Felt Equilink

ross_mcculloch

Anyone on here own a Felt bike with the equilink system?

I'm very tempted by a cut-price Felt Virtue 3 2007 I've seen.

msduk

There is a recent compulsion review on here...

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -ed--31743

Raymondavalon

I own a Compulstion 2 with Equilink suspension
There are a few opinions on the Equilink in the various periodicles. MB UK said "They call equilink an 'All Day' system and we rode it all day over a variety of terrains" No complaints from MBUK there... however MBR state that Felt have overrated the Equilink system and they don't quite believe that Equilink reduced/smooths out pedal induced suspesnion bob as well as the manufacturer claims it to...

From my personal experience the Compulsion-2 (SE) that I have is my first FS bike after two years on Kona HT rides and I do like it
I've clambered up some pretty trying ascents with the Equilink equipped Compulsion and although it's not as "billy goat'ish" as the Kona Kula HT, it can and does climb the hills impressively by my FS noob standards.
As for general use, my bike is equipped with a Float-R and just under 6" of rear travel and it puts up with my sub 200Lbs torso with ease, although I may fit a custom valved RPL in the future.
I do like the smoothness of the rear shock, no swingarm chatter when covering rooty singletrack terrain. As a newcomer to FS bikes, this one has been a pleasant experience as it's predictable and smooth. My maiden ride was 19 miles of doubletrack and although the cockpit felt totally different to the Kona HTs I've become so accustomed to, I believe I could comfortably ride this bike all day long on almost any terrain

ross_mcculloch

I have to say I'm very tempted from what you've said mate.

Any virtue 3 owners on the forums?

timd75

I also have a Compulsion 2 SE (mainly for the Mint Sauce stickers! )

I would say the equilink works really well. I changed directly from a Kona Coiler to the Felt, and there is a lot less pedal bob on the Felt, IMO.
It is way more suited to "all day" general riding than the Kona, which would undoubtedly perform better when pointed downhill.

squealer

i guess you ask talking about the virtue 3 from james cycles?

I bought one about 3 months ago. It's my first full sus and coming from a HT i love it.

there is loads of talk about whether equilink works or not but ignore that - it's your personal preference that matters. Personally i find when seated the bike doesnt bob uphill and is really quick downhill and cross country.

There is a few problems with the bike - the front mech is impossible to adjust right, the bars are too narrow and the supplied pedals are awful.

Overall i would recommend it because for the price James are selling it for there's no comparison.

supersonic

Equilink is a very interesting suspension system - if you are into sad stuff like that like me ;-)

With the links tied together, and no further pivot near the dropout (on some equilinks), it relies on flex in the rear triangle.

msduk

I reserved comment before until I had a real go on my new Felt Compulsion 2 SE. Having just covered 40k at Afan I have to say I love the system. It seems to be a different set of ideas to full suss compared to most.

I'm obviously a saddo engineer like supersonic as I noticed this was the first bike to use a Stepheson 6 bar on a bike

On the downs it works well taking big hits easily. Compared to other full suss bikes you are kept moving vertically (i.e. the seat doesn't rotate over the back wheel). On the undulating terrain it shines as you can keep in the saddle and pedal the ups and downs keeping the speed up. On tricky rocky climbs being able to stay in the saddle again helps. I definitely had an advantage over the hard tails that I didnt expect. The only real disadvantage I can see is that on steep but non-technical climbs if you get ou of the saddle and pump there is a bit of bob.

It promotes smooth riding and shines with it.

msduk

Oh but do try one - the cockpit is smallish for frame size and I do think it might be everyones cup of tea.

supersonic

I nearly did mention the Stephenson, but thought it might have been too nerdy ;-)