Few things are as recognizable as the Felt logo in triathlon. It has remained unchanged for over twenty years, but that changes today. With the new Felt Logo comes a number of very real changes to how the company operates which, we think, will not be too terribly surprising to our more clued-in readers. Felt believes that the new logo is more in line with who they are as a company, now. Don’t worry, the famous wings are staying, but they will be joined by this, more angular, solid-color branding as well.
The Living Line
With this change comes the abolition of model years for Felt’s offerings, and the introduction of running changes to their products. According to Felt, product will be launched when it is ready. They’re not going to wait for a specific event, or a given timeframe.
This follows the industry trend of veering away from the yearly refresh cycle and focusing more on giving customers the best bike available at the time. Color schemes are included in this, and will now be refreshed when a given bike’s appearance has gotten “stale.” Ultimately, this should result in a better bike when you’re in the market, no matter when that happens to be. And speaking of bikes…
The New IA
Here’s the big news: soon, you will be able to take home an IA for as little as $2,999. Featuring a non-integrated front end, the new IA, known internally as the IAx, offers riders a frame that “is every bit as fast as the IA FRD frame,” but with a standard stem and standard brake mount, as well as three bottle bosses on the down-tube, two on the seat-tube, and a pair at the rear of the seat tube above the stays. There are three models of the new IA, the 10, 14, and 16.
IA 10
The 10, along with all the new IA bikes, gets an alloy Bayonet 3 basebar, the Tri155 stem, Vision TriMax Aero front brake, FSA Aero Direct Mount rear brake, and Felt’s TTR2 tires. It also receives Shimano Ultegra Di2 shifting (both the extensions and the brake levers), a Vision TriMax Pro TT crankset with 52/38 cranks, and Felt’s TTR3 35mm wheelset. Coming in at $4,999, this is the “next level” bike that many have been looking for in the industry. It will be available in December of this year.
IA 14
For $1000 less, at $3,999, comes the IA 14. Featuring mechanical Ultegra 11-speed, though the shifters are MicroShift instead of Shimano, it brings the Vision TriMax Pro TT crankset from the IA 10 with it, as well as the Vison front brake and FSA rear. It comes equipped with Felt’s TTR4 wheelset, which is 30mm deep, For those who still prefer mechanical shifting, this is absolutely the bike you’ve been waiting for; all the speed, none of the hassles of electronic shifting or complexities of breaking down an integrated bike to travel with. We expect we’ll be seeing a lot of these in transition next year, as it will be available in December of this year.
IA 16
If you’re on a budget, but still want the best frame technology the industry has to offer, the IA 16 is going to be your ticket. With Shimano 105 11-speed derailleurs (and MicroShift TT levers), the price tag will come in at $2,999, competing with the likes of the P2 for the value-per-dollar crown. An FSA Omega crankset comes with the bike, and a more compact 50/34 set of chainrings. Our spec-sheet says “dual pivot caliper” and “aero direct mount” for the front and rear brakes, respectively, so assume they’ll be house brand but have plenty of stopping power. Instead of the TGALE TiRox saddle, the IA 16 will receive the Zero Tri PAS T2.0. The only downside to the IA 16 is the wait – we won’t be able to get our hands on one until January of next year. Christmas, perhaps, will come in January for some of our readers.
IA Series – two frames, three framesets
The IA lineup became more complicated in Felt’s new Living Lineup, having to cover two frames under the same designation, but sorting it is relatively simple for the moment. All single-number designation bikes are the “old” IA frame – the one that has won Kona every year it’s been out – and are still available to purchase, in both FRD and UHC carbon form. The double-digit IAs are the “new” frame, and there is no FRD, and thus no Textreme, option. The IA FRD is still available, unchanged, as are the IA2 and IA3, from 2015.
IA FRD
The FRD remains the top-of-the-line option and comes equipped with Dura-Ace Di2 and Zipp’s 404 Firestrike wheelset. What is new for the 2016+ IA FRD is the inclusion of a Rotor Flow Aero crank, and here’s the big deal, a power meter from factory. With the extra goodies comes a significant price hike – the MSRP on the IA FRD is an eye-watering $16,999
IA 2
The IA2 receives the Ultegra Di2 groupset (minus the brakes), Felt-branded carbon 50/90mm deep wheels, and the carbon we mere mortals ride – Felt’s UHC layup. With this step down comes a more attainable price, though still lofty, at $9,999.
