felt mountainbike carbon Felt NEXAR Race 105 Di2 Bike

The NEXAR platform was built around a specific idea: that real aerodynamic performance and a fit that holds up over a long ride are not mutually exclusive. The Felt NEXAR Race 105 Di2 Bike is where that idea becomes genuinely accessible. At $5,999 with full Shimano 105 Di2 electronic shifting, this is the complete NEXAR — the same aero frame geometry, the same integrated cockpit, the same engineering that anchors Felt's entire road lineup — at a price that opens the platform to a much broader range of riders.

The frame is UD carbon construction front and rear — a proven unidirectional carbon layup that delivers the stiffness and shape the NEXAR platform requires. The geometry is identical across the NEXAR lineup: slightly higher stack than a traditional aero bike, shorter reach across all seven sizes, and crank lengths matched to frame size from 165mm to 170mm. The geometry is precise enough that a straight-column Felt NEXAR Carbon seatpost works without offset at every size. That fit story — the one that makes the NEXAR compelling at the top of the range — applies exactly the same way on the Race.

So does the aero story. Felt's data puts the NEXAR within 4 watts of the fastest full-aero bikes at 40km/h and 5% better than the previous AR model. Those numbers belong to the platform, not to any particular build tier. The UD carbon frame carries the same tube profiles and fully internal cable routing as the rest of the NEXAR range, and the Felt Road One-Piece Integrated Cockpit — at 300g or less — delivers the same clean, integrated front end regardless of which NEXAR you're riding.

The drivetrain is Shimano 105 Di2 throughout, and it's worth being clear about what that means: this is full electronic shifting. The R7150 derailleurs and R7170 hydraulic disc brake/shift levers give you wireless electronic gear changes and reliable hydraulic braking at a price where those were previously out of reach on an aero road bike. The 105 system sits below Ultegra in Shimano's lineup, but the fundamental experience — crisp electronic shifts under load, consistent hydraulic modulation in any weather — is fully there. A 52/36 chainring pairs with an 11-34 cassette, giving a slightly wider range than the higher NEXAR builds and making the Race well-suited to varied terrain.

Wheels are Vision SC45 i23 carbon front and rear — a 45mm deep carbon clincher that matches the platform's aerodynamic intent, with an i23 internal rim width sized for the 700x28 Continental GP 5000 S TR tubeless-ready tires included in the spec. The GP 5000 S TR is one of the fastest road tires available in a tubeless-compatible format — it's a meaningful spec detail on a bike at this price, not a placeholder. The Prologo NAGO R4 PAS saddle and Felt NEXAR Carbon seatpost complete a build that's been considered at every contact point.

Design Benefits

1. The full NEXAR platform at an accessible price. The geometry, aero tube profiles, integrated cockpit, and fit philosophy are identical across the NEXAR lineup. The Race isn't a stripped-down version of the platform — it's the same platform with a different component spec. At $5,999, that's a genuine value proposition for a full-aero electronic road bike.
2. Shimano 105 Di2 — electronic shifting included. Full wireless electronic shifting on an aero road bike under $6,000 is not a given. The 105 Di2 system delivers reliable, consistent gear changes under any load, and the R7170 hydraulic disc brakes offer the same weather-proof stopping power as the higher-tier builds.
3. Geometry that works for real riders over real distances. The higher stack, shorter reach, and size-matched crank lengths mean you can hold the position for four hours without the fit fighting you. Seven sizes make that accessible across a full range of rider heights, not just the middle of the bell curve.
4. Vision SC45 i23 carbon wheels. A 45mm deep carbon clincher is a legitimate choice for performance riding — deep enough to produce real aero gains, with an i23 internal width that supports modern 28mm tire sizing properly. This is the right wheel for the platform.
5. Continental GP 5000 S TR 700x28. One of the fastest tubeless-ready road tires available, included as stock spec. The 28mm width gives you the compliance and confidence to ride varied road surfaces without sacrificing speed. Tubeless-compatible out of the box if you want to run sealant.

Final Take

The Felt NEXAR Race 105 Di2 is the clearest argument that the NEXAR platform isn't just for the top of the market. The frame, the geometry, and the aerodynamics are the same story here as on the FRD build — what changes is the component spec, and Shimano 105 Di2 is a strong one. If you want a full-aero electronic road bike with a fit that actually works and tires and wheels that don't need to be replaced before your first race, the NEXAR Race is a straightforward place to start.