Bike Check: Felt F FRD

Felt’s F series is the longest continuously running line of bike they offer, a little bit of trivia clearly reflected in the clean, classic looking lines of the F FRD. The straight forward geometry and tube shapes give the F FRD an understated look when placed beside most other bikes occupying the top end range of the market, including Felt’s own, more shapely AR line of aero road bikes. We really like this understated look, which Felt compliments nicely with the muted branding on the F FRD. Felt’s left their mark all over the bike, it’s just not aggressively loud, like most bikes in this price point. To us, this means the F FRD’s aesthetics will last longer than a bike that’s on top of next weeks fashionable colourway – though we’ll admit that black-on-black is consistently one of our favorites. The FRD edition of the F series is quietly striking, even next to the rest of the F series with its very unique looking UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme® frame, which either looks flat black, or a stunning checkerboard pattern, depending on the light.

F FRD’s are a frame only option, so build is entirely up to the buyer. This one is build up with 10-speed Dura-Ace Di2, a range of 3T bits, and those striking ENVE Composites SES 3.4 wheels. These ENVE’s are built around DT Swiss front and rear, and running 25mm Continental Competition tubulars. ENVE SES 3.4’s are 35mm deep up front, and 45mm rear, both with a solid girth making them more stable and solid feeling for such a light wheel. While ENVE will let you choose all sorts of colours, the matte black ENVE label over the black carbon perfectly matches the rest of the F FRD’s build.