Product news: Specialized 2016: All road bikes at a glance

Markt: Some things used to be so much simpler – 10 or 15 years ago a racing bike was still a racing bike. Today you have to deal with the terms aero, endurance, adventure and gravel in order to keep track of the huge selection of different road bikes. You can now also find six to seven road bikes from US manufacturer Specialized (depending on where you draw the line…) – we took a look at the Specialized 2016 road portfolio and provided a perspective.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Tarmac

There really isn't much to say about Specialized's top road bike, the Tarmac. For the three WorldTour teams that Specialized now supply with bikes - Etixx - Quick-Step, Astana and Tinkoff Team - it is in a way the Swiss Army Knife of road bikes. Climbs well, is stiff enough for sprints and can handle cobblestone sections. The latter can regularly be seen in the classics or the bumpy stages of the tour - although the Specialized Roubaix is ​​also a bike that is specially designed for rough road conditions, many pros still stick with the Tarmac.

In 2016, Specialized sent a total of ten model variants into the race. A total of three different frames are used – all made of carbon, of course. However, while the extremely light FACT 11r carbon frame serves as the basis for the S-Works top models, the FACT 10r (Pro and Expert) and FACT 9r (Comp, Elite and Sport) have a few grams more on their hips. With the 11r and 10r frames, the US manufacturer also uses its in-house Rider-First-Engineered manufacturing process, in which computer simulations are used to achieve the perfect balance between weight and stiffness depending on the load and frame size.

With three disc brake models, Specialized is responding to the current trend, which clearly points to a paradigm shift in braking systems. One downside to the Specialized Tarmac is certainly the price – the top model with Dura-Ace Di2, Roval carbon wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes costs just under €10.000. Even the most affordable model, the Tarmac Sport with Shimano 105, still comes in at €1.999€.

Our editorial recommendation: If you can do without electronic shifting, the Specialized Tarmac Expert Disc Race is a good choice. For just under €5.000, you get a Rider-First engineered carbon frame, a complete Shimano Ultegra groupset, carbon wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Allez

The Allez has been part of the Specialized portfolio since 2014. With an aluminum frame, it is more aimed at price-conscious buyers who do not need a carbon frame for better or for worse. The geometry is the same as that of its 'big brother' Tarmac, with a few minor deviations, and should therefore suit race-oriented drivers. With a frame weight of less than 1.200g, the Allez can't compete with an ultra-light carbon frame, but it's still far from being a heavyweight.

Specialized has given its Allez two or three different frames in 2016. The top models Expert, Comp and Elite rely on an E5 aluminum frame with the so-called Smartweld technology. This involves a complex special treatment of the welds in the steering head area, which makes them significantly more stable and durable - while reducing weight at the same time. On the Sport and E5 models you have to do without the DSW (short for Smartweld). An exotic one is the Allez Jr., which is aimed at children, teenagers and very small adults with 650b wheels.

We think it's a pity that there isn't a real Allez top model in the portfolio, analogous to the Tarmac offers. We are convinced that a high-quality aluminum frame and high-quality components such as Dura-Ace or carbon wheels are not mutually exclusive. Because the metal frame makes the bikes very attractive in terms of price: the most expensive model is €2.199 and comes with an Ultegra drive.

Our editorial recommendation: The Specialized Allez DSW SL Expert is the perfect bike for amateur cyclists who appreciate good, high-quality equipment but aren't willing to spend a fortune. For just over €2.000, you get a road bike that's well-equipped for the vast majority of riding situations.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Venge

Is it a plane, a spaceship, or a bicycle? These were our thoughts when we first saw the new Specialized Venge ViAS in person last summer . The aero-racer comes in the ViAS version with a special, highly aerodynamic cockpit, innovative braking solutions (the rear brake is mounted on the seat tube!), and premium components. The Venge – whether in the ViAS version or not – is the right bike for those who count every second, for whom aerodynamics plays a crucial role, or simply for those who appreciate unique solutions and cutting-edge technology.

Of course, such a bike comes at a price. The many thousands of hours of development work, including in the company's own wind tunnel in Morgan Hill, California, and the special manufacturing methods are reflected in the price: The top model, the S-Works Venge ViAS, comes in at 10 euros.999€, it's in the price range of a small car—but depending on the terrain and rider, it's probably at least as fast. The 'non-ViAS models' are significantly cheaper—but here you'll have to forego the ViAS cockpit and braking solutions and make do with a slightly heavier FACT 10r carbon frame.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Roubaix

With the Specialized Roubaix, the name speaks for itself - the bike was developed with one of the toughest road races in the world in mind. A road bike designed to take the fear out of the dusty, seemingly endless pavees of Paris-Roubaix. In order to achieve this, the US manufacturer put a lot of thought into it and the result was the Zertz damping. There are special Zertz elastomer inserts in the seat stays and the fork blades, which absorb or at least dampen the unpleasant vibrations from the ground before they even reach the driver. The Specialized CG-R seat post, which takes some getting used to, works according to this same principle and is used on all model variants. The Roubaix also offers space for 28mm tires, the disc version even has space for 32mm tires.

