1t4i riders will compete on fetching black-and-neon green Felt machines for 2012.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i's PRO Missile Evo aerobars are highly adjustable.(Image credit: James Huang)
These little stickers are awfully expensive.(Image credit: James Huang)
This 1t4i team-issue Felt F1 is fitted with semi-anatomic PRO aluminum bars.(Image credit: James Huang)
Batteries are mounted beneath the non-driveside chain stay on 1t4i Felt F1 road bikes.(Image credit: James Huang)
The all-aluminum PRO cockpit on this particular bike is well suited to a powerful sprinter.(Image credit: James Huang)
Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 chainrings are fitted to 7800 arms on this SRM power meter.(Image credit: James Huang)
With the exception of the conventional front brake and its associated cable, the front end of 1t4i's Felt DA is notably sleek.(Image credit: James Huang)
The 1t4i team - formerly known as Skil-Shimano - will race on Felt DA aero bikes for time trials and the company's F1 for road stages.(Image credit: James Huang)
14ti is using Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groups for both its road and time trial bikes.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i's aluminum-and-carbon Shimano Dura-Ace clincher wheels are comparatively heavy but they're also very durable - perfect for training.(Image credit: James Huang)
The PRO seatpost is topped with a Selle Italia saddle.(Image credit: James Huang)
Felt provides these dual-bolt seatpost clamps for riders that have issues with seatpost slippage.(Image credit: James Huang)
(Image credit: James Huang)
One of the fruits of wind tunnel testing is lower covers on aero helmets as seen on this 1t4i team-issue Uvex lid.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i will use Uvex helmets for the 2012 season. Looks like this one needs a bit of work on the visor fit, though.(Image credit: James Huang)
(Image credit: James Huang)
Think wider tires are only for bumpy roads? 1t4i's wind tunnel testing may prove them to actually be more aerodynamic, too.(Image credit: James Huang)
Shimano machined custom stems for 1t4i's Felt DA time trial bikes to provide a more streamlined fit to its PRO Missile Evo aerobar setups.(Image credit: James Huang)
Team bikes are fitted with this custom machined aluminum bridge tying the extensions together for extra stiffness.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i riders will use PRO's Missile Evo aerobar setup on their Felt DAs.(Image credit: James Huang)
Aerobar positions range from very narrow to surprisingly wide - all based on power and aero data.(Image credit: James Huang)
The battery is mounted to the back of the seatpost on 1t4i's Felt DA.(Image credit: James Huang)
Felt was one of the first to use an external steerer on a time trial bike in order to reduce drag. The design is now on its third iteration.(Image credit: James Huang)
This 1t4i Felt F1 training bike was equipped with aluminum Elite cages but you can expect composite ones on full-blown race setups.(Image credit: James Huang)
The machined aluminum TRP pad holders are fitted with SwissStop pads.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i team bikes are equipped with SRM power meters.(Image credit: James Huang)
1t4i training bikes are equipped with carbon-and-aluminum clinchers but this race bikes will get carbon-rimmed tubulars.(Image credit: James Huang)
Felt uses TRP's TTV linear-pull brake design for its DA aero bike.(Image credit: James Huang)
14ti is using Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groups for both its road and time trial bikes.(Image credit: James Huang)
Not surprisingly given its Skil-Shimano roots, 1t4i will use a full complement of Shimano and PRO gear for 2012, including this carbon rear disc wheel.(Image credit: James Huang)
Moving the brake down to the chain stays allows for an especially tidy rear end on 1t4i's Felt DA.(Image credit: James Huang)
Exhaust vents on 1t4i's Uvex aero helmet help keep riders from overheating.(Image credit: James Huang)
Project 1t4i riders will have their choice of Felt's F-Series or AR carbon machines on the road but at least for now, they're sticking with the former's tried-and-true formula of light weight and high stiffness.
Given the team's close association with Shimano, it's perhaps no surprise that the Osaka component giant will supply virtually all of the finishing kit, including a wide range of tubular and clincher wheels for racing and training, Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmissions and brakes with SRM power measuring crankarms, carbon bodied Dura-Ace SPD-SL clipless pedals, and aluminum and carbon fiber bars, stems, and seatpost from affiliate PRO.
Italian company Elite supplies bottles and cages and compatriot Vittoria is in the process of equipping the team with an army of tires – including some prototypes. Topping things off are Selle Italia saddles with specific models based on rider preferences.
Not only is the componentry electric but so is the paint job. Project 1t4i mostly sticks with Felt's matte clearcoat base finish on the F1 but jazzes it up with a bit of neon green. It's at once understated yet highly visible – and seems perfectly suited for a 'team replica' model to be offered to public later.
…and sleek DAs for time trials
For time trials, Felt is supply Project 1t4i with its proven DA platform, dressed up in similar neon green highlights and wearing similar build kits – albeit in corresponding aero variants, of course. Key changes include deeper front wheels and disc rears in most cases, Elite's more aerodynamically friendly Kit Time Trial carbon fiber cage and bottle package, PRO's Missile Evointegrated carbon fiber aerobar, and TRP-made linear-pull brakes tucked under the chain stays.
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PRO also goes a step further, machining its own custom stems that specifically work with Felt's DA front end and profile perfectly with the rest of the Missile Evo setup. Custom machined aluminum bridges on some bikes also tie the rear extension ends together for additional stiffness and stability.
Vittoria again provides tires though in contrast to the ultra-skinny rubber many are used to seeing on time trial machines, Project 1t4i may be moving towards noticeably fat, 25mm-wide tires depending on wind tunnel data.
As for the wind tunnel testing itself, we'll have more on that later. Stay tuned.
