MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — Specialized Bicycle Components has announced a major update to its Venge aero road bike model and is offering a package of aerodynamic products — including the bike, skinsuit, helmet and shoes — that it claims will save a rider 5 minutes over a 40km ride.
Specialized said its in-house wind tunnel (it calls it the "Win Tunnel") and computer modeling with the F1 racing company McLaren confirm the time savings.
The first product is the S-Works Venge ViAS, an aero road bike. The latest version of the Venge, raced by Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan, features complete internal cable routing, brakes that are integrated into the fork crown and the back of the seat tube, and an unusual handlebar with a 25mm rise that combines with a negative-rise stem for optimum aerodynamics. The company said the bike saves 2 minutes over 40km compared with its own Tarmac SL4 road bike.
The Venge ViAS with a Dura-Ace Di2 parts package retails for $12,500. A frame module is $5,800. It will be available in limited quantities starting in August.
The aero package also includes its S-Works Evade aero road helmet (which is said to save 46 seconds over 40km compared with the Specialized S-Works Prevail helmet) and the new S-Works 6 shoes. The new shoes have a carbon sole, a proprietary version of BOA's S2 closure system and a new engineered, tapered heel cup that optimizes aerodynamics and power transfer. The shoes are said to save 35 seconds over 40km. The shoes retail for $400.
The S-Works Evade GC skinsuit saves 96 seconds. Coming in 11 sizes, it provides a precise fit that reduces fabric bunching. It also has cuff-less welded sleeve openings to further ensure enhanced aerodynamics, with Dimplex fabric at the shoulders featuring a dimpled texture, like that found on a golf ball, to reduce pressure drag. The package also includes Specialized's Roval CLX 64 wheelset and cotton-casing S-Works Turbo tires, which are said to save 35 seconds — or 104 seconds in a crosswind. The skinsuit retails for $500 and will be available next spring.