In 2016, Spezialized entered ten model variants for the Roubaix – as many as usually only for the Tarmac. Similar to the carbon street racer, the Roubaix also only has carbon fiber frames, but in three different versions and weight classes. As a buyer, you also have the choice between classic rim brakes and modern disc brakes - although the trend with the Roubaix is ​​clearly towards the latter: half of the models come with disc stoppers, the three top models are only available with hydraulic brake systems.

In terms of price, the Roubaix is ​​also more in the upper range, although it covers a much larger range than, for example, the Tarmac. While very few will be able to afford the top model S-Works Roubaix SL4 Disc Di2 for €9.599, the Roubaix SL4 Sport with a 105 group for €2.000 is very attractively priced.

Our editorial recommendation: The aforementioned Specialized Roubaix SL4 Sport offers, for €2.000, a somewhat understated but undeniably high-performing 105 groupset, an 8r carbon frame with Zeitz suspension, and their own CG-R seatpost. Those who wish can invest a few more euros in lighter wheels and will be very well equipped for the cobblestones of the world.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Diverge

With the Specialized Diverge we now come to the youngest member of the Specialized Road family. The gravel all-rounder has been part of the US manufacturer's portfolio since 2014 and has enjoyed growing popularity ever since. At first glance, the Diverge is reminiscent of the Roubaix just discussed in many respects: Zertz damping on the seat stays and on the fork, CG-R seat post in many model variants and a very similar, more comfort-oriented geometry. But if you take a closer look, you will see that the Diverge occupies its very own niche, despite all the similarities.

On the one hand there is the freedom of tyres: the gravel racer comes with 32mm tires as standard, but 35mm are also no problem. Furthermore, the Diverge offers eyelets for mudguards and luggage racks - this quickly turns the sporty gravel bike into a bike for multi-day excursions or a sporty everyday commuter.

Three different frame variants are distributed among the seven models of the Specialized Diverge - the three top models are based on a noble FACT 10r carbon frame, while frames made of aluminum are used on the other four variants: On the Elite and Comp DSW made of light E5 aluminum including Smartweld Process on the steering head for lower weight and higher rigidity, the cheaper Diverge Sport A1 and Diverge A1, on the other hand, rely on a slightly heavier A1 aluminum frame, where you also have to do without the Elastomner damping in the seatstays.

Our editorial tip: It's difficult to give a recommendation for the Diverge due to its enormously broad range of uses – it all depends on whether you're looking for a sporty gravel bike or a robust and high-quality everyday commuter. But thanks to the many different model variants, there's something suitable for almost every application. The same applies to the budget: Depending on the spec and frame, the Diverge costs between 999€ and 5.299€.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Shiv

From the all-rounder diverge we now come to a real specialist. The Shiv is the weapon of choice for all triathletes: The FACT 10r carbon frame offers excellent aerdodynamics, maximum efficiency and intelligent system integration. The Fuelselage drinking system in the frame allows drinking in an aerodynamic position and allows the water reservoir to disappear inside the frame. The fuel cell container in the frame triangle allows you to carry important items such as tools, bars or gels - in line with the SWAT philosophy of the US manufacturer (Storage, Water, Air, Tools).

Two or three model variants are available from the Shiv in this country. The Shiv Expert and Shiv Elite models are aimed at triathletes with an integrated water supply and other refinements, while the Shiv TT, which is only available as a frame set, is the bike of choice for time trials at Etixx – Quick-Step, Tinkoff or Astana.

Specialized 2016: Specialized Crux

Admittedly, the Specialized Crux doesn't really fit into the road or street category anymore - the cross machine feels more at home where it's dirty, where the mud splashes and sandbanks force the rider out of the saddle: The Crux is a cyclocrosser. But at a time when more and more 'roadies' are discovering the fun of cross-country skiing, the Crux fits in well with Tarmac, Roubaix and Co. The bike has won dozens of titles in recent years, but also feels comfortable at a relaxed everyone's event, where fun is the focus.

The Crux comes with both carbon and aluminum frames and with 1x or 2x drivetrains. So there should be a suitable model for almost every type of driver and almost all requirements. The CG-R elastomer seat post of the two top models Pro Race and Expert X1 should be a real blessing depending on the route and once you have ridden it, you would hardly want to be without it, especially in cross use. All models have their disc brakes in common, which have now become firmly established in the cross sector - hydraulic stoppers are used on almost all models - only the cheapest Crux E5 model uses mechanical disc brakes from Tektro.

Our editorial recommendation: For those who find the range of a 1x drivetrain sufficient, the Specialized Crux Elite X1 offers a solidly equipped cyclocross bike with SRAM's Rival groupset, a lightweight carbon frame, and hydraulic disc brakes for €3.000. Those who can do without the carbon frame could also consider the Crux E5 X1, priced at €2.299, and invest the price difference in a set of lighter wheels.

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