Hybrid Bicycles - Felt QX85

Hi,

Considering a Felt QX85 for myself. Any downsides, competitors I should be looking at against this bike ?

Really got a good deal on it I think. 400GBP reduced from 725GBP.

PS. Only downside is that I am in Spain and can´t find one here to ride first - The offer is in the UK.

Can´t even find a Felt QX model, only Felt Road Bikes, so a bit wary on the sizing. I am going to have to go by the Felt WebGuide which I assume will be accurate. I am 5ft7 and thats in the middle of the 52cm model they say, 5ft 6 is 48cm/52cm and 5ft 8 is 52cm, and 5ft9 is 55cm, so 52 seems to be spot on as in the middle....

Thoughts ?

I´ve just been reading about the components installed on this Felt. It seems that it´s only got base Shimano components rather than higher end Shimano. Can this be the case ? I am a little surprised by this given the 725GBP price point ! Would value any input on this, have listed the components below for comments.

Bit worried really. I know Felt are a good brand, but maybe this is a hype bike, seems to me that a 725quid bike should be pretty darn good.








Frame: Felt Cross Design 6061 double butted Aluminum: Semi sloping Hydroform TT, A Style Seatstays and Chainstays. Disc-Brake Specific, Integrated Kickstand Mount, Basta Lock Compatible
Fork: Felt Alloy Unicrown Fork: 1 1/8th Cromo Steerer tube, Alloy Crown and Legs, Disc Brake Specific w/Fender eyelets.
Headset: Semi-Integrated 1-1/8 Aheadset: Steel Cups, Caged Bearing, with Felt Tornado Alloy Top Cap, Custom Curved
Stem: Felt MTB One Piece 3D-Forged Design: 4-Bolt Handlebar Clamp, with Hole in Front Clamp, 1-1/8 Threadless, for 25.4 mm
Handlebar, 7 Degree Rise, with CP Cromo hardware Sizes; 44/48cm =80mm 49/52cm =90mm 55/58cm =110mm Handlebar: Felt MTB Design, butted Aluminum flat bar: 6 Degree Sweep
Grips: Felt Ergo Grip: Double-Density Kraton Rubber with Ergonomic design Bar Ends: Felt Wing Icon end plugs
Shifters: Shimano Alivio SL-M430: 9 speed Rapid Fire
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio FD-M430
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M591: SGS 9-speed
Crankset: Shimano FC-M431 9-speed: Forged Aluminum, 48/36/26T, w/Chainguard
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-26 Sealed Cartridge
Pedals: VP-199 With Alloy body and Cage
Chain: Sram PC-951 9-speed
Freewheel: Sram PG-950 9-speed 11-32T
Brake Levers: Shimano BL-M445
Brakes: SHIMANO BR-M445 Hydraulic Disc Brake: Rotors: 160mm Front and Rear
Cables: Custom Felt Cable Set: Featuring Stamped Felt Logos & FELT Rubber 2-Tone Tube Tops at Head Tube and one Alloy CNC Alloy ferrule
Saddle: Felt Mountain Design: Low Side Profile Look with Comfort Fit Top, double-Density Base, Cromo Rails
Seat Post: Felt Alloy Micro-Adjust: 6061 Alloy, Low-Profile Forged Head & Extruded Rail Clamps, 27.2mm x 350mm
Seat Post Clamp: Felt Bolt-Type: Cold Forged + CNC, 6061 Aluminum, with Steel Barrel Nut Design, 31.8mm
Rims: WTB Dual Duty XC doublewall Aluminum: Black Anodized, with single eyelets 36H
Front Hub: Shimano HB-M435: w/CenterLock Disk mount, 36H, with Quick Release
Rear Hub: Shimano FH-M435: 8/9 speed Cassette w/CenterLock Disk mount, 36H, with Quick Release
Spokes: Stainless double butted 14g/15g with Alloy Nipples
Tyres: Felt XCity Design: 60tpi 700 x 37 Wire bead, With Presta Valve Tubes

It looks somewhat similar to my 2009 Felt X City D: http://2009.feltracing.com/09-catalog/urban-alternative/x-city-series/09-x-city-d.aspx

The one you mention has discs though, and some different components. Not sure if the frame is the same, but it does look similar. I really like mine. It is very comfortable, quick enough for me, nice looking, etc... I got mine on closeout too, in late 2009 for $500 US. I am 5 11, with a 32 inch pants inseam (not sure of my cycling inseam), and my bike is a 55cm, which fits perfectly. The 52cm seems about right for you.

It looks somewhat similar to my 2009 Felt X City D: http://2009.feltracing.com/09-catalog/urban-alternative/x-city-series/09-x-city-d.aspx

The one you mention has discs though, and some different components. Not sure if the frame is the same, but it does look similar. I really like mine. It is very comfortable, quick enough for me, nice looking, etc... I got mine on closeout too, in late 2009 for $500 US. I am 5 11, with a 32 inch pants inseam (not sure of my cycling inseam), and my bike is a 55cm, which fits perfectly. The 52cm seems about right for you.

Thanks for your reply Waynesworld. Think I am going to go for it, can only find good reviews on Felts in general and although it is a bit out of my budget (at the discounted price) the fact of getting such a discount is worthwhile for me to spend the extra.

Cheers all, fantastic forum for a new guy like me.

Thanks for your reply Waynesworld. Think I am going to go for it, can only find good reviews on Felts in general and although it is a bit out of my budget (at the discounted price) the fact of getting such a discount is worthwhile for me to spend the extra.

Cheers all, fantastic forum for a new guy like me.

Great! Let us know how it works out, with pics, of course :)

Since I got my Kona Jake, I don't ride my Felt hybrid as much, but whenever I get on the Felt, I suddenly remember how much I like it. It's really a very nice bike.

The one you mention shouldn't be that different. Looking forward to your review!

Image as promised.

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As for a review, will have to leave it a week or so for me to get things clear on that. First impressions are good, only thing annoying me are the GRIPS, they are awful IMO, rubbery and even a little bit sticky, too big I think (fat - ergonomically shaped they say) - Will reserve final judgement on these to make sure I don´t just get used to them, but the sticky feel is really crap.

Only addition so far is the Scott Carbon Bar Ends - Have a Computer on the way, a couple of Scott Bottle Mounts/Bottles and a seat bag for puncture kit, tube etc. Will update as stuff gets added :-)

Nice looking bike. Enjoy!

I noticed my grips got kinda sticky for some some unknown reason after all the rain we got last week. Felt a little icky, but sticky is better than slippery I guess, probably safer. You might want to add cycling gloves to your shopping list. Prevents nasty callouses and possibly road rash on your palms if you fall. Downside, the grips will feel even fatter, get gloves with the least padding to minimize this effect. With gloves you'll only feel the icky sticky on your fingers, not your whole hand. :)