For model year 2016, Felt Bicycles introduced us to the concept of what they call the "Living Line". What this means is that moving forward, they will no longer be releasing all of their new models in July like previous years. From now on, they will making rolling changes to their bikes when needed and new bikes will be developed and released when they are ready. Other bike companies like Santa Cruz or Niner use a similar schedule and Felt emphasized that the vast majority of their dealers also supported the change. Felt dealers will no longer have to discount their "year old" models during the summer months anymore, something that was occurring with new models coming out earlier and earlier every year. Michael Ford, General Manager of Felt says that this change will allow Felt to produce a "better product, from a a better brand with better availability."

Felt also released a new logo to help reinforce this new sense of new identity for the brand going forward. Gone is the old outline font and in it's place is the solid black lettering. The Felt wings will remain.

The Decree - ?????

Felt has a new bike coming in October but the details on it are sparse. All we know so far is that it is called the Decree and has over 5" of "plush" travel. Will it be 27.5 or 29? Alloy or carbon? Our guess would be carbon. And yes, they confirmed this new bike is not a carbon version of the Compulsion (that was our second question). We will have to stay tuned for more.

The new Felt Surplus is a 27.5+ alloy hardtail with a 1x drivetrain.

The new Felt Surplus is a 27.5+ alloy hardtail with a 1x drivetrain (click to enlarge).​

The Surplus 27.5+ hardtails

A bit more solid than the Decree is the Surplus 27.5+ alloy hardtails. There will be two models available called the Surplus 30 and Surplus 70 rolling on 3" wide tires. The Surplus 30 is the higher spec'ed model with an estimated MSRP around $2499 (production spec has not yet been set). The Surplus 70 will have an MSRP around $1799. Felt believes that the fat bike category is showing no signs of slowing down and that the 27.5+ category will "one day bike into everyday hardtails sales."

The Surplus 70 will have a Deore rear derailleur and the Surplus 30 will have an XT rear derailleur with both having 1x10 drivetrains. Both also have Boost 110 and 148 axle spacing. The Surplus was designed with a 120mm trail fork in mind, so it's not an XC racer and it's not a freeride hardtail, but something in between. The 1x10 drivetrain uses a Sunrace 11-40 cassette in the rear. There are holes for a direct mount front derailleur but with the Boost 148 spacing in the rear, there is an extra 3mm of clearance required. Right now, 9 or 8 speed direct mount front derailleurs with that kind of spacing are not available, but as manufacturers catch up to the needs of Boost, they should become more readily available. There is cable routing (external) options for a dropper post. The head tube is also Angleset compatible. It will be available in 5 frame sizes (XS, SM, MD, LG, XL). Availability hasn't been set yet but target timeline is Fall of this year.

The Felt Nine FRD has been a mainstay of their MTB line and now comes as a complete bike option.

The Felt Nine FRD has been a mainstay of their MTB line and now comes as a complete bike option (click to enlarge).​

Felt Nine FRD

The Felt Nine FRD was previously available as a frameset only, for MY2016 the FRD is available as a complete bike and the frame features their top-of-the-line UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme carbon fiber. The spec highlights include a RockShox RS-1 fork, Easton carbon bar, stem and seatpost, SRAM XX1 drivetrain, Race Face Next SL cranks, SRAM XX brakes and DT Swiss XRC1200 wheels.

The Nine is also available in 4 less expensive carbon versions as well as 2 alloy versions. The Felt Nine FRD will be available in 5 sizes (XS -14", SM - 16", MD - 18", LG - 20", XL - 22") and has a claimed weight of an amazing 19.31 lbs. The MSRP is $8999 and will be available starting September of this year.

The Edict 5 has 100mm of FAST travel paired with a 120mm SR Suntour fork. MSRP is $2999.

The Edict 5 has 100mm of FAST travel paired with a 120mm SR Suntour fork. MSRP is $2999 (click to enlarge).​

Felt Edict 5

The Edict is Felt's best selling full suspension bike and it features 100mm FAST (Felt Active Stay Technology) travel. For MY2016, the FRD and 1 level both feature TexTreme carbon fiber. The Edict 5 has a carbon frame with 100mm of FAST travel and features a RockShox Monarch R shock and a SR Suntour Raidon 120mm fork. The drivetrain is a Shimano 2x10 Deore and the brakes are Shimano M355's.

