FRD is not one thing for all bikes. It does not simply mean a different type of carbon fiber, or merely a tweaked set of tube shapes, or enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, or a stealthy new paint job. It can be a combination of all of those things and so much more, depending on the application. An FRD-designated bike can be a stripped-down and further refined version of our most popular road race bike, like the FR FRD. It can be the lightest and most aerodynamic iteration of our six-time Kona-winning triathlon race bike, like the IA FRD. Or it can be a revolutionary superbike project unlike anything the world has ever seen, like the TA FRD track bike.

Each and every FRD-level platform is uniquely designed for riders to achieve maximum performance in their specific application. But there are a few elements shared by many of them. Below is a partial list of features found on various FRD-level bikes. FRD represents all of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by our professional athletes and engineers, alike. So when you see a Felt bike adorned with “FRD,” know that you’re looking at one of the best-performing two-wheeled machines on the planet.

Most of our non-FRD frames consist of around 175 individual carbon pieces, each one precisely tuned to balance a stellar ride quality, superior pedaling stiffness, and low weight. Compare its complexity with an FRD-level frame. (Note that this is an artist’s rendering, and does not reflect an actual carbon layup.)

Our FRD-level frames are crafted from around 400 individual carbon pieces. This adds incredible amounts of time, cost, and labor in order to both design and produce a frame like this. But it’s worth it to achieve the lightest, best-handling, and highest-performance bicycle frames in the world. (Note that this is an artist’s rendering, and does not reflect an actual carbon layup.)

The carbon fiber pieces for our non-FRD frames are laid up by the hands of skilled workers. The molding process involves a solid EPS core and a silicone sleeve to create the frame’s shape.

FRD-level frames are also built by hand, but utilize a unique hollow EPS core that molds the carbon fiber with more precision and to tighter tolerances. This means that the frame’s internal structure is identical to the outer structure, which reduces weight and helps the frame realize its full, intended potential.

Once the molding process is complete for a non-FRD frame, workers can quickly and easily remove the solid EPS core from inside the frame with relative ease, as it has remained in a solid piece.

Because FRD-level frames utilize hollow EPS cores, the final step in the molding process is extremely labor-intensive. This is because workers must spend much more time removing the remnants of the hollow EPS core—around ten times the amount of time! It's worth it, though, to help eke out every ounce of riding performance from the finished FRD-level frame.