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Rappstar to Specialized

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STJay

Nov 20, 09 6:48

Post #1 of 81 (5099 views)

Rappstar to Specialized	Can't Post

I'll be posting the press release that just showed up in my in box to my site, but considering the relevance, thought it ought to go here first ;-) (unless I missed it already!)

-Jay

P.S.: Congrats and good luck to Jordan this weekend. Wish I was there to watch!
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Specialized signs 2009 Ironman Canada Champion Jordan Rapp

November 19, 2009 � Morgan Hill, CA

The 2010 Specialized triathlon team got a huge boost this week when 2009 Subaru Ironman Canada Champion Jordan Rapp agreed to race the 2010 season with Specialized. Jordan will start racing Specialized equipment immediately and will join the hunt for his second Ironman victory on Sunday at Ford Ironman Arizona aboard a Specialized S-Works Transition.

�Jordan brings a wealth of knowledge to our team here at Specialized� says USA Event manager Ian Dewar. �His reputation for being very specific about his equipment needs makes him an ideal athlete for us to work with. He will provide us with great feedback on our products and he will push them to the limit.�

Building on his successful 2008 campaign which included two third place finishes at Ironman Arizona, 2009 has been a breakthrough year with wins at the Ironman Canada, the Vancouver International Half ironman, the Superseal Olympic distance, and a fourth place finish at Wildflower Long Course. Jordan brings a multi level attack to triathlon posting the fastest bike split at many of his wins and the fastest run split at the Ironman Canada.

�I�m excited to be working with a company so focused on innovation� Says Jordan, "Specialized's philosophy of innovate or die resonates with me both as an athlete and an engineer. There is a passion for competition both on the race course and inside every aspect of the company. Winning races and making better products are ways of life. And to share that commonality is what drew me to Specialized. I'm excited to be a part of proving the current gneration of products and creating the next generation."
In order to launch the partnership for 2010 Specialized has joined Jordan�s Ironman Arizona fundraiser with two great prizes � a Specialized Transitions Expert Frame, Fork, Seatpost and Saddle & a set of Roval Fusee Star wheels. Find out more at Jordan�s donation page:
http://grassroots.kintera.org/...&supid=273688756

Jordan will race the 2009 Ironman Arizona on a Specialized S-Works Transition, he will train on a 2010 Specialized S-Works SL3 road bike and will use Specialized equipment including S-Works helmets, TT2 Aero helmet, Specialized optics, Specialized S-Works shoes and will train in Specialized cycling apparel.

(This post was edited by STJay on Nov 20, 09 6:57)

R10C

Nov 20, 09 6:51

Post #2 of 81 (5070 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Going to be tough to 'trail' on that road bike, and I didnt know Jordan even was known to hang with the MTN folks...but I am certain that Jordan will kick ass on the NORBA circuit.

----------------------------------------------------------

f.k.a - Record9, Record9ti Record10, Record10ti, Record10Carbon, but not SuperRecord11 as there are no bar ends.

flying wombat

Nov 20, 09 6:52

Post #3 of 81 (5066 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cool, glad Jordan has the bike sponsor now, he certainly deserves it and is a great asset to any company that signs him. I would guess next year we will see him on the Shiv........

Kevin
Iron Gear Sports
Opening April 10th Mesa, Arizona
FIST certified, Kuota, Orbea, Cannondale, Zipp, HED, Zoot, 2XU and more
kevin@irongearsports.com

STJay

Nov 20, 09 6:56

Post #4 of 81 (5030 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Record10Carbon] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, tough to trail. Just changed that. And yeah, I'd venture to guess a Shiv is in his near future...

Thom

Nov 20, 09 6:58

Post #5 of 81 (5013 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Can we assume he'll be adding a Shiv to the WBR charity raffle? ;-)

sesel

Nov 20, 09 6:58

Post #6 of 81 (5012 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Been expecting this news for a while...congrats Jordan!

2010 Races -
Ironman South Africa
Ironman 70.3 UK

Uncle Phil

Nov 20, 09 7:00

Post #7 of 81 (4987 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

There are more typos in there still...

