Felt Verza

The 2012 Felt Verza City 1, MSRP $1,149. Credit: Felt bicycles

A few years ago, Felt caught my attention with its “Cafe” bikes, which we talked about here.  This year Felt introduced its Verza City bikes.  For 2012, the Verza City 1 is back, but Felt has also greatly expanded its Verza line.  

Before we go any further, I have to ask: What does "Verza" mean?  It sounds Italian, but according to google translator, “Verza” is Italian for “savoy cabbage.”

For 2012, Felt is offering three types of Verza bikes: Path, City, and Regency. The Path bikes are aluminum hybrids with suspension forks. Enough said about that. The Verza City and Verza Regency bikes are much more worthy of our attention.

The City 1 is a 6061 double-butted aluminum frame with a Shimano Alfine internal gear hub, disc brakes, fenders, and a rear rack that matches the frame. The MSRP is $1,149. Here are the specs:

• Frame: Felt Verza-City design, 6061 aluminum, hydroformed TT, double butted TT/DT, rack braze-ons, IS disc brake mount w/integrated kickstand mounting holes and replacable derailleur hanger

• Fork: Felt alloy unicrown and legs w/ 1-1/8"" Cr-Mo steerer, IS disc brake mount, low-rider braze-ons and fender eyelets

• Drivetrain: Shimano Alfine IGH rear hub w/Rapid Fire shifter, Felt forged alloy crankset w/chainguard, Sram 8-speed 11-30T cassette

• Components: Shimano mechanical disc brake, Felt Verzatile handlebar, Felt MTB oversized 3D-forged design 7 dregree rise stem, Felt Alloy post, Felt Verza City design saddle

• Wheelset: WTB Double Duty XC doublewall aluminum 36H rims, Shimano Centerlock disc mount w/QR front hub, Shimano Alfine IGH w/Centerlock disc mount rear hub, Stainless 14g spokes

• Accessories: Rear alloy rack

• Finish: 1) Warm Putty

• Sizes: S (16""), M (18""), L (20""), XL (22"")

• Weight: Not disclosed

The Verza City 2 comes with a rear derailer instead of an IGH, but still has front disc brakes, fenders, and a rear rack. The MSRP is $749.

2012 Felt Verza City 2.  Credit: Felt bicycles.

The Verza City 3 is a basic hybrid for $600.  I would definitely splurge and get a City 2 rather than City 3.

Our readers who are fans of Dutch bikes and style (if you're unfamiliar with the Dutch bikestyle, check out our friend Amsterdamize  ) will be interested in the 3-speed Verza Regency , which are “based on the traditional Dutch bikes that are popular throughout the Netherlands...” These bikes are all steel, baby, and come with fenders, rack, and a chaincase! Some nifty extras: saddlebag, safety bell, and mounted cup holder. The women’s model comes with a straw basket!

Felt Verza Regency step-through. Credit: Felt bicycles

Both men’s and women’s versions are MSRP $699. Here are the specs on the men’s bike:

• Finish: 1) Gloss Black

• Sizes: L (21""), XL (23"")

• Weight: 33.08 lbs

• Frame: Dutch geometry w/Cr-Mo main frame (HT, DT, TT), hi-ten rear triangle (CS,SS), hi-ten Lugs, kickstand mounting plate, water bottle braze-ons and integrated seat post clamp

• Fork: Cr-Mo steerer and oval shaped curved legs for 700c w/double eyelet dropout

• Headset: Traditional non-integrated 1"" steel headest w/CP finish

• Stem: Steel quill type stem w/220mm long and 30 degree rise, CP finish

• Handlebar: Steel w/CP finish, 46 degrees of sweep and 66mm of rise

• Grips: Felt super soft rubber, 2-piece twist shifter grips

• Bar Ends: Felt Bottle Cap bubble-tech bar end plugs

• Shifters: Shimano Nexus SL-3S35E Revo twist shifter for 3-speed IGH Shimano hub

• Crankset: PRO-B36 w/1/2"" x 1/8"" steel ring and alloy arms with no chainguard

• Chainwheel: Steel 38T 1/2"" x 1/8""

• Bottom Bracket: Sealed cartridge 68mm bottom bracket

• Pedals: Cruiser/comfort design, CP steel body and cage w/black rubber tread blocks, 9/16"" Boron axle and loose ball bearings

• Chain: KMC Z410 1/2"" pitch x 1/8"" width

• Freewheel: Shimano sprocket for internal hub 18T, black

• Brake Levers: Dia Compe alloy brake lever for caliper brake

• Brakes: Alloy single pivot side-pull caliper front brake and coaster brake rear

• Cables: Felt slick cables

• Saddle: Felt Dutch style comfort saddle w/coil springs, custom rivets and steel rails.

• Seat Post: Felt alloy single bolt head, 25.4 X 300mm

• Seat Post Clamp: Integrated into frame

• Rims: Single-wall aluminum, 700c, 36H

• Front Hub: 5-window alloy hub w/cap nuts, 3/8"" threaded axle

• Rear Hub: Shimano Nexus 3-speed w/coaster brake

• Spokes: Stainless 14g w/Brass Nipples

• Tires: Kenda 700 x 36c tires w/reflective strip on sidewalls and puncture protection, Schrader valve inner tubes

• Fenders: Full coverage Dutch style alloy fenders

• Kickstand: Alloy two-leg adjustable height kickstand

• Accessories: Rear alloy rack, saddle bag, full coverage w/stamped detail chainguard, safety bell and Felt handlebar mounted cup holder