Felt announces the sales launch of the new race gravel bike Breed. After a rather turbulent decade, this should set the course for calmer waters: in 2017, the brand known for its innovative racing and triathlon bikes slipped under the umbrella of sporting goods giant Rossignol, only three years later it was sold to the Pierer Mobility Group (including KTM Motorrad). The integration into large groups led to more professional structures and a large dealer network, but also to a loss of identity and a lack of profile. After the Pierer Group got into financial difficulties in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the sale of the brand was announced again in 2023. The spin-off finally took place in 2025. Under former managers Florian Burguet and Cesar Rojo, who were already on board as minority shareholders at Pierer, Felt is to return to its roots. A new aero racing bike called Nexar was already announced last year, but has not yet made it to official sales. It is due to follow in the course of the year.
Race gravel bike, but suitable for suspension forks
The second generation of the Breed is a sporty race gravel bike and utilises the aerodynamic expertise from the road racing bike sector. It relies on an integrated cockpit, which is also used on the Nexar road bike. The frame is available in two carbon versions. The high-quality FRD version should weigh exactly 950 grams in size 54. The complete bike in the top configuration should weigh just over seven kilograms, which corresponds to a significant weight reduction of more than 20 per cent compared to the first Breed generation.
According to the manufacturer, the frame geometry adopts reach and stack values from Felt's aero road racing bikes. The stack-to-reach value of 1.48 (for size 56) favours a sporty, but not too stretched out riding position. A slacker steering angle improves control on loose surfaces, while the longer wheelbase increases smoothness at high speeds. Felt offers six frame sizes, each of which has been individually developed. The stack and reach gradation between the sizes has been recalculated to avoid extreme adjustments to the cockpit.
The frame offers space for up to four bottle cages. Tyres up to 54 millimetres wide fit at the front and up to 52 millimetres at the rear. The Breed comes with 45 millimetre tyres from Continental. The frames are compatible with suspension forks and telescopic seat posts.
Aerodynamics and cockpit
Air resistance is said to have been reduced by 10.5 per cent. Felt did not provide any further details on the boundary conditions of this value. The improvement is said to be the result of three measures: optimised tube profiles with straighter transitions, a newly developed fork for better air flow around wide tyres and the one-piece carbon cockpit. The seat stays have been shortened and positioned lower to reduce the frontal area.
The integrated cockpit weighs less than 300 grams and saves around 30 percent weight compared to a conventional aluminium stem and handlebar combination. Felt offers the cockpit in three sizes for different frame sizes. The stem lengths range from 80 to 100 millimetres, the handlebar width at the brake levers from 360 to 400 millimetres. Felt provides dealers with different handlebar sizes to make customisation easier.
Models and equipment: SRAM AXS only
Felt offers the Breed in five variants. The two most expensive models utilise the lightweight FRD frame and the integrated carbon cockpit. The gears are SRAM Red or Force XPLR AXS, and the weights are said to be 7.0 and 7.9 kilograms respectively.
The Expert model uses the simpler UD carbon frame with the integrated carbon cockpit. The gearing is SRAM Rival AXS without a power meter and the weight is 8.3 kilograms. The Race version does without the integrated cockpit and instead uses an aluminium handlebar and stem from FSA. The gearing is SRAM Apex AXS, the entry-level version is said to weigh 9.2 kilograms.
The FRD frame is also available separately. Prices for the variants have not yet been communicated in the announcement.
BREED FRD:
- Frame: FRD 12K Carbon Light Frame, 950 g (size 54)
- Cockpit: Felt 1-Piece Integrated Carbon Cockpit, under 300 g
- Drivetrain/gear: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (42, 10-46 t, power meter)
- Brakes: SRAM Red AXS HRD (160/160 mm)
- Wheels: Vision SC 45 SL
- Tyres: Continental Terra Competition Race Rapid 45-622
- Weight: 7,037 grammes
BREED PRO:
- Frame: FRD 12K Carbon Light Frame
- Cockpit: Felt 1-Piece Integrated Carbon Cockpit
- Drivetrain/gear: SRAM Force XPLR AXS (42, 10-46 t., power meter)
- Brakes: SRAM Force AXS HRD (160/160 mm)
- Wheels: Vision SC45 i23
- Tyres: Continental Terra Competition Race Rapid 45-622
- Weight: 7,864 grammes
BREED EXPERT:
- Frame: UD Carbon STD Frame
- Cockpit: Felt 1-Piece Integrated Carbon Cockpit
- Drivetrain/gear: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS (42, 10-46 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Rival AXS HRD (160/160 mm)
- Wheels: Vision SC45 i23
- Tyres: Continental Terra Competition Race Rapid 45-622
- Weight: 8,302 grammes
BREED RACE:
- Frame: UD Carbon STD Frame
- Gear system: SRAM Apex AXS/Eagle AXS (42, 10-52 t.)
- Brakes: SRAM Apex AXS HRD (160/160 mm)
- Wheels: Vision Team 30 i23
- Tyres: Continental Terra Competition Trail Grip 45-622
- Weight: 9,284 grams
BREED FRAMEKIT:
- Frame: FRD 12K Carbon Light Frame
- Cockpit: Felt 1-Piece Integrated Carbon Cockpit
Jens Klötzer
Editor
