4 days straight and have no issues. My body says othewise. I should spend time with the wife when she's not at work....I might be in for a long summer!
Similar Products Used: Older hardtails, rockhopper, etc...
Bike Setup: As purchased. RoxShox Recon 351 Fork, Fox Float RP2, Mavic XC-17 wheels, Shimano Deore LX crank & chainrings, Deore XT front derailer, Shimano XT Shadow rear derailer, Shimano disc brakes & levers(love em) Shimano RM65 Centerlock Hubs....
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
jayroda82
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockland NY
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Strengths: stock components, stock weight, widely adjustable suspension settings all around
Weaknesses: no complaints so far... wait the stock grips suck.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Tracks well uphill, absorbs well downhill. It does everything as advertised. It's relitively light, smooth and forgiving. Rear suspension is much more functional than my last bike (cdale rush) Very happy with purchase.
I rented a new bike for a week. The second day out the bikes rear suspension started making a clunking noise. Also started ghost shifting in the two largest and two smallest cogs. Returned the bike to the shop but they couldnt fix the bad links. After they adjusted the shifting I still have problems shifting. Bottom line, I hated this bike. To be fair my friend also rented a Virtue 2 and he likes the bike. So you have a 50/50 shot at a good bike.
Submitted by
madnessmoose
a Weekend Warrior
from SLC, Utah USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2008
Strengths: I have been floored by this bike's capabilities. This bike will make you want to push yourself outside your comfort zone on the downhills and hammer harder on the uphills...and just plain make you want to ride more. This is one of the first full suspension bikes I have used and really enjoyed. The geometry and handling are spot on and tuning the suspension isn't finicky like on a lot of other suspension bikes I have used. Feel free to leave the pro pedal off, especially while climbing..the Equilink just plain works. The suspension remains quite active even while pedaling and braking hard. Tough as nails! The carbon rear end survived a 2 hour shuttle run with riders on full on dh bikes with 7" and 8" of travel. There were times when I felt the bike was maybe pushed a bit beyond it's capacity but it pulled me through in every situation. Point is, I have really put this bike through the ringer.
Best of all Felt customer service is top notch. I had an issue that wasn't really a warranty. I bit the dust while riding the bike hard enough to rip the rear wheel out of the drop out(was using a Salsa Flip Off skewer no less) and in the process of doing so the wheel grabbed the hanger and toasted the rear dropout. I explained my situation to Felt and they set me up with a "goodwill warrany" and replaced the rear triangle with very little questions asked. They had me rolling again within a 4 days of calling in with my frame issue. This speaks volumes for Felt as a company. Anyone who has ever had a frame issue from any company knows what I'm talking about.
Weaknesses: Narrow handlebar, narrow tires---replaced it with an Easton Monkey Lite and Nevegal 2.35's.
Worse yet, bike pedals so well it made me want to get a Felt Compulsion(more travel and less dough in my wallet)
Bottom Line:
The Virtue has got to be the bike industry's best kept secret. The bike pedals way to well going up for how well it eats up steep & rocky downhills. There's a bit of wizardry going on with the "Equilink". I can't explain it other than it's pure magic.
If you are the type of rider who likes to go fast uphill as well as down and are remotely thinking of getting a Virtue do yourself a favor and get it. I have had some of my best and most memorable rides this season on this bike and you could too.
Hi i have an almost stock felt 2008 virtue 2, and i was wondering if anybody has lower it weight, or changed the front suspension.
i was wondering on getting a better set of wheel Read More »
Hello guys
Just bought a 2008 Felt Virtue 2 (2008) model - i rode it for the first time today and it felt great to start with. Then, all of a sudden the rear end felt like it w Read More »
Heres a link to the bike for sale. PM,call,email if any questions.I will ship anywhere and pack the bike up at a LBS. Whatever shipping is, you will be charged the same. Thanks guy Read More »
Hey guys,
Im riding a Virtue 2. Its an 08 and a nice bike. Fox Fork (Float R 32mm) and Rear RP2. No Lockout on the Fork but I have the rebound dialed all the way out and the R Read More »
