Plus sized bikes are here and like many manufacturers, Felt has been testing and evaluating the new platform. Their experience lead them to design the upcoming Surplus model, which is apply named, as it offers a little something extra between the stays (and has the word plus in the name).
The new model should be available later this year and will be spec’d with a 120mm fork and 3.0″ tires.
In order to accommodate plus sized tires, the Surplus was built around the new Boost 110 & 148 standards.
From a consumer standpoint, this is interesting because there are no direct mount 8 or 9 speed front derailleurs currently on the market. There are also no front derailleurs currently offered with a 3mm offset. Until these options become available, Surplus frames with be sold with a 1×10 speed drivetrain, with a wide ratio 11-40 Sunrace cassette, which is compatible with both Shimano and SRAM systems.
Due to the popularity of plus size models, Felt strongly feel that manufacturers will soon be producing new front derailleur options which will open 2x possibilities. In anticipation of those products, their Surplus features a straight seat post stay that ensures the frame will be backward (or forward?) compatible with future drive train options.
This will also open the possibility of equipping 2×8 or 2×9 drivetrains on future models, which will help make completes more affordable.
Other small features of the upcoming Surplus model include a forward facing seat tube slit to reduce contamination, an option for internal dropper post routing, and angle set compatibility.
The new models are tentatively priced at $2,499 and $1,799 and should be available this Fall.
