Felt road and cyclocross bikes for 2015

Felt road and cyclocross bikes for 2015

New disc, adventure road, and CX models plus mid-range upgrades

Felt is banking heavily on the aero road category for 2015, highlighted by the sleek AR FRD model

James Huang / Future Publishing

James Huang

Published: July 23, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Felt is banking heavily on the aero road category for 2015, highlighted by the sleek AR FRD model - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt claims that one of the secrets to the AR frame's impressive stiffness and low weight is the unique seatpost design, which uses internal wedges to sandwich the sidewalls of the seatpost against the seat tube. This layout allows for the thinner and lighter seatpost since it isn't being squeezed by a traditional clamp, plus the frame doesn't have to be reinforced against the corresponding outward pressure, either - James Huang / Future Publishing
The use of chain stay-located, direct-mount rear brake calipers means the seat stays on the AR can be more heavily shaped to reduce drag, plus they're thinner and lighter for better ride quality - James Huang / Future Publishing
The rear derailleur wire (or cable) exits the AR frame right at the back of the hollow carbon dropout - James Huang / Future Publishing
While lower-end Felt AR models can work with either mechanical or electronic drivetrains, upper-end ones are essentially electronic-only - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt says the more ovoid tube profiles work better at higher yaw angles than traditional teardrop shapes. A cutout in the seat tube partially shields the rear wheel - James Huang / Future Publishing
Mid-range AR models use the same external shapes as before but with upgraded carbon materials - James Huang / Future Publishing
Most AR (and IA) bikes get new seatpost heads co-developed with 3T. The clamps are embedded in high-density elastomeric inserts that are said to damp road vibrations for a smoother ride - James Huang / Future Publishing
While the light-and-stiff F-series of road bikes looks to be slowly dying off, Felt is nevertheless now offering the new F1 PR - a replica of the machine Argos-Shimano used at Paris-Roubaix last year - James Huang / Future Publishing
Officially, Felt says the new F1 PR can take 28mm-wide tyres - but there's apparently room for even bigger rubber - James Huang / Future Publishing
The F1 PR test mule at the media event was fitted with a 32mm-wide cyclocross front tyre - James Huang / Future Publishing
As compared to the standard F1, the F1 PR's rear dropouts place the rear wheel further back and higher up - James Huang / Future Publishing
In stock trim, the 2015 Felt F1 PR will come with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical group, long-reach TRP brake calipers, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, and 27mm-wide Challenge tyres - Felt
Complete F-series bikes will top out with Shimano Ultegra mechanical or electronic groups for 2015 - James Huang / Future Publishing
The workhorse FC carbon frame has been replaced by the UHC Advanced TexTreme model used for the upgraded F1, F2, and F3 models - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt's 2015 cyclocross range will be topped by the disc-equipped F2X - Felt
Felt's cyclocross range is once again disc-heavy. New for 2015 is a thru-axle carbon fork - James Huang / Future Publishing
Although the rear dropouts are unchanged on Felt's 2015 disc-equipped carbon cyclocross bikes, the hubs are fitted with 10mm thru-axles for a stronger bite - James Huang / Future Publishing
Nearly all of Felt's road and cyclocross frames are equipped with BB30 bottom bracket shells. However, just a couple of complete bikes actually use matching BB30 cranks - James Huang / Future Publishing
Disc brakes will provide better all-weather stopping power than cantilevers but tyre clearance is still disappointingly tight - James Huang / Future Publishing
Aluminium cyclocross frames are all new for 2015 - and disc-only - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt's new aluminium 'cross frames get wide-format BB386EVO bottom bracket shells that allow for wider chain stay spacing to boost mud clearance. We have a sneaking suspicion that Felt's next generation of carbon road and 'cross frames will also move to this wider design - James Huang / Future Publishing
Most of Felt's disc-equipped cyclocross bikes will use either Shimano or Tektro/TRP brakes - James Huang / Future Publishing
The new Felt aluminium cyclocross frames feature internal cable routing with full-length liners to protect against mud and water - James Huang / Future Publishing
New for 2015 from Felt is the V-series of adventure road bikes - James Huang / Future Publishing
The new V-series of adventure road bikes all share the same hydroformed aluminium frames - James Huang / Future Publishing
Disc brakes are featured across the board on Felt's new V-series of adventure road bikes, save for the entry-level model that will soldier on with rim brakes - James Huang / Future Publishing
All V-series adventure bikes get very wide-range gearing - James Huang / Future Publishing
Top-mount brake levers on the new V-series of adventure road bikes will allow for braking from multiple hand positions. Stems can be adjusted for angle via a series of shims - James Huang / Future Publishing
Looking to get your kids into 'cross? Look no further than to Felt's line of junior racers - James Huang / Future Publishing
Junior Felt bikes get custom brake/shift levers made by Microshift with very short reach and intuitive lever operation - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt will offer junior-sized road bikes with both 650b and 24in wheels - James Huang / Future Publishing
Top-mounted brake levers should lend more confidence to new riders - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt will offer the new V-series of adventure road bikes with both drop and flat handlebars - James Huang / Future Publishing
Flat bar-equipped V-series bikes get ergonomic grips with integrated bar ends - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt's ZW-series of women-specific bikes get unique geometries, tube shapes, and carbon lay-up schedules - not to mention some fantastic paint jobs - James Huang / Future Publishing
The ZW collection of women-specific bikes are similar to the standard Z-series of endurance road bikes - James Huang / Future Publishing
Upper-end ZW bikes get convertible internal routing that can be used with either electronic or mechanical drivetrains - James Huang / Future Publishing
Felt contends that the IA FRD is so aero that it's akin to cheating - Felt
The Felt IA4 is hardly cheap but at US$5,499, it's US$1,500 less expensive than the IA FRD frame kit alone - Felt
Once the flagship of Felt's TT/Tri range, the DA1 is now but a single complete model for riders that need a UCI-legal option for time trials - Felt
The B2 offers many of the aerodynamic design features of the DA but at a more affordable price point - Felt
The B12 will come with Shimano Dura-Ace derailleurs, a Vision crankset, and shifters by MicroShift - Felt
The Felt S32 is the company's least expensive triathlon model at just US$1,299 - Felt

