Looks good!!

http://www.feltbicycles.com/thenewstandard/

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"Let's plunge ourselves into the roar of time, the whirl of accident; may pain and pleasure, success and failure, shift as they will -- it's only action that can make a man."

The 51 geometry looks much more in line with what other companies are doing but still fairly low for their reach.

I'm happy to answer any of your questions. I'm sure you don't want me to just blab some prepared marketing material or repost our press release. What are you interested in exactly?

-SD

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www.feltracing.com

Frame weight drops ~40g, stiffness is up about 5% at the head tube. The 2011 AR3 uses the SRAM RED cranks, not the S900 version like the 2010. Wheels are the new premium SRAM S30 Race. The prices are set by our Aussie distributor, and I don't have their 2011 price list available, sorry.

-SD

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www.feltracing.com

Thanks for the info SD.

I gather the crank upgrade includes the ceramic BB? Sounds like you've cleaned up all the 'weak links' in the AR3 package. Now I've just got to hang out 'til stock comes in in October and hope the Aus price point doesn't jump up too much.

SD,
I love all the info regarding the new "Inside-out build process" as it sounds well thought out and cutting edge. I guess I would be curious to hear what some of the numbers you guys got from testing out the frame stiffness? We know the frame will come in at around ~800g, but will it be a noodle? Sounds like you guys fixed that from the previous model, but would be nice to hear if you had any numbers to share.

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"Let's plunge ourselves into the roar of time, the whirl of accident; may pain and pleasure, success and failure, shift as they will -- it's only action that can make a man."

The frame is 40% stiffer at the head tube, 20% at the BB, the fork is 20% stiffer laterally, but only ~2% stiffer fore-aft. This was a key part of making the bike retain it's incredible ride quality and planted feel. It is difficult to get so much more stiffness out of the bike without it getting harsh, and choppy on no-so-smooth tarmac. We've tested many of the bikes in the last Tour magazine test here at our R&D Facility including many 2010 models from our competitors. The bike sets the high mark on stiffness on almost all of the absolute tests, but it is the STW that is off the charts.

-SD

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www.feltracing.com

AR1 - any pics or availability info as yet, or later in the year?

The 2011 AR1 should arrive in the USA sometime around the end of the month. I don't have a photo uploaded anywhere, drop me an email and I'll get one converted and sent off to you.

-SD

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www.feltracing.com

The '11 AR1 looks hot. I love the paint scheme. I know the older AR series wasn't as well received by riders and reviewers. Hopefully this has been fixed on this model.


Here are some pics of the ARI from Felt.









SuperDave, any weight numbers yet on the AR1 frame? I thought I heard somewhere you shed some weight on it?

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"Sacred to the god Aesculapius"

I can't find one bad review on the 2010 AR line up. I know there is some criticism of the ride quality from the 2008 and 2009 AR bikes. Can you point me to a 2010 negative review? AR1 frame for 2010 is 1040g. Complete bike starts at 6.6kg for the AR0 (Zero).

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www.feltracing.com

@ SD, sorry I should have been more specific by saying I meant the '08-09 frame.

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"Sacred to the god Aesculapius"

I really like the looks, at least, of the new line up. Gorgeous bikes. And the numbers like promising as well. Never had a chance to ride Felt, but I really would like to check it out.

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2011 Cannondale SuperSix HiMod: 6.19 kg. / 13.65 lbs.
2005 Fuji Team Issue: 6.6 kg. / 14.5 lbs.

Having recently had to pack a bike for a friend that is traveling, I must say: ISPs suck, and I'm quite thankful that Felt and other manufacturers have kept with the separate seat post component.

The benefits of having an ISP are negligible at best - even the 'weight saved' is debatable. The benefits of a separate seat post are numerous.

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Exp001

I would love to hear comparisons between the '10 and '11 models of the AR1. Ride and stiffness and how good the current 2010 model is. How does it actually ride? To my untrained eye, the frame looks the same as the 2010 one, but I'm wondering how different it actually is in terms of carbon construction, etc.

Any pics of the Team Issue or is it waaaay too early for that, I'm guessing it is .......