Wout van Aert's trip to the U.S. for the Jingle Cross and Waterloo World Cups did not go as he had hoped, but he did have an impressive machine to help him deal with the dust and heat. Last year when we saw the two-time world champion sweep his three races in the U.S., he was riding a Colnago Prestige that we profiled at CrossVegas.
Van Aert's team changed to Crelan-Charles at the beginning of the year, and with the change came a hop onto a Felt bike.
Wout van Aert's 2017 Jingle Cross carbon Felt FRDx cyclocross bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
Felt offers the F1x model, formerly with a unique Shimano Di2 Build but now with a $4199 SRAM Force 1 complete build and a $1999 frameset, but its highest-end cyclocross frame is the $3999 F FRDx frameset, which uses the company's UHC Ultimate + Texteme® carbon fiber to form a package that weighs just 3.6 pounds for the frame, fork, headset and thru axles, (91 grams lighter than the UHC Advanced-based F1x frameset).
Van Aert uses this F FRDx frameset, and has it built up with SRAM Red eTap HRD components and Zipp 202 carbon tubulars and Zipp cockpit. Last month at Jingle Cross, we looked at his latest setup.
Despite switching bike companies, Van Aert is sticking with the SRAM eTap drivetrain this season. Wout van Aert's carbon Felt cyclocross bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
Not much has changed with Van Aert's setup since we looked at his Colnago Prestige a year ago. The frame is different, obviously, and at Jingle Cross, Van Aert was running Zipp 202 Firecrest tubulars, which have a shallower 32mm depth than the 45mm deep 303s we saw in 2016. The double chainring eTap drivetrain and Zipp 202 pairing is what we saw Jeremy Powers use last season—unique choices compared to the typical SRAM Force 1 and Zipp 303 setup used by most SRAM-sponsored athletes.
Van Aert was running the shallower Zipp 202 Firecrest carbon tubulars at Jingle Cross. Wout van Aert's carbon Felt cyclocross bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
In Iowa City and Waterloo, we saw Van Aert eschew Niels Albert's old double-casing Michelin Mud tubulars in favor of his standard Dugast sew-ups.
The World Champ said that his Iowa World Cup "was a real sufferfest" and it was the first time as a pro he felt that way. However, it didn't stop him from showing off his stripes and putting on a show for his U.S. fans.
Stripes in flight: Wout van Aert leads Stephen Hyde over the barriers. 2017 Jingle Cross World Cup. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
See the photo gallery below the specs for an in-depth look at Van Aert's 2017 Felt FRDx cyclocross bike and setup.
Specifications: Wout van Aert's 2017 Jingle Cross Felt FRDx
Frame: Felt FRDx carbon, 12x142mm thru-axle
Fork: Felt Cyclocross UHC Ultimate and TeXtreme carbon, tapered steer tube, 12mm TA
Shifter/Brake Levers: SRAM RED eTap HRD Shift-Brake Control
Brake Calipers: SRAM Red eTap HRD, HydroHC, flat mount
Rotors: SRAM Centerline, 140mm
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red eTap
Front Derailleur: SRAM Red eTap
Crankset: SRAM Red, Quarq power-ready
Chainring(s): SRAM X GlideR, 46/36t
Cassette: SRAM 1190, 11-28t
Chain: SRAM Red 22
Stem: Zipp SL Speed, carbon
Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL 70 Ergo, alloy
Seatpost: Zipp SL Speed, carbon, 20mm offset
Saddle: ProLogo Scratch2 CPC Airing Nack, carbon rails
Wheels: Zipp 202 Firecrest carbon tubular wheels
Hubs: Zipp 77/177
Tires: Andre Dugast Typhoon 700x33c tubulars
Wout van Aert's Felt FRDx Photo Gallery:
Wout van Aert’s 2017 U.S. trip was more anonymous than he would have liked, but it appears he’s found his form back in Europe. 2017 Jingle Cross World Cup. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
