2023 Felt AR FRD Ultimate RED eTap AXS - Matte TeXtreme (White/Blue)
FeltTHE ALL-NEW AR
he all-new AR is the bike you need if speed inspires and delights you. Whether you are in the hunt for PRs, segments, or Olympic gold, the AR is built to get you to your finish line. Not just faster but better in every way, the new AR is designed with performance in mind. We know that going fast isn't only about cheating the wind—though the AR doesn't disappoint on that front. It's also about keeping yourself fresher and more composed than the competition. This is why we built the new AR from scratch, starting with a blank slate. We took the performance data from the existing AR, knowing just how fast it is and that it remains a reference point for racers and much of the cycling industry. But, on top of this, we elevated the importance of ride quality and handling to ensure that the total package is simply the fastest and best aero road bike we've ever designed. The AR is a whopping 9% faster than the previous AR depending on the conditions!
- 2x12-speed SRAM RED eTap AXS
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Zipp 404 NSW carbon wheels
AERODYNAMICS
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.
DISC BRAKES & THRU-AXLES
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.
COCKPIT & STEERING/HANDLING
While fully hidden cable routing systems can appear aesthetically minimal when installed in a precise configuration, a truly closed-off system carries with it several drawbacks. Chief among these is a significantly more tedious and time-consuming maintenance process. It also makes the bike more difficult to easily break down for travel. And, due to inherent space constraints, many fully hidden systems can cause excessive wear and tear on cables and housing if not perfectly set up by an expert mechanic. Likewise, one-piece handlebar-and-stem configurations limit a rider's ability to dial-in their preferred body position, as well as fine-tune their favored steering interface. With the AR's tried-and-true system, riders have the option of using our semi-integrated stem (in lengths from 80mm to 140mm) or their favorite stem in whatever material and length they prefer, as well as their preferred handlebar in a myriad of materials, shapes, and sizes.
SPEED THROUGH COMFORT
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.
Geometry
- VERSION:
- AR | 1
- MODEL:
- AR FRD | Ultimate | RED eTap AXS
- MODEL CODE:
- FB-20B-ARFETAP-TWU-FA
- SIZES:
- 6 | 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
- FRAME TECHNOLOGIES:
- MMC / InsideOut
- BRAKE TYPE, REAR:
- Disc, Flat Mount | 25mm thickness, ø140mm minimum rotor
- DERAILLEUR HANGER TYPE, REAR:
- Standard Mount | TA 12x142 road, replaceable, aluminum
- PROTECTOR TYPE:
- Felt SteererStop integration for replaceable brake and shift protection / Felt CDRoad integration for chain drop protection / Felt ChainPlate for chain suck protection / Clear vinyl for chain slap protection
- SEAT POST / CLAMP TYPE:
- Felt InternaLoc AEROroad 2.0 | integrated with titanium bolts and high-frequency vibration reducing insert
- TIRE MAX (CLEARANCE):
- 30mm (4mm)
- HEADSET:
- IS (NO.44)
- AXLE, REAR:
- TA 12x142
- BRAKE TYPE, FRONT:
- Disc, Flat Mount | ø140mm minimum rotor
- HEADSET SPECIFICATION:
- Top Cap: stem integrated / Top Cover: stem integrated / Top Cover (standard stem): Felt integrated nylon fiber / Bearings: FSA integrated sealed cartridge, MR121 upper, MR168 lower / Spacers: Felt integrated nylon fiber, aero (20mm, 10mm, 2x5mm) / Co
- AXLE, REAR SPECIFICATION:
- Devox AxleTA 170-9 L | 161mm + 9mm head, M12 x P1.0 x 18mm for Syntace X-12, with SL02 Switch hollow lever
- SHIFTERS:
- SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD
- DERAILLEUR, REAR:
- SRAM RED eTap AXS
- BOTTOM BRACKET:
- CeramicSpeed EVO386 for SRAM DUB Road
- CHAIN:
- SRAM RED
- BRAKE CALIPERS:
- SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, hydraulic disc, flat mount
- WHEELS:
- ZIPP 454 NSW Carbon Tubeless Disc-brake, XDR
- TIRE COMPATIBILITY:
- Tubeless Ready+
- HANDLEBAR:
- ZIPP SL-70 AERO
- GRIPS / TAPE:
- Felt VelvetGel tape with 3M reflective base and Felt Bubble-Tech F-Wing bar end plugs
- STEM CLAMP DIAMETER:
- 31.8mm
- STEM LENGTH:
- 48, 51cm: 90mm / 54, 56cm: 100mm / 58cm: 110mm / 61cm: 120mm / Aftermarket: 130, 140mm
- SEATPOST:
- Felt AeroRoad IL 2.0 | UHC Advanced + TeXtreme carbon fiber
- SEATPOST OFFSET:
- 0mm / -20mm
- SEATPOST PARTS & TECHNOLOGIES:
- Integrated / Compliance Channels with aero covers / AeroRoad InternaLoc 2.0 seatpost clamping system with high-frequency vibration reducing insert / Patented VariMount (VM) saddle rail clamping system / Integrated battery holder
- WEIGHT:
- 16.96 lb, 7.71 kg
- SPECIFICATION DISCLAIMER:
- Specifications subject to change without notice.