The Edict is also available in 3 more expensive carbon versions including a top-of-the-line Edict FRD version. For MY2016, there is no longer an alloy version of the Edict. This model is available in 4 sizes (SM - 16", MD - 18", LG - 20", XL - 22") and has a claimed weight of an amazing 28.86 lbs. The MSRP is $2999 and is available from your local Felt dealer now.

Continue to page 2 to see the Compulsion, DD 10 fat bike and more new bikes from Felt and a photo gallery »

No big changes for Felt's enduro racer, but spec value has been improved.

No big changes for Felt's enduro racer, but spec value has been improved (click to enlarge).​

Felt Compulsion 50

The Compulsion series is Felt's 27.5 enduro/all mountain bike with 160mm of Equilink suspension. It is targeted towards the rider or racer that spends 40% of their time climbing and 60% descending. There is no carbon version yet. For MY2016, there are 3 versions:
  • Compulsion 10 - $4999 1x11, internal dropper post
  • Compulsion 30 - $3499 1x11 XT (11-40, but 42T compatible), RockShox Pike fork
  • Compulsion 50 - $2999 SR Suntour Aion fork,Shimano Deore 2x10 drivetrain
This model is available in 4 sizes (SM - 16", MD - 18", LG - 20", XL - 22") and has a claimed weight of 29.1 to 31.6 lbs depending on model. All 3 versions will be available in September of this year.

The Felt DD 10 fat bike features a RockShox Bluto fork with 100mm of travel.

The Felt DD 10 fat bike features a RockShox Bluto fork with 100mm of travel (click to enlarge).​

Felt DD10, Lebowsk-e 10 and Outfitter fat bikes, ebikes

Felt's line of fat bikes have proven so popular that they have expanded the DD (Double Double) line to 3 models. Now available is the DD 10 with a RockShox Bluto fork with 100mm of travel. The DD 30 and DD 70 are still available with Felt's hydroformed aluminum rigid fork.

The DD 10 also features a Shimano XT 1x11 drivetrain, Shimano Deore M615 brakes and WTB saddle and Schwalbe Jumbo Jim tires. This model is available in 3 sizes (SM - 16", MD - 18.5", LG - 21"). The MSRP is $2999 and will be available in August.

Felt Lebowske - electric fat bike Felt Outfitter - fat ebike camo

Felt Lebowske electric fat bike and Felt Outfitter fat ebike camo (click to enlarge).

If you prefer a bit of power to help propel your fat bike, check out the Lebowsk-e 10 or for the outdoorsman/hunter/cyclist the Outfitter. Both of these e-models feature the Bosch eDrive system and are available now.

[IMG alt="The Q24 rolls on 24" wheels and features a 3x7 twist shift drivetrain and a Suntour fork with 50mm of travel."]https://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/P7143657.jpg[/IMG]

The Q24 rolls on 24" wheels and features a 3x7 twist shift drivetrain and a Suntour fork with 50mm of travel (click to enlarge).​


Felt Q24 and Q20-S kid's mountain bikes


Felt has a long history of supporting cycling for all ages. They have built kid sized road bikes and they have mountain bikes to match. They are designed to be capable off road rigs, with solid parts and an affordable price. The Q20-S rolls on 20" wheels and features an aluminum frame. This bike has a Shimano Revo 7-speed twist shifter, Tektro V-brakes and a SR Suntour fork with 40mm of travel.

For bigger kids, the Q24 rolls on 24" wheels and has an aluminum frame. The drivetrain here is a 3x7 twist shift system to give plenty of gear options for tackling more serious hills. The SR Suntour fork has 50mm of travel. The MSRP for the Q20-S is $369 and the MSRP for the Q24 is $429. Both are available now.

Check out more photos in the gallery below.

For more information visit www.feltbicycles.com.