Also, I'm a bit surprised he chose to go with the Big S given some of his previous harsh statements about Specialized. Here's one from the past:

"If there was one thing I would definitively NOT place money on, it is Specialized's technical prowess. MAYBE in the MTB, but certainly not elsewhere... "

(This post was edited by Uncle Phil on Nov 20, 09 7:06)

jyeager

Nov 20, 09 7:05

Post #8 of 81 (4946 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats to both Rappstar and Specialized!

Jordan, did you make your sponsorship contingent on them sponsoring me too? Bros before Sponsors right?

STJay

Nov 20, 09 7:08

Post #9 of 81 (4923 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Uncle Phil] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's ok there Phil, it's a press release, I just woke up, am having coffee with my wife and thought I'd send it out to y'all. Edit it on your own and let us know what you come up with. I don't get paid to for another two hours.

R10C

Nov 20, 09 7:14

Post #10 of 81 (4875 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Yeah, tough to trail. Just changed that. And yeah, I'd venture to guess a Shiv is in his near future...

If I knew that was your personal AM Pre coffee typo I woulda let it go....I thought that was a copy paste from a 'S' site ;-)

----------------------------------------------------------

f.k.a - Record9, Record9ti Record10, Record10ti, Record10Carbon, but not SuperRecord11 as there are no bar ends.

jackmott

Nov 20, 09 7:19

Post #11 of 81 (4834 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

no shiv?!

NO SHIV!?!?1one!11
----
What is good in life? - To crush your enemie's dreams, see them dropped behind you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
Cheap Disc Wheel - http://www.wheelbuilder.com Tire Crr Data - http://www.biketechreview.com

Uncle Phil

Nov 20, 09 7:20

Post #12 of 81 (4820 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Since you said it showed up in your inbox, I assumed they are typos on Specialized's part, not yours...

uli

Nov 20, 09 7:39

Post #13 of 81 (4690 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

But PLEASE make them bring back HORIZONTAL TOP TUBES.
I want to see TT bikes not MTBs.
__________________________________________
message from mzungo

Slowman

Nov 20, 09 7:40

Post #14 of 81 (4681 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [jackmott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i can't say for sure, you'll have to ask jordan, but specialized did two things that probably helped him make his decision in their direction. first, i think jordan is impressed with mark cote and it seems specialized listens to and relies on mark. second, i think it helped a lot that specialized went from four sizes (one of which was semi-sensical) to six well-conceived sizes (for their transition).

i think it's 50/50 whether jordan will ride the shiv, and i'm guessing he'd say the same. it depends on how the bike fits. i think jordan rides a zipp vuka bar, and that's not a bar where the pads can be placed anywhere you want. it's got limited pad adjustability. so, if the shiv doesn't allow jordan to get his contact points where they need to be, i seriously doubt he'll choose it over the transition.

the giant trinity advanced, for example, is very height adjustable, but not at all length adjustable. so this new generation of bikes that have integrated front ends, like the giant, the new plasma, and the shiv, i think we'll all have to see how many people can ride them effectively. certainly if they do fit, great, and i'm not saying they don't, just, until i get a closer look at them all i won't know. i'm guessing jordan will take the same approach.

but the transition got built up in my workshop during our FIST camp two weeks ago. that went together pretty easily and jordan fit it fine.

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Rappstar

Nov 20, 09 7:55

Post #15 of 81 (4572 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Uncle Phil] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I agree. I surprised myself. I was glad you went and found this quote, because I couldn't remember exactly what I said, but I knew it was close to that. So thank you.

I spoke with a couple different companies, and I certainly had that impression of Specialized when I wrote the clip you had above. But, one of the biggest changes at the company that has happened since I wrote what I did is that Mark Cote went to work for them. Now I don't think that Mark is the "be all and end all" of bike design (sorry Mark), but what Mark did is he pushed Specialized to be more open about their engineering. I remember Tom Demerly skewering the Transition based off what *appeared* to be some strange aerodynamic decisions. But then Mark came on and said "here is the wind tunnel data. This is why certain things work. Etc." I learned a lot myself about the work that went into the Transition and the other bikes. The old aluminum Transition was not, in my opinion, much of a bike. And based on that, I didn't really have a lot of reasons to think the new Transition would be a stellar bike. But I was wrong. However, I think that bike marked the first real effort from Specialized at making a great tribike, so I think it was fair to be skeptical. But now, knowing how much real engineering work went into the development of the Transition - which is a very nice bike, having logged some good miles on mine - and also the Shiv, which really dramatically changed my opinion of Specialized, I think that answers any questions I might have had about their technological prowess. I also have an SL3, which is the nicest bike - of any kind - that I've ever ridden.

