The Felt stands out with its upright, touring-suitable riding position. Due to the long head tube (140 millimetres), the front wheel sometimes rises on steep ramps. Nevertheless, with the light wheels (4204 grams) and fast X-King tyres, you can make rapid progress, especially on flat or slightly undulating terrain - even though the frame is one of the heaviest in the test group at 2054 grams. The solid SLX drivetrain and the groupless Shimano cranks don't let you miss the lighter XT components on tour. The wide 690 mm handlebars with the screw grips sit comfortably in the hand. This makes it easy to control through shallow berms and single trails. If things get too fast, the Elixir 3 stoppers are easy to modulate and brake with confidence.
PLUS Lightweight wheels, wide handlebars
MINUS Heavy frame, no quick-release saddle clamp
Tuning tip Fit all spacers over the stem; quick-release saddle clamps
ConclusionA well-balanced touring bike with solid riding characteristics and an average equipment package.
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