Felt QX85D ?

[chris-s]

Looking for a winter commuting/trail hybrid, have been considering a Sirrus elite or Trek 7.5 but both push my budget and now come across the Felt QX85D, well under budget at less than £400. Spec seems very good with most of the gear being Alivio or Deore but no idea how it stacks up against the spez/trek, suggestions?? (Ebay/classifids/lbs aren't turning up anything in this part of the world)

Chris

Frame: Felt Cross Design 6061 Double Butted Aluminium. Semi sloping Hydroform TT, A Style Seatstays and Chainstays. Disc-Brake Specific, Integrated Kickstand Mount, Basta Lock Compatible
Fork: Felt Alloy Fork 1 1/8th Cromo Steerer tube, Alloy Crown and Legs, Disc Brake Specific w/Fender eyelets
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio FD-M430
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M591SGS 9-speed
Shifters: Shimano Deore SL-M590 9 Speed Rapid Fire
Chainset: Shimano FC-M431 Forged Aluminium
Chainrings: 48/38/28T chainrings
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-26 Sealed Cartridge
Cassette: Sram PG-950 9-Speed 11-32T
Chain: Sram PC-951 9-Speed
Pedals: VP-199 With Alloy body and Cage
Front Brake: SHIMANO BR-M445 Hydraulic Disc Brake, 160mm rotor
Rear Brake: SHIMANO BR-M445 Hydraulic Disc Brake, 160mm rotor
Brake Levers: Shimano BL-M445
Handlebars: Felt MTB Design, Butted Aluminium flat bar
Stem: Felt MTB One Piece 3D-Forged Design
Headset: Semi-Integrated 1-1/8"
Grips: Felt Ergo Grip Dual-Density Kraton Rubber with Ergonomic design
Rims: WTB Dual Duty XC Doublewall Aluminium, Black Anodized, with single eyelets 36 Hole
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
Front Tyre: Felt X:City 700 x 37c
Rear Tyre: Felt X:City 700 x 37c
Saddle: Felt Mountain Design, Low Side Profile Look with Comfort Fit Top
Seatpost: Felt Alloy Micro-Adjust, 6061 Alloy
Seat Binder: Felt Bolt-Type, Cold Forged + CNC, 6061 Aluminium

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Leaving price aside the way I look at it, is that the Sirrus Elite is a hybridized road bike, while the Felt is a hybridized mtb, and as a result is nearly 20% (2kg) heavier, but probably slightly better when the going gets rough with disc brakes, bigger tyres etc.

 

[chris-s]

"Hybridised MTB" - thats a good way of putting it.


I'm not too fussed about the weight, I've lost 6kg myself this year and recently toured on the road bike to Paris with 10kg of camping kit. The shortest commute route is only a couple of level (for Cornwall) miles anyhow.


Besides the wifes twenty-year-old solid steel rat bike, which is too small, uncomfortable and flippin' hard work to ride, I only have the road bike, whoms c2w ends this month, so the trail/path capability adds another dimension to rides with the rest of the family and it's £300 cheaper than the Trek 7.5 (in my part of the world).

I think thats enough to justify it


Cheers


Chris