IA 3
Out goes SRAM Red22 on the IA3, and in comes Shimano’s 11-speed Ultegra mechanical option. 35mm deep Felt TTR3 wheels keep the bike rolling, and you’ll be pushing a Vision TriMax Pro TT crankset, but the price is a comparative bargain at $5,999.
DA
The DA will be sold only as a frameset, having been supplanted by the IA with the new launch. At $2,999, available in October for the “new Felt” version, it has been unchanged except for paint from the 2015 model. If you need a UCI-legal bike, this is the ticket from Felt.
B-Series
The B-Series is arguably the first “Living Line” product in the tri segment; as it is remaining unchanged, save for the logo change, into the 2016+ production set. The prices will remain static, as will component spec for the time being.
B2
The B2 offers a lot for its $3,999 price tag. You get Ultegra Di2 shifting, the Vision TriMax Pro TT crankset that Felt favors, their own 35mm TTR3 wheelset, and Prologo’s Nago Evo Tri40 TiRox saddle. Given the same price as the IA 14, we think this comes down to whether one prefers a faster frameset or an electronic groupset.
B12
Dura Ace 9000 for $2,999 – that’s the tagline for the B12. Sure, the shifters are MicroShift, but the mechanical TT shifters from Shimano are friction shifters, so this isn’t a change anyone is likely to notice at all. The same saddle, wheels, and crank from the B2 makes an appearance here, as well.
B14
$2,199 gets you Ultegra 11-speed mechanical. With 30mm wheels and an FSA Omega crankset, this is an incredibly difficult-to-beat bike from a beginner’s perspective. There are plenty of bikes that give you less for much, much more than the B14 does. And if you’re looking to dip your toe into triathlon for not too much money, Felt has a entrant that should be on your short list.
Minor typo guys… the B2 is the same price as the IA14 according to the prices given… you get a different quandary with the B2 vs the IA16 too, but there isn’t an electronic vs mechanical situation there.
Have to say as someone who was looking at the B Series, the ‘cheaper’ IA (assuming they come to the UK!) look more appealing as they look awesome!
Thanks for the catch! Felt has really created quite the conundrum with the IA\B pricing.
The B-series is for UCI-concerned buyers and those without $3000 USD to spend. In the case of the B2, that’s the customer who MUST have Di2 and is willing to give up some speed to get it and stay on budget.
So, I wonder how aero the AR is compared to the dedicated tri bikes? For only occasional tri/TT use would it make sense to get an AR instead of the B or DA series?
You will most likely be fastest on a dedicated TT bike so if you are a front of the pack athlete looking to get on the podium we would recommend a tri\TT bike. Its not just how aero the AR is versus the B\DA\IA but how your position is different. The tri\TT frames are built to get your body in a more aero position than the AR. Hope this helps!
The AR and B series frames have similar drag profiles. AG is correct that the bulk of the drag comes from the position of the rider. If you can achieve your TT position on the AR and use a base bar instead of a drop bar you will in fact be just as fast.
Are there any changes to the B2/B12 for 2016? In the UK I can get the 2015 model of either for around £800 ($1250) less than the 2016 – which is worth a look!
Also, do you have much insight on how easy to fit the IA models are? The B Series have come out as nigh on perfect from my ‘sizing fit’ but the Stack is quite a lot lower on the IA – which is where I may struggle….
Finally, any idea on weight of the IA. I looked at an IA4 recently and it felt rather weighty, but I can’t find anything on line as to its actual weight!
From Felt, “There are no changes to the B-Series for 2016,” so save a couple of bucks on the 2015 model – it’s identical to the 2016+, as it currently sits. With their new Living Line concept, Felt will be making running changes to bikes as they see fit, and it’s possible that there may be alterations at some point in the future to any of their bikes, even in the middle of a year.
As for the IA fit, Felt provides their own fit calculator that handles the IA and DA, but does not currently support the new IA’s non-integrated options. We would guess that the new models in the IA line are going to be relatively easy to fit, due to the standard stem and bar setup, but we would recommend checking one out before buying. Keep in mind that the new IAs won’t be available until Christmastime, so if you’re looking right now at the IA4, this is the calculator to use.