Brand new from Felt for 2015 is a line of adventure road bikes, a replica of the company's Paris-Roubaix race machine, thru-axles on carbon cyclocross racers, and an alloy 'cross chassis – just in time to hit the barriers this coming season. Felt has also refined and upgraded its core AR, F and Z-series models with weight reductions, improved ride quality and better parts.

Mid-range improvements to AR and F; new Z Disc

Felt will carry over into 2015 the existing frame molds for its aero AR, lightweight F and endurance-focused Z platforms. However, the distinctive checkerboard TexTreme woven outer layer will now make its way into the mid-range AR1, AR2, F1, F2 and F3 models – a feature previously reserved for the company's halo FRD (Felt Racing Development) division.

Check out more of our Felt 2015 coverage.

The workhorse fc carbon frame has been replaced by the uhc advanced textreme model used for the upgraded f1, f2, and f3 models: the workhorse fc carbon frame has been replaced by the uhc advanced textreme model used for the upgraded f1, f2, and f3 models

Many mid-range models will get the TexTreme treatment for 2015

According to Felt, TexTreme's higher strength as compared to more conventional carbon fabrics allows the company to use less material underneath, along with stiffer interior fibers. For riders, this means that those upgraded frames should now be a bit lighter than before while retaining similar levels of rigidity and durability.

All AR models save for the flagship FRD also get an upgraded seatpost head that was co-developed with 3T. Seemingly similar to the Biofloat seatpost design we showed you in 2012, the new design uses the same single-bolt clamp mechanism as before but it's now embedded in a high-density elastomeric bezel. Coupled with the novel seatpost's unusually thin and flexible sidewalls, Felt says this new head improves comfort while only adding 25g.

