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Felt set to release redesigned AR aero bike at Eurobike + videoFelt 2014 AR

Felt set to release redesigned AR aero bike at Eurobike + video

UPDATED: There’s a new AR in the wings; here's a sneak peek and some wild speculation. Now with added video and prices
by David Arthur @davearthur
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 11:34
12

It’s Eurobike time next week, the biggest annual gathering of bike manufacturers anywhere in the world, and that means a whole load of new bikes and products will be unveiled. Felt, clearly unable to contain their excitement until then, have released a photo of their redesigned AR aero bike on Instagram.

We can exclusively reveal the prices for the new Felt AR. There will be four models; AR5 at £1,799 105 spec, AR4 at £2,199 Ultegra 11sp, AR3R at £3,499 SRAM Red 22 and AR2 at £4,500 Ultegra Di2 11sp. There will be two framesets available, the AR FRD made with their latest TeXtreme carbon, and an AR1 made using UHC Ultimate carbon. Prices to be confirmed.

We’ve pestered Felt but they’re not releasing any details until next week. So that leaves us to draw a few conclusions from this one image. The AR was first released in 2005, which feels like an eternity ago. The pace of development in aerodynamics has been quite startlingly, and the AR, it’s fair to say, has been looking a little dated.

The new model has a squared off appearance. Where the old model was all curves and flowing shapes, the new bike is a concoction of straight lines and purposeful details. The top tube is straighter, there’s a similar deep head tube, and the down tube is now straight, rather than curving around the front wheel, as it used to.

It’s vastly different around the rear wheel. A new seatstay arrangement meets a new teardrop shaped seat tube which no longer wraps around the rear wheel. That looks like a new integrated seat clamp as well. And clearly the rear brake calipers have been relocated away to underneath the chainstays, just behind the bottom bracket.

The photo makes it clear that the new AR has been tested in the San Diego low speed wind tunnel, a particular favourite with a many bike manufacturers. All that remains to be seen is how much faster Felt claim these changes make it compared to the outgoing AR. We’ll have the full details when we see the bike in the flesh next week. One thing's for sure, the aero game is hotting up still further.

Felt
ar
aero bikes
2014
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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12 comments

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Ghostie | 11 years ago
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Oh, and I think the AR4 is gloss black not matt.

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Ghostie | 11 years ago
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Having seen the pics of all models on the interwebs now, the paint job is similar to the naked carbon finish AR FRD (not the paint job in the vid or pic on here though) with a light blue Felt logo on the down tube and lines on the frame. The other models feature either white or a grey type minimalist markings with a matt black frame. Only the AR4 has some go faster red stripes on the top tube, on the chainstay and on the fork. Not too dissimilar to the 2011 AR paint job but less in your face. Better than last year's flamed ARs though. The Felt IA FRD - now that is a beast.

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beej.a | 11 years ago
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they should keep it all black except for the Felt logo... i bet the nice lines of this bike are going to be tarnished by a shitty OTT colourful paint job

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Ghostie | 11 years ago
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Given my old F65 is like owning a penny farthing in terms of Felt's development as a bike manufacturer over ten years, I have been looking at the AR series for a while as a replacement. Would like to get one in 2014, possibly. The reversible seatpost seems to be a particularly welcome addition given that I would want to use it both as my normal ride and TT machine and don't want (or can afford) separate bikes. Look forward to seeing the rest of the range (AR4 and 5 particularly).

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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I have a Felt (much lower spec) but i cannot sing its praises enough. This is one special bike and if only i could afford one 2

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Jon Burrage | 11 years ago
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Could have sworn the AR was first released in 2008...

Anyway, this new one looks special, really looking forward to hopping on one in early September. I CANNOT WAIT! As a one time AR owner I love the bike as it is and am really excited to see what the one brings.

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TeamCC | 11 years ago
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Add a Knight Rider red light bar up front and a jump booster please. This Felt bike looks great.

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jarredscycling | 11 years ago
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It even has aerodynamic handlebars!!!

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kobacom | 11 years ago
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Hippolyte Aucouturier, I love that name. Felt look cool, only wish I could afford on, wish I could do one justice when riding.

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beej.a | 11 years ago
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that christ they have done away with that garish looking down tube... this looks MUCH MUCH better!!! 39

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pj | 11 years ago
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the old AR is so dated it looks like something Hippolyte Aucouturier might have ridden.

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fancynancy | 11 years ago
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There is no way the AR looks dated. All the other companies have been copying the idea & design so how can it be dated. Its like saying an iphone is dated because it was the first smart phone. Well, maybe not a great example 39

As an AR owner I take offence at that 20

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