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Levi Leipheimer

Specialized 2006: Upping innovation, dropping weight

By Cycling News

Published 23 September 2005

With the show season in full swing, James Huang takes a look at what California-based bike maker...

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Image 1 of 32

I don’t know about you

All sorts of yummy road bike goodness

The new Toupé saddle

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank

From the rider’s perspective

They’re back!

The Ruby — The Ruby (Image credit: James Huang)

I don’t know about you

The curved top tube of the Tarmac

Specialized’s new Az-1 technique

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank

Bigger, better, faster, more!

The Ruby — The Ruby (Image credit: James Huang)

Like the Roubaix — Like the Roubaix (Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized is so devoted — Specialized is so devoted (Image credit: James Huang)

Zertz vibration dampers — Zertz vibration dampers (Image credit: James Huang)

I don’t know about you but this certainly wasn’t the view out of my dorm room when I was in school… — I don’t know about you but this certainly wasn’t the view out of my dorm room when I was in school… (Image credit: James Huang)

The curved top tube of the Tarmac actually lends some vertical compliance to the frame. The “figure-8” tube profile also serves to maximize lateral rigidity. (Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized’s new Az-1 technique wraps layers of carbon around preformed and mitered carbon tubes. Each layer is sequentially cured before the next one is applied, and the whole structure is cured at the conclusion of the process to ensure a homogeneous structure. — Specialized’s new Az-1 technique wraps layers of carbon around preformed and mitered carbon tubes. Each layer is sequentially cured before the next one is applied, and the whole structure is cured at the conclusion of the process to ensure a homogeneous structure. (Image credit: James Huang)

All sorts of yummy road bike goodness in a sub 15 lb package. I know this is a cliché, but yes, it does look fast even standing still. — All sorts of yummy road bike goodness in a sub 15 lb package. I know this is a cliché, but yes, it does look fast even standing still. (Image credit: James Huang)

New lighter weight S-Works carbon fiber post still incorporates the vibration-absorbing Zertz elastomeric pads for a buzz-free ride. — New lighter weight S-Works carbon fiber post still incorporates the vibration-absorbing Zertz elastomeric pads for a buzz-free ride. (Image credit: James Huang)

The new Toupé saddle incorporates all of Specialized’s innovative Body Geometry principles for hours of trouble-free riding. The saddle is available in two widths to fit different-sized riders. In spite of its minimal appearance, it actually really is quite comfy! — The new Toupé saddle incorporates all of Specialized’s innovative Body Geometry principles for hours of trouble-free riding. The saddle is available in two widths to fit different-sized riders. In spite of its minimal appearance, it actually really is quite comfy! (Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank uses stiff carbon fiber arms and a massive center-splined aluminum bottom bracket spindle. Sorry, but although it’s allegedly 165g lighter and 11% stiffer than Dura-Ace, you’ll need an oversize bottom bracket shell to install it. — Specialized’s FACT carbon crank uses stiff carbon fiber arms and a massive center-splined aluminum bottom bracket spindle. Sorry, but although it’s allegedly 165g lighter and 11% stiffer than Dura-Ace, you’ll need an oversize bottom bracket shell to install it. (Image credit: James Huang)

Bigger, better, faster, more! — Bigger, better, faster, more! (Image credit: James Huang)

From the rider’s perspective the stem is just huge. Just like it says in your sideview mirror, this thing really is larger than it appears, but it is also tremendously stiff when cranking on the bars. — From the rider’s perspective the stem is just huge. Just like it says in your sideview mirror, this thing really is larger than it appears, but it is also tremendously stiff when cranking on the bars. (Image credit: James Huang)

They’re back! Ok, well maybe it’s really more in name than anything else, but Specialized did actually track Claude Lehanneur down in France to consult him on this project and get his blessing before using the Roval name. — They’re back! Ok, well maybe it’s really more in name than anything else, but Specialized did actually track Claude Lehanneur down in France to consult him on this project and get his blessing before using the Roval name. (Image credit: James Huang)

In spite of its somewhat mundane “Endurance Road” title, many pro riders (and even some sprinters) choose the stabler handling of the Roubaix over the more Type A Tarmac. — In spite of its somewhat mundane “Endurance Road” title, many pro riders (and even some sprinters) choose the stabler handling of the Roubaix over the more Type A Tarmac. (Image credit: James Huang)

The slight headtube extension on the Roubaix can provide for more upright positioning should you so desire without running a mountain of spacers. Rest assured, though, that you can still go just about as low as you want. — The slight headtube extension on the Roubaix can provide for more upright positioning should you so desire without running a mountain of spacers. Rest assured, though, that you can still go just about as low as you want. (Image credit: James Huang)

According to Specialized, the Ruby frame is the most advanced women’s-specific road frame currently available from a major manufacturer. — According to Specialized, the Ruby frame is the most advanced women’s-specific road frame currently available from a major manufacturer. (Image credit: James Huang)

Like the Roubaix the Ruby wears a slight head tube extension to allow for a more upright position if so desired. — Like the Roubaix the Ruby wears a slight head tube extension to allow for a more upright position if so desired. (Image credit: James Huang)

Specialized is so devoted to accommodating the fit needs of women that it even molded a women’s-specific oversize carbon fiber handlebar that makes for a short reach to the levers when you’re in the drops. — Specialized is so devoted to accommodating the fit needs of women that it even molded a women’s-specific oversize carbon fiber handlebar that makes for a short reach to the levers when you’re in the drops. (Image credit: James Huang)

Zertz vibration dampers are also incorporated into the Ruby seatstays to kill fatigue-inducing vibration before it can get to the rider. — Zertz vibration dampers are also incorporated into the Ruby seatstays to kill fatigue-inducing vibration before it can get to the rider. (Image credit: James Huang)

Image 1 of 32

View Original

I don’t know about you

Image 2 of 32

View Original

All sorts of yummy road bike goodness

Image 3 of 32

View Original

The new Toupé saddle

Image 4 of 32

View Original

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank

Image 5 of 32

View Original

From the rider’s perspective

Image 6 of 32