2022 Felt

AR FRD Ultimate Frame

Versatile wind-slicer

Impressive climbing ability despite weight

Contemporary features like thru-axles and disc brakes

Frame accommodates 30-mm-wide tires

Optimized for yaw angles of apparent wind less than 10 degrees

Easy maintenance and user-friendly design

Fantastic cruising speed

Great handling at speed

Straight-line speed

Saddle clamp allows offset adjustment

Increased compliance with split seatpost

Stable and precise cornering

Respectable wheel weight for depth

Option to switch to wider tyres for comfort

Fast

Punchy

Comfortable

Devilishly quick – both off the mark and when sprinting

Cuts wonderfully through a headwind

Deals with gusty side-on wind effectively

Overall comfort is really very good

Seatpost flexes independently to dampen vibrations

User-friendly

Excellent spec

Taut, responsive and exciting ride

Adjustable saddle clamp for comfort and aerodynamics

Designed for travel with removable handlebar

Shimano Ultegra Di2 shifting performance

Hydraulic disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power

Reynolds AR58 DB wheelset contributes to speed and is easy to handle on windy days

Heavier than some climber’s bikes by more than a kilogram

Vague handling at slower velocities

Weighty

The aesthetics of the stem

Lacks a power meter

Not the lightest on the scales

Lacks a few percentage points on the confidence front in cornering

Heavy

Clamping mechanism is finicky to adjust or pack down for travel

Requires inserting little strips of clear rubber in the gap between the prongs

Weight is very noticeable

Internal cable routing limits handlebar height adjustment

Heavier than the competition

Stem only available in a six-degree angle and can’t be flipped for extra height

Firmer ride on rough roads