Felt AR1

greasedscotsman

Currently thinking of getting a new frame/bike and noticed a couple of website selling Felt AR1 framesets at something like 20% less. So my questions are...

1) What's the cable routing like? I know it's through the frame, but does it work OK?

2) Seems to use it's own dedicated seat post, but due to the length of the top tube, I might have to turn it around, so is this possible? What kind of shape is it?

3) And is it a good bike, anyone got one, what do you think of it?

ilm_zero7

no surprises - i have a Felt AR - love it - th cable routing disappears into the back of the crossbar and comes out under the BB for the rear changer, and just above it fot the front changer - really neat, and works fine


seat post - it is rounded at the front and to a point at the back - it will not reverse but there is some good front to back adjustment on the seat itself so if your frame is the right size you should be fine

is it a good bike - its great! - I ride it with american classic 420 Aero's. its not as fast as the P3 Cervelo i had before it - but the riding position is more comfortable, and you could, and i have used it on club runs.

the only thing i would change is the Ultegra group set - I am a Campag man at heart, but thats all down to personal preference


PM me if you need any more help, but buy it, you wont regret it

giant_man

The key word here is aero cos it is very aero and a recent review of aero bikes in ProCycling revealed it is up there with the Cervelos in terms of wind cheating.

I have noticed the lower prices as well, not sure why, guess the new ones are coming soon, I noticed the new F series have been released so the new 2011 AR range is imminent. The Garmin Transition Team Issue AR1 is rather fetching and I have seen the offers from PBK are good. That frame is now going for 1400 quid which is 700 quid off the original price.

Designed in the States and built in the Far East, I think they're a good bet. Warranty for the lifetime of the original owner too.

Dancing Bear

I see someone with one regularly - they look the business! But they are a half way house - an aero bike for more regular use than a TT - still to see one with TT bars fitted, but I bet it would be good

can we make them MAMIL trendy so that we can all buy some cheap 6 month old AR1's when the clocks go back and it rains a bit?

greasedscotsman

Yes, I think it looks a bit of a bargain at the prices PBK are selling them at. I was going to take the Dura Ace kit of my Spesh to put on it, but it's the older, exposed cable shifters, think with the routing through the frame on the Felt, might end up looking a bit of a dog's dinner. Something like this...

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2 ... _s3/10stem

I know, not very important

ilm_zero7

greasedscotsman

thats very similar detailing to the Felt


some good shots here:

http://road.cc/content/news/17735-just- ... ad-machine

copper585

also looking at the ar1 i see pro bike only have the 58 left, i am 6ft with an inside leg of 32" inches would this be the correct size? just worried as it has the integral seat post so obviously no movement there! thanks for any advice

rjh299

COPPER585 wrote:

also looking at the ar1 i see pro bike only have the 58 left, i am 6ft with an inside leg of 32" inches would this be the correct size? just worried as it has the integral seat post so obviously no movement there! thanks for any advice

I am a touch under 6ft but with 35in inside leg. I found a 58 Madone a little long in the top tube, but considering your bit taller with longer body that might be ok size for you.
Completely general opinion that I wouldn't take as gospel though. Compare the geometry to your current bike and see how it measures up. Try one before hand or at least another of Felt's range