In 2007 as the fledgling Garmin Slipstream team was taking shape, one man asked another to design him an Aerodynamic Road bike. In stereotypical idea genesis, a sketch was made on a napkin in a hotel lobby and a frame design revolution began.
The two men in that conversation were 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt and frame wizard Jim Felt. The frame that was spawned was the Felt AR and was the first mass produced Aerodynamic Road Bike frame.
Jim Felt designed the AR to be the most aerodynamic frameset that was suitable for day-to-day road cycling and racing and it was constructed within the bounds of UCI regulations. Despite the introduction of similar frames from the likes of Scott and Cervelo, the Felt AR remained the ‘most aerodynamic road frame’ until 2012.
There are 3 key areas to consider in frame production: weight, stiffness and aerodynamics. Although the original AR was all these things, time and development eventually meant that the frameset began to lose out – not always in aerodynamic terms, but rather in terms of weight and stiffness.
Never a man to rest on his laurels and one who is passionate about producing the best frames possible, Jim Felt set out to re-define aerodynamic road frames.
Over the last 5 years and using every available technical resource from the latest CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), wind tunnel and real world testing, Jim Felt has once again developed a frame that can claim the title of ‘Most Aerodynamic road bike in the world.’ The new AR Road bike has drag numbers previously only seen on TT and Triathlon bikes and this is born out in neutral wind tunnel testing against not only his own framesets but those of the competition.
The 2014 Felt AR is 14% more aerodynamic than its predecessor and between 28.7 and 31.1% faster than a standard round tube giving quantifiable power savings and time gains unmatched in the field.
Historically, aerodynamic frames have been very uncomfortable in comparison to their round-tubed counterparts; the Specialized Venge for example, enticed some choice words (which we won’t repeat) from Mark Cavendish with regards to its ride characteristics! The reason for this is that most aero frames are by nature incredibly stiff – aero tube profiles are not compliant. It may surprise you then that the AR series carbon frames have a compliance that sits between Felt’s own super stiff F-Series pro road frames and the more relaxed sportive focussed Z-Series making it incredibly comfortable relative to both a standard road frame and the previous AR. That said, thanks to the new construction methods and choice of fibres used in the AR there is no sacrifice in stiffness and power transfer.
The 2014 AR is also considerably lighter than before and has weights that will give the competition’s standard road frames something to think about. The base model 2014 carbon AR is lighter than last years top of the line model! This has been achieved with clever utilisation of carbon fibres and resin technologies and with innovative design tweaks.
One of the innovations that has helped move the AR forward is the seat-post and clamping system. The new AR uses an internal seat clamp integrated into the post itself using a slot through the middle. The clamp opens outwards to pull the post into the frame, which spreads load evenly and puts far less stress on both frame and post.
This system means that the frame around the post no longer needs to be overbuilt with relatively weak, compliant fibres and this allows for a lighter and stiffer junction at the rear end. Combined with this is an ultra-compliant seat post. As it no longer has to be strengthened to withstand clamping forces it is constructed of just 6 layers of carbon making it far lighter and much more compliant. The symmetric, ovalised shape with off-set top clamp, allows the post to be used in standard road configuration or rotated 180 degrees for use in Triathlon or TT events, positioning the rider further over the bottom bracket.
Ultimately then, Felt have (re)created the most aerodynamic road bike in the world saving both energy and time. In addition they have supplied the compliance needed to keep a rider comfortable and focussed on long training rides while increasing the stiffness and reducing weight in the frame needed to turn power into speed. Coupled with the versatility provided by the seat post you have a bike that will not only serve for long hours in the saddle but that will give you the edge while racing – be that Road or Tri .
With the 2014 Felt AR you do not have to sacrifice weight, stiffness or ride quality to gain an aerodynamic advantage
Like all Felt Carbon AR models, the 2014 Felt AR3 R uses the Aero Taper fork which has a larger 11/4" lower bearing to spread load and to stiffen the front end for more direct and responsive handling. Similarly all carbon AR frames use the BB30 bottom bracket interface as it provides the greatest stiffness possible for transferring energy to the road. The AR3 R is supplied with Sram's new 11 speed RED22 groupset which boasts the most aerodynamic calipers in the world - a fitting match for such a frame. 3T finishing kit and Fulcrum Racing Quattro wheels complete the aero package.
The Frame is electronic compatible.