Felt AR FRD Ultimate Sram Red eTap AXS - Matte Textreme - ZIPP 454 - 2024

The aero paradigm has evolved. Gone are the elongated, deep-section, teardrop shapes and hard edges that were previously thought to be the most efficient at slicing through the wind. The latest industry research and theories have shifted aero bike development towards truncated, squared-off profiles (sometimes referred to as "Kammtail" designs) that have been optimized for real-world riding conditions. As a result, thoughtfully designed bikes will perform better during the actual riding and racing conditions that cyclists encounter most often. As the performance benefits of this new paradigm have taken hold, we've seen a validation of the speed gains ourselves. Our development of the new AR followed these theoretical models and industry improvements with more deliberate, hands-on efforts to advance our own platform.

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Disc brakes are found on the entire Felt road line-up. Our all-around road bike model (FR series), our cyclocross race bike (FX series), and even our flagship triathlon model (IA series)—all of which have won World Championships in recent seasons—feature disc brakes. Through testing and experience, we know that disc brakes can win races on the biggest stage. So from the beginning of the AR project we knew that the next-generation bike would have disc brakes exclusively.

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We pioneered a unique seatpost design for the previous-generation AR, and it offered such a high level of aerodynamic efficiency and a superb ride quality that it only made sense that we would revisit it for the new AR. This latest version still features the signature split design that not only allows for an aerodynamically optimized interface between the post and the seat tube junction, but the two halves of the post flex and shear independently of one another, which increases overall rider comfort. We also created a co-molded rubber insert that lives within the junction of the seatpost and seat tube, giving the entire interface added compliance. Finally, the slotted seatpost design allows for the use of a proprietary clamping mechanism that results in a lighter overall setup thanks to the use of thinner carbon walls, and a more finely tuned level of compliance for rider comfort. So what does all this mean? The new AR’s seatpost provides 112% more flex than the seatpost of the previous- generation AR. Purists will say that an aero race bike shouldn’t be “comfortable.” But we disagree.