TA FRD Track Bike Named “Bike Design of the Year” by VeloNews

January 06, 2017

Bicycle Design Engineering Award Winner

Felt’s revolutionary TA FRD track bike has been awarded the prestigious “Bike Design of the Year” award from VeloNews Magazine. Here’s an excerpt from the January/February 2017 issue:

“When Felt engineers designed a new bicycle for the U.S. women’s team pursuit squad they tried to overcome a problem that few knew existed. As it turns out, the aerodynamics of track racing are very different from those of traditional road cycling.

Their efforts created the TA FRD track bike, which has its drivetrain on the left side.

The design is no gimmick. Exhaustive wind tunnel testing and analysis showed that specific wind angles on a velodrome have a significant impact on the rider. Track cyclists always travel in a counterclockwise direction (it’s all left-hand turns), so more turbulent air flow over the left side of a track bike versus the right. Since drive-side crank arms are more aerodynamic than non-drive-side crank arms, moving the drivetrain to the left side reduces the portside drag.

Felt also redesigned the frame tubing to be asymmetrical from left to right, which also improves air flow at yaw angles specific to the track. Felt analyzed each airfoil section of the frame for optimal aerodynamics based on that section’s location on the bike.

Engineers embraced emerging 3D-printing technology during the design phase: The mock-up of each tube was printed in-house after engineers drew the initial shapes. The tubes were then assembled and the mock-up was taken to the wind tunnel for testing. After testing and tweaking, carbon molds were built from the final 3D-printed model. It took four years, but Felt developed a pursuit-specific weapon in time for a run at Olympic gold.

While the women’s team (already world champions) fell just short of their Olympic aspirations, earning silver, Felt’s TA FRD track bike was a success.”




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Bike Fit Calculator

BIKE SIZING

Getting the proper size bike is key to comfort, performance, and safety. The world's best bike, if the wrong size for you, won't make you a better rider.
Our bike sizing guide is meant to give some general direction as to the best size to fit you based on your height. This is just one variable in a very complex system between rider and bike so keep in mind that rider proportions, fitness levels, and other aspects particular to the individual cyclist has a big impact on how you'll feel and perform on your new bike. Our size guidelines are not a substitute for a professional bike fit. If you have size questions, please don't hesitate to visit your local qualified bike fitter or reach out to us.

ROAD PERFORMANCE, ENDURANCE, GRAVEL & ADVENTURE MODELS | AR, FR, VR, BREED, BROAM

43cm 47cm / 48cm 51cm 54cm 56cm 58cm 61cm

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

144.7 -152.4 cm
4’9”-5’0”

152.4 -167.6 cm
5’0”-5’5”

167.6 -172.7 cm
5’5”-5’8”

172.7 -177.8 cm
5’8”-5’10”

177.8 -182.8 cm
5’10”-6’0”

182.8 -187.9 cm
6’0”-6’2”

187.9 -195.5 cm
6’2”-6’5”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

67.3 -71.2 cm
26.5”-28.0”

71.2 -74.9 cm
28"-29.5"

75.1 - 76.2 cm
29.6’’-30.0”

77.9 -82.0 cm
30.7”-32.3”

81.0 -85.0 cm
31.9”-33.5”

84.0 -87.1 cm
33.1”-34.3”

87.3 -91.1 cm
34.4”-35.9”

TRIATHLON & TT MODELS | DA, IA*, B

48cm 51cm 54cm 56cm 58cm

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

152.4 -167.6 cm
5’0”-5’5”

167.6 -172.7 cm
5’5”-5’8”

172.7 -180.3 cm
5’8”-5’11”

180.3 -187.9 cm
5’11”-6’2”

187.9 -195.5 cm
6’2”-6’5”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

70.8 -74.4 cm
27.9”-29.3”

74.4 - 77.9 cm
29.3’’-30.07”

77.9 -83.0 cm
30.7”-32.7”

83.0 -85.8 cm
32.7”-33.8”

85.8 -88.9 cm
32.7”-35.0”

*For additional insight on choosing the best size and set-up for your DA and IA models, please download and use our TRI/TT fit calculator.

CYCLOCROSS MODELS | FX

47cm 50cm 53cm 55cm 57cm 60cm

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

152.4 -167.6 cm
5’0”-5’5”

167.6 -172.7 cm
5’5”-5’8”

172.7 -177.8 cm
5’8”-5’10”

177.8 -182.8 cm
5’10”-6’0”

182.8 -187.9 cm
6’0”-6’2”

187.9 -195.5 cm
6’2”-6’5”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

71.2 -74.9 cm
28”-29.5”

75.1 - 76.2 cm
29.6’’-30.0”

77.9 -82.0 cm
30.7”-32.3”

81.0 -85.0 cm
31.9”-33.5”

84.0 -87.1 cm
33.1”-34.3

87.3 -91.1 cm
34.4”-35.9”

TRACK MODELS | TK-FRD

51cm (XXS-XS) 55cm (S-M) 58cm (L) 60cm (XL) 62cm (XXL)

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

144.7-160 cm
4'9"-5'2"

167.6 -175.2 cm
5’5”-5’9”

175.2 -180.3 cm
5’9”-5’11”

180.3 -187.9 cm
5’11”-6’2”

188 cm -195 cm
6'3"-6’5”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

68-74cm
27.5"-29"

77.9 - 82.0 cm
30.7’’-32.3”

81.0 -85.0 cm
31.9”-33.5”

84.0 -87.1 cm
33.1”-34.3”

87.2 -89 cm
34.4”-36.0”

FITNESS | VERZA

47cm / 48cm 51cm 54cm 56cm 58cm 61cm

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

152.4 -167.6 cm
5’0”-5’5”

167.6 -172.7 cm
5’5”-5’8

172.7 -177.8 cm
5’8”-5’10”

177.8 -182.8 cm
5’10”-6’0”

182.8 -187.9 cm
6’0”-6’2”

187.9 -195.5 cm
6’2”-6’5”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

71.2 -74.9 cm
28.0”-29.5”

75.1 - 76.2 cm
29.6’’-30.0”

77.9 -82.0 cm
30.7”-32.3”

81.0 -85.0 cm
31.9”-33.5”

84.0 -87.1 cm
33.1”-34.3”

87.3 -91.1 cm
34.4”-35.9”

MTB FULL-SUSPENSION | Edict, Decree, COMPULSION

16" 18" 20" 22"

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

158.4 -170.1 cm
5’3”-5’7”

170.1 -177.8 cm
5’7”-5’10”

177.8 -185.4 cm
5’10”-6’1”

185.4 -193.0 cm
6’1”-6’4”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

74.4 - 77.9 cm
28.0’’-30.7”

77.9 -83.0 cm
30.7”-32.7”

83.0 -85.8 cm
32.7”-33.8”

85.8 -88.9 cm
33.8”-35.0”

MTB HARDTAIL | DOCTRINE, DISPATCH

14" 16" 18" 20" 22"

RIDER HEIGHT
CM / FT

152.4 -167.6 cm
5’1”-5’4”

162.5 -170.1 cm
5’4”-5’7”

170.1 -177.8 cm
5’7”-5’10”

177.8 -185.4 cm
5’10”-6’1”

185.4 -193.0 cm
6’1”-6’4”

RIDER INSEAM
CM / INCHES Measured from crotch to floor.

70.8 -74.4 cm
27.3”-28.3”

74.4 - 77.9 cm
28.3’’-30.7”

77.9 -83.0 cm
30.7”-32.7”

83.0 -85.8 cm
32.7”-33.8”

85.8 -88.9 cm
32.7”-35.0”

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