Not all new products are better than before. Not all developing intentions actually produce something positive. Specialized, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers, seems to have realized that and made a big improvement on their latest product.
The company from Morgan Hill, California, released its newest aero product: the latest generation Specialized Venge dubbed S-Works Venge and it looks like the new bike is a product that is expected to correct the shortcomings of the previous generation, Venge ViAS.
The first generation of Specialized Venge is a product that achieves a remarkable success. One of the aero bicycle pioneers which won so many awards including the 2011 world championship. In fact, the bike continued to rule until the end of 2014.
Then, Specialized makes an all-out investment in the field of aerodynamics, build and operate “Win Tunnel,” its own wind tunnel at Morgan Hill. The flagship product produced: Venge ViAS. ViAS is a very sophisticated bicycle. Everything is fully integrated. The shape is very eye-catching, with handlebar gullwing wings.
This bike is quite successful. But, overall, it doesn’t get the hype the company expected. There are several complaints. For example, it is difficult to disassemble and install, with various integrated components. Handlebar raises complaints less rigid. Venge ViAS feels a lot heavier, especially when compared to its direct competitors.
With the release of S-Works Venge, all those problems seem to have been corrected. Plus, Specialized still claims Venge is more aero than ViAS. At a glance, the third generation of Venge does look simpler. More like their all-around bicycle, but with a more aerodynamic shape. And indeed, the geometry is made to look similar.
Beyond that, all components are also made simpler. The handlebar and stem remain in the aero form, but no longer molded into one. More can be adjusted, and owners can use handlebar and stem of other brands if they really want to.
Considering the weight, the company drops it a lot! Venge ViAS used to be around 1,200 grams for frames plus 410 grams fork. The new S-Works Venge dropped to 960 grams of frame and 385 grams of fork. That means it’s down almost half a kilogram!
With lighter frames and a simpler overall design, plus aerodynamic development and more rigid characters where needed, Venge has only received a positive response from the testers which remarks that the bike feels more agile and alive. As for the price, the company is selling this latest product at a price of $ 12,520.
Specs
- Drivetrain
- Bottom Bracket: Osbb, Ceramic speed Bearings
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace, 11-Speed
- Crankset: S-Works Power Cranks, Dual-Sided Power Measurement, +/- 1.5% Accuracy
- Shift Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc R9170
- Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150, Braze-On
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100, 11-Speed, 11-28t
- Chainrings: 52/36t
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150, 11-Speed
- Suspension
- Fork: S-Works Fact 11r Carbon, 100x12mm Thru-Axle, Flat-Mount Disc
- Cockpit
- Saddle: S-Works Power, 143mm, Carbon Rails, Carbon Base, Synthetic Leather
- Seat Binder: Venge Integrated Two-Piece Wedge
- Tape: S-Wrap Roubaix Bar Tape
- Handlebars: S-Works Aerofly Ii, 80mm Reach X 130mm Drop
- Wheels & Tires
- Rear Wheel: Roval Clx 64 Disc, Carbon, Tubeless-Ready, Win Tunnel Engineered, 64mm Depth, Dt Swiss 240 Internals, Ceramicspeed Bearings, 24h
- Inner Tubes: Presta, 80mm Valve
- Front Tire: Turbo Cotton, 320 Tpi, 700x26mm
- Rear Tire: Turbo Cotton, 320 Tpi, 700x26mm
- Front Wheel: Roval Clx 64 Disc Rim, Roval Afd1, Center Lock™, Ceramicspeed Bearings, 21h
- Brakes & Pedal
- Front Brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9170, Hydraulic Disc
- Rear Brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9170, Hydraulic Disc
- Pedals: Nylon, 105x78x28mm, Loose Ball W/ Reflectors
- Frame: S-Works Fact 11r Carbon, Rider-First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Internal Electric Only Cable Routing, Osbb, 12x142mm Thru-Axle, Flat-Mount Disc
