Note curved chainstays(Image credit: Tim Maloney/CN)
Specialized's new S Works composite bar & stem(Image credit: Tim Maloney/CN)
Specialized S-Works Roubaix Pave(Image credit: Tim Maloney/CN)
The new S-Works composite stem(Image credit: Tim Maloney/CN)
Domina Vacanze's 2004 team bike(Image credit: Tim Maloney/CN)
Tech feature - February 14, 2004
Once again the Domina Vacanze team of top sprinter Mario Cipollini will campaign on Specialized's top-of the line S-Works bikes. DV will have three models in its quiver, the all-aluminium S-Works E5 for most road duties plus the carbon-and-aluminium Roubaix and Tarmac models for events on rougher surfaces.
The Columbus Aerotec S-Works E5 Road will be the team's workhorse, as it was in 2003. But climber Michele Scarponi used the Roubaix Pave in the 2003 Vuelta; Specialized spokesman Simone Taccafondi explained to Cyclingnews that "our Roubaix composite bike will be used by a few riders like Scarponi who are well adapted to the frame geometry. Later this season, some riders who are currently testing our composite and aluminium Tarmac model will also race on this bike."
All DV's bikes run Shimano Dura-Ace ten-speed transmissions and brakes with Mavic wheels - Cosmics and Ksyriums, depending on the bike and the circumstances.
New for 2004 on DV's bikes are Specialized's carbon fiber handlebar and stem. The S-Works Carbon Road Handlebar weighs a claimed 240g in a 42cm width, while the S-Works Carbon Road Stem tips the scales at 150g in a 110mm version.
The good news for those of us who don't get to ride alongside Supermario is that off-the-peg version of the team bikes start at $3470 for the S-Works Road E5.
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