Max McCulloch’s Felt Compulsion EWS racer

Felt has been expanding its line of bigger trail and enduro worthy bikes lately, including the 165mm travel Compulsion line. The bike recently made an Enduro World Series podium appearance under young Vancouver Island shredder Max McCulloch. He piloted his Compulsion 1 to a second place in the Under-21 category at the Whistler EWS round, during Crankworx.

Felt mountain bikes may still  be a bit of a rarity on the Enduro World Series circuit, though, and the brand isn’t yet widely known for its more gravity oriented bikes. You’re far more likely to see one on the road or at a World Cup cross country race, where the California-based company is quite well established. Felt has a reputation for quality carbon-fibre work in both those disciplines that should carry over to the longer travel machines.

McCulloch’s Compulsion rolls on 27.5″ wheels, and delivers 165mm of rear wheel travel via Felt’s Equilink suspension platform. The unique six-bar system – that’s the extra bar you see running parallel to the seat tube – is intended to allow Felt to tune the bikes leverage curve and anti-squat curve independently.

RELATED: Interview: Max McCulloch on his EWS Whistler podium

For the tough Whistler course, McCulloch was rolling Nobl Wheels burly TR38 wheels, the original carbon-fibre offering from the Abbotsford, B.C. wheel company. To help guard against flats on the rocky, loose trails, the TR38’s were wrapped in Maxxis tires, a 2.5″ DHF WT up front, and 2.4″ DHR II WT out back.

There’s an array of parts from KS Suspension, Fox, Time, and Ergon filling out McCulloch’s Felt Compulsion EWS build, so click through the gallery below for details:

Felt Compulsion 1

Felt gives its enduro bike a full carbon frame

Felt’s Flip Chip Technology allows riders to adjust the bike’s geometry from high and steep to low and slack by rotating the chip connecting seat stays with the rocker linkage.

170mm of Fox 36 Performance Elite keeps Noble 38's rolling.

The Abbotsford wheel company's carbon hoops are wrapped in serious rubber from Maxxis

Nobl will build your wheel around a range of hubs. Max opts for Industry 9's. Matched to the frame, of course.

Time Speciale 12 pedals, a new enduro offering from the French company.

Not just an empty space, this junction is the perfect space for an enduro tube. I.e. a tube strapped to your frame so you don't have to carry a pack during a race. Or, if you're not as smooth as McCulloch, it doubles as a great hand hold for hike-a-bikes.

Small touches that keep a bike running smooth through a 57km day of racing

KS Suspension supplies McCulloch's dropper post, but also its Ether bars and stem

SRAM Code RD brakes and Ergon grips

MRP SXg chainguide to keep everything in place over rough stages

A mix of SRAM Xo1 Eagle and GX components make up the drivetrain

Fox Performance Float X2 shock, waterbottle mounted bike tool, and plenty of room for a bottle in McCulloch's XL size frame