We spoke to Dave Koesel from Felt Bicycles about the all new Felt AR FRD road bike. Felt claim that the bike will get you to the finish line 2min 28 faster. Bold claims.
My third road bike was a Felt AR3, wow - what a fast bike, now ride a specialized tarmac for road racing as the AR3 is too small, but I would have an AR over any bike out there, love them!
I rode a specialized for years...purchased the felt AR3 several months ago......boooooom. absolutely blown my spesh away... averaged 20.3 mph today on a 50 mile ride.... don't dis this bike until youy have ridden the AR.......Its a missile...period.
Thanks BikeRadar for the coverage and award for the new AR series of bikes. One minor correction, the top bike shown comes from our FRD program hence the name AR FRD, not FWD. Thanks for the kind words from other viewers, too. -SD
I saw one yesterday in York, this bike looks so slick and svelte and is flat as a pancake as it passes you. I was genuinely surprised, it looks gorgeous as well.
LOL I also bought AR FRD 2019 frame few months ago. This will be my 2nd road bike. I purchased Enve SES Aero handlebar but not receive it. Shimano PRO Vibe Aero; Easton EC90 are good options for Di2. Gruppo is Di2 because I'm Shimano fanboy and Felt say that same brand brake caliper and lever works best (You know that rear caliper is specific and different brands have different pull ratios). I have Assioma power pedals (Crank arm based power meters will not work with Shimano rear brake caliper). I have also Mavic cosmic pro carbon SL 2016 wheels (17c internal; 25mm width; 40mm depth). Maybe too shallow but..... combine with 25mm Schwalbe PRO One tube type (measured 25,5mm). Conti 5000 are hard to mount on rims and little bit wider. With this wheel combo I have around 5-6mm to the chasinstays. For bottom bracket I can recommend you CeramicSpeed or Kogel (I choose Kogel , but not mount it at the moment). GL and have a nice rides.
@@mislevis This is great. Thank you for the great write up. Lastly, which stem bar did you use to go with Enve? I'm dismantling Trek Emonda with Sram Red groupset. Confused over which handlebars will be compatible. Your setup looks great. Would love to see the finished bike
@@bonfido Inner diameter is 42mm (frame is BB30). I choose Kogel BB30 to 24 mm (shimano spindle is 24mm). About handlebars .. you can put what you like. But with aero handlebars problem is with out front computer mount (too tight space for mount). Bar -stem combo is need to be aero and stem -frame is need to be looking nice integrated. At the moment I'm not received my Enve handlebar (I have Enve aero stem and computer mount).
cserg66 The world's fastest bicycle is currently the VeloX3 with almost 144 km/h on a 200 m sprint. And one hour record for recumbent bicycles is 91,5 km.
+ITsupportian From the AR3 to AR FRD the difference, I think - don't quote me - is in the spec, i.e. finishing kit (SRAM Red down to SRAM Rival and Apex). I think the quality of the carbon and aerodynamic shape are all fairly similar give or take some wright and aero :)
Pretty looking incredibly skinny looking bike but if a fat blog keep like me rode it !! Guessing that for most professionals on top notch bikes its them not the bike that makes the difference, apart from time trials of course:-)
If one really wants to ride fast with his own power, the velomobile is the answer. Any average amateur can do 60 km in one hour on a flat road riding the velomobile...
if you include recumbent bikes, it's really not the fastest bike in the world. a good rider on a Baron racing recumbent would probably eat up a rider on this bike. but it *does* look good for a diamond frame! :-)
+Jimm Pratt Saw a fast recumbent rider the other day, I didn't know they could go so fast until I trailed him for ~10km. Such an interesting riding position, with an upside down U bar with gripshifters, looked like a ton of fun. How are they on the climbs?
+Canadian Dude - recumbents can be slower on some climbs due to the bike being typically a bit heavier than an upright, but will largely depend on the rider's fitness, steepness and length of a hill, etc. A good 'bent rider will quickly make up for a slow climb on the flats and downhills due to a better aerodynamic position and less turbulence down below 1 meter height. That inverted steering you saw helps to keep the riders arms tucked in for best aero position. I'm of average fitness and ride a recumbent trike (Steintrike Nomad Sport with Wildcat fairing). I love the comfort, the speed, and added stability in icy / wet road conditions. I commute regularly on it, and on rides in the weekends I've been known to annoy the local cycle groups in their spandex as they bunch up in their little fish-school peletons while I - a fat man of 48 years old - leisurely pass them on the flats in my sweatpants and tshirt. We play a cat-n-mouse game often: they pass me on the uphills, I pass them on the downhills. And yes they are a ton of fun! :)
felt or bmc are my picks. specialized will always be near the last choice for me. they have no culture. they only want to sell a ton of mediocre bikes to a lot of mediocre consumers. sadly trek and cannondale are following specialized in becoming mass marketing bullshitters. giant and merida make nearly every frame. you might as well go with them or a bike company that is not all about corporate expansion.
