Posts Tagged ‘Specialized’
Written by Brian O'Connor on 11 August 2011
Recently I was sent James Thomas’s article from Bicycledesign titled, “Is TJ Tollakson the Graeme Obree of triathlon?,” regarding the use of a carbon fiber 1996 Zipp beam frame triathlon bike by T.J. Tollakson in numerous triathlon wins including Ironmans. Tollakson has been experimenting with different riding positions and use of materials, some non-cycling, to come up with his winning combination. The beam design that he chose has not been utilized for some time now due to its design not falling with the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, but this style of frame is still legal by the regulations of USA Triathlon.
As Thomas notes the UCI wasn’t nearly so kind to Graeme Obree, also known as “The Flying Scotsman,” when he created his bike “Old Faithful” using parts from a washing machine. As Tollakson used soccer shin pads to aid the unique design, we’re left wondering if the UCI would approve. But this is just part of the issue.
I remember when the double triangle rule was implemented by the UCI and thinking that it was the end for real innovation with road bike frame designs. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 1996 Zipp, Cycling, Fabian Cancellara, Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree, Shiv, Specialized, T.J. Tollakson, UCI, Union Cycliste Internationale
Posted in concept, Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 18 July 2011
Specialized has recently added a section to their website titled ‘2012 Early Launch’ featuring a mix of bikes from entry level to ones that could be raced in the Tour de France. One item that caught our eye was the new S-Works Shiv TT Module time trial/triathlon carbon fiber frame.
This UCI-legal frame utilizes Specialized’s proprietary FACT IS 11r carbon fiber construction to create a fully integrated cockpit with radical tube shaping for the ultimate optimization of aerodynamics, stiffness, and weight. Along with the full carbon fiber frame, Specialized also uses the FACT carbon fiber for the monocoque fork, crankset, seat post and handlebar/aerobar. The S-Works Shiv TT is sold as more than just a frame, but it is certainly not a complete bike. For the $6100 price tag you will still need to add wheels, a chain, a rear cogset, shifters, derailleurs, bar tap, cables, a seat and some pedals, but when a bike of this level is purchased, it is not uncommon for the rider to be very particular about those items.
The list of features for the 2012 S-Works Shiv TT Module include:
• For UCI time trials or any race against the clock, this FACT IS 11r carbon frame
• Super-stiff and light, UCI-legal, S-Works FACT carbon monocoque fork
• Specialized S-Works FACT carbon crankset with chain rings and an OSBB, removable carbon spider, and ceramic bearings
• Aerodynamic carbon stem integrates with the aerobar
• S-Works FACT carbon integrated handlebar/aero bar is UCI-legal and offers 0-115mm height adjustment
• S-Works FACT carbon bladed seatpost is UCI-legal with two setback options
• S-Works aero integrated brakes Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Cycling, S-Works FACT, S-Works Shiv TT, Specialized, Time Trial, Tour de France
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports, Triathlon | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 27 May 2011
A few weeks back, we mentioned that Trek was going to be recycling carbon fiber bicycle frames as carbon fiber is not as “green” as all metal bike frames. Now it appears that Specialized, the manufacturer that created the frame that Alberto Contador just rode to victory in the Giro d’Italia, is creating their own environmental initiative. Some carbon fiber breaks can be repaired, but when is comes to the end of the line, carbon fiber is not a material that can easily be recycled.
