Understanding the 2023 Felt VR Advanced Frame and Build
Let’s talk about what makes the 2023 Felt VR Advanced tick, starting with its frame and how it’s put together. This bike is built with a focus on both performance and rider comfort, which is a pretty neat trick to pull off.
Carbon Fiber Construction
The heart of the VR Advanced is its frame, which is made from carbon fiber. Felt uses their UHC Advanced + TeXtreme carbon fiber, which is known for being both strong and light. This material choice is a big reason why the bike feels responsive when you pedal but doesn’t weigh you down on climbs. It’s a smart material for a bike that’s meant to handle a bit of everything.
Endurance Geometry for Comfort
When you look at the bike’s shape, you’ll notice it’s designed for endurance riding. This means the geometry is set up to put you in a more upright position compared to a pure race bike. Think of it like this: the handlebars are a bit higher and closer to you. This setup helps reduce strain on your back and neck, making longer rides much more comfortable. It’s geometry that says, ‘Let’s ride all day, not just for an hour.’
Internal Cable Routing
One of the cleaner design choices on the VR Advanced is its internal cable routing. All the brake and shifter cables are tucked away inside the frame tubes. This does a couple of things. First, it gives the bike a really clean, uncluttered look. Second, it helps protect the cables from the elements, like rain and mud, which can help them last longer and keep shifting and braking working smoothly.
Drivetrain and Gearing: A Focus on Versatility
When you look at the Felt VR Advanced, the drivetrain is where things get really interesting, especially if you’re not someone who lives to race. Felt has put a lot of thought into making this bike adaptable for different kinds of riding, and the gearing is a big part of that.
Subcompact Crankset Advantages
One of the standout features is the subcompact crankset, often a 48/32 tooth setup. Now, if you’re used to a standard road bike crank (like a 50/34 or even a 53/39), this might seem a bit small. But that’s the point. This smaller gearing makes climbing significantly easier. Think about it: fewer teeth on the chainring mean you don’t have to push as hard with each pedal stroke to get the wheel to turn. This is a huge energy saver, especially on those long, grinding climbs where you just want to keep spinning rather than standing up and fighting it. While it might mean you run out of gears a bit sooner on fast descents, for the rider who prioritizes comfort and the ability to conquer hills without completely draining their reserves, this is a fantastic trade-off. Felt has even designed the frame to accommodate a range of crank sizes, from 46/30 up to 53/39, so there’s some flexibility if the stock setup isn’t quite right for you.
Shimano Ultegra Performance
Felt has equipped the VR Advanced with Shimano Ultegra components, and that’s a solid choice. Ultegra is known for its reliability and smooth shifting. You get that crisp, precise gear change that you expect from higher-end Shimano groupsets, without the absolute top-tier price tag. This means you can count on your gears to work when you need them, whether you’re shifting under load going uphill or just cruising along on the flats. It’s a dependable workhorse that complements the bike’s versatile nature.
Cassette Options for Climbing
Paired with that subcompact crankset is usually a wide-range cassette, often an 11-34 tooth setup. This gives you a really broad spectrum of gears to play with. The 11-tooth cog at the high end is good for maintaining speed on flatter sections, but it’s that 34-tooth cog at the other end that really shines. When you combine the 34-tooth rear cog with the 32-tooth chainring up front, you get an incredibly low gear ratio. This makes steep inclines feel much more manageable, allowing you to maintain a comfortable cadence and conserve energy. It’s this combination of a subcompact crank and a large cassette that truly defines the VR Advanced’s ability to tackle varied terrain with ease.
Braking and Wheelset: Ready for Varied Conditions
When you’re out on the road, especially if it’s not perfectly smooth, having reliable stopping power and a solid wheel setup makes a huge difference. The Felt VR Advanced comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, and let me tell you, they’re a game-changer.
Hydraulic Disc Brake Power
These aren’t your old-school rim brakes. Shimano’s hydraulic disc brakes offer consistent and strong stopping, no matter if it’s dry, wet, or a bit dusty out there. You get a really good feel at the lever, so you can modulate your braking precisely. This means more control on descents and in unexpected situations. They just work, plain and simple, giving you confidence when you need it most.
