Felt presented the latest evolutionary stage of the Compulsion back in 2014. Back then, the aluminium all-mountain rolled through the terrain with 160/150 mm travel and was already equipped with the Equilink rear suspension system. The Americans, who are now part of the Rossignol Group, have presented the successor for the 2018 season. For the first time with a carbon frame, 2.6-inch wide tyres in 27.5-inch dimensions and plenty of suspension travel, the Felt the Compulsion pimped into a super enduro.
The new full carbon frame - main frame, rear triangle, rocker link and Equilink stay are made of carbon fibre - allows you to ride suspension forks with 170 millimetres of travel, while the rear triangle offers 165 mm of travel. Felt is sticking to the rear suspension system of its four-bar linkage with virtual pivot point - the Equilink. What is new is that the Equilink link, like the rocker link, is made of carbon. In addition, the bearings and bushings have been revised so that the system is no longer so susceptible to maintenance. During initial test rides on Monte Zugna above Rovereto, the suspension was convincing. Felt has got a grip on the drivetrain influences that were felt when climbing on the old Compulsion. When seated, the rear suspension remains inconspicuous and the slight pumping when pedalling can be switched off with a twist of the compression lever. The geometry of the 13.8 kg bike is strongly oriented towards its aluminium predecessor, which had its strengths downhill. Nevertheless, the new Compulsion has longer chainstays, a slacker head angle, a longer reach and a steeper seat angle. As with its sister model, the Decree, the angle (+/- 0.4 degrees) and bottom bracket height (+/- 5 mm) can be adjusted via a flip chip in the rocker. A new feature is the centre position of the chip: this gives you three positions to adjust. The equipment and choice of tyres are practical and suit the area of use.
The facts about the Felt Compulsion 27.5" for 2018
Price (frame price) 5,999 euros (2,999 euros)
Weight 13.8 kilos (full carbon frame (frame weight 3.21 kg incl. shock)
Available in specialised shops
Front / rear suspension travel 170/165 mm spring travel
Material / Sizes Carbon / 16 / 17/ 18.5 (47 cm) / 20 inch
Fork / damper Fox 36 Performance Elite / Fox Float X2 Tr.
Cranks / gears Sram Descendant 7K Eagle / Sr. GX Eagle
Gear ratio / handlebar width 34; 10-50 / 800 mm
Brake system / Disc Sram Guide RS / 180 mm / 180 mm
Telescopic support Kindshock LEV Integra 150 mm
Impellers Race Face Aeffect R system wheels; Maxxis Minion DHF Exo 27.5x2.6" tyres
Reach / Stack / BB-Offset 455 mm / 615 mm / 10 mm
- Flipchip with three setting options
- two models: Compulsion 1 for 5999 euros, Compulsion 2 for 3999 euros
- Boost, metric shock size, trunnion mount
- four frame sizes
- Igus bearings and revised Equilink system
A first test report on the Felt Compulsion from BIKE 7/2018 can be found on the next page (please scroll down)
THE FIRST TEST
"The Felt Compulsion 10 is a first-class riding machine for difficult terrain, the ideal Lake Garda bike." This conclusion dates back to 2015 (pictured right), when the all-mountain bike with 160 mm fork was poaching in the enduro segment. Just in time for the BIKE Festival on Lake Garda, the Americans, who are now part of the Rossignol Group, presented the successor: with a full carbon frame, 2.6-inch wide tyres in 27.5-inch dimensions and plenty of suspension travel. With a 170 mm Fox36 and 165 mm at the rear, the Compulsion now has to compete in the Super Enduro class. Felt is sticking to the rear suspension system of its four-bar linkage with virtual pivot point - the Equilink.
A new feature is that the Equilink connecting bar, like the rocker, is made of carbon fibre. The bearings and bushings have also been revised so that the system is no longer so susceptible to maintenance. During initial test rides on Monte Zugna above Rovereto, the suspension was convincing. The rear suspension responds well, the suspension travel can be fully utilised with 25 percent sag, and the Fox X2 shock offers enough end progression at the end of the stroke. Felt has also managed to get a grip on the drivetrain influences that you felt when climbing on the old Compulsion. When seated, the rear end remains inconspicuous and the slight pumping when pedalling can be switched off with a twist of the compression lever.
But what does the Compulsion still have in common with its predecessor? The convincing downhill behaviour: stable when it rumbles properly and playful when the trail winds its way through the terrain. This is not surprising, as the geometry of the 13.8 kg bike is strongly based on its aluminium predecessor. As with its sister model, the Decree, the angle (+/- 0.4 degrees) and bottom bracket height (+/- 5 mm) can be adjusted via a flip chip in the rocker. The equipment and choice of tyres are practical and suit the area of use, only the front could do with a larger brake disc.
Conclusion from BIKE tester Stefan Loibl:
750 grams heavier and 2,000 euros more expensive - but the comparison is not accurate. This is because the Carbon Compulsion with its successful seating position climbs efficiently, is significantly more powerful downhill and is better equipped.
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 7/2018 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
