The Felt F1, whose frame is intended to document the lightweight construction expertise of the manufacturer from California, looks solid and unobtrusive. This is not only due to the expensive, predominantly black components used by the German importer to build the frameset. The frame also speaks a rather conservative language: hardly any corners and edges or even bizarre tube shapes, but visible state-of-the-art technology - including a tapered head tube and BB30 bottom bracket in 2012.
However, Felt's F1 is also a very convincing product with visual understatement. At 1,274 grams, the frameset is one of the ten lightest in the TOUR test history, although the stiffness in the bottom bracket and headset achieve top marks. The construction is up to standard with very high-quality and above all lightweight parts throughout - the complete bike without pedals weighs just 6.2 kilos. The F1's purpose is clear from the first seat test: it is uncompromisingly designed for racing. In typical American style, the top tube is quite long in relation to the frame height, forcing the rider into an emphatically stretched, race-like position. The aerodynamic Zipp wheels and the ambitious gear range of 39/23 in the lowest gear match this. The fact that the bike picks up speed faster than others from the very first turn of the cranks is due in no small part to Conti's Grand Prix TT tyres with Supersonic light tubes - probably the fastest combination you can ride on the road. With its short caster, the bike reacts spontaneously to steering commands and, despite the relatively long wheelbase, makes cornering a lot of fun. The test rides confirmed an impression that we already had during our first test rides on Mallorca: The new grey brake pads from Zipp decelerate the Firecrest carbon rims surprisingly well. At least in dry conditions, they achieve almost the same braking power and modulation that we were previously only used to from aluminium rims.
The 3T carbon seatpost, or rather the unfortunate combination of seatpost and Felt saddle clamp, caused serious problems. The latter clamps the seat tube with the lower bolt and the post itself with the upper bolt. However, as its collar does not exactly match the wall thickness of the seat tube, but protrudes slightly beyond it, the 3T Doric LTD (see Seatpost test TOUR 6/2011->) despite adhering to the maximum torque, a longitudinal crack on the back made them unusable. The handlebar/stem combination from the same 3T series, on the other hand, is completely satisfactory - the parts are light, well thought-out and the handlebars are comfortable to grip.
Price complete wheel 6,999 Euro
Frame set 2,199 Euro
Weight 6.2 kilos
Reference/Info www.feltbicycles.com
Frame sizes** 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle 74°/75°
Seat/top tube/head tube 585/585/159 plus 16 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 1 .000/44 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 570/418 mm/1.36
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket SRAM Red (53/39 t., BB30)
Wheels/tyres Zipp 30 3 Firecrest/Conti Grand Prix TT
Handlebar/stem 3T Ergosum LTD/3T ARX LTD
Saddle/post Devox UHC Ultimate/3T Doric LTD (27.2 mm)
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight of complete wheel (without pedals) 6.2 kg
Frame/fork/steering bearing weight 874/332/72 g
Standardised weight frame set**** 1.274 g: 1,3
Steering head stiffness 109 Nm/°: 1.0
Lateral stiffness fork 42 N/mm: 2.7
Bottom bracket stiffness 62 N/mm: 1.0
Comfort frame 249 N/mm: 2.0
Comfort fork 102 N/mm: 5.0
* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score and the features for 60 per cent. These two ratings include individual grades, which we have only printed in part for reasons of space. The grades are calculated up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Manufacturer's specification. Tested frame size greased.
*** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset; STR (stack to reach): Values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a sporty riding position, values below are race-like, above are comfortable.
**** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
