Felt Ltd
- Founded
- 1991-01-01 in Irvine, California, USA
- Headquarters
- Barcelona, Spain
- Phone
- +44 787-6635888
Felt Bicycles is an American high-performance bicycle brand known for its engineering-driven approach to road, triathlon, gravel, and track cycling. Founded in 1991 by Jim Felt, the company began by crafting custom triathlon frames for elite athletes and quickly gained recognition when Paula Newby-Fraser won the Ironman World Championship on a Felt frame in 1991. For several years, Felt frames were manufactured and distributed by Answer Products, but after Answer was sold, Felt relaunched as an independent complete bicycle brand in 2001 through a partnership between Jim Felt, Bill Duehring, and Michael Müllmann. The brand grew to include road, triathlon, mountain, cyclocross, and e-bike categories, and was acquired by Groupe Rossignol in early 2017. In 2025, after a period of minority investment, the brand was fully taken over by Cesar Rojo and Florian Burguet, who now operate it independently from headquarters in Barcelona, Spain. Felt is known for its early adoption of wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics, and its bikes have been ridden by champions such as Kristin Armstrong, Marcel Kittel, Jan Frodeno, and Wout van Aert. The company’s focus is on “pure performance” drop-bar bikes for riders who prioritize speed and precision.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Felt Bicycles was originally founded in 1991 when Jim Felt began welding custom aero frames for triathletes. The brand’s early success was cemented by Paula Newby-Fraser’s 1991 Kona victory on a Felt frame. In the late 1990s, Felt products were distributed by Answer Products, but when Answer was sold, Felt regained control and partnered with Bill Duehring and Michael Müllmann to launch Felt as a full bicycle brand in 2001, with headquarters in Irvine, California.
Growth and Innovation
The company expanded rapidly, offering over 120 models across road, triathlon, mountain, cyclocross, and e-bikes. Felt was an early pioneer in wind tunnel testing and aero frame design. Its bikes were used by the Garmin-Slipstream and Argos-Shimano professional teams. In 2017, Groupe Rossignol acquired Felt, and later that year Jim Felt departed the company.
Recent Ownership and Relocation
In 2023, Cesar Rojo and Florian Burguet became minority shareholders and began operating the company. By November 2025, they acquired 100% ownership and moved the brand’s headquarters to Barcelona, Spain. The company now focuses exclusively on high-performance drop-bar bikes (road, triathlon, gravel) and plans to release an entirely new generation of Felt bikes in 2026, marking the brand’s 35th anniversary.
Market Position and Strategy
Felt positions itself as a brand for specialist bike shops, emphasizing high margin products and dealer relationships. The company owns a strong legacy of innovation including the Bayonet fork system and integrated aero designs. Current product platforms include the IA Series (triathlon/TT), AR Series (aero road), FR Series (road/endurance), and VR Series (gravel).
Key Products
IA Series
Triathlon and time trial bikes optimized for aerodynamics and speed, used by world champions.
AR Series
High-performance aerodynamic road bikes designed for racing.
FR Series
Lightweight road frames with endurance geometry for long rides.
VR Series
Gravel and adventure bikes built for mixed terrain riding.
Offices & Headcount
41 employees (approx.)