It's grown on me too... I totally get it for up to 1/2 IM, but less so for full IM racing. I just can't see the hydration system being very practical unless you fill it with concentrated solution...and then you can't easily measure how much you are consuming.

I see the non S-Works Expert $8,500 model on the site, still not cheap, but a lot better than $13k especially if you are bringing your own Pedal based power, and planning getting deeper wheels than the S-Works etc....

https://www.specialized.com/...?color=271741-171301

Edit: And on Refresh, the Frame only option popped up: https://www.specialized.com/...?color=271713-171306

I saw it an age-grouper (in the 60-64 male category) riding one at CDA 70.3 in June

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Matt

Yeah, I agree. Design has grown on me and the new color options are much easier on the eyes than the purple/green chameleon LE. I think the rear hydration system really is the perfect solution for IM 70.3... certainly superior to BTS nutrition bottles which are prone to launching and better than my Canyon BTA bottle which sits too far back and low to easily reach the hose, but I agree for full IM seems less ideal. I suppose you could just dump the bottles into the rear compartment at Special Needs though, which wouldn't really cost all that much time, but I prefer to refill my BTA bottle while on the move.