With the introduction of the IA and AR in 2013 (both for the 2014 model year), it would have been easy for Felt to lay off the gas pedal and take the next year easy. And while there are no new triathlon or aero frames, it is easy to argue that Felt’s 2015 model year is even more exciting than 2014. For 2015, Felt is taking all of the technology that makes the IA, AR, and DA frames so good, and setting them at price points almost any triathlete can afford.
B Series
While you may expect us to be the most excited about the changes to the IA and DA (and we will get to those), we are actually particularly eager for the B-Series, specifically the reintroduction of the B2. For a few years now, the B2 has been Felt’s electronic spec of the B-Series. For 2014, the build was not available. But the B2 is back for 2015 and at a price we think will reset the expected price points of electronic builds from this point going forward!
2015 Felt B2
For those unfamiliar, the B-Series was redesigned to take much of the technology in the DA from the head tube back. While you won’t find the integrated fork, you do get nearly identical frame shapes, including the rear wheel cutout. The rear brake is located below the bottom bracket as in the DA.
2015 Felt B12
So why are we so thrilled about the B2? The fact that the B2 comes with Shimano Ultegra 6870 Di2 (11 speed) for $3,699. Yes, you are reading that correctly – for less than $4,000 you can get a Di2-equipped TT bike. The one component missing are the Di2 brake levers, but you can get those for $350, which means you can have your cake and eat it too all for $4K. Considering that two or three years ago you were going to pay well over $6,000 for similar spec, the B2 is an amazing value.
2015 Felt B14
Of course we cannot forget about the B12 or B14 either. The B12 comes equipped for Shimano Dura-Ace 9K for $2,999. While the B14 is just $1,999, and comes with Ultegra 6800 (also 11 speed). Both come with microSHIFT shifters (not the Shimano Dura-Ace), but that doesn’t change the fact that you can get Shimano’s top-of-the-line mechanical groupset at a price far below most other options.
DA Series
For 2015, the DA series is dropping to a single spec – the DA1. But it is getting a brand new integrated fork to go along with it. The new Felt Bayonet 4 has integrated the brake into the fork, leading to a cleaner and faster design. The DA is now Felt’s top-of-the-line UCI-legal TT frame.
2015 Felt DA1
The DA1 comes equipped with Dura-Ace 9K and will retail for $4,999. If you want the DA frame only, that will be available for $2,499.
2015 Felt DA1
IA Series
Last year the IA series availability was extremely limited and builds were priced accordingly. You had a choice between the IA FRD LTD built with Felt’s TeXtreme carbon, Dura-Ace Di2 and Mavic Cosmic CXR80s for $13,999, or the slightly more affordable IA FRD without the Mavics for $9,999. For 2015, Felt is offering the IA in four specs plus a frameset-only option.
The FRD remains the top-of-the-line option and comes equipped with Dura-Ace Di2 (including the brake levers) and a Zipp 404/808 combination. The FRD frame gets Felt’s highest carbon fiber option – UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme. And of course top-of-the-line spec gets the high-end price of $13,999.
2015 Felt IA FRD
The IA2 (available for $9,999) also gets Dura-Ace Di2 but swaps out the Zipps for a Novatec 50mm/90mm combination. The IA2 also goes with Felt’s more standard UCH Advanced carbon fiber.
2015 Felt IA2
Those looking for mechanical shifting can opt for the IA3 which comes with SRAM Red22 (and the SRAM R2C Aero tri shifters). You also get Novatec wheels (50mm front and back). The IA3 will set you back $6,999.
2015 Felt IA3
Finally the most “economical” IA is the IA4. For $5,499 you’ll get Ultegra 6800 (mechanical) paired with 35mm Felt TTR3 wheels. For those looking to get into an IA at the lowest possible cost, the IA4 is what you are looking for.
2015 Felt IA4
Felt is offering two frame kits – the IA FRD and the IA1. The IA FRD is built from UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme while the IA1 is the more standard UHC Advanced carbon fiber. The FRD frame kit will retail for $6,999, while the IA1 is $4,499.
Initial Thoughts
As we mentioned, having a full electronic build for under $4K is a huge step forward in bringing electronic shifting to the masses. We have always felt that electronic shifting—especially when paired with the brake lever shifters—provides a definite competitive advantage. Even more so, the entire B-Series represents an enormous amount of buying value.
It is also obvious that Felt has bought into triathlon in a big way. By limiting the DA (UCI legal TT frame) to one build, and expanding the IA (non UCI legal) to four, you can easily see where Felt’s priorities lie.
Finally, with the greatly expanded IA lineup, Felt is bringing its high-end frame to more athletes. What is interesting is to see whether Felt follows the model they crafted with the DA\B Series and eventually creates a trickle-down frame with the IA’s technology. However it is way too soon to guess at Felt’s 2016 plans. And let’s face it, considering how excited we are for 2015, we have no problem waiting!
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It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people foor this topic, bbut you seem like you know
what you’re talking about! Thanks
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I was a little dismayed about the spec on the IAs being a Pro compact and not a standard double 53/39 chain rings, not much of a problem with the IA FRD and IA 2 being Dura Ace but doesn’t SRAM only make the 52/36 in 110 BCD? Is there any explanation why the majority of bikes manufacturers are putting their high end bikes out with this type of Spec Cervelo P5 and Specialized Sworks Shiv both come to mind ?
Hi Mark – We are going to actually turn this question into an AeroMail post but wanted to give the answer verbatim here as well. We reached out to Felt to get their reasoning:
“We choose a 16t gap between small and large chainring rather than a 14t gap that a standard 53/39t chainring affords typically.
The 52/36t combo has provided a very wide range of gearing without making a significant reduction in the roll out on the largest 52/11t gear selection. The 52t ring is only 1.89% smaller than the 53t for a given rear cog so if you can average 22.00mph with a 53t you’ll still be at 21.98mph with a 52t.
A 53 x 11t gear wound up to 120 rpm is 46.4 mph; a speed very atypical of a bike leg in a triathlon.
Regardless of the speed, what is more important is the steady state output. If a triathlete with a 300w FTP is doing an Olympic distance event, he/she should be right up against that 300w effort using their preferred/proven rpm.
That may be 76rpm, that may be 104rpm, but the power and rpm should remain as constant as possible.
Olympic to Iron distance triathletes who pay for their equipment are seldom riding over 45kph and almost never reach 40kph average speeds. A 53t chainring is simply wasted and when coupled with a 39t inner, leaves too little room to maintain proper cadence and wattage on hilly or windy sections.
For most triathletes a 50/34t is well conceived yet there is this notion that it somehow makes them a “lesser” cyclist to use proper gearing for their race effort. The 52/36t combo bridges the gap between the ego and maximal output potential of the intended consumer.
Olympic gold medals have been won in timed events on a 50t chainring, so it is not a performance limiter.”
More really for the price of the bikes that there isn’t the option given for choice of chain rings or crankset as in the case for SRAM equipped bikes. I know people who can drop $7-14k could probably afford to change but sometimes it’s the little things that get people over he line for a sale.
So AG which would you guys give the nod to; the 2014 P2 or the 2015 B14? I remember your P2 Final Thoughts talked about it’s outrageously low price point. It seems as if Felt has done the same. Is the $500.00 trade off worth it?
Ride them both and see what you like better. At the end of the day we always recommend fit over everything else. If you cannot get comfortable on the bike it really does not matter how aero the frame is or how good the groupset is.