As for weight, it would depend on the frame size, and we don’t have that data, either. We can see if we can get it, though!
Thanks guys… I guess that it’ll be even later for us UK folks to get the new IA’s then! I’m sort of torn between a good deal on an IA4 (Size 54) and an even better deal on the B2 (also Size 54)… there’s quite a difference in stack between them both though and that seems to be an issue with my long legs/short torso issue.
I’m in no rush, looking to get one for a 70.3 that I hope to do in June next year… but there are good deals about at the moment!!
You can get ~100mm of vertical adjustment from the Bayonet3 handlebars. The 20mm difference in stack is not likely to make a fit difference.
Thanks. I’m currently utterly baffled on fit to be honest… going on some random information i’ve received is what lead to the above. I’m trying to book in for a proper ‘frame finder’ with Guru to assess what will work for me…. hence my concern. Fingers crossed it won’t be too far wrong and I can actually buy a bike. I guess i’ll still be struggling with the new IA14 or a B2 – electronic groups of uber frame…..
Any news on the weight guys, the IA4 i looked at seemed rather heavy and a lot of the courses I do are a bit on the hilly side!!!
My IA1 frameset built with Dura-Ace 7900 and FSA Metron bits with Knight clincher wheels is 18.1 pounds. I’d wager the IA4 is under 20# as it uses the same frame but the aluminum wheels add some to the total package weight.
That’s great! Thanks for the weight info… I’m pretty sure, as you say, that the alu wheels add a bit of heft, they’d be going in the garage most of the time anyway!
When you ask the rims are 30mm you are giving the width dimension, on a B14? Also what is he difference of a TTR3 vs TTR4 rim? just the hubs?
The TTR4, available on the B14, is a 30mm deep wheel, not wide. Typically, the deeper the wheel is, the faster it is, due to having a longer airfoil. The TTR3 is a 40mm deep wheel, which is the major difference between the two wheels. As far as we know, the hubs are identical, or at least not significant enough a difference to warrant a specific call-out.
Hope this helps!
Are the same colors of IA 16 and IA 10? Do you know more or less when they will publish more information?
THx from Spain!
Website goes live Sept 1st. Colors for the IA16 are not the same as IA10.
Some sites are starting to show data, but oddly not Felt themselves! It is very strange….
Guys, data is out but nothing on the IA16 as yet. You mention in the article you won’t get your hands on one until Christmas – is that when they’re out?
Unfortunately we have to wait for Felt to finalize its media list. There are only so many bikes to go around all of the different media outlets. Good news however is that we are starting to see IA10s show up on different online shops so getting one should start getting easy.
Thanks, I’ve seen the 10 and 14 but even on their own site the 16 isn’t yet listed – wasn’t sure if it wasn’t out until later in the year.
Tough position, want to buy soon to get used to the bike and position over the winter… How long to wait ????
Are you unwilling to buy the IA14? Are you using a triathlon bike now? Why do you plan to change your position? The IA16 will not be available until well into 2016. I’d expect them shortly before Chinese New Year.
Hi SuperDave, I’m looking at buying my first triathlon bike and with my budget, unfortunately I cannot afford the IA14. I’m pushing myself a little considering the 16… Considering I’d started out looking at bikes in the B12 price point! There is something hugely appealing about the IA’s hence keeping on coming back here…. Will there be a frameset version of the new models – that could be an option?
Framesets will be offered, probably around the same time the IA16 starts appearing.
Hi! Second summer in triatlon coming and I´m looking for a tribike. I´m 157 cm tall and inseam is 74 cm. Is there big difference between B14 51 cm or B14 47 cm and IA14 or IA 16 48cm for a beginner? If you were a newbie, which one would you choose?
Hi there – are you asking in reference to sizing or included spec? We choose to leave specific fit questions to the certified fitters at your local bike shop. A proper bike fit is way more than a single measurement – torso length, leg length, flexibility all play a part. As do your comfort level and experience. However once you find a bike that fits
Which is better in terms of value/performance ratio? Im looking at upgrading to the IAx series but cant decide whether the 10,14 or 16? Assuming money is not an issue, is the IA10 the next best thing?