118himan You haven't ridden the new felts. My LBS deals Felt, Cannondale, and Moots and the Felts have the best bike I've ever ridden for the money, bar none. It might not be a tarmac, but you can get a pro level frame for 1500 bucks.
My third road bike was a Felt AR3, wow - what a fast bike, now ride a specialized tarmac for road racing as the AR3 is too small, but I would have an AR over any bike out there, love them!
This man is ace, So genuine, passionate and honest. He made me completely buy in to felt as a brand.
I rode a specialized for years...purchased the felt AR3 several months ago......boooooom.
absolutely blown my spesh away... averaged 20.3 mph today on a 50 mile ride....
don't dis this bike until youy have ridden the AR.......Its a missile...period.
Not a big deal i can avrage 21 with my felt f4
Have you ever experierenced brake rub?
Thanks BikeRadar for the coverage and award for the new AR series of bikes. One minor correction, the top bike shown comes from our FRD program hence the name AR FRD, not FWD. Thanks for the kind words from other viewers, too.
-SD
I saw one yesterday in York, this bike looks so slick and svelte and is flat as a pancake as it passes you. I was genuinely surprised, it looks gorgeous as well.
Great Presentation. Very impressive bike! He definitely represents FELT well. I now want to be 2 min 28 sec faster...Any sponsors?
Hi Dave, thanks for the correction. It's been updated in the description and the thumbnail. BR
Best looking AERO bike on the market. Never really like the looks of a AREO bike (s5) untill i saw the AR FELT. GREAT VIDEO, THKS.
Impressive doesn't even begin to explain
what an old video. thanks youtube algo. i own a felt AR FRD 2023 model. its great.
2014 feels like it should be yesterday
@@bikeradar missing the old days eh :-) same
I was torn between the venge,giant propel sl3 and the Felt Ar3...
did my research big time and pulled the trigger on the Felt.......Correct choice...
Felt is the best carbon fiber technologie, suspension systems and aero bikes
BEST bike I owned.You go Felt.
Just awesome Bike, would love to see that wind tunnel comparison data
Similar in looks to the Avanti Corsa DR, which has recessed slots for the quick releases.
Well done, Dave.
Whoooooah that looks like Tom Hopper at 4:00 in the background :D
I didn't like the look of the old AR series, but this latest series is lovely
I have Felt and it is good value..
2020 looking back at 2013
kittel beat Cav with a Felt F1 only..
pure power with great frameset
Does it come in other colours?
Not a big fan of felt but this is a real beauty
I just bought AR FRD 2019 frame. Can’t wait to build it! My first road bike. Any suggestion on aero handle bar ?
LOL I also bought AR FRD 2019 frame few months ago. This will be my 2nd road bike. I purchased Enve SES Aero handlebar but not receive it. Shimano PRO Vibe Aero; Easton EC90 are good options for Di2. Gruppo is Di2 because I'm Shimano fanboy and Felt say that same brand brake caliper and lever works best (You know that rear caliper is specific and different brands have different pull ratios). I have Assioma power pedals (Crank arm based power meters will not work with Shimano rear brake caliper). I have also Mavic cosmic pro carbon SL 2016 wheels (17c internal; 25mm width; 40mm depth). Maybe too shallow but..... combine with 25mm Schwalbe PRO One tube type (measured 25,5mm). Conti 5000 are hard to mount on rims and little bit wider. With this wheel combo I have around 5-6mm to the chasinstays. For bottom bracket I can recommend you CeramicSpeed or Kogel (I choose Kogel , but not mount it at the moment).
GL and have a nice rides.
@@mislevis This is great. Thank you for the great write up. Lastly, which stem bar did you use to go with Enve? I'm dismantling Trek Emonda with Sram Red groupset. Confused over which handlebars will be compatible. Your setup looks great. Would love to see the finished bike
Last is the BB inner diameter 30mm or 44mm? Thanks a lot
@@bonfido Inner diameter is 42mm (frame is BB30). I choose Kogel BB30 to 24 mm (shimano spindle is 24mm). About handlebars .. you can put what you like. But with aero handlebars problem is with out front computer mount (too tight space for mount). Bar -stem combo is need to be aero and stem -frame is need to be looking nice integrated. At the moment I'm not received my Enve handlebar (I have Enve aero stem and computer mount).
