Amgen tour of California 2012

powered by Performance Bicycle

TechPowered By

More tech

First look: 2011 Felt Edict and Virtue

  • The new 2011 alloy Virtue gets a lighter hydroformed frame, a tapered front end, and adjustable travel that can be set between 120 and 130mm.

    The new 2011 alloy Virtue gets a lighter hydroformed frame, a tapered front end, and adjustable travel that can be set between 120 and 130mm.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The alloy Virtue's new tapered front end improves steering precision while also providing more surface area for the down tube-head tube joint.

    The alloy Virtue's new tapered front end improves steering precision while also providing more surface area for the down tube-head tube joint.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt says it first supplied its sponsored cross-country racers with this prototype 100mm-travel 'FRD' model but ultimately deemed it too heavy.

    Felt says it first supplied its sponsored cross-country racers with this prototype 100mm-travel 'FRD' model but ultimately deemed it too heavy.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Felt Edict uses a straight seat tube.

    The new Felt Edict uses a straight seat tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt would have liked to retain its six-bar Equilink suspension system for its new race bike but says the modified single-pivot layout won out on account of its lighter weight.

    Felt would have liked to retain its six-bar Equilink suspension system for its new race bike but says the modified single-pivot layout won out on account of its lighter weight.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cable routing on the new Edict is a mix of external and internal.

    Cable routing on the new Edict is a mix of external and internal.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Upper links are made of forged aluminum on the new Edict. Felt says it's toying with compression molded carbon links but hasn't reached a conclusion yet as to whether or not they're actually better.

    Upper links are made of forged aluminum on the new Edict. Felt says it's toying with compression molded carbon links but hasn't reached a conclusion yet as to whether or not they're actually better.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Edict features a tapered 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" front end.

    The new Edict features a tapered 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" front end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt has introduced a new ultralight 100mm-travel race platform called Edict. Claimed frame weight is just 1,800g (3.96lb) without rear shock.

    Felt has introduced a new ultralight 100mm-travel race platform called Edict. Claimed frame weight is just 1,800g (3.96lb) without rear shock.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's new Tornado Cap compression assembly includes a color-anodized alloy bolt.

    Felt's new Tornado Cap compression assembly includes a color-anodized alloy bolt.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This is a busy area for the new carbon fiber Virtue LTD frame.

    This is a busy area for the new carbon fiber Virtue LTD frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear derailleur housing exits the main frame just ahead of the lower link pivot.

    The rear derailleur housing exits the main frame just ahead of the lower link pivot.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt says the Equilink's new DU bushing pivot saves considerable weight.

    Felt says the Equilink's new DU bushing pivot saves considerable weight.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt mountain bike designer Mike Ducharme shows off the new Felt Virtue LTD frame.

    Felt mountain bike designer Mike Ducharme shows off the new Felt Virtue LTD frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's new Virtue Team features an all-new full-carbon frame with 120-130mm of rear wheel travel.

    Felt's new Virtue Team features an all-new full-carbon frame with 120-130mm of rear wheel travel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Derailleur housing is fed into the frame at the bottom of the tapered head tube.

    Derailleur housing is fed into the frame at the bottom of the tapered head tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new alloy Virtue gets lighter dropout pivots plus rear brake calipers that are again tucked within the rear triangle.

    The new alloy Virtue gets lighter dropout pivots plus rear brake calipers that are again tucked within the rear triangle.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt has simplified the Equilink pivots for 2011, moving away from needle bearings and instead adopting a DU bushing system with grease injection ports. Mud clearance looks rather tight, though.

    Felt has simplified the Equilink pivots for 2011, moving away from needle bearings and instead adopting a DU bushing system with grease injection ports. Mud clearance looks rather tight, though.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt continues to sing the praises of its unique Equilink suspension system for 2011.

    Felt continues to sing the praises of its unique Equilink suspension system for 2011.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One of the benefits of the alloy Virtue's hydroformed construction is the integrated seat tube support.

    One of the benefits of the alloy Virtue's hydroformed construction is the integrated seat tube support.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new hydroformed seat stays are formed as a single unit and then welded to the forged upper link pivots.

    The new hydroformed seat stays are formed as a single unit and then welded to the forged upper link pivots.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon fiber Virtue frames skip the dropout pivot in favor of a full carbon rear end that flexes slightly as the suspension moves through its travel.

    Carbon fiber Virtue frames skip the dropout pivot in favor of a full carbon rear end that flexes slightly as the suspension moves through its travel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt says one of the beauties of its Equilink suspension layout is the near-infinite tuning possibilities on tap offered by just slightly altering pivot locations and tie-in points between the upper and lower rockers.

    Felt says one of the beauties of its Equilink suspension layout is the near-infinite tuning possibilities on tap offered by just slightly altering pivot locations and tie-in points between the upper and lower rockers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt includes a new carbon rear end for its 2011 Virtue Team.

    Felt includes a new carbon rear end for its 2011 Virtue Team.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Virtue Team will come with the 3x10 option for SRAM's X0 group.

    The Virtue Team will come with the 3x10 option for SRAM's X0 group.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tire clearance looks fairly tight at the top of Felt's new Virtue Team.

    Tire clearance looks fairly tight at the top of Felt's new Virtue Team.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Graphics on Felt's mountain bike line have improved considerably over the past year or so.

    Graphics on Felt's mountain bike line have improved considerably over the past year or so.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt is delving deeper into the 29" waters with new entry-level models for 2011.

    Felt is delving deeper into the 29" waters with new entry-level models for 2011.

    Photo credit © James Huang