Hi all, this is my first post on this forum. I've come across Slowtwitch for answers to so many questions already, but now I've got something to add to a discussion for the first time. I have been attempting my own modification to my 2015 Felt IA3 to accommodate a drink bladder, and I have made a solution that I think might be of interest to some people.
I have designed a custom 3D printed panel to replace the original Calpac and have it
available for order on Shapeways. I realize that this may be a bit of gray area in terms of forum policy, since I am effectively marketing my own design here. But I just figured I might be helping some people out who have been looking for a solution on this forum.
I hope the Shapeways page is clear by itself, but here is some background to my solution: I went for the easiest approach I could think of, with no modification to existing parts of the bike. The panel effectively replaces the Calpac, and sacrifices any additional storage. I haven't been a fan of the amount of effective storage in the Calpac anyway, so I don't mind. With the Fuelselage added, there is so little left anyway. Since the Felt have a narrower frame, the Fuelselage will hold approx. half it's design capacity.
Note that this design accommodates a size XS/S Fuelselage in a 54cm Felt IA, which will accommodate up to 400ml of fluid. The product on Shapeways is in beta, since I haven't been able to test it on other frame sizes (I don't know anyone else who owns one, I live in the Netherlands, perhaps people could reach out to me). I will be designing a version that will accommodate the M/L/XL Fuelselage (1000ml, should fill up to 500ml) in my frame too, this should be available within 1-2 weeks, as I am awaiting production and testing the part myself. Sneak peak below:
Felt IA Calpac mods on Shapeways:
800ml Specialized Fuelselage (XS/S) 1000ml Specialized Fuelselage (M/L/XL) DIY cover