Amgen tour of California 2012

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Major revamp for 2011 Felt F-Series and DA platforms

  • Felt's new F1 makes huge gains in stiffness relative to the outgoing version.

    Felt's new F1 makes huge gains in stiffness relative to the outgoing version.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The neat surface finish of the new Felt F1 seat cluster is achieved using a separate external mold just for this area.

    The neat surface finish of the new Felt F1 seat cluster is achieved using a separate external mold just for this area.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new 2011 F3 frame sports the same shape as the F1 but with an extra 100g.

    The new 2011 F3 frame sports the same shape as the F1 but with an extra 100g.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F3 will use the same modular monocoque construction style as on the old F1.

    The new F3 will use the same modular monocoque construction style as on the old F1.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt includes Red DoubleTap levers, derailleurs, and a BB30 crankset on its US$5,000 F3.

    Felt includes Red DoubleTap levers, derailleurs, and a BB30 crankset on its US$5,000 F3.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • SRAM wheels are featured on the F3.

    SRAM wheels are featured on the F3.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt specs a heavier stamped steel SRAM cassette on its F3 instead of the standard Red one - which is fine by us, since that's what many pros run, anyway.

    Felt specs a heavier stamped steel SRAM cassette on its F3 instead of the standard Red one - which is fine by us, since that's what many pros run, anyway.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Likewise, the new F3 also gets a tapered front end. Cable stops are standard riveted-on guides instead of the F1's clever interchangeable setup.

    Likewise, the new F3 also gets a tapered front end. Cable stops are standard riveted-on guides instead of the F1's clever interchangeable setup.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The F3 also gets a BB30 bottom bracket but with an alloy sleeve instead of a carbon fiber one.

    The F3 also gets a BB30 bottom bracket but with an alloy sleeve instead of a carbon fiber one.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's AR aero road platform is essentially unchanged for 2011 - which is fine, considering last year's version already got a significant upgrade.

    Felt's AR aero road platform is essentially unchanged for 2011 - which is fine, considering last year's version already got a significant upgrade.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • New versions of the AR readily accept Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wiring (and we'd imagine there's a rubber grommet that's missing here).

    New versions of the AR readily accept Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wiring (and we'd imagine there's a rubber grommet that's missing here).

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear end of the AR borrows design elements from the DA.

    The rear end of the AR borrows design elements from the DA.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's Z-series will continue to offer a higher front end for riders seeking a slightly more relaxed riding position.

    Felt's Z-series will continue to offer a higher front end for riders seeking a slightly more relaxed riding position.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Longer head tubes and taller bar heights characterize Felt's popular Z-series.

    Longer head tubes and taller bar heights characterize Felt's popular Z-series.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt sticks with a smaller 27.2mm seatpost diameter for better rider comfort.

    Felt sticks with a smaller 27.2mm seatpost diameter for better rider comfort.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's F1 even includes these neat reusable 'Fray Done-a-way' cable ends.

    Felt's F1 even includes these neat reusable 'Fray Done-a-way' cable ends.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Graphics on Felt's 2011 line is more upscale-looking across the board.

    Graphics on Felt's 2011 line is more upscale-looking across the board.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F1 sports a much bigger front end for more precise handling.

    The new F1 sports a much bigger front end for more precise handling.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F1 frame surface is totally devoid of flat surfaces as Felt says those are more prone to buckling under load.

    The new F1 frame surface is totally devoid of flat surfaces as Felt says those are more prone to buckling under load.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon fork tips are featured on consumer F1s.

    Carbon fork tips are featured on consumer F1s.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F1 top tube does away with the abrupt shape changes of the old one in favor of a smoother and more flowing surface.

    The new F1 top tube does away with the abrupt shape changes of the old one in favor of a smoother and more flowing surface.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat stays on the new F1 have a more rounded shape than before.

    Seat stays on the new F1 have a more rounded shape than before.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Rear dropouts are hollow carbon fiber all the way through.