This week Bicycle Retailer reported that Specialized has launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative by incorporating Outdoor Industry Association Eco-Index evaluation of their products during product creation, and leading a carbon fiber recycling coalition. Specialized has become the first major industry member to join the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Eco-Index—a comprehensive system for evaluating and improving the environmental footprint of products during the design stage. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: carbon fiber, Cycling, Eco-Index, Eric Edgecumbe, Mike Sinyard, Outdoor Industry Association, Specialized, Trek
Posted in Cycling, Sustainable | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 13 May 2011
Two years ago the sports car company, McLaren, approached the bicycle manufacturer, Specialized, to collaborate on a bicycle frame project utilizing a material that both companies are familiar with – carbon fiber. McLaren pioneered the carbon fiber monocoque construction technique used in their Formula 1 race cars all the way back in 1981. Since the 1990s, Specialized has been using carbon fiber in their higher end bikes either as main tubes with aluminum lugs or as complete carbon fiber frames. In 2009, McLaren’s Applied Technologies division approached Specialized with the idea of designing a carbon fiber bicycle frame utilizing their years of extensive research and racing know-how to make an even lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic frame. McLaren hoped they too could learn something from this endeavor to make an even better sports and racing car.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Cycling, McLaren, S-Works, Specialized, Venge, Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes MP4-26
Posted in concept, Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 14 April 2011
New York, originally called New Amsterdam, will play host to the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show on April 30, later this month. The event benefits Transportation Alternatives.
If you’re in New York at the end of the month, it will be worth attending to check out new bikes and gear. Exhibitors include Adeline Adeline, Alternate Needs Transportation, bcycle, Bern Unlimited, bfold, Bamboo Bike Studio, Basil, Bicycle Habitat, BicyclePaintings.com, Bike By Me, Bike Doctor NYC, Light & Motion, Bikes to Rwanda, biomega, Biria, Bowery Lane Bicycles, Carjacked, Chelsea Bicycles, Chrome, Continuum Cycles, Cooper Bikes USA, cyclelogical and plenty more. Big names such as Specialized, Raleigh, Sram, Jamis, and others will also exhibit.
The show will be held at Center 548 on West 22nd Street way over by the Hudson. Check out the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show site for more details.
Tags: Adeline Adeline, Alternate Needs Transportation, Bamboo Bike Studio, Basil, bcycle, Bern Unlimited, bfold, Bicycle Habitat, BicyclePaintings.com, Bike By Me, Bike Doctor NYC, Bikes to Rwanda, biomega, Biria, Bowery Lane Bicycles, Carjacked, Chelsea Bicycles, Chrome, Continuum Cycles, Cooper Bikes USA, cyclelogical, Jamis, Light & Motion, New Amsterdam Bicycle Show, Raleigh, Specialized, SRAM
Posted in Cycling | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 01 April 2011
Is it about time that your current mountain bike needs to be upgraded? Are you looking for a full suspension bike that has decent travel, but is also a bike that you can ride all day, all over the mountain? Like most people, IS money the object (to save)? If you answered ‘yes’, the Camber line of bikes from Specialized might be for you.
The Camber line of bikes is touted by Specialized as being “The best high-performance, high-value trail bike. Perfect as a first ‘fully’ or hard-earned upgrade.” On a recent trip to Northern California, I was able to throw my leg over one of these bikes and hit some familiar trails. I signed a Camber Elite 29 out from the Tam Bikes’s ‘Test’ fleet in Mill Valley and hit some trails on Mt. Tam.
I spend most of my mountain bike days on a 26-inch Moots YBB so I was looking forward to having 4″ of front and rear travel along with the larger 29-inch wheels. We rolled out of my friend’s place and had to ride the pavement for a few miles before hitting the trails. The previous day I had test ridden a Specialized Epic Comp 29, so I was used to some of the features on that bike like the automatic lockout of the rear shock. The Camber is not meant or designed to compete with the Epic line…the top of the line Camber is about $100 less than the bottom of the line Epic 29. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Camber Epic 29, Cycling Hands On, Epic Comp 29, RockShox Ario RL, Specialized
Posted in Cycling, Hands On | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 28 March 2011
Recently I mentioned the demo day and test bike programs that bicycle retailers and manufacturers have in place so that the consumer can really test drive a bike before purchasing. With bikes costing several thousand dollars, it only made sense that the customer would really want to make sure that their new bike investment was the right one. Out of all of the mountain bikes that I have, only one is full suspension and it only has a little over one inch of rear travel. Since my days of racing for Pro-Flex in the late 1990s, I have been turned off of full suspension bikes. Realizing that there have been many advancements in bike technology and now that I am a little old (translated…more body pains), I think it might be time to add a full suspension bike to my fleet. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Cycling, Epic Comp 29, Hands On, mountain bike, Specialized, SRAM
Posted in Cycling, Hands On | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 17 December 2010
Over the past month we rode, we drank, we tested. We tried out many water bottles and wrote up the findings. Here is a recap of Brian O’Connor’s hands on tests of this year’s water bottles:
Nalgene ATB Bottle with Black Closure
The 32 oz version didn’t fit many cages, but the wide neck opening of the bottles made dropping in an ice cube no problem at all. Read the full review.
