Felt's Compulsion-1 stands above others in its class because its patented Equilink rear suspension gives the otherwise conventional-looking aluminum-framed trailbike extraordinary pedaling firmness without interfering with its suppleness over rough terrain. The Complusion-1 is targeted at accomplished riders who need one bike that can handle a five-hour forest epic on Saturday, and roost A-line at Whistler Mountain Bike Park on Sunday. After riding the Felt on a wide variety of trails, we can tell you up front that, while the perfect do-everything trailbike may be a pipe dream, the Compulsion-1 comes pretty close to the mark.
Felt Compulsion-1Purpose: Aggressive cross-country/all-mountain
Weight: 29.8 pounds with Shimano XTR pedals
Price: $4599
Sizes available: S (15.5"), M (17.5"), L (19.5"), XL (21.5")
Contact: www.feltracing.com
Felt intended the Compulsion-1 to fit the long-travel trailbike role, but all-mountain enthusiasts who like a quick-steering bike will also embrace it. R. Cunningham photo
COMPULSION FRAME NOTES
In profile, the Compulsion-1's frame, with its oversized, semi-rectangular tubes and rocker-driven shock, looks like the basic four-bar design that presently dominates the all-mountain genre. Sturdy, oversized main tubes, gussets in key areas and an ISCG chain guide mount give the chassis above-averege versatility. A closer look at its moving parts reveals that Felt's suspension is more closely related to dual-link designs like Giant's Maestro and the dw-link. What sets it apart from existing dual-link systems is that the swingarm is hinged (not a one-piece triangle) and the Equilink connector bar allows the upper and lower rockers to trace divergent arcs.
The Compulsion's Equilink rear suspension is a five-bar system. Felt placed the rear brake caliper in front of the dropout to protect it from rock damage. R. Cunningham photo
FELT'S EQUiLINK SUSPENSION
The Equilink is actually a five-bar linkage: the upper and lower rockers, swingarm, seatstay and red-anodized Equilink connector bar. The Equilink can be configured to provide different axle paths, degrees of pedaling firmness, independent braking, and suspension action. The intention of Felt's designers was to give the Compulsion-1 the smoothest, deepest suspension action possible and then add enough pedaling platform to keep its performance in the cross-country realm. Those who own or have demo-ridden Felt's race-oriented Virtue will heartily agree that Equilink has the potential to deliver as promised.
A close-up look at the Compulsion's lower link and Equilink pivot. The swingarm drops low to add tire and front derailleur clearance. R. Cunningham photo
Actual suspension duties are handled by
Fox Racing Shox--a 32 TALAS 140 RLC fork, paired with a Float RP23 shock with a volume boost canister for the air spring. Travel is fixed at 5.5 (150 millimeters) inches, as Felt is confident that the Compulsion's firm pedaling action can handle more wheel travel than its rivals dare use.
Felt is a believer in the 15QR and chose the through-axle option on the Compulsion's Fox TALAS 140-millimeter-stroke fork. We agree. R. Cunningham photo
DEVOX AND DEORE XT PARTS
Component choices can make or break a design built for technical riding and a bike brand can't miss with Shimano Deore XT brakes, wheels and drivetrain ensemble. For the remainder of the bike, Felt bravely outfits the Compulsion-1 with its own Devox XAM accessories, including the 27.8-inch-wide handlebar, grips, 80-millimeter stem, seatpost, saddle and 2.3-inch tires. "Bravely," because aggressive cross-country riders are very brand loyal, so the heat is on Felt to insure that its house-brand parts are worthy. Fortunately, almost everything stamped with XAM delivers the groceries.
Seven-inch rotors boost the stopping performance of the Compulsion's Shimano Deore XT disc brakes to match its descending potential. R. Cunningham photo.
RIDING THE FELT COMPULSION-1
Pay attention to Felt's setup instructions (they are printed on the left side of the top rocker link) as the Compulsion's rear suspension will ride high if you over-pressure the shock or set the sag too high. We found that 15 to 17 millimeters of sag was the sweet spot. The suspension cycles slightly with each pedal stroke, but without the sense that there is any power loss. Switch on the Fox ProPedal and the rear end immediately firms up to cross-country standards.
The medium-sized Compulsion-1 weighs almost 30 pounds (with Shimano XTR pedals), so it won't jog uphill in the middle chainring like a racing bike, but it gets the job done. Felt tuned the Compulsion's Equilink suspension to provide a milder pedaling platform than its XC-racing Virtue, but the sense is retained, that every push on the pedals is directed into forward motion--especially while climbing.
Shimano's tubeless ready Deore XT wheels and Shadow rear derailleur indicate that Felt's designers ride what they sell. R. Cunningham photo
Experimenting with ProPedal settings and fork travel indicated that the medium platform setting caused the Compulsion to climb more efficiently (at least our legs felt fresher), and, when ascending steep singletrack climbs in the granny gear, switching to the mid-stroke option on the TALAS fork kept the front tire weighted and the Felt climbing on a straight trajectory.
Those who ride on the All-Mountain side of the fence may find the Compulsion's 69-degree head angle a bit too steep and the steering, too quick. Cross-country enthusiasts, however, will embrace the compromise that Felt struck between through-the-boulders technical stability and nimble singletrack steering precision. The Compulsion rides as advertised: with a decidedly cross-country pedaling feel and with steering that is detuned just enough to feel at home on technical trails
Beautiful construction and mildly profiled tubes are easy on the eyes. Felt chose a standard 1 1/8-inch headset and steerer size to give Compulsion owners more options for future upgrades. R. Cunningham photo
WHAT'S BEST ABOUT IT
Where the Compulsion handles best is when the trail becomes a fast break game of right-left-right, mixed with rolling climbs. The Felt's responsive handling and pedal-any-way-you see-fit climbing and acceleration. It jumps well and can be banked and yanked from a central position over the bike. Hard cornering exposed a tendency for the front tire to lose traction. The Compulsion can do better with a grippier tire than its Devox XAM.
Felt's Devox-brand components are used throughout the Compulsion The XAM handlebar bend and screw-on grips were comfortable. R. Cunningham photo
WHERE IT NEEDS A BOOST
We would have liked a half-degree slacker head angle to boost the Compulsion's fun factor in the scary stuff--and while we were at it, we'd suggest the new 150-millimeter-stroke Fox 32F fork to keep the bike's front end balanced with the rear. The Felt's rear suspension rides a little higher than we are used to, so the Compulsion tends to overdrive the fork and cause it to ride a bit lower in its travel (remember to set your shock sag on the low side of Felt's suggestions to minimize this effect).
Long and funky, Felt's Devox XAM saddle is easy on the buns and affords a bit more seating room when you are forced to the nose to climb a steep grade. R. Cunningham photo
WHO WILL LIKE THE COMPULSION-1
Felt's Compulsion is an easy step up from the confines of a dedicated short-travel cross-country machine for an experienced rider who wants to amp up his or her game. The Compulsion-1's pedaling and handling is still connected to the cross-country side of the all-mountain fence, so there is no learning curve required to take advantage of its superior downhill and big-hit skillset. The Compulsion is a bit heavy for all-day cross-country epics, but it hits the mark as a buy-and-ride, do-it-all trailbike.
Felt's Devox XAM tire is tubeless ready. It worked well in the rear, but often pushed through turns up front. We'd switch them out to Schwalbe Rocket Rons or Kenda Nevegals. R. Cunningham photo