Update: Jan 31, 2013

Mtbr is about to receive this bike for testing so color us EXCITED! It's just in time for the local race series and Strava hill climb challenges.

A few of our users have purchased this bike and it now sports a perfect 5/5 rating with four reviews: Mtbr 2013 Felt Nine Team Reviews

Highlights are:
  • speed of the 22+ lb bike continues to amaze the rider on almost every ride
  • it is a climber. you can be assured the bike is not holding you back now
  • Good grip and traction with stock set up
  • Vulpine tires, Mavic wheels and other components are great spec
With a perfect rating, reviewers were searching for areas to improve:
  • one can crash a bit as speeds are higher
  • can use a beefier tire in the front to control the higher entry speeds
  • Rockshox front not quite on par with latest Fox forks
Summary:
This looks to be a true race machine that is fun to ride as well. We'll ease in to it and put big tubeless tires on our test bikes as we get used to the velocity.

Check out the Felt Forum here.


Felt is showing their new 2013 bike line-up including the Nine Series 29er hardtails. The Nine series is available in both carbon and aluminum frames and range from $5k for the top-of-the-line Nine 1 to the very affordable Nine 80 at $619. The Carbon bikes are a svelt 900 grams and the frame utilizes TeXtreme carbon fiber, the same carbon fiber used in most Formula One cars.

With cutting-edge frame technology and a superior ride quality that has won over many of Felt's professional cross-country racers, Felt's Nine Series bike blend the surefooted handling characteristics of 29" wheels with the type of razor-sharp, race-bred performance that characterizes every bike that bears the Felt name.

Design criteria for the Nine has always been strict and focused, and for 2013, Felt updated just about everything on Nine platform. From the geometry, to tube shapes, to rear triangle design, the Nine emerges in 2013 faster and more efficient than ever before. In addition, the Nine is now offered in 5 sizes, giving an improved ride quality to cyclists of all sizes.

To maximize the Nine's performance on the trail, Felt engineers modified the head angle and added a fork that produces the same trail as the Six Series. In addition, the Nine frames were constructed with same bottom bracket height as the Six bikes-lower than most other 29" wheel bikes to give it a low center of gravity and put the rider more in tune with the terrain.

The larger wheels did pose some formidable design challenges to Felt engineers. Chainstays on 29'' wheel bikes frequently run long to accommodate the tire and front derailleur. But thanks to a curved seat tube and forged chainstay yoke on the aluminum frames, Felt engineers were able to keep the chainstays short without interfering with the front derailleur. This keeps rider weight properly distributed. Better front-to-rear weight distribution improves the bike's abilities on out-of-the-saddle climbs.

The combination of all these features makes the Nine feel more like a traditional hardtail mountain bike, only faster. The result of all this engineering is a bike that inspires confidence with its tried-and-true handling.



Top Nine models feature Felt's proprietary Dynamic Monocoque carbon fiber construction for improved ride quality, drivetrain efficiency, torsional rigidity and tire clearance. Naturally, a carbon fiber frame means the bike is lighter and offers a more comfortable ride as a result of carbon fiber's natural damping ability.

The national-caliber marathon racers will tell you: The Nine is an endurance racer's dream. With its light weight and ability to float over rocks, it blends a smooth riding experience with incredible responsiveness. Its 29" wheels make longer off-road efforts more sustainable.

Whether you are a seasoned marathon racer, XC racer, weekend warrior, or recreational rider, there's a Nine that's tailor-made for you.

2013 Felt Nine Series Pricing

Nine 1: $5,169
Nine 3: $2,799
Nine 20: $2,379
Nine 50: $1,659
Nine 60: $1,029
Nine 70: $719
Nine 80: $619
Nine FRD Frame: $2,899
Nine C Frame: $1,549