The core of the F3’s incomparable ride quality is its proven UHC Performance Modular Monocoque Construction carbon fiber frame and fork. Even more impressive than the F3's incredible light weight are the superb ride characteristics. With a perfect balance of lightweight zing, powerful pedaling stiffness and comfy compliance, it’s clearly in a league of its own. A precise SRAM Red drivetrain and SRAM S27 wheels, complete this dream ride.
Strengths: The best all-around bike I have owned in 23 years of cycling.
Weaknesses: Somehow the top tube was scratched. Devastating.
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ever owned - which is many. It looks cool in matte black. The mix of Sram Red with sensible sacrifices like rival brakes is still light and high performance. I planned on racing it for a year and moving on but couldn't let it go. I replaced the saddle, post, bars and wheels and my 58cm is sub 16 pounds.
I'm racking my brain to think of a negative but can't. It is a little flexy but just enough so that it is comfortable. I can still rip a sprint on this and frame flex is not really noticable.
Similar Products Used: Only other road bike I've owned is a 1999 Bianchi Giro, a great bike.
Bike Setup: SRAM Red Group. SRAM S30AL wheelset. Speedplay light action pedals. Edge Carbon fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
titaniumplate
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2009
Strengths: Stiffness, fit and finish, SRAM Red, crisp ride that lets you feel the road without beating you up.
Weaknesses: Aluminum bars that came with it sucked, the carbon seatpost would be nice, but for the notches that don't allow infinite adjustment like a PRO seatpost, and the seat looks good, but feels only so so. I know it is a price point issue, but the crank, brakes and bottom bracket should really be standard Red. Right now stock is Rival brakes, S900 crank, midrange SRAM chain, and low end bottom bracket.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2009 F3. I outfitted the bike with all SRAM Red, PRO carbon seatpost, and Bontrager carbon bar. I can only say it is a great improvement over my 2007 Trek Madone 5.2.
The bike is lighter and feels more crisp on the road. It feels more responsive both in movements on the road, and when you put power to the wheel. The chainstays and bottom bracket are much larger and stiffer than the Trek so you can tell the difference when you stand up and crank out the watts. Cornering is secure and solid. There is no twitchiness to the bike if you have to jerk yourself back onto your line.
Climbing seems to have improved because of the rear stiffness. I know Felt does extensive wind tunnel testing on the bikes they make. This is only subjective, but with the hidden front cables and aero qualities of the bike, it seems a shade bit easier to cut through the headwinds now. I base this on feel, perceived exertion, heart rate and watts. I also wonder if the ceramic bearings in the bottom bracket make a difference as well.
The fit and finish of the bike are superb. The black frame with carbon weave peaking through the mat black paint here and there is really cool. There are red and white accents on the frame that are tastefully incorporated. I happened to have some Arundel mat carbon cages that match perfectly.
I came from Dura Ace 7800 to the SRAM Red. All I can say is, "Damn, it's good". It took one trip to my LBS to get the front derailleur dialed in and it has been a dream since. I learned the double tap gear shifting within the first ride. It is pretty intuitive...one click to go down, two clicks to go up. Also you can pull the shifter towards your hand for easy shifting in the drops. The rear shifts are solid and precise, braking seems better than the DA, and front shifting is about 95% on par with the DA. The difference is very subtle. Fit and finish on the SRAM Red is HOT. I have read a lot of reviews that talk about the noise coming from the Red drivetrain. I haven't had any noise issues.
I ditched the Ksyrium Equip wheels it came with for my Mavic OpenPros. So I cannot speak to their performance.
Bike Setup: All SRAM Red, Shimano PRO carbon seatpost, Bontrager XXX carbon handlebars, Mavic Open Pro wheels with Powertap 2.4SL hub, Selle Italia Gel Saddle, Garmin 705, and Look Carbon KEO pedels.
Strengths: Fast and stable
Build quality
Great looks (Yellow/Black Carbon)
Relatively light
Reliable
Puts a smile on my face
Braking
Weaknesses: 1. The rider
2. The original saddle and seatpost adjustment
Bottom Line:
Fantastic and well made bike. I made a few modifications over time. The one I had to make was changing the saddle. I was getting saddle sore on the felt seat on rides over 50km. I fitted a Selle Italia SLR saddle and no more pain. The SLR saddle is also lighter than the felt. I also plan the change the carbon seatpost as the felt seatpost is impossible to get the saddle at the exact angle I want. Other mods: fitted Dura-ace crank, BB and 12-27 cassette, KMC X10-SL gold chain, FSA ceramic bearing jockey wheels, Ritchey WCS 4-axis stem. Very well built bike! It rides like a dream. Very stable at high speed descents. The Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels roll very fast and excellent for training. I have hit lots of pot holes etc and they are still true. Great value bike! Well done felt!
Wanted to get 3K mi on this bike before I wrote a review. My opinion remains the same as the day I took my first ride. Great bike!!! Rode some friends bikes, (Specilized Roubaix, Giant TCR) and they even had to admit the F3 seemed to have a little more pop(they have been riding a lot longer than me). While the other 2 bikes seemed to ride smoother, more effort was required to get the same results, but all 3 bikes were basically in the same class. Where the F3 beat them was in the price. There was no comparasion.
Prior to picking up my 2011 F3 last year, it had been a LONG TIME since I bought a new bike. Oh sure, I picked up a Gary Fisher Tassahara in the summer of 2002, a bike that is dam Read More »
Now showing on the Felt Website: The Felt F3 LTD
The picture below appears to be a 3D CAD rendering of the bike, which uses DuraAce 7900 series drivetrain with a FSA SL-K Light Read More »
[IMG]http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2011/07/20/1311152720394-dfnlxym8wuus-670-75.jpg[/IMG]
[URL="http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/article/felt-bicycles-2012-first-lo Read More »
Well, I just ordered my wife and I 2011 F3's. I think we will really like these bikes. I'm coming off of a F75 and her an F85. Hopefully be here in 7 days or less. :thumbsup:
Read More »
Why are the weights listed for some bikes and not others? Im curious the weight difference between the 2011 felt F3 and the 2012 F3. Ive noticed that the wheels and cranks are diff Read More »