Specialized Purist
No bad taste, just pure water with this bottle, which mostly rinses clean. Read the full review.
BioGreen ProX
Want to use the same water bottle in a century? Most of the time you can, as the bottles aren’t so biodegradable - but the BioGreenX is made from 20 percent post industrial recycled plastic and should biodegrade in just two years. Read the full review.
Hydrapak Gel-Bot
Like a burst of energy with some gels? The Hydrapak can supply water and gel from one bottle. Read the full review.
Polar Insulated Bottle
On a hot summer ride nothing is better than a cool drink. Too bad most bottles let the liquid heat up to a temperature resembling bath water. Not the Polar Insulated Bottle. Read the full review.
Clean Bottle
Getting a bottle clean can sometimes be no easy task. Wouldn’t be easier if both the top and bottom came off? Oh wait, with the Clean Bottle they do! Read the full review.
CamelBak Podium Bottles
Ready to make a dash for the finish line. The CamelBak Podium Bottle might just have you on the podium. Read the full review.
Nalgene Bottles
Are you tired of the same old bottles? If so consider the variety offered by the Nalgene Bottles that are made from Tritan plastic. Read the full review.
Tags: ATB Bottle, BioGreen, CamelBak, Clean Bottle, Fitness Journal, Gel-Bot, Hands On, Hydrapak, Insulated bottle, Nalgene, Podium Bottle, Polar, ProX, Purist, Specialized, Tritan Plastic, water bottles
Posted in Equipment, Hands On | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 16 November 2010
KineticShift.com continues our hands on test of water bottles.
Specialized’s Product Description: In creating the next generation of water bottles the team set out to solve the puzzle of how to combine the two most desired elements in the ideal bottle – the flexibility and safety of a sports bottle with the purity of taste from a drinking glass.
Introducing Purist – With inspiration from nature we have created the first water bottle that offers a taste as pure as drinking from a glass, with all the advantages of a flexible bottle. With a simple rinse, mold and residue are removed ensuring that water drunk from the bottle does not taste like plastic or impurities, but clean and fresh. All you taste is the water. Even in extreme conditions where tomato sauce is left in the bottle overnight, Purist shields the bottle from the taste, smell and staining. Nothing sticks, so your bottle stays cleaner and your water tastes pure.
Nothing tastes better.
Bottle Sizes: 22oz and 26oz
Plastic: Low Density Polyethylene
Country of Manufacture: USA
Retail Price: TBD Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Hands On, heart valve, Interbike, Purist, Specialized, water bottle, watergate
Posted in Equipment, Exercise, Hands On | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 02 November 2010
First seen on the heads of riders in the Tour de France over the summer, Specialized’s new Prevail helmet is more adjustable, has larger vent holes, adds protection and sheds a few ounces over previous helmets. What more could you ask for in safety and protection? Specialized probably should have given the helmet a new name instead of continuing with the Prevail model since it has so many new features.
At 185 grams, you may forget you have on a helmet. And when you look at it, it looks as if there there are almost more airholes than helmet. The structure of the Prevail looks deceivingly thin. The helmet brags 29 air vents including three exhaust ports in the rear. Now, that thin structure. The Styrofoam framework is built around a core Kevlar matrix. This makes the helmet stronger without adding weight. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: bike helmet, Kevlar, Specialized
Posted in Cycling, Equipment | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 03 September 2010
This week Waterloo, Wisconsin based Trek Bicycles announced that it would sponsor a new pro cycling team for next year’s Tour de France. This new, to be named team, will be led by two-time Tour runner-up, and white jersey (for best young rider) winner Andy Schlek.
