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:
All bikes will feature tubeless wheelsets, and await a yet-to-be-seen Schwalbe tubeless cyclocross tire that will be a completely new tread, bead and casing. Stay tuned on that.
2016 Felt Bicycles CXR1300 tubeless carbon wheelset on the Felt F1x Di2 model. Shown with “standard” Schwalbe tires, but will ship with new Schwalbe tubeless cyclocross tires. © Cyclocross Magazine
