Finally clicked on buy...

Gpfanuk

After months of scanning shops, websites, forums etc I have finally taken the plunge and ordered my next bike... A 2013 felt AR5 (cue the arse jokes...) with Shimano 105... It was such a good saving that I couldn't resist.. Does anyone have any constructive information regarding Felt as a brand etc? I know it won't be to everyone's taste but I'll admit to being shallow and being swayed by it's looks!

markhewitt1978

You've bought it, it's too late to ask for opinions now; and counter-productive to do so. Never read reviews after you've purchased

Gpfanuk

Hence I asked for opinions on Felt as a brand! TBH I always do my own thing anyway, I was just looking to gauge opinion on Felt overall. Coming from a £300 Triban I'm sure it will feel amazing!

davem399

I have 2 Felts, a time trial bike and a MTB, both are fine and were good value for money, thanks to clearance sales by Mr Wiggle. There are several lads locally riding Felts as well, and I have not heard of them having any problems.

ic.

Looks like a really nice bike and a great price. Worry not what others think. Just ride it.

matt-h

I have a Felt carbon MTB and my father has the F85.
Both are really nice bikes
Enjoy!

Matt

BrandonA

Gpfanuk wrote:

Hence I asked for opinions on Felt as a brand! TBH I always do my own thing anyway

Its the same thing. If the brand is poor then your bike will likely be poor.

Gpfanuk wrote:

I always do my own thing anyway

Which is why our opinions on the brand are worthless.

Once you've bought something you have to live with your choice. Stop asking for feedback and stop checking shops for similar items as something new and better may come along or you find your purchase for sale at a cheaper price.

Gb_Rae

I have a 2012 Felt AR4, with full Ultegra. I love it, can't fault it at all and i think the frame is one of the nicest around. Currently saving for a set of 50mm carbon wheels to top it off!

Get some pics up once you get it, will be interested to see it! You'll love it.

napoleond

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Gpfanuk

Hi Napd, surely for them to state its carbon fibre is false advertising then? Surely they would have to use Carbon laminate or similar?

Camcycle1974

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Nap, hope this isn't a wind up as I expect the OP isn't feeling too great about his purchase right now!

napoleond

Gpfanuk wrote:

Hi Napd, surely for them to state its carbon fibre is false advertising then? Surely they would have to use Carbon laminate or similar?

Yeah the carbon laminate is the cosmetic layer over the felt/glue mix

Gpfanuk

Anybody want to buy A Felt AR5? Unused, still boxed?

Gpfanuk

In fact I am changing my surname to Spitnsawdust asap... I am launching a new range of bikes starting with the all new SNS01... coming to a retailer of cookie cutters near you any day soon...

The Mechanic

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

I have only two things to say to that; Bollocks!

napoleond

This Felt frame was ridden under some overhead power lines.

Iamnot Wiggins

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

Gpfanuk

Just raised the query with a friend who has links with Calfee.. Should be interesting...

davem399

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

And Team Garmin joined forces with the Cervelo Team.

diamonddog

Is it the 1st of April?

napoleond

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

Utter rubbish!

And I suppose Trek is named after it's founder Colin Trek?

Camcycle1974

NapoleonD wrote:

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

Utter rubbish!

And I suppose Trek is named after it's founder Colin Trek?

Nap, you are a very bad man!

allmountain76

NapD - I did actually laugh out loud! Very good.

OP - I rode an AR3 2011 for over 2000 miles with a large and ugly chew out of the chain stay from a chain drop debacle. It never delaminated, cracked, creaked, moaned or groaned. In fact, i was seriously impressed with how strong it remained even after being so badly and clumsily chain chewed. I eventually gobbed some epoxy putty in to stop any water ingress into the laminate and the frame is still going strong today (bought knowingly by a riding mate).

The AR is a lovely frame (for me at least) and i rode it on anything from 30 mile threshold efforts through to two Fred Whittons. The only thing that let it down were the Felt branded wheels but they were perfectly serviceable just a bit heavv.

Coming off your current bike you will fly, my current Scott Foil Premium doesn't feel a million miles away which upsets me given the investment i made to upgrade!

And i can safely say the AR doesn't have any Felt in its layup! :-))))

Iamnot Wiggins

NapoleonD wrote:

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

Utter rubbish!

And I suppose Trek is named after it's founder Colin Trek?

Hahaha! Certainly beats tweets about turbo training, that's for sure!

upperoilcan

This thread has made laugh from start to finish...

Great work guys

mitchgixer6

Funny that. I was telling my dad I'd ordered a Felt bike for next year he said 'wouldn't have thought a bike made out of felt would be much use'! Lol. I'm sure you'll love the new bike, be sure to post some pictures when you get it.

tonye_n

Gpfanuk wrote:

Hence I asked for opinions on Felt as a brand! TBH I always do my own thing anyway, I was just looking to gauge opinion on Felt overall. Coming from a £300 Triban I'm sure it will feel amazing!

Still too late... It's bought now!

t4tomo

NapoleonD wrote:

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

NapoleonD wrote:

Felt are so called because rather than use carbon fibre impregnated with resin for the construction, Felt use actual felt impregnated with a special glue, of differing strengths leading to the different model numbers. (5 being the weakest 1 being the strongest). They have a carbon fibre cosmetic layer applied for stiffness and appearance. This is how they get away with saying their frames are carbon fibre.
As a result I don't own a Felt and this is the exact reason why Team Garmin no longer use them.

Or rather, the owner of the company is called Jim Felt.

Utter rubbish!

And I suppose Trek is named after it's founder Colin Trek?

Nah the founder of Trek was a Star Trek fan, and the founder of Giant was very large.

Gpfanuk

It finally arrived yesterday so built it up last night. Spent the evening tweaking, staring and struggling to remove the dork disc. All being well it will be up on the OCP thread on Sunday (weather permitting). I intend to score a ten on this one although I'm sure Nap will haul me up over something! :roll:

napoleond

Get it posted sharpish!! Put it in it's own thread, then you don't have to worry about 'The Rules'.

6wheels

Gpfanuk wrote:

It finally arrived yesterday so built it up last night. Spent the evening tweaking, staring and struggling to remove the dork disc.

I use a soldering iron, it melts through it quite easily.