At the 2015 Sea Otter Classic, we got a first look at the brand-new 2016 cyclocross bikes unveiled by Felt Bicycles. Each change may seem subtle, but as an entire package, the new carbon cyclocross bikes (F1x, F3x, F4x) have hopped the barrier to become completely modern machines. The aluminum models keep the same frames, but adopt the latest components.
Felt Bicycles already had an Editors' Award-winning carbon platform for its cyclocross bikes, but it wasn't perfect. Tire clearance was limited, and the Alex Road Tubeless wheels and Vittoria TNT XL tire pairing wasn't reliable at low pressure. Technology has also changed since the carbon platform was introduced, with single chainrings and thru axles being all the rage nowadays.
The company went back to the drawing board and has added a number of subtle changes that add up to a pretty impressive bike line from what we saw at the 2015 Sea Otter Classic.
See all the changes to the Felt Bicycles line in the slideshow below:
The Di2 shifters have been reprogrammed on the single chainring F1x Di2 model so that both buttons on each side do the same thing—the right buttons handle upshifts while the left buttons handle downshifts. Riding in mittens in freezing winter conditions? You won’t miss a shift.
The Di2 levers of the F1x have been reprogrammed so that both right buttons handle upshifts and left buttons handle downshifts. 2016 Felt Bicycles cyclocross bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