There was definitely a time when I was not impressed with Specialized's timed-race bikes. But I'm very impressed with where they are now. And it was really that change that was a huge part of what led me to make the decision I did. I actually don't think I would have signed with Specialized if it hadn't been for their dramatic ability to change my opinion about their products. It showed me that they think the same way I do - make better bikes and people will buy them. And that's what gets me excited - the process of development. I think Specialized got their ass kicked by a lot of companies in the triathlon market. But they are not happy about that. And they make and will make the bikes that will change that.

So I think it's going to be a great relationship. In the near future, I'm just ready to ride this bike. How could you not be?

TriMike

Nov 20, 09 7:59

Post #16 of 81 (4527 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [STJay] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats Jordan! Seems like a good fit for you given your engineering centric approach. I bought an '09 Roubaix Pro last month and love it. Lots of clever engineering went into that bike and they seem to have really dove into high end road and tri. Will you be training much with Contador? ;-)

Uncle Phil

Nov 20, 09 8:03

Post #17 of 81 (4508 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cheers, good explanation. Thanks for responding. I figured that their recent stuff and MITAeroBike being there must have helped influence. Anyways, have a good race on Sunday!

kmill23

Nov 20, 09 8:03

Post #18 of 81 (4505 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Congrats, Jordan. And I must say, that's a sick set-up! Wow! And, I've been drooling over the SL-3 since I laid eyes on it!

Good luck at AZ!

chrisjones

Nov 20, 09 8:09

Post #19 of 81 (4457 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [TriMike] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Congrats Jordan! ... Will you be training much with Contador? ;-)

Contador rides a Trek. But I'm sure Jordan will be doing training camps with Fabian now.

tri-tele

Nov 20, 09 8:15

Post #20 of 81 (4403 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [chrisjones] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mmmm.... not any more he signed a personal deal with the big S.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

(This post was edited by tri-tele on Nov 20, 09 8:15)

chrisjones

Nov 20, 09 8:17

Post #21 of 81 (4384 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [tri-tele] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, hadn't heard about that. Weird.

Landyachtz

Nov 20, 09 8:17

Post #22 of 81 (4383 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [chrisjones] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not anymore. Contador just signed an individual contract with Specialized.

flying wombat

Nov 20, 09 8:18

Post #23 of 81 (4380 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [chrisjones] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Contador just signed a (rumored) 700,000 Euro deal with Specialized. Hopefully they paid Jordan more.... ;-)

Kevin
Iron Gear Sports
Opening April 10th Mesa, Arizona
FIST certified, Kuota, Orbea, Cannondale, Zipp, HED, Zoot, 2XU and more
kevin@irongearsports.com

596

Nov 20, 09 8:20

Post #24 of 81 (4362 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [Landyachtz] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not anymore. He signed a 700,000 euro contract to ride Specialized. Astana will probably also sign with Specialized.
Paul
http://casasedona.com
AAA 4-Diamond Bed and breakfast Inn
As seen on the "Travel Channel"
2008 "1,000 Places to See Before You Die"

Rappstar

Nov 20, 09 8:26

Post #25 of 81 (4306 views)

Re: Rappstar to Specialized [jackmott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

no shiv?!

NO SHIV!?!?1one!11

Not yet, but as Dan said, the real key is "will I fit on it." Mark Cote is pretty confident that I will. Right now, we're trying to pick sizes. I thought a L. But he thinks an XL. So we need to sit down and really do some coordinate math. The Transition was easy math, and I was confident making the change on relatively short notice - same saddle, same aerobars, same pedals and shoes in the same position. Changing aerobars - which I'll have to do with the Shiv - is a lot more complex. Mark explained how the system works, and I'm pretty certain I'll fit well on it, but that's really the key factor, and it's also a major factor in why I am not riding it on Sunday. It's just a trickier bike to get dialed in right.

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