This new Avanti bike looks good and is made by the same manufacturers as the specialised brand.
It looks more like a road bike than a tri bike to me
Interesting to see he is using tubular tyres. And his doing a good job of endorsing the ‘Mizone’ brand drink, by taking it on the bike. have tried the drink and it isn’t the typical electrolyte drink. I will be looking to see if he uses it in the ITU world series; am always a bit sceptical of new products but like to keep an open mind.
Also Debbie Tanner took the womans title on an Avanti. And Sam Warriner won Geelong 70.3 on an Avanti, so they are going fast.
It looks more like a road bike than a tri bike to me
It is a road bike. Equipped with DA 09.
And he’s sponsored by mavic so using their lightest wheels.
Are you sure it’s made by same manufacturer as Specialized? Avanti is the NZ importer of Specialized but I’d be surprised if their production is big enough to be of interest to Merida and Giant, last I checked Avanti came from same factory as Raleigh.
Those levers aren’t DA 09? Unless I’m missing something here?
Sorry, showing ignorance again “but I’d be surprised if their production is big enough to be of interest to Merida and Giant”, whats the significance of Merida and Giant to this subject?, do they own the Specialised production plant or something?
The only Merida I’ve ever seen was given to the athlete in question, weighed in about 10 kg’s, and looked damn ugly.
Yeah I’m sure they’ll be Dura-ace, as Sheppards (own the Avanti Franchise in NZ) are the importers for Shimano also, so he’d have to be on Dura-Ace, unless he’s done a deal with another Co? But they don’t look like 08 to me as both Sam and I have 08 on our bikes.
I’m not sure what the actual situation is re the Specialised and Avanti bikes, but I ride a Tarmac SL, and Sam’s got the same bike as we’re talking about here (The 08 Olympic bike with 08 Dura-ace) her levers look way different to Bevan’s though, hence why I’d love to know what they are? We’ve swapped bikes before whilst out training for a giggle, and they feel remarkably similar. If you put them up against each other they look very similar too.
Those levers aren’t DA 09? Unless I’m missing something here?
whats the significance of Merida and Giant to this subject?, do they own the Specialised production plant or something?
The only Merida I’ve ever seen was given to the athlete in question, weighed in about 10 kg’s, and looked damn ugly.
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You’re missing something. Definitely DA.
Merida own a large chunk of Specialized and make most of the bikes. Apparently Giant also make some of the Specialized models. Giant and Merida are the two largest factories (guess which is the biggest).
Both paid massive bonuses to all staff last year in case anyone is worried about asian labour being exploited.
We’ve swapped bikes before whilst out training for a giggle, and they feel remarkably similar. If you put them up against each other they look very similar too.
Yes, Specialized don’t much like that Avanti rip off all their designs.
Are you sure they don’t hae some sort of agreement for sharing the designs?
Yes. General feeling in NZ industry is that Sheppards expect to lose Specialized and are trying to copy the product so they can retain dealers if it does happen.
after checking out the Avanti website, it appears that these bikes aren’t sold in the US. bummer, cuz the bike is sharp, seems to have a good build, and I’d be interested next fall when I’m looking for a new bike.
if I’m wrong, and that usually is the case, and these bikes are sold over here, are you aware of any retailers?
interesting.
i didn’t know oval had clip-ons with flip up armrests (like hed and profile).
anybody know what model of oval aerobars that is, or is it a new product?
It looks like those are profile clamps and flip ups. with oval extensions and pads. ITU boys have long taken a mix and match approach to making the aerobars they want, regardless of sponsorship. Profile flips have been widely used.
