Enduro riders know the drill: you toil uphill and reap the rewards on the downhill. Not so with the Felt Compulsion. There is no question of slogging uphill here. The bike impressively blends the all-mountain and enduro categories. It climbs very well and still allows a free choice of line downhill. You could say that 160s are the new 150s in terms of suspension travel and all-round capabilities - the category of lightweight, long-travel bikes seems to be on the rise anyway. The enduro attributes of the Compulsion are visible: wide handlebars, long wheelbase, ample suspension travel and reserves. The stiff, stylish frame has a high bottom bracket for enduro riding - good for the woodchipper line. However, the tubular construction weighs 3.6 kilos with shock. The equipment includes everything that is currently modern, including the single crank. Fork, brakes, choice of tyres: top! According to Felt, the Equilink rear suspension system is very drive-neutral. The test rides do not confirm this. When pedalling out of the saddle, the pedalling becomes rough, the grip on the platform lever brings calm. Annoying for buyers: until recently, the Felt was 500 euros cheaper. The dollar is to blame.
Test summary Felt Compulsion 10
The Felt Compulsion 10 is a first-class riding machine for difficult terrain, the ideal Lake Garda bike. It also looks great and has practical equipment.
PLUS Sensibly equipped, confident handling, a bike with reserves, wide range of use
MINUS Drive influences, cheap hubs
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