In the world of bicycles, there are many different manufacturers that cater to everyone’s needs. If you are into conquering rough and wavy mountain terrains, you go for a sturdy and reliable mountain bike, and if you are more of a leisure rider, enjoying the view while riding on flat surfaces, then a lightweight and affordable frame is one for you.
However, there is one bike that has caught our eye recently, the Felt FR FRD Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 bike.
The name might be a mouthful but this bike really is something special. In this article, the specific characteristics of this bike will be covered, as well as some other important information and impressions that could help you in deciding whether this particular bicycle is for you.
The Bike Built for Racing
The first thing that everyone notices about this specific bike is its lightweight frame. By the way, the Felt company is famous as a manufacturer that favors quality, which can be seen in their road racing bike line.
The carbon frame, which is a UHC Ultimate and TeXtreme carbon fiber hybrid combination, is amazingly lightweight, and customizable tube sizes and a tube diameter that is steerer than before really help in achieving a smooth and steady ride.
This is a winning combination, as some of these carbon mixes are used on Formula 1 race cars and in the aerospace industry.Its geometry also boosts the biker’s performance. Both of these carbon types merged into a hybrid represent a good combination of stiffness and lightweight durability.
This frame is primarily aimed at professional bike riders and the ones whose main goal is competing at semi-professional or professional levels.
As for the aforementioned “biker’s performance boost”, it refers to the Shimano components that have been added to this model, which are said to optimize the rider’s energy due to the electronic shifting, keeping the fatigue consistently at bay.
The bike itself weighs no more than 390 pounds, and with the aforementioned electronic shifting and great hydraulic disc brakes, uphill battles will be single-handedly won by every biker that opts in for the Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 model of Felt bicycles.
As you can see, the name FRD is really justified by Felt’s commitment to details (FRD stands for “Felt Racing Development, in case you did not know).
Gears
As for the Shimano components, the FR FRD Ultimate is equipped with a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 component kit, which is a groupset that enables quicker and smoother gear shifting.
Now, this groupset has been equipped to other bicycle models, but this specific model’s lightweight and slender frame works well with the Shimano groupset, making it a great choice for professional racing or leisure speed ride, as this bike can reach amazing speed.
The Shimano groupset is a great upgrade to this model, as it offers the 12-speed cassettes that further simplify the bike gearings and smooths the shifting, as previously stated. You cannot go wrong with Shimano, especially when it is coupled with the Felt’s superior lightweight frame.
Wheels
The second characteristic important to all bike riders is the set of wheels, of course. The Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 is equipped with Dura-Ace C40 wheels. The C40s are low-profile, have a carbon rim, are known to be highly aerodynamic on flat surfaces, and offer great control on flat steeps.
People who have ridden this bicycle have mentioned that the Dura-Ace Di2 model makes the bicycle itself behave more agile and reliable, while the wheels themselves come in different sizes, depending on the needs of the riders.
The available sizes are 36, 50, and 60mm, while the size 36 is the most popular and affordable size.
FR FRD Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 Bike Specifications
- Cassette Shimano Dura-Ace 9100, 11-28
- Chain Shimano HG901, 11s
- Pedals Not Included
- Rotors Shimano RT900, 160/140mm
- Tires Continental Grand Prix 5000 Tubeless, 700x25c
- Wheel – Front Shimano Dura-Ace WH-R9170-C40-TL-R12 Carbon
- Wheel – Rear Shimano Dura-Ace WH-R9170-C40-TL-R12 Carbon
- Frame Material UHC Ultimate + TeXtreme Carbon
- Fork Felt Race Road UHC Advanced + TeXtreme Carbon
- Headset FSA integrated
- Seatpost Pro Vibe, 20mm offset, 27.2mm
- Front Derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150
- Rear Derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150
- Crankset Shimano Dura-Ace R9100, 52/36t
- Bottom Bracket CeramicSpeed BB386 with 24mm bearings
- Brake Calipers Shimano Dura-Ace R9170
- Shifters / Levers Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170
- Stem Pro Vibe, -10° Rise
- Handlebar Pro Components Vibe Carbon
- Saddle Prologo Dimension Nack
Who is This Bike for?
While this bike can easily be considered to be one of the top bikes one can buy, you should really think twice before cashing out a large amount of cash for it, even though it comes in basically all sizes.
This bike does come with great components and parts but it is definitely worth it if you want to seriously commit to the sport, as its price tag stands out at around 14.000 dollars. It is definitely a great race bike but if you are an occasional rider or a hobbyist, this bike might be an overkill purchase for you.
However, if you just want to buy a reliable bike and simply ride and enjoy the vistas, the FR FRD Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 bicycle will be underutilized in your care, but you can always choose another model from this line that will set you back less than the top tier model, as the cheaper model will provide you with reliability and enjoyment and everything else that should be a priority for a hobbyist bike rider.
So in a nutshell, if you are in dire need of an incredibly lightweight, stiff, and high-performing bike, go for the FR FRD Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 model. On the other hand, if you are strapped for cash or need another piece of equipment for your hobby, think twice before buying this particular model and look at other cheaper and affordable models from the same FDR collection line.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of bicycles is a vast and exciting one, with different manufacturers catering to everyone’s needs. As we have previously said, the FR FRD Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 model is really a perfect model that might not be affordable or necessary to everyone.
Unfortunately, which is a shame, as this bike is really amazing but not suitable for everyone. Thank you for reading the review and we hope this review has helped you a bit in deciding whether this bicycle is right or wrong for you.
FAQ
Is Ultimate Dura-Ace Di2 good for mountain trails?
No, this model is specifically built for flat surfaces and should not be ridden on wild mountain trails, as it was specifically built to be ridden on flat surfaces, such as asphalt roads, and similar. If you are into mountain biking, this particular model is not for you. However, the Felt company has models for numerous conditions that you will find perfect for any situation if you want a model from this specific company.
I have heard the Dura-Ace Di2 is ultra-lightweight, is there anything special about this model?
This model is very lightweight due to its hybrid carbon frame, which is a combination of UHC Ultimate and TeXtreme carbon fibers. These are used on Formula 1 cars and in the aerospace industry, so you now know this lightweight frame is a big deal and expertly done with the rider’s comfort in mind.
I am in the market for a new bike, is this the right model for me?
This is a great model for anyone, however, the price tag is the first thing that will deter many from buying it. The second one is the fact that it is best used on flat surfaces, so forget about riding it on mountain trails or other uneven surfaces or bumpy roads, as it might be uncomfortable for the rider. This being the right model for you solely depends on your own needs, particularly whether you are ready to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a great bicycle and if you are planning on committing to the almost professional level of bike riding, and I cannot stress this enough, flat surfaces, like asphalt or concrete.