    Rear dropouts are hollow carbon fiber all the way through.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon brake housing stops are molded into the top tube.

    Carbon brake housing stops are molded into the top tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F1's BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell omits the old model's internal ribs in favor of a fully hollow, thin-walled structure.

    The new F1's BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell omits the old model's internal ribs in favor of a fully hollow, thin-walled structure.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new F1 chain stays have grown nearly double in height at the bottom bracket.

    The new F1 chain stays have grown nearly double in height at the bottom bracket.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The big hole on the bottom of the shell is normally plugged for Di2 use but it also serves as the mounting point for the cable guide when mechanical setups are used. And see the exit port for the wire here? That's where a conventional front derailleur cable would normally feed up through the frame.

    The big hole on the bottom of the shell is normally plugged for Di2 use but it also serves as the mounting point for the cable guide when mechanical setups are used. And see the exit port for the wire here? That's where a conventional front derailleur cable would normally feed up through the frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires enter the underside of the down tube just behind the head tube.

    Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 wires enter the underside of the down tube just behind the head tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Small details include laser-etched alloy bottle hardware.

    Small details include laser-etched alloy bottle hardware.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt will carry on with its women's-specific ZW line for 2011.

    Felt will carry on with its women's-specific ZW line for 2011.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt includes narrower bars and taller bar heights on its women's-specific ZW series.

    Felt includes narrower bars and taller bar heights on its women's-specific ZW series.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt won't offer the new DA flagship in mid-priced versions for 2011 but the B-series gets upgrades across the board.

    Felt won't offer the new DA flagship in mid-priced versions for 2011 but the B-series gets upgrades across the board.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bladders are still used with Felt's new InsideOut polyurethane molds to press the form outward against the carbon plies.

    Bladders are still used with Felt's new InsideOut polyurethane molds to press the form outward against the carbon plies.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's InsideOut molding process uses polyurethane inner molds to create more even pressure on the inside of certain frame areas, allowing for more complex shapes and less weight.

    Felt's InsideOut molding process uses polyurethane inner molds to create more even pressure on the inside of certain frame areas, allowing for more complex shapes and less weight.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • See those two little steps on the outer surface? The adjoining piece has them, too, and it provides a distinct region for the carbon strips that are then wrapped around the joint, making for a neat and flush surface.

    See those two little steps on the outer surface? The adjoining piece has them, too, and it provides a distinct region for the carbon strips that are then wrapped around the joint, making for a neat and flush surface.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This is the lower section of a new Felt F1 after the resin flash is removed and after just a hint of sanding. Felt says the 1K finish is not only eight times more expensive than unidirectional finishes but also much less likely to wrinkle. As testament to the high raw surface quality, it leaves each F1 virtually naked.

    This is the lower section of a new Felt F1 after the resin flash is removed and after just a hint of sanding. Felt says the 1K finish is not only eight times more expensive than unidirectional finishes but also much less likely to wrinkle. As testament to the high raw surface quality, it leaves each F1 virtually naked.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • For whatever reason Felt doesn't draw attention to this but hidden within the down tube of both the Z and ZW-series bikes (and the old F) is this internal rib to add stiffness and impact strength.

    For whatever reason Felt doesn't draw attention to this but hidden within the down tube of both the Z and ZW-series bikes (and the old F) is this internal rib to add stiffness and impact strength.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon fibers run uninterrupted and kink-free all the way through the fully hollow fork crown on the new F1.

    Carbon fibers run uninterrupted and kink-free all the way through the fully hollow fork crown on the new F1.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The lower bearing seat is integrated directly into the new tapered F1 fork.

    The lower bearing seat is integrated directly into the new tapered F1 fork.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's cyclo-cross line will carry over mostly unchanged though top-end models will get new BB30 bottom bracket shells.

    Felt's cyclo-cross line will carry over mostly unchanged though top-end models will get new BB30 bottom bracket shells.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The 2011 Felt F75X will get a BB30 bottom bracket shell.

