Boonen is renowned for his successes in both sprint finishes and one-day events, but apparently the Belgian superstar also feels he has a legitimate shot at scoring a win at the upcoming Tour de France prologue in London. To aid him in his quest, Specialized also unveiled an all-new (and rather striking) S-Works Transition TT/Tri platform.
The new frame uses NACA-designed airfoil shapes for the FACT 9r N’Aero tube set, including the down tube, seat post, and seat stays. The seat- and chain stays adopt a dramatically tucked-in profile as they head towards the rear wheel to ‘hide’ them from the wind, and as is fast becoming convention, the rear wheel is closely profiled by the seat tube.
Up front, the approaching air first sees the narrow 1" alloy steerer on the N’Aero carbon fork (and matching hourglass-shaped head tube) which incorporates a unique crown shape and leg profile. Small ‘speed gussets’ (whose name cleverly implies that they are structural elements to satisfy UCI requirements) located on the down tube just aft of the fork are said to smooth airflow passing through the crown, while the steeply sloping top tube supposedly does the same job for air coming off the back of the bar and stem.
Specialized also incorporates a proprietary braking system for the new Transition which uses a more aerodynamic center-pull dual-pivot configuration (think old U-brake) and aero-sculpted calipers. Naturally, all cables are routed fully internally, but mechanics can breathe a sign of relief: a set of four pre-installed nylon tubes route each line to its respective location so no fishing (or cursing) will be required. Full housing is used throughout for ease of assembly and protection from corrosive sweat, water, and grime. What’s the fourth tube for, you ask? To route your SRM power meter wire, of course! Splicing is required, but it still provides a clean and slippery appearance.
Specialized will offer the Transition with both a straight and layback post (each with a forward and rearward position) to satisfy the triathlon and ProTour ranks alike. Claimed frame weight is approximately 1500g.
Deep-section carbon tubing is used throughout the new Transition frame.
Speed gussets’ supposedly help smooth the airflow coming through the fork crown.
Specialized draws a unique path for the chain stays and seat stays, which run roughly parallel to the centerline of the bike until just before the rear dropouts.
The rear brake. I’ve always thought that the BB area was a better place for the rear brake that right behind the seat tube.
Seat- and chain-stays. Nice. Add a flat disk (like a Renn) and that’s one mean set-up.
Fork-to-frame fairing. Very smooth. But I wonder if it’ll pass UCI muster.
Things I don’t like:
The wheels – fugly.
The front brake. Looks like the old '70s era Dia Compe center pull brakes I had on my first garage-sale bike.
The sloping top tube. Just not a look I’ve ever liked on a road bike.
The seat post clamp area… I know, it’s a lot like the Orbea, I just don’t care for the way it seems to change lines. I think they could have filled in the area between the top tube and the seat tube and make it more of a straight line than a curve.
Why is there a Canadian Flag on the top tube just in front of the seat mast? This is normally where a Pro-Tour rider’s name goes and sometimes their home country’s flag. However, Michael Barry is the only Canadian rider that I know of who is currently riding for any of the major Pro Tour teams( T- Mobile) and they don’t ride Specialized. The two teams that do ride Specialized (Quick-Step and Gerolsteiner) have no Canadians riding for them that I now of.
Not that I know if it makes any difference or not, but with such a downward sloping top tube and the seat tube starting so low, won’t taller riders end up with like a 2 foot seat tube that sticks up really far off the bike?
Full length housing!!!??? Add some disc brakes and cyclocross tires and this thing is ready for next year’s Spring Classics (something Boonen has a legit shot at winning).
Wow so it looks like traditional wheels may be out thanks to potential clearance issues with those chain stays… so run a disc or composite spoked wheel for the race, but you are forced to train on those awful Rovals…LOL
From Cyclingnews:
Specialized draws a unique path for the chain stays and seat stays, which run roughly parallel to the centerline of the bike until just before the rear dropouts.
I saw Macca’s Transition in the transition area at Baja. This is nice looking bike in person. Looks much better with a deep front wheel and disk than those funky Roval wheels.
There is a write up in Triathlete, pretty favorable.
Not that I know if it makes any difference or not, but with such a downward sloping top tube and the seat tube starting so low, won’t taller riders end up with like a 2 foot seat tube that sticks up really far off the bike?
The XL is quite small anyway (sim to cervelo 56) so not really a bike for tall guys.