Felt is banking heavily on the aero road category for 2015, highlighted by the sleek ar frd model: felt is banking heavily on the aero road category for 2015, highlighted by the sleek ar frd model

Felt's aero road range is topped by the AR FRD

New for 2015 is a less aggressive 5mm offset size to accompany the standard 25mm option; both can also be flipped forward for riders seeking an especially forward position.

Notably, Felt is clearly moving away from its long-standing F-series platform in favor of the AR. According to Felt, the aero benefits of the AR outweigh the slight weight advantage of the F for most riders so there are now more variations of the former and fewer of the latter.

That said, Felt is still introducing a new F model for 2015 called the F1 PR, which is essentially a replica of the bike used by the Argos-Shimano team at Paris-Roubaix last year. While most of the F1 PR's carbon chassis is shared with the standard F1, the PR version uses unique dropouts that extend the chain stays by 20mm while also dropping the bottom bracket slightly. Going along with this is a unique fork with increased offset and longer blades. Long-reach brake calipers are used at both ends.

In stock trim, the 2015 felt f1 pr will come with a shimano ultegra mechanical group, long-reach trp brake calipers, mavic ksyrium elite wheels, and 27mm-wide challenge tires: in stock trim, the 2015 felt f1 pr will come with a shimano ultegra mechanical group, long-reach trp brake calipers, mavic ksyrium elite wheels, and 27mm-wide challenge tires

Want to ride the same bike as the pros do in Paris-Roubaix? Here's your chance

In total, the changes yield a more stable chassis with generous tyre clearances. Officially, Felt says the F1 PR will easily accept a 28mm casing but the development bike on hand at the press event cleared a 32mm knobby cyclocross tyre.

Much of the Z and women-specific ZW range of endurance bikes is essentially carried over but a few models will now feature disc brakes for 2015, complete with 135mm rear hub spacing. All Z and ZQ bikes will also get wider rims (19mm internal width) to better suit higher-volume tyres.

Felt's zw-series of women-specific bikes get unique geometries, tube shapes, and carbon lay-up schedules - not to mention some fantastic paint jobs: felt's zw-series of women-specific bikes get unique geometries, tube shapes, and carbon lay-up schedules - not to mention some fantastic paint jobs

The 2015 Felt ZW3

Meet the new V range of adventure bikes

New for 2015 from Felt is the V collection of adventure road bikes, all of which will come with butted and hydroformed aluminium frames, stable handling characteristics and very upright rider positions, clearance for 38mm-wide tyres, generously wide gear ranges, front and rear rack mounts, and "approachable" price points.

New for 2015 from felt is the v-series of adventure road bikes: new for 2015 from felt is the v-series of adventure road bikes

Felt is launching a new range of adventure road bikes

According to Felt road product manager Dave Koesel, these are meant to "introduce road cycling to a brand-new customer" by removing many of the objections new riders might have to more traditional road models.

Most of the new V bikes will come with drop handlebars but some will come with flat ones instead. All but the least expensive version will be built with disc brakes, too.

All v-series adventure bikes get very wide-range gearing: all v-series adventure bikes get very wide-range gearing

Common features on the V-series of adventure road bikes include wide-range gearing, disc brakes and upright positioning

More disc-equipped cyclocross bikes

Felt was one of the first mainstream companies to offer disc brakes on a 'cross bike and the company is investing further in the technology for 2015. Three disc-equipped carbon bikes will be available and all of the aluminium bikes will be disc-only.

Felt's cyclocross range is once again disc-heavy. new for 2015 is a thru-axle carbon fork: felt's cyclocross range is once again disc-heavy. new for 2015 is a thru-axle carbon fork

Felt's premier cyclocross bikes will be disc-only

Carbon frames are carried over but disc models will get a new 'Dynamic Monocoque' carbon fork where the tapered steerer and driveside leg are molded as one piece with the non-driveside leg added on later.

