Publication-Bicycling Magazine

Date-February "06"

Title-"FELT F4C: BEST MEN'S ROAD BIKE"

Findings:

• "Felt uses a special construction method called modular monocoque on this red rocket, a system that the company first perfected on its higher end-offerings."
• "Moreover, the F4C sports a brilliant parts mix that includes Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra, a full carbon fork, a carbon FSA crankset and a carbon seatpost."
• "For less than "2,500 you're getting a road bike built to the same tech specs as many companies' $5000 racers."
• "It is, in our opinion, an amazingly affordable treat that shouldn't be ignored."

Publication-Bicycling Magazine

Date-May "06"

Title-"HOT BIKES, COOL PARTS, FIELD TESTS-FELT F4C

Findings:

• "In our Jan/Feb 2006 issue, we called the Felt F4C the best men's road bike we saw at the annual Interbike trade show because it combines a full monocoque frame with Shimano Ultegra shifters and a Dura Ace rear changer. It's a knockout deal, and now that we've spent a good amount of time in the F4C's saddle, our conviction has only strengthened."
• "By using high-modulus carbon-modulus refers to the tensile and compressive strengths divided by weight- with a slightly thicker weave than the company's priciest-super-high-modulus carbon, Felt is able to hold down the cost of the F4C. The company molds its front triangle, seatstays, and chainstays as individual pieces, so each can be tuned to specific load and strength needs. These three pieces are then fused together into what Felt says are completely integrated joints. MonoStay chainstays are connected directly into the bottom bracket and seat tube with a horizontal internal rib to enhance stiffness for climbing prowess and sprint acceleration.
• "Felt's F4C is a stellar example of a company taking a race-inspired design and finding a way to minimize the hit to the consumer's wallet-it rides like some bikes that cost nearly twice as much. Felt's racing heritage may be a turnoff for century riders or casual week-end warriors, but serious cyclists who want a speedy ride (even if it is only on the weekend) that feels like a real race bike when they're at the front of the group need to look no further. It's stiff for carbon, but not as rough on you as the harshest alloy frames we've ridden. It snaps to attention on climbs and cuts to the inside of a turn when you're daring. The proverbial bubble in the carbon? You'll be giving up about three pounds in weight to your pals who spent $4000 on their steed.

Publication-Bicycling Magazine

Date-March "07"

Title-"FELT F4: BEST $2,000 CARBON BIKES"

Findings:

• "The sleek looks of the Felt F4's minimalist saddle, short head tube and striking graphics hint at lean and mean performance that's unusual at this price. And with many features often overlooked in the sub-$3,000 price range, the spec doesn't disappoint. The fork has a carbon steerer; the seatpost is full carbon (not carbon wrap over aluminum); and the cage bolts are aluminum (not steel). Best of all the entire drivetrain, even the chain and the cassette, is Shimano, including a rare-at-this-price Ultegra crank. We've found that a drivetrain completely from the same house, be it SRAM, Campagnelo or Shimano, leads to the smoothes fastest performance. The use of Shimano 105 brake calipers marks the return of several bike manufacturers to parts-giant Shimano's excellent brakes. In past years these bikes typically got softer-stopping brakes, most of which didn't measure up to Shimano's performance."
• "At casual speeds, the F4's ride feel is a bit firm, almost wooden. Slower-speed handling is heavy to initial input, but neutral after you choose a line. At the bottom bracket, the F4 feels plenty stiff, but the acceleration lacks crispness. At speeds exceeding 20 miles an hour, however, the ride quality becomes lively and well damped; the handling gets lighter but still balanced, responsive and confidence inspiring, melting the tarmac on 40-mph, decreasing radius corners. It even seems to pedal more efficiently, and becomes a joy for the senses, a font of emotion. The aggressive geometry and gearing (53/39 cranks and 11-23 cassette) should steer this bike into the hands of its ideal owner: someone fast, fit, and limber."