Schlek and his brother Frank, who was unable to finish this year’s Tour de France after crashing out early in the multi-stage race, had previously announced that they would be leaving the Saxo Bank team to start their own team based in their native Luxembourg for the upcoming season. This team has yet to announce its full roster or title sponsor.
Trek will join Specialized Bicycles in being a company that will provide cycles to more than one team, as this year Specialized had provided the bikes for Alberto Contador’s Team Astana. Contador, who won the tour, has made the move to Saxo Bank, which was the other team riding Specialized this year. It was also the first time that a Specialized bike was used by a tour winner. Contador and Team Astana had previously ridden Trek, but the company followed Lance Armstrong to the Radio Shack team for this season.
It was announced that Trek would continue to provide bikes for Radio Shack next season, despite the fact that Armstrong has announced that he will be retiring. It isn’t clear if Astana will be in the Tour next season, or if the company will be using Specialized bikes.
Trek Bicycles
Specialized Bicycles
Tags: Alberto Contador, Andy Schlek, Bikes, Cycling, Frank Schlek, Lance Armstrong, Radio Shack, Saxo Bank, Specialized, Team Astana, Tour de France, Trek
Posted in Cycling, Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 29 July 2010
The Airtool Pro Floor Pump utilizes SwitchHitter Head Technology to automatically switch between Shrader and Presta valves
Unless you’re a hardcore bike geek, and even then, you might have to stop and think when it comes to Schrader and Presta valves on your bicycle tubes. Walk into a shop and ask for a tube and you’ll likely be asked, “Schrader or Presta,” as if you should automatically know what they’re talking about! If, like many the new rider, you respond, “I’m not sure,” you might hear, “well, European or American.” Of course that doesn’t help matters for most riders.
As a sidebar, the Schrader valve (also called the American valve) was invented by August Schrader in 1891, and it is used on virtually all automobiles – as well as many low-end bicycles – to this day. To confuse matters the French adopted the Presta valve (also called the French valve, or just as commonly “European” valve), which is now found on most high-end bicycles. Confused? Well, consider that Schrader is sometimes spelled “Shrader” by many manufacturers including some tire makers and it is enough to make your head spin. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: American Valve, August Schrader, Bike Tubes, Floor pumps, French Valve, Preseta, Schrader, Shrader, Specialized, SwitchHitter Head Technology, valves
Posted in Cycling, Equipment | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 28 July 2010
While the last few days of this year’s Tour de France were pretty exciting to watch, one fact was missing from a lot of the commentary. Both over all winner Alberto Contador and second place finisher Andy Schleck rolled into Paris on Specialized bikes. This was the first-ever Maillot Jaune for California-based Specialized.
For a company with the name “Specialized,” it makes a range of products that aren’t limited just to the road bikes either. The company’s gear was used throughout the peleton, not only with both the Astana and Saxo Bank teams sponsored teams, but notably with many other riders using shoes, saddles and other Specialized accessories. Alessandro Petacchi also sported the new Prevail cycling helmet as he sprinted his way to winning this year’s Green Jersey.
“Winning the Tour is a dream for us that has taken 36 years to come true,” said Mike Sinyard, founder and owner of Specialized. “It’s a clear example of successfully following our founding principle to focus on the rider’s need for technologically advanced products that provide true performance benefits.”
With a one-two finish for the bikes we can’t but agree!
Specialized Official Site
Tags: Alberto Contador, Alessandro Petacchi, Andy Schleck, Astana, California, Green Jersey, Maillot Jaune, Mike Sinyard, Paris, Previal cycling Helmet, Saxo Bank, Specialized, Tour de France
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