Felt says this asymmetric design is better able to resist the twist that disc calipers can induce under hard braking thanks to the unusually big and hollow crown. Thru-axle dropouts will lots of thread engagement are standard, too, to further keep things in check.

Disc brakes will provide better all-weather stopping power than cantilevers but tire clearance is still disappointingly tight: disc brakes will provide better all-weather stopping power than cantilevers but tire clearance is still disappointingly tight

Disc cyclocross forks now use thru-axles and a novel asymmetric assembly process. Tyre clearance is still pretty tight, though

Aluminium cyclocross frames are completely new for 2015, featuring internal cable routing with full-length liners to protect against mud and water, sleeker hydroformed tubing, and an extra-wide BB386EVO bottom bracket shell – a first for Felt, who previously had championed BB30 and PF30 layouts. In this application, the wider shell allows the chain stays to be pushed further apart to boost mud clearance.

Aluminum cyclocross frames are all new for 2015 - and disc-only: aluminum cyclocross frames are all new for 2015 - and disc-only

Alloy cyclocross bikes are all new for 2015

Slight tweaks to ultra-aero IA and DA models

As with the AR aero road bikes, the triathlon-specific IA frame shapes are carried over from last year but with upgraded carbon materials on mid-range models to decrease weight. Seatposts get the same elastomer inserts, too, to improve ride quality.

Felt contends that the ia frd is so aero that it's akin to cheating: felt contends that the ia frd is so aero that it's akin to cheating

Felt says the tri-specific IA is so aero that it's akin to cheating

The UCI-legal DA, meanwhile, has practically been killed off with just one complete model for 2015 – no surprise given that Felt no longer sponsors a WorldTour team and the apparently substantial lower-drag advantage that the IA gives to triathletes in comparison.

That said, the 2015 DA1 still gets an upgraded lay-up schedule along with a new Bayonet 4 fork, which uses the same fully internal front brake design as on the IA.

Once the flagship of felt's tt/tri range, the da1 is now but a single complete model for riders that need a uci-legal option for time trials: once the flagship of felt's tt/tri range, the da1 is now but a single complete model for riders that need a uci-legal option for time trials

The 2015 Felt DA1 gets the latest Bayonet 4 front end with a fully enclosed front brake

Key specs, claimed weights (where available), and retail prices for the complete US-spec Felt road ranges are as follows (UK models and prices are TBD):

Aero road

· AR FRD (US$12,999): Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group; Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher wheels

· AR2 (US$6,299; 7.49kg / 16.4lb): Shimano Ultegra Di2 group, Shimano RS81 wheels

· AR3 (US3,499; 8.27kg / 18.1lb): Shimano Ultegra 6800 group, Shimano RS31 wheels

· AR5 (US$2,599; 8.08kg / 17.7lb): Shimano 105 5800 group; Felt Aero Road R3 wheels

· AR FRD frame kit (US$3,999)

· AR1 frame kit (US$2,499)

Road racing

· F1 PR (US$4,999): Shimano Ultegra/Dura-Ace group, TRP RG957 brakes, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels

· F2 (US$4,999; 7.08kg / 15.5lb): Shimano Ultegra Di2 group, Shimano RS81 wheels

· F3 (US$2,999; 7.73kg / 17.0lb): Shimano Ultegra 6800 group, Shimano RS11 wheels

· F5 (US$1,999): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain; Shimano dual pivot brakes, Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· F75 (US$1,399; 8.89kg / 19.5lb): Shimano 105 5800 group, dual pivot brakes, Felt RSL3 wheels

· F95 JR (US$799; 8.67kg / 19.0lb): MicroShift/Shimano/FSA/SunRace drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Alex R500 wheels

· F24 (US$799): MicroShift/Shimano/Felt/SunRace drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Alex DA22 wheels

· F FRD frame kit (US$3,999)

· F1 PR frame kit (US$2,499)

· F1 frame kit (US$1,649)

