...

Thats not necessarily true.

Specialized tests their new Venge in its top of the line trim. An apples to apples comparison would have been to include every other bike in its top of the line trim. Which would have been Di2 across the board and aero bars on at least the Madone and AR (per their top of the line spec). Hasn't Chris detailed that the S5 was tested with its bar - but not with 9070, as spec'd? So they bought the frameset and bar but then threw 9000 on it?

I hear the reasoning for using 9000 across the board and it sounds quite weak to me. It'd obviously be costly to buy every competitors top spec'd bike. But I also feel its disingenuous to build a huge marketing campaign around a clearly hampered testing protocol - no matter the reasoning.

Given, we're the only crowd that cares about the minutiae. But because of that, one should expect holes to be poked in ever last part of the claims. Since they're quite bold.

ETA: What I'd love to see is the exact build of each bike detailed within the test. And then let us make our own judgement.

Power13 wrote:

I think you are being overly-pedantic here. Chris already explained why they chose the specs they did, and it seems like they did a good job representing the market and equalizing variables.

At the end of the day, however, the new Venge gains its advantages because it in an integrated system, while many competitors are not. Where they have a comparable spec and it is standard, it has been included.

The idea that they need to minimize the primary advantage of their concept by over-compensating for their competitors shortfalls is kinda silly, IMO.

Firstly I think the bike looks amazing - it really does.

Given it is so close to the Shiv - could a custom aero seat post steepening the seat tube angle to 76-78 degrees and the use of an integrated cockpit turn it in to an equally fast TT bike?

Technically, is there a way of using splitters - either in looms or on cables that would allow one to be able to accomplish the interchangeability of TT to aero road? I appreciate that your goal will be to make the Shiv more aero but this bike if it can be used with both applications and switched in a relatively straightforwards way becomes a single bike arsenal

Chris-
It appears as though the front brakes have a 'quick release'/adjuster built into them. Do the rear brakes have the same type of feature? Are there any pictures of the brake mechanism or details on performance that you can share other than 'comparable to dura-ace calipers'?

I realize that you are the 'Aero Guy' but I figured I would bring this up.

Thanks for being so transparent.

So you didn't even include an AR in your testing?

Hmmmm.

Can we please see some more of the Sub6 shoes?

Every site on the web is going gaga over the ViAS and only has a token picture of the shoes. From the little I've seen, these could very well be my next pair. This talk of a wider toe-box - will it be similar to the Audax? The S-Works 5 were a touch too narrow, the Audax too loose in the heel - these sound like the perfect marriage sealed with laces (which I'm a fan of).

when can I buy a frame?

Not sure where you got that from? We definitely tested an AR. It's a great bike.

Chrisyu...thanks again for your willingness to engage openly and the transparency. You've fielded some tough question graciously.

I thought of another question overnight:
I frequently fly to races with a bike. Currently, I leave the stem on my Venge but remove the bars. I run Di2, so it's just a matter of dealing with the brake cable--and there's usually a bit of slack for that.

With the ViAS, would you think travel with the bike has become more complex? It seems like the position of the brakes may make things a bit easier in that they are more protected--and the handlebar/drops can get closer to the head tube. However, I wonder if one removes the bars or the bar+stem, will there

I didn't notice in any of the photos where the Di2 control box (EW90) is located and whether that is accessible. I'm wondering if that is hidden in the stem (hiding micro-adjust mode and battery status). Di2 wires are obviously flexible and can easily be connected/disconnected for travel, esp with some careful placement of a junction box....but will one have to wind up re-routing the brake cables for travel?

I'm sure it would be obvious when I build the bike, but there's too much hidden from the

Sounds like you have stepped things up w/r/t internal routing and cable guides from prior road bikes in the line-up (as a mechanic...i'm grateful for fewer fishing expeditions), and i strongly suspect that knowing the tendency going in for bends in cables/tight routing can have on braking performance the solution you designed takes into account the greater number of constraints with bar/stem/frame and STILL offers excellent modulation/return.

Thanks!

There's a ton of combinations possible if we open it up to how any one of you would build a bike from scratch. Which actually would be an interesting test to do....hmmm...

Not sure where you got that from? We definitely tested an AR. It's a great bike.

I think something myself and maybe others are forgetting is that all bikes were tested with two round bottles (or I believe that was mentioned). I guess its entirely possible that Specialized has done an excellent job of creating aero frame shapes that shield round bottles better than competitors.

Guys, I hear you on the comparisons. Trust me, it's not easy to please everyone.

So what would you like to see specifically compared? If we don't use "as spec'd by manufacturer" as a baseline, the number of possible combinations is pretty big. How about a crowd sourced comparison test? Moderated by someone from ST?

Just throwing out ideas...

I also love the idea of crowd sourced testing protocol. It may not please everyone, but there are some seriously knowledgeable people on this forum that could quash particular problems before they came about. Maybe assign a community moderator who would have final say so as to avoid having to go back and forth without any decisions being made.

Guys, I hear you on the comparisons. Trust me, it's not easy to please everyone.

So what would you like to see specifically compared? If we don't use "as spec'd by manufacturer" as a baseline, the number of possible combinations is pretty big. How about a crowd sourced comparison test? Moderated by someone from ST?

Just throwing out ideas...

Guys, I hear you on the comparisons. Trust me, it's not easy to please everyone.

So what would you like to see specifically compared? If we don't use "as spec'd by manufacturer" as a baseline, the number of possible combinations is pretty big. How about a crowd sourced comparison test? Moderated by someone from ST?

Just throwing out ideas...

You've already detailed that you didn't test bikes "as spec'd by manufacturer".