- SERIES:
- AR FRD (3.0)
- MARKET:
- Global
- FINISH:
- Matte TeXtreme (White, Blue)
- MODEL # M3:
- BBIAA02
- FRAME:
- Felt AeroRoad 3.0 | UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme carbon fiber
- BOTTOM BRACKET TYPE:
- Press-Fit | BB386
- DERAILLEUR HANGER TYPE, FRONT:
- Brazed-On | integrated backup plate, non-replaceable, aluminum
- HEAD-TUBE TYPE:
- Felt AeroTaper | 1.125-1.25";ROUTING TYPE=Semi-Hidden | electronic specific"
- WHEEL TYPE:
- 700c
- FORK:
- Felt AeroRoad 3.0 | UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme carbon fiber
- AXLE, FRONT:
- TA 12x100
- FORK TECHNOLOGIES:
- Monocoque construction / Integrated crown race
- FORK OFFSET:
- 48cm: 52mm / 51, 54cm: 47mm / 56, 58, 61cm: 43mm
- AXLE, FRONT SPECIFICATION:
- Devox AxleTA 123.2 | 118mm + 5.2mm head, M12 x 1.5P x 13mm, Switch lever compatible
- DRIVETRAIN:
- 2x12-speed
- DERAILLEUR, FRONT:
- SRAM RED eTap AXS, braze-on
- CRANK:
- SRAM RED, DUB, 48/35T
- CASSETTE:
- SRAM RED XG-1290, 10-28T
- CRANK LENGTH:
- 48cm: 167.5mm / 51cm: 170mm / 54, 56cm: 172.5mm / 58, 61cm: 175mm
- BRAKE ROTORS:
- SRAM CenterLine XR, Center Lock, 160mm
- TIRES:
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL, 700x25c
- RIMS:
- Carbon
- STEM:
- Felt Sprint | UHC Advanced carbon fiber
- HANDLEBAR WIDTH:
- 48cm: 38cm / 51cm: 40cm / 54, 56cm: 42cm / 58, 61cm: 44cm
- STEM ANGLE:
- -6°
- STEM PARTS & TECHNOLOGIES:
- Integrated / Integrated top cap / Integrated headset top cover / Integrated cable routing / Slotted faceplate for computer direct mount compatibility
- SADDLE:
- Prologo Dimension 143 Nack
- SEATPOST LENGTH:
- 350mm *can be cut to length
- EXTRAS:
- SRAM PowerPack (battery charger, 2x battery) / SRAM hose fitting kit (2x threaded hose barbs and red comp fittings) / ZIPP tubeless valve stems (2x80mm) / Compliance Channel aero seatpost covers / Carbon assembly paste
- WEIGHT DISCLAIMER:
- The most accurate way to determine a product's weight is to have your local dealer weigh it for you. Because we understand that weight is an important metric, we strive to list it when possible. When listed, weight is based on a single sample in a sp