Endurance road

· Z2 (US$4,999): Shimano Ultegra Di2 group, Shimano RS81 wheels

· Z3 (US$2,999; 7.87kg / 17.3lb): Shimano Ultegra 6800 group, Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels

· Z4 Disc (US$2,499): SRAM Rival 22 HRD group, Mavic Aksium ONE Disc wheels

· Z5 (US$1,899; 8.53kg / 18.7lb): Shimano 105 5800 group; Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· Z7 (US$1,499; 9.03kg / 19.9lb): Shimano Sora drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· Z75 Disc (US$1,499): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain, TRP Spyre brakes, Felt Road RSL3 Disc wheels

· Z85 (US$1,349; 9.46kg / 20.8lb): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· Z95 (US$929; 9.81kg / 21.6lb): Shimano Sora drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· Z100 (US$799; 9.99kg / 22.0lb): Shimano Claris/FSA drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt Road RSL3 wheels

· Z1 frame kit (US$2,799)

Women-specific endurance road

· ZW2 (US$4,999): Shimano Ultegra Di2/FSA group, Shimano RS81 wheels

· ZW3 (US$2,999; 7.73kg / 17.0lb): Shimano Ultegra 6800/FSA group, Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels

· ZW5 (US$1,899; 8.03kg / 17.6lb): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt WRSL3 wheels

· ZW7 (US$1,499; 8.66kg / 19.1lb): Shimano Sora drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt WRSL3 wheels

· ­ZW85 (US$1,349; 8.83kg / 19.4lb): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt WRSL3 wheels

· ZW95 (US$929; 9.20kg / 20.2lb): Shimano Sora/FSA drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt WRSL3 wheels

· ZW100 (US$799; 9.48kg / 20.9lb): Shimano Claris/FSA drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt WRSL3 wheels

· ZW1 frame kit (US$2,799)

Adventure road

· V85 (US$1,399): Shimano 105 5800 drivetrain, TRP Spyre brakes, Felt RSL3 Disc wheels

· V90F (US$999): Shimano/FSA/KMC drivetrain, Tektro Auriga brakes, Felt RSL3 Disc wheels

· V100 (US$849): Shimano Claris/FSA drivetrain, Tektro Mira brakes, Felt RSL4 Disc wheels

· V95F (US$799): Shimano Sora/FSA/KMC drivetrain, Tektro Auriga brakes, Felt RSL4 Disc wheels

· V110F (US$569): Shimano Acera/SR SunTour/KMC drivetrain, Tektro RX1.0 brakes, Felt RSL4 wheels

TT/Tri

· IA FRD (US$13,999): Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group, Felt Aero Brake System, Zipp 404/808 Firecrest wheels

· IA2 (US$9,999): Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group, Felt Aero Brake System, Felt TTR1 wheels

· IA3 (US$6,999): SRAM Red 22 drivetrain, Felt Aero Brake System, Felt TTR1 wheels

· IA4 (US$5,499): Shimano Ultegra 6800/MicroShift drivetrain, Felt Aero Brake System, Felt TTR3 wheels

· IA FRD frame kit (US$6,999)

· IA1 frame kit (US$4,499)

· DA1 (US$4,999): Shimano Dura-Ace 9000/MicroShift drivetrain, Felt Aero Brake System, Felt TTR3 wheels

· B2 (US$3,699): Shimano Ultegra Di2/Vision drivetrain, aero dual pivot brakes, Felt TTR3 wheels

· B12 (US$2,999): Shimano Dura-Ace 9000/Vision/MicroShift drivetrain, aero dual pivot brakes, Felt TTR3 wheels

· B14 (US$1,999): Shimano Ultegra 6800/FSA/MicroShift drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt TTR4 wheels

· S32 (US$1,299; 9.52kg / 20.9lb): Shimano 105/FSA/MicroShift drivetrain, dual pivot brakes, Felt RSL3 wheels

Stay tuned for our second round of news from Felt's 2015 media launch, where we'll cover the new collection of mountain bikes.

James Huang

Former tech editor

James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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