Amgen tour of California 2012

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Specialized unveils new Project Black machine for Saxo Bank

  • Specialized has provided Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank) with this development mule called Project Black - which will almost certainly become the next-generation S-Works Roubaix SL3.

    Specialized has provided Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank) with this development mule called Project Black - which will almost certainly become the next-generation S-Works Roubaix SL3.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • It's not entirely clear how the cable is guided up into the rear section of housing but Specialized director of research and development Chris D'Alusio says it's a smooth run.

    It's not entirely clear how the cable is guided up into the rear section of housing but Specialized director of research and development Chris D'Alusio says it's a smooth run.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat stays on the new Project Black frame take a straighter path towards the dropouts when viewed from the rear as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Seat stays on the new Project Black frame take a straighter path towards the dropouts when viewed from the rear as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Project Black's seat tube is more abruptly squared-off towards the bottom and necks down a bit in the middle as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    The Project Black's seat tube is more abruptly squared-off towards the bottom and necks down a bit in the middle as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Project Black's seat tube is more abruptly squared-off towards the bottom and necks down a bit in the middle as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    The Project Black's seat tube is more abruptly squared-off towards the bottom and necks down a bit in the middle as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There's a noticeable bulge in the seat tube on the Project Black frame that doesn't appear on the Roubaix SL2.

    There's a noticeable bulge in the seat tube on the Project Black frame that doesn't appear on the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There's a noticeable bulge in the seat tube on the Project Black frame that doesn't appear on the Roubaix SL2.

    There's a noticeable bulge in the seat tube on the Project Black frame that doesn't appear on the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Saxo Bank's Stuart O'Grady looks to be the only rider on the team who will run Specialized's latest Project Black machine.

    Saxo Bank's Stuart O'Grady looks to be the only rider on the team who will run Specialized's latest Project Black machine.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Stuart O'Grady's (Saxo Bank) bars are wrapped with but a single layer of Specialized's Roubaix tape.

    Stuart O'Grady's (Saxo Bank) bars are wrapped with but a single layer of Specialized's Roubaix tape.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • These giant 27mm-wide Paris-Roubaix tires may be badged as Specialized but the stamps are telltale signs they're made by FMB.

    These giant 27mm-wide Paris-Roubaix tires may be badged as Specialized but the stamps are telltale signs they're made by FMB.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cables are mostly run internally but are exposed down by the bottom bracket guide for easier servicing and maintenance.

    Cables are mostly run internally but are exposed down by the bottom bracket guide for easier servicing and maintenance.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Derailleur and rear brake lines are routed internally on the Project Black frame.

    Derailleur and rear brake lines are routed internally on the Project Black frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The rear housing stop unbolts from the frame for easier routing of the cable.

    The rear housing stop unbolts from the frame for easier routing of the cable.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Project Black frame looks to use the same 1 1/8"-to-1 3/8" tapered front end as on the current Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    The Project Black frame looks to use the same 1 1/8"-to-1 3/8" tapered front end as on the current Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat stays on the new Project Black frame take a straighter path towards the dropouts when viewed from the rear as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Seat stays on the new Project Black frame take a straighter path towards the dropouts when viewed from the rear as compared to the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • As compared to the current Specialized Roubaix SL2, the Zertz elastomeric inserts on the Project Black are absolutely huge.

    As compared to the current Specialized Roubaix SL2, the Zertz elastomeric inserts on the Project Black are absolutely huge.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • As compared to the current Specialized Roubaix SL2, the Zertz elastomeric inserts on the Project Black are absolutely huge.

    As compared to the current Specialized Roubaix SL2, the Zertz elastomeric inserts on the Project Black are absolutely huge.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain stays on the new Project Black frame are suitably enormous.

    Chain stays on the new Project Black frame are suitably enormous.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The down tube and chain stays on Specialized's Project Black frame join the bottom bracket lower than on the current Roubaix SL2.

    The down tube and chain stays on Specialized's Project Black frame join the bottom bracket lower than on the current Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The down tube and chain stays on Specialized's Project Black frame join the bottom bracket lower than on the current Roubaix SL2.

    The down tube and chain stays on Specialized's Project Black frame join the bottom bracket lower than on the current Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain stays are joined to the bottom bracket shell in a smoother fashion on the Project Black frame relative to the current Roubaix SL2.

    Chain stays are joined to the bottom bracket shell in a smoother fashion on the Project Black frame relative to the current Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain stays are joined to the bottom bracket shell in a smoother fashion on the Project Black frame relative to the current Roubaix SL2.

    Chain stays are joined to the bottom bracket shell in a smoother fashion on the Project Black frame relative to the current Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Dropouts on the Specialized Project Black frame are aluminum, presumably hollow as on the Tarmac SL3.

    Dropouts on the Specialized Project Black frame are aluminum, presumably hollow as on the Tarmac SL3.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Project Black fork blades are more curvaceous and look to be a tad deeper front to back than the 2010 Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    The Project Black fork blades are more curvaceous and look to be a tad deeper front to back than the 2010 Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Project Black fork blades are more curvaceous and look to be a tad deeper front to back than the 2010 Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    The Project Black fork blades are more curvaceous and look to be a tad deeper front to back than the 2010 Specialized Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Fork blades on the Specialized Project Bike development frameset look to taper a bit less as they approach the dropouts versus the existing Roubaix SL2.

    Fork blades on the Specialized Project Bike development frameset look to taper a bit less as they approach the dropouts versus the existing Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Fork blades on the Specialized Project Bike development frameset look to taper a bit less as they approach the dropouts versus the existing Roubaix SL2.

    Fork blades on the Specialized Project Bike development frameset look to taper a bit less as they approach the dropouts versus the existing Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Zertz inserts are notably larger on the Project Black frame than on the Roubaix SL2.

    The Zertz inserts are notably larger on the Project Black frame than on the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Zertz inserts are notably larger on the Project Black frame than on the Roubaix SL2.

    The Zertz inserts are notably larger on the Project Black frame than on the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Seat stays on the new Specialized Project Black are even slimmer up top than on the Roubaix SL2.

    Seat stays on the new Specialized Project Black are even slimmer up top than on the Roubaix SL2.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A bit of grip tape on the brake levers will provide a more secure purchase on the rough cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.

    A bit of grip tape on the brake levers will provide a more secure purchase on the rough cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.

    Photo credit © James Huang