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 Swedish TeXtreme carbon fiber is visible in the F FRDx’s nude finish but all carbon frames get TeXtreme and have gone on a diet. It’s noticeable. The new “standard” carbon cyclocross frames used in the F1x, F3x, F4x and F5x frames are now 100 grams lighter than the top-of-the-line F1x framset from 2014 and 2015. A 55cm frame reportedly weighs just 950g.
The nude, visible Textreme layer on the 2016 Felt Bicycles carbon cyclocross bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
