Specialized's new S-Works Venge ViAS Di2 is claimed to be as fast as a Shiv TT bike. It will cost about €15,500 and will available in a couple of months.
Specialized's new S-Works Venge ViAS Di2 has caused a stir at bike races in recent months when photographers have tried to get shots of it while riders like Mark Cavendish have been testing it out.
But now the company is on the public relations offensive in trying to convince the cycling world that this is the fastest road bike ever.
With that in mind, the company invited a 12-strong group of cycling journalists from some of the world’s biggest cycling publications to test the bike in California.
The results being claimed from those tests suggest the bike is so aero and fast that it’s a whopping 120 seconds – that’s two minutes – faster than regular road racing bikes over 40km.
Advertisement
And the company claims when compared to its previous Venge bike, it was still an average of a full 60 seconds faster in the testing done in the US.
With the brake callipers tucked around the back, the front of the bike could be mistaken for a track bike, but for the brake levers.
The testing was conducting using Specialiized’s facilities but also by McLaren Applied Technologies, with whom the major bike brand worked on making this new mount.
The most visually striking elements of the bike are the new aero handlebars and the brake set-up.
It features an elongated front brake tucked behind the fork and a back brake tucked in midway up the seat tube.
It has swooped bars and integrated stem. The bars are swooped because the bike is so low a swoop upwards – from the stem – is needed in order to allow a road racing position.
Related News
The bike’s rear triangle has been lowered and the head tube truncated. The cables and wires are all internally routed – through the bars, stem, headset, and of course the frame.
The back brakes are very unconventional, but if word spreads that the bike is as fast as being claimed, Specialized should sell truck loads despite the hefty price.
It is a feature that when added to the stem, bars and brake set-up gives the bike an ultra modern and aero look.
Head on it could be mistaken for a track bike but for the brake levers.
The fork is claimed to be 30 per cent stiffer than other road bikes while the bottom bracket is said to be stiffer than any other Specialized road bike to date.
The company also says with a longer seat post, added flex arises.
The Roval CLX 64 wheels come with AF1 hubs featuring CeramicSpeed ceramic bearings. There are 16 spokes on the front and 21 on the back, with the rims measuring 29.9mm at their widest point.
While its weight – at a claimed 1,150g – is not as light as others, Specialized claims the aero drag is so low that it’s as fast as the Shiv TT bike.
The Venge ViAS Di2 will cost you around €15,500, with the first of the bikes to be available as early as August.
Topics
