FELT VR4 £2,399
FELTBICYCLES.COM
The VR in VR4 stands for variable road and the design of the chassis reflects that of a bike built to go long – be it up, down or over coarser surfaces. The dropped seatstays and sloping top tube expose a lot of seatpost, which is a sure-fire way to introduce some rear-end compliance. Up front, the fork uses a tapered steerer, which varies across the sizes to equalise the front-end stiffness, so a tiny 43cm model should ride the same as the largest 61cm bike.
Tyre clearances all round are generous, with plenty of space around the big 28mm Schwalbe Durano tyres, so you could go a little bigger should you wish, though the 28s offer bags of comfort. The Devox VR2.1 tubeless compatible rims they’re mounted on (21mm inner width, 23mm depth) make the most of the extra rubber. We really like the fact that the frame comes with hidden mounts for Felt’s own VR series mudguards, and a triathlon-style bento box on the top tube, for carrying a small bag for your nutrition and tools.
RELIABLE RIDE
Comfort is where the VR4 really scores: the combination of a highly compliant frame and those voluminous tyres gives an almost floaty ride. The position is all about looking after the rider, too. Our 56cm test bike had a generous stack height of 597mm and a 396mm reach. If you prefer even more stack height (or less, for that matter), the VR4 comes with a clever stem with a variable angle for either +/- 8° or +/- 16°. Even the Devox handlebar is relaxed, with a short 65mm reach and shallow 125mm drop. The ride on the VR4 is smooth
“It’s a bike for riders who favour seated climbing and those who flow downhill rather than dart from apex to apex”
and supremely comfortable, and the dependable handling throws up few surprises. It’s very much a bike for riders who favour seated climbing and those who flow downhill rather than dart from apex to apex; more of a grand tourer than a racer and, if you prefer to cover big miles rather than race flat out from point to point, we think that’s a good thing.
The groupset composition is a mishmash: Ultegra front and rear mechs, new 105 shifters and brakes, and an FSA Gossamer Pro chainset. In practice, it all works very well together, and the new 105 brakes impress just as much as their more pricey Ultegra cousins. Our only small niggle is that the FSA chainrings seem a little reluctant to release when you’re shifting between them. It took about three quarters of a pedal revolution to drop from the big ring to the 34 inner, although upshifts, when you’re more likely to be pedalling harder, felt just as quick as with Shimano rings.
COMFORT FACTOR
The bike’s contact points are good. The aforementioned shallow-drop bar is wrapped with a perforated bar tape that feels nice and has a reflective base, while a well-shaped and deeply padded Prologo Kappa Space saddle ticks all the right boxes for seat comfort.
Overall the VR4 is a fine machine. It sets out to be a comfortable long-distance bike and it hits that mark bang on. It’s not a bike that gets our hearts racing, or one to seek out thrills on, though. But it’s definitely a bike that is hard to beat if you want to stay free of aches and pains after big days out at a brisk pace. The VR4 is the Volvo of endurance bikes: it’s well thought out and well made, comfortable and dependable.