Tire Clearance and Selection
One of the neat things about this bike is how much room it has for tires. The VR Advanced can fit up to 30mm tires, and some might even squeeze in a bit more. This is great because wider tires can be run at lower pressures, which really helps soak up road vibrations and makes rougher surfaces feel much smoother. The stock tires are usually decent, but knowing you can swap to something beefier for comfort or even a different tread for light gravel is a big plus.
Tubeless-Ready Wheels
The wheels on the VR Advanced are set up to go tubeless. This is a pretty big deal for a lot of riders. If you set your tires up tubeless, you can ditch the inner tubes. This not only saves a bit of weight but also means you’re less likely to get flats from small thorns or bits of glass. Plus, you can run lower pressures for better grip and comfort without the worry of pinch flats. It’s a bit of a setup process, but most people find it well worth the effort for the improved ride quality and reduced flat risk.
Rider Impressions: Comfort Meets Capability
Uphill Climbing Experience
When the road starts to tilt upwards, the Felt VR Advanced holds its own. While it’s not built to be a pure climbing machine, the gearing options, especially with that subcompact crankset, make a noticeable difference. You can spin up steeper gradients without feeling like you’re going to blow a gasket. It’s a bike that lets you keep pedaling when others might be forced to dismount. The carbon frame, while prioritizing comfort, doesn’t feel like it’s actively working against you on the climbs. It’s a steady, reliable partner for those longer ascents.
Pacing on Flat Terrain
On the flats, the VR Advanced settles into a comfortable rhythm. It’s not the most aggressive race bike out there, and that’s okay. The geometry encourages a more relaxed posture, which means you can ride for longer without aches and pains. The Ultegra components shift smoothly and reliably, letting you focus on maintaining your speed. It feels efficient enough for group rides or just putting in steady miles, but its real strength lies in its ability to do this comfortably for extended periods.
Handling Unexpected Bumps
This is where the VR Advanced really shines. Felt clearly put a lot of thought into making this bike forgiving. Whether it’s rough pavement, chip seal, or even some light gravel paths, the bike absorbs a lot of the chatter. The wider tire clearance is a big help here, allowing for tires that can soak up vibrations. You can feel the compliance in the frame, particularly around the seat stays and seat tube. It’s a bike that inspires confidence when the road surface gets less than ideal, allowing you to keep rolling without getting beaten up.
The 2023 Felt VR Advanced for the Modern Cyclist
Multi-Surface Riding Potential
The Felt VR Advanced isn’t just for smooth pavement. It’s built to handle a bit of everything, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Think of it as your go-to for those days when the route isn’t perfectly planned. It can handle chip seal, rougher asphalt, and even some light gravel paths without making you feel like you’re going to rattle apart. This versatility means you can explore more without worrying too much about the road surface.
Long-Distance Comfort
When you’re out for hours, comfort really matters. The VR Advanced is designed with an endurance geometry that keeps you in a more upright position. This takes some pressure off your back and hands, making those long rides much more enjoyable. It’s the kind of bike that lets you focus on the scenery or just the rhythm of your ride, rather than aches and pains. It’s built for the long haul, plain and simple.
Balancing Performance and Endurance
So, does all this comfort and versatility mean it’s slow? Not really. While it’s not a pure race bike, the VR Advanced still has a performance edge. The carbon fiber frame is light and responsive, and the Shimano Ultegra components shift smoothly and reliably. It strikes a good balance, giving you a bike that’s capable of picking up the pace when you want to, but also comfortable enough to keep going all day. It’s a solid choice for riders who want one bike that can do a lot of different things well.
Wrapping It Up
So, after spending some time with the Felt VR Advanced, it’s pretty clear this bike is built for riders who want to go the distance without feeling beat up. It handles different road surfaces well, and that gearing setup makes climbing a lot less of a chore. While it might not be the fastest bike out there, it really shines when you’re out for a long day in the saddle, exploring new routes, or just enjoying the ride. If comfort and versatility are high on your list, the VR Advanced is definitely worth a look.
