Older model (2011-18) Specialized Shiv frame differences

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m in the market for a used Shiv circa 2011-2018 and have a few questions:

My main question is whether there is any difference in the frame, fork, and seat post within a given model year in the Specialized Shiv line - for example is the frame and fork the same for an s-works and for the elite, comp, or sport? Obviously the components were different but if the “bones” of the bikes are the same, that would be really helpful to know as I navigate the used market.

My other question is what changed in the frame, fork, and seat post in that 2011 to 2018 time frame? Judging on pictures and whatever else I could glean from the internet, it doesn’t look like much.

Thanks!

2

All the bikes came from the same moulds but the carbon layout from the s-works is ‘better’. What makes the S-works special (and this covers all Specialized bikes) is that they use a fancier carbon layup.

I could be wrong but I do also believe they updated the seat post clamping mechanism somewhere along the lifespan of the Shiv. The early ones were prone to a very specific type of failure (https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Specialized_Shiv_Seat_Post_Screw_Fail__P4629808/). I don’t know the details of the changes and I am not sure its something you would spot in pictures. However you don’t want to buy a bike and have this fail.

Finally when looking at these bikes you want the big ass storage bottle included in the sale. This was called the ‘Fuselage’ and they haven’t been in production for a while so they are increasing hard to find. The bikes were made to be used with this accessory and you don’t really want to be bodging an aftermarket solution.

3

Sounds like you’re skeptical of the actual value of the s-works carbon layup?

4

Specialized has said S-works frames are not about value for money. They are about peak performance where cost isn’t a barrier. It’s one element of official marketing I believe. Yes the frames are better but not by much and you pay a lot for the difference. At the same time the frames have a horrendous depreciation curve so on the used market they aren’t necessarily a bad value.

5

2018 is when they fixed the seat post. Anything pre 2018 is garbage. Don’t even think about buying pre 2018.
Pre Covid they stopped selling the triangle storage thing and it’s lid, and it was har to find bladders .
I’ve owned a few and now have a buddy with one. But unless your friends with a guy like me with extra parts I would buy one.
You can get a entry level disk brake Quintana Roo for pretty cheap and have a new bike…

6

Are you talking about the shiv or the TT module? I had the original nose cone shiv tt and update it in 2017 to the new tt but was able to swap out the original fork and keep the nose cone. I love it and have tested faster on this than any other bikes. Not that I have done a lot of testing but the set up for me was better than the speed concept and 2017 P5.

7

2018 is when they fixed the seat post. Anything pre 2018 is garbage. Don’t even think about buying pre 2018.
Pre Covid they stopped selling the triangle storage thing and it’s lid, and it was har to find bladders .
I’ve owned a few and now have a buddy with one. But unless your friends with a guy like me with extra parts I would buy one.
You can get a entry level disk brake Quintana Roo for pretty cheap and have a new bike…

I had a 2012 that had the clamp failure, and it was replaced in 2016. IIRC, the clamp issue was addressed much earlier (2014ish).

I have the FuelCell (the triangle thing). Really helpful for flat kit storage, and aero neutral; but not a must have. Never used the Fuelsalage bladder (prefer a bta bottle).

8

Your right I bought my first one in 2015 and it had a repair that failed and then I had a new one in 2018. So it is probably close to 2016 when they started making them better, But for sure after 2014. The real issue is they don’t sell any of the special parts of you loose them. Also it’s as much as a basic disc bike.