    The 2011 Felt F75X will get a BB30 bottom bracket shell.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon seat stays are featured on the Felt F75X.

    Carbon seat stays are featured on the Felt F75X.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt says its new DA offers nearly a 15 percent improvement in both stiffness and aerodynamics over its predecessor.

    Felt says its new DA offers nearly a 15 percent improvement in both stiffness and aerodynamics over its predecessor.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's carbon fiber Devox aero bar will come standard on the complete DA.

    Felt's carbon fiber Devox aero bar will come standard on the complete DA.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The DA's front brake closely follows the frontal profile of the Bayonet 3 fork.

    The DA's front brake closely follows the frontal profile of the Bayonet 3 fork.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The old F1 used a modular monocoque construction while the new one uses six separate pieces: the top tube/head tube/forward down tube; the upper seat tube; the lower seat tube/bottom bracket shell/chain stays; one-piece seat stays; and a pair of hollow carbon dropouts.

    The old F1 used a modular monocoque construction while the new one uses six separate pieces: the top tube/head tube/forward down tube; the upper seat tube; the lower seat tube/bottom bracket shell/chain stays; one-piece seat stays; and a pair of hollow carbon dropouts.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's new InsideOut construction process features internal polyurethane molds that can produce far better surface finishes and detail than with standard nylon bladders alone.

    Felt's new InsideOut construction process features internal polyurethane molds that can produce far better surface finishes and detail than with standard nylon bladders alone.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The proprietary rear brake is tucked neatly below the chain stays.

    The proprietary rear brake is tucked neatly below the chain stays.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Check out the subtle outward kick on the rear edge of the seat tube - Felt says it helps divert air out and around the rear wheel so that the bike can maintain its aerdynamic performance regardless of wheel make and model.

    Check out the subtle outward kick on the rear edge of the seat tube - Felt says it helps divert air out and around the rear wheel so that the bike can maintain its aerdynamic performance regardless of wheel make and model.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Small kicks are integrated into the optional Di2-compatible seatpost to redirect air around the battery.

    Small kicks are integrated into the optional Di2-compatible seatpost to redirect air around the battery.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new DA will get a BB30 bottom bracket.

    The new DA will get a BB30 bottom bracket.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There's plenty of room for air to pass through the new seat stay tops.

    There's plenty of room for air to pass through the new seat stay tops.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The overall shape of Felt's latest DA revision is more flowing and curvy than before.

    The overall shape of Felt's latest DA revision is more flowing and curvy than before.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's new Bayonet 3 front end uses a shallower profile than before but is also narrower, too.

    Felt's new Bayonet 3 front end uses a shallower profile than before but is also narrower, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt's Devox house-brand aero bar neatly incorporates the extension clamp into the pad mounts.

    Felt's Devox house-brand aero bar neatly incorporates the extension clamp into the pad mounts.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt employed computational fluid dynamics software to craft the initial designs then refined the prototype shapes in the wind tunnel.

    Felt employed computational fluid dynamics software to craft the initial designs then refined the prototype shapes in the wind tunnel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Though hidden away from the wind, Felt makes sure the rear brake's mechanicals are still easily accessible for setup and adjustment.

    Though hidden away from the wind, Felt makes sure the rear brake's mechanicals are still easily accessible for setup and adjustment.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Felt will offer its new DA in either a team-spec complete bike or a bare frameset module.

    Felt will offer its new DA in either a team-spec complete bike or a bare frameset module.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This is how the lower section of Felt's new F1 looks straight out of the mold. Note the nearly flawless surface finish.

    This is how the lower section of Felt's new F1 looks straight out of the mold. Note the nearly flawless surface finish.

    Photo credit © James Huang

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    Felt wasn

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The tiny custom headset bearings on the new Bayonet 3 fork measure just 17mm across; the inner diameter is just 9mm!

    The tiny custom headset bearings on the new Bayonet 3 fork measure just 17mm across; the inner diameter is just 9mm!

    Photo credit © James Huang