Specialized 2008 [en]

2008 Specialized bike range has been presented to the american journalists a few days ago. It unveiled Sram Red groupset and several interesting new stuffs as well.

The main news concerns the new high range S-Works Tarmac SL2 frame, the S-Works Transition triathlon and time trial bike. Then, the Roval Alpinist SL 1060g wheelset, some accessories such as a new helmet, a pair of shoes and glasses have been presented too.

To start, here are the technical information about the "Tarmac SL2" that has been used by Tom Boonen during the Dauphiné Libéré.
With an exceptionnal stiffness, this frame has been conceived to transmit the 1.5 kilo watt of the flanders champion with no loss. Made out of composite material, this frame proposes some of the californian brand specificities. The fibers are very high modulus and the construction method blends monocoque and wrapped joint technology. The bottom bracket is huge, just like the diagonal tube and the very tall chain stays. It releases an impression of uncommon rigidity. The steering is oversized too, its dimensions are 1.5 inch at the bottom and 1"1/8 at the top. This kind of construction is fashion these days: the latest Trek uses a steering of the same size and Look with its 595 uses the same size at the top and 1.25 inch at the bottom. According to Specialized, the stiffness reaches a very high level, the bottom brackets actually gets 30% more compared to the current Tarmac. The vertical compliance is about 10% better too which is certainly caused by the new shape. The frame is claimed to be 952g in 56cm, the fork is 350g with uncut steerer tube.

The "Transition" is the time trial frame. Every single shapes are deeply designed into details to reduce the drag as much as possible. The profile follows the NACA standards, just like the Lew wheels spokes for example.
Still in this objective, Specialized has hidden the rear brake caliper from the air flow and has integrated all the cables into the frame. Thus, it is close to what we saw on Leipheimer’s bike the last year. Beside this, a fourth tube is present to route an SRM powermeter wire. This extra brings a professionnal touch to the frame!

About the "Roval Alpinist SL" wheels, they are close to one kilogram (1060g claimed). The rim is obviously in carbon for tubulars, the front hub body is made out of the same material. The colour of some spokes is matched with the color of the hub! Thus, the flat rim version has got some white spokes while the mid profile rim has a touch of red. Sweet.

For the end, let’s speak about the accessories. The helmet integrates almost 20 meters of Kevlar reinforcements in the structure. The helmet weight only… 184g! Met already pushed the limit with its Stradivarius at 199g but this time, Specialized pushes the limits even further!

Regarding the shoes, they are super light too. 250g exactly. They turn out to be the lightest of the market. The sole is vented and the tightening system lets you adjust the pressure at differents places.

Finally, here are the glasses. We have no technical information about them but they feature very thin and … hollowed out frame! The flexibility should reach a summum but the weight should be very low too.