Felt Compulsion 2 MBUK 20th Anniversary Edition Review - BikeRadar

Whether uphill or through rock garden, the Felt Compulsion 2 is designed to handle it all. Boasting a patented linkage design and MBUK 20th Anniversary limited edition graphics, you can ride all day on your own piece of history.

Ride & handling: all day, active suspension

The Felt Compulsion 2 features the Equillink, a totally unique system in mountain bike linkage design. When pedaling, a balanced level of drivetrain force is transferred through the Equilink strut into the rocker arms (see frame/chassis below). This resists pedal-induced suspension bob, while not locking out the system.

The Float R shock has a minimum compression damping tune which results in the back end being very supple and active.

They call the Equilink an ‘all day’ system, so we rode it all day over a variety of terrains.

The steep seat angle (73.25 degrees) paired with a shortish cockpit length took getting used to, but made the bike feel very nimble.

The 14in-high bottom bracket allows for cranking it around corners – ideal with such an active suspension system.

Frame: innovative design, commemorative finish

Felt keep it uncomplicated for the Compulsion 2 with no uninterrupted tubing or extra beef around the frame. The front triangle is formed from 6061 aluminium with a hydroformed top tube and light double butted down tube, along with a one-piece bottom bracket/lower pivot housing. 

At the rear, a 6061 heat-treated aluminium triangle pairs up with a set of pivots, utilising fully sealed cartridge bearings and needle roller bearings.

The Compulsion 2 delivers 5.8in (145mm) of rear wheel travel using a Stephenson six-bar linkage. The Equilink is a red aluminium strut running parallel to the seat tube that spans between the upper and lower pivots. It keeps the angle between the seat and chainstays constant, to isolate drivetrain movement from suspension activity. 

Felt are the first in the industry to use a Stephenson six-bar linkage, and have patented the design. The rear brake is cleverly situated on top of the chainstay, offering protection to the calliper.

The Complusion 2 limited edition model comes with a shiny gloss white front end, individually numbered and with Mr Mint Sauce graphics, celebrating 20 years of MBUK.

Equipment: SRAM family mixture

The Compulsion 2 rolls on a pair of WTB Speed Disc rims with Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 tyres.

Up front is RockShox’s Pike 409 U-Turn Coil with 95-140mm of adjustable travel and external floodgate compression/lockout and rebound control with a 360 20mm Maxle.

Gearing is a mixture of SRAM X-7 shifters, a long caged X-9 rear mech and a Shimano XT front mech shifting across a Truvativ Firex SX chainset.

A set of Juicy 3 brakes from Avid dish out generous helpings of reliable braking, with a 185/160mm rotor combo.

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