Fastest bike? It depends on who is riding that
i guess they're talking about the aerodynamic and weight aspects
cserg66 The world's fastest bicycle is currently the VeloX3 with almost 144 km/h on a 200 m sprint. And one hour record for recumbent bicycles is 91,5 km.
davidtheguitarman g
thanks to marcel kittel
Well spotted! :D
I was thinking to buy this or Specialized Venge... what should I get?
ITsupportian that's a tough decision. Here's some reviews that might help:
Venge - goo.gl/9jqQ5R
AR FRD2 - goo.gl/TLF2TA
BikeRadar Thanks, really help. Do you happen to know the difference between different AR,? AR FRD, AR2, AR3, AR4 and AR5.
+ITsupportian From the AR3 to AR FRD the difference, I think - don't quote me - is in the spec, i.e. finishing kit (SRAM Red down to SRAM Rival and Apex). I think the quality of the carbon and aerodynamic shape are all fairly similar give or take some wright and aero :)
Pretty looking incredibly skinny looking bike but if a fat blog keep like me rode it !! Guessing that for most professionals on top notch bikes its them not the bike that makes the difference, apart from time trials of course:-)
For more details on the claim, please visit:
aerogeeks.com/2013/09/24/2014-felt-ar-wind-tunnel-data-analysis/
Revealing...
that is lovely, better start saving
WOW!
Ashley and Jered Gruber @ 1:14
If one really wants to ride fast with his own power, the velomobile is the answer. Any average amateur can do 60 km in one hour on a flat road riding the velomobile...
+ou es What are you talking about?
wow
That sound like a over tightened stem.
if you include recumbent bikes, it's really not the fastest bike in the world. a good rider on a Baron racing recumbent would probably eat up a rider on this bike. but it *does* look good for a diamond frame! :-)
+Jimm Pratt Saw a fast recumbent rider the other day, I didn't know they could go so fast until I trailed him for ~10km. Such an interesting riding position, with an upside down U bar with gripshifters, looked like a ton of fun.
How are they on the climbs?
+Canadian Dude - recumbents can be slower on some climbs due to the bike being typically a bit heavier than an upright, but will largely depend on the rider's fitness, steepness and length of a hill, etc. A good 'bent rider will quickly make up for a slow climb on the flats and downhills due to a better aerodynamic position and less turbulence down below 1 meter height. That inverted steering you saw helps to keep the riders arms tucked in for best aero position.
I'm of average fitness and ride a recumbent trike (Steintrike Nomad Sport with Wildcat fairing). I love the comfort, the speed, and added stability in icy / wet road conditions. I commute regularly on it, and on rides in the weekends I've been known to annoy the local cycle groups in their spandex as they bunch up in their little fish-school peletons while I - a fat man of 48 years old - leisurely pass them on the flats in my sweatpants and tshirt. We play a cat-n-mouse game often: they pass me on the uphills, I pass them on the downhills. And yes they are a ton of fun! :)
+Jimm Pratt Thank you for all the info! I already own too many bikes but I might have to get a test ride.
+Canadian Dude - be careful! many people have "gone recumbent" and never returned to uprights again! I have three 'bents. :D
You just mad me buy that bike. Sexy
Sexy bike!
SuperDave is a don
felt or bmc are my picks. specialized will always be near the last choice for me. they have no culture. they only want to sell a ton of mediocre bikes to a lot of mediocre consumers. sadly trek and cannondale are following specialized in becoming mass marketing bullshitters. giant and merida make nearly every frame. you might as well go with them or a bike company that is not all about corporate expansion.
World's fastest bike is a recumbent bicycle.
Giant Propel
I'M SPECIALIZED
lol felt is garbage.. no contest with Cannondale or Giant..
Oh im sorry I was passing many Cannondales and Giants yesterday on my Felt. :)
If i put peter sagan on a mongoose, he would pass even you with your felt.
Andrew Yts jealous much xD
118himan You haven't ridden the new felts. My LBS deals Felt, Cannondale, and Moots and the Felts have the best bike I've ever ridden for the money, bar none. It might not be a tarmac, but you can get a pro level frame for 1500 bucks.
***** Whats that meant to mean? the first bit...