Kona 2014: Mirinda Carfrae's Felt IA
article & images by Nick Salazar
Oct 7, 2014  hits 122,024


Mirinda "Rinny" Carfrae is the defending Ironman World Champion, back to stop all challengers from encroaching on her reign, which was stamped with authority last year with her record-setting performance. She is one half of triathlon's resident power couple, along with husband Tim O'Donnell, a respected champion in his own right. Here we detail her impressive Felt IA bike, appointed very much like her 2013 rig, but with a new fluo green paint job. We also take a look at how it compares to Tim's Trek Speed Concept. Enjoy the gallery!


Tags » felt,  hawaii,  hawaii2014,  iabike,  ismseat,  mirindacarfrae,  profiledesign,  rigs,  sram,  zipp

Rinny's Felt IA 

  • Defending champ and Kona record holder Mirinda Carfrae with her well-appointed Felt IA.
  • Rinny's Felt IA is a well-built, highly aerodynamic piece of equipment that will serve her well in her Kona defense.
  • This bike is built up basically identically to her rig from last year, when she won the title and set the course record.
  • Profile Design Aeria bars and HC Bottle up front - nice choices.
  • Profile Design Aeria bars and HC Bottle up front - nice choices.
  • There's almost no frontal area to speak of on this bike, much like husband Tim's Trek Speed Concept.
  • Felt has manufactured custom stems for a couple of its athletes, like Rinny, so that she can run a standard aerobar instead of the integrated bar Felt ships with the bike. Originally, Felt said these stems would not make it to the aftermarket, but later said they would be available at some point. Either way, it's a very slick piece of hardware.
  • Felt has manufactured custom stems for a couple of its athletes, like Rinny, so that she can run a standard aerobar instead of the integrated bar Felt ships with the bike. Originally, Felt said these stems would not make it to the aftermarket, but later said they would be available at some point. Either way, it's a very slick piece of hardware.
  • SRAM R2C levers up front for crisp shifting and excellent ergonomics. Rinny has SRAM RED 11-speed mechanical drivetrain throughout. I'm betting that by this time next year, we'll see this replaced by SRAM's upcoming electronic group.
  • Custom name badge for the champ.
  • Standard bottle on the down tube and behind the saddle, making it easy to take on-course bottles.
  • Standard bottle on the down tube and zip-tied behind the saddle, making it easy to take on-course bottles. ISM Adamo Attack saddle, a seat I'm currently reviewing and really enjoying.
  • SRAM RED 11-speed mechanical drivetrain throughout. I'm betting that by this time next year, we'll see this replaced by SRAM's upcoming electronic group.
  • Zipp Firestrike 404 wheels with Continental GP4000s II tires. Rinny will swap the rear wheel for an 808 Firecrest on race day.
  • The IA has a unique inside-out seatpost clamp that pinches carbon against carbon, a structurally-superior method to crushing a carbon tube against the air inside it.
  • Rinny has SRAM RED 11-speed mechanical drivetrain throughout. I'm betting that by this time next year, we'll see this replaced by SRAM's upcoming electronic group.
  • Rinny has SRAM RED 11-speed mechanical drivetrain throughout. I'm betting that by this time next year, we'll see this replaced by SRAM's upcoming electronic group.
  • Rinny has SRAM RED 11-speed mechanical drivetrain throughout. I'm betting that by this time next year, we'll see this replaced by SRAM's upcoming electronic group.
  • Integrated top tube storage on the IA keeps things simple and clean from an aero perspective.
  • The IA has integrated brakes both front and rear for a very clean setup.
  • Rinny's standard bottle cage is zip-tied to the saddle - our favorite method for securing cages back here.
  • A shot up the fork at that cleanly-integrated brake.

Rinny, T.O., and their Rigs 

After a few sponsor changes throughout the years, Tim and Rinny have each landed at separate homes: Rinny is with Felt, and Tim with Trek. But they have something in common: their bikes are incredible. Here are a few shots showing off these impressive rigs, and their equally-impressive riders.

  • The Trek and the Felt, enjoying some peaceful time together before the storm on Saturday.
  • The Trek and the Felt, enjoying some peaceful time together before the storm on Saturday.
  • The Trek and the Felt, enjoying some peaceful time together before the storm on Saturday.
  • The Trek and the Felt, enjoying some peaceful time together before the storm on Saturday.
  • Tim and Rinny are in the best shape I've ever seen them, and I think they're going to have some very impressive races this year.
  • You'd never know it by their winning smiles and gracious manners, but these two are absolutely ferocious competitors. Good luck out there!

Related Articles
The biggest race of the year went off with a bang. Here's our HUGE gallery of race day bike photos.
Maik Twelsiek, Ironman champ and former Scott athlete, is now riding on the radical Dimond beam bike. Here's a close-up look at his rig.
We caught up with Ironman champions Marino Vanhoenacker and Jodie Swallow, as well as Plasma 5 designer Simon Smart, for interviews about this new bike.
Mirinda Carfrae is in Kona looking for her second Ironman World Championship title. We got an exclusive look at her Felt DA and an interview with the 2010 champ.
Interesting bits and pieces from the expo at the Ironman World Championships.