For € 2,400 you have to put up with rather heavy wheels with simple tyres, but there's nothing more to criticise. The SRAM Rival groupset with hydraulic disc brakes turns out to be an interesting Shimano alternative for price-conscious buyers. The 22-speed gearbox works perfectly and, with the mountain cassette from 11 to 32 teeth, offers a wide range with reserves when things get steep. The brakes require a little more manual force than their Shimano counterparts, but are powerful from the pressure point onwards. The frame allows for a riding position that is not too upright, and the carbon seat post efficiently absorbs road shocks. A good saddle, gel pads under the handlebar tape and the smart, angle-adjustable stem round off the successful concept.
CONCLUSION Frame set with marathon geometry, cheapest bike in the test, well equipped with practical details
Price 2,399 Euro
Weight 8.4 kilos
Info www.feltbicycles.com
available in specialised shops
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,116/448/65 grammes
Frame sizes*** 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 535/560/203 mm plus 21 mm headset cap
Stack/Reach/STR**** 582/391 mm/1.49
EQUIPMENT
Drive/Circuit SRAM Rival 22 (50/34 t., BB30)
Brakes SRAM Rival HRD-A1 (160/140 mm)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Aksium One Disc/Mavic Aksion 25C
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
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