Felt Virtue 3.

lego
lego Posts: 769
edited February 2008 in MTB buying advice
Has anyone got any experiances of these? Anyone own one? What do you think? I've been eyeing up a Virtue 3 but can't seem to make my mind up. I don't really want to pay more than 1300 quid and I'm not really a mondeo- sorry Specalised man :wink: and I haven't got a beard so Marin's are out the window :lol: .
OK joking aside I do like the look of the Virtue. (I would post a link but can't remember how). Any help, please.

Comments

  • scotttomo
    scotttomo Posts: 531
    Like this? Its an 07 model but within your budget!

    http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp? ... gn=froogle

    As far as linkys go:
    When your on the desired page highlight the characters in the address bar at the top of your screen, then right click,copy, then open your bike radar window and right click in your reply screen. Then paste and as spongebob would say ta da! Roberts your fathers brother!!
    Not ridden one though so canna help you there :roll:
    "If i was a slug i don't think i could handle it, i'd just throw myself in the salt pot" -Karl pilkington

    Whyte 46, i fall off it alot!!
  • scotttomo
    scotttomo Posts: 531
    Theres an in depth review here if you wanna gander:
    http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=231252
    Apparently it pedals really well and there is little or no pedal induced bob due to the nifty equilink suspension.
    "If i was a slug i don't think i could handle it, i'd just throw myself in the salt pot" -Karl pilkington

    Whyte 46, i fall off it alot!!
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Thats it Scot, cheers. Why is you can never think of the easy way to do something at midnight :oops: .
    I've read the reviews and they all seem ok. I was just wondering if anyone had one and
    had any niggles etc. Spec wise it seems ok to me but I wouldn't know the performance
    differance between a fox fork and a squirrel pie.
  • S_J_P
    S_J_P Posts: 908
    JeJames are doing the Felt 3 for £1079.99 (clicky)
    My Album
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Cheers S_J_P. They are doing a Virtue 4 for £749.
    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id35809.html.
    Is the spec on this alot worse? I have noticed the rear shock doesn't have lock out, is it really needed.
    I'm starting to sound like a noob - sorry
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    This may put a dampener on your wishes but I thought you should know!

    I asked my LBS about the Virue 1 as I have a test ride booked at the demo day. The response from all 3 guys working there (very experienced staff!) that the virtue is no where near as good as people have been making it out to be. Apparently as you apply the rear brake the rear suspension begins to ramp up and you lose travel. According to the LBS staff this is called semi-active suspension and is massively overlooked when considering full-sus bikes.

    That's what they told me anyway!

    I'm still going to test ride it and see if I like it or not.
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • S_J_P
    S_J_P Posts: 908
    The Virtue 4 hasn't exactly been slated, but reviews aren't good (see the BikeRadar review, also MTBR site or Bicycling.com article for the low-down). The 3 does at least address it's major flaws (brakes, shock, fork).
    My Album
  • yensid
    yensid Posts: 19
    I've got a Virtue Two (bought ex-demo, so nice and cheap) and think it's great. First full-sus', so no expert. I tried the usual Specialized/Giant/Trek, but like yourself, Lego, the Felt caught my eye and I enjoyed riding it on a try out. I liked the stiff feel of the back end and I run the shock quite firm - which suits my riding at the mo', shorter rides around Wiltshire's bridleways and tracks. But, looking forward to giving it some better terrain as spring rolls on. Can't say I've noticed the back brake ramp up descibed above - probably not riding it hard enough, I'll look out for it at the weekend!

    Couple of links with reviews (for Virtue Two) to address the balance!

    http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/gear.tcl?gear=Felt-Virtue-Two&gear_id=4741&action=showgear

    http://www.feltbicycles.com/index.php?id=1099,4272,0,0,1,0
    Freewheel review link at bottom of page. OK, so this is on the Felt site - obviously they'll only republish good reviews!!
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Cheers for the input chaps,the links were helpfull, I went and had a look at specalised and comenceal as a comparison and I still think the Virtue 3 is the way for me to go. So the next question is what size? the small (15') or medium (17.5'). What size is yours Yensid? I've always riden smaller bikes so perhaps the 15' would be best?
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Size is a difficult one - obvoisuly it's far better to try them out if you are in a position to do so. No-one wil be able to accurately predict whether a bike fits you or not - you may find someone the same height and with the same inside leg as you but the same bike fitting differently.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Yea thats the problem. There isn't one even remotely local to me.
  • yensid
    yensid Posts: 19
    Mine's a 19.5" - I'm 6ft with an average inside leg, fits me well. It seems quite long on the top tube and I probably will change the 110 stem for a shorter one. I rode the 17.5" Virtue 3, which was fun to throw about but as soon as I got on the 19.5" I knew which suited me best for my type of use. For comparison I also have a 19.5" Trek Hardtail.
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Thanks Yensid. I phoned saddleback (the importers) and they reconmended a 17.5 as well. Well the only thing holding me back now is my natural tightness to spend money. Perhaps a few beers will help that.
    Well thanks all for the advice.

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