Does anyone have any experience with the Specialized Transition? It looks like a nice bike, but I couldn’t find any posts about it.
I’ve test ridden one, I have an Allez, and it feels fairly similar. Specialized does a nice job with little things like the zertz vibration dampening they add to forks and seatposts. The bar tape is super comfortable. My only problem is that it doesn’t have horizontal dropouts, thus meaning you have an aero cut out in the seat tube, but you can’t tuck the wheel in nice and tight. It’s also a compact frame, which is generally regarded as a little less aero.
I actually like good ol’ vertical dropouts. That is one (of many) reasons I’m getting a custom ti bike to replace my P3.
I think the Specialized is a good frame, just nothing special. Good value depending on what parts you put on it. I think it has a ~76 degree seat tube angle, so you’ll most likely need to push the saddle forward on the rails. One thing I wasn’t too hot about was the cable routing. I think it’s like the old Trek Hilo bikes that have the cables exit near the bottom bracket and then a piece of housing bends under the bb shell. It’s much better to do what Klein or Cervelo use- no akward housing under the bb, just bare cables and a standard cable guide.
I have one, I like it, fun to ride, comfortable ride, pretty light. been riding my lucero more lately tho.
here are a few pics of my specialized first one with S bends and the second with my visions which i like better( I know, floor is a mess, bla bla bla)
Dang what frame sizes, man? With bikes that small, methinks you’d be better on 650’s, no? You certainly wouldn’t need those adjustable stems to get low enough.
size 48, and yea, even on 650c, i would need the stem for how I ride (use one on my 650c P3) I have a really short inseam but long torso (relatively speaking) and need the logner top tube to fit properly thus the need for an adjustable stem to go low.
This bike has a 90mm head tube (my lucero has a 8.5cm ht), but bikes this size in 650c have 10cm (like my Cervelo P3- 10cm HT 650c wheels) or so headtube, so give or take some cms, the arm rests are in the same place.
Jason, DUDE, what is the base bar you are running in the top picture? That’s EXACTLY what I’m looking for to replace my Hed carbon bar (lower and with more reach).
…and kleenex…
are those the new Bontrager bars… sweet
The aero cutout is awful but thats unless they tested it in the tunnel and it’s profiled from it’s distance to line up with the tire. it seems like a good frame for the masses though…
Word is this bike never went in the wind tunnel (from triathlon mag some months ago).
OK, I am trying to keep count here - you have an Specialized S-works Transition, a Lucero and Cervelo P3. Am I missing anything? That must be a challenge to try and figure out what bike to ride!
Fleck
the bars in the top picture are the carbon bars that come on the Giant aero frames. They dont allow for clipons, BUT the any aero extension will fit in it just perfectly (that is what i have them with in the pic) ie S bend bars, straight extensions etc
Jason,
Any problems with the Ritchey adjustable stem? I’m thinking about getting one.
greg
" Word is this bike never went in the wind tunnel (from triathlon mag some months ago)."
Meh- that’s not going to make any difference. I have recorded the fastest bike split in a medium sized local tri on a round tubed steel bike with a set forward post, clipons, and no aero wheels.
none at all, Ive had it for about a year and it is still good.
I have a soloist also!
Your garage/basement has a better selection of bikes than some good bikes shops that I have been in! Ever thought of hoing into the business?
Fleck