Felt unveiled their 2013 road and cyclocross range in California earlier this summer, and BikeRadar were there for the full scoop. But UK distributor Saddleback held an open day to show off what Felt bikes they have on offer in the UK, including several more budget models in the Z series.
Z series
The Z series is all about comfort and all-day stints in the saddle, with longer head tubes and slightly longer wheelbases than on the F racing series. The frames have a rib running the lengths of the top and head tubes that allows for a 25 percent stiffness increase torsionally and side-to-side, as well as improved comfort over bumps.
2013 features include tapered head tubes on all carbon models (plus the Z85 alloy frame), BB30 shells on upper-end bikes and internal cable routing for electronic or mechanical drivetrains. They come as basic or luxurious as you like, from the alloy, Sora Z100 to the SRAM Red emblazoned Z2.
New for 2013 are several bikes at the budget end of the range, including the aluminium Z95, Z85 and Z75, plus the 'starter' carbon models Z6 and Z5. The Z95 is made from 6061 aluminium and has a carbon fork, all for a nicely priced £649.
Obviously, the components aren't dazzling for that price (full Shimano Sora with Felt cockpit bits and an SL saddle). But with a compact drivetrain and 11-32T cassette, the bike will give cycling newcomers a chance to find their way in the sport.
The Z85 (£925) has the same frame geometry and the same aluminium but has had a groupset upgrade (Shimano 105). Again, it has a compact FSA chainset but a slightly more forgiving 12-30T cassette. Wheels are Mavic's CXP 22Ns.
The Z6 (£1,399) is the entry option to full carbon frames, and comes with a full Shimano Tiagra groupset, compact FSA chainset, Prologo Kappa saddle and Mavic CXP 22N wheels.
One step up comes the Z5 (£1,749), with exactly the same frame, fork, wheels, geometry and drivetrain but with a full Shimano 105 group. It has a BB30 bottom bracket and a 12-30T cassette. It comes in this gloss black/white colour only.
Further up the Z range is the carbon, Ultegra Di2-equipped Z3 (£3,599, with Mavic Ksyrium Equipe rims) and the Z2 (£4,999.99, SRAM S30 Race rims).
Felt Z2
Cyclocross
New to the cyclocross line-up is the rim-braked F75X (£1,199) and the disc-braked F65X. The former has a 7005 aluminium frame, Shimano 105 shifters, an Ultegra rear derailleur and an FSA 46/36T chainset. Felt's own CXR3s take care of the wheels and come fitted with Vittoria Cross XG Pro tyres.
The F65X is on the next level up (£1,349) and has the same frame and wheels but a mixture of SRAM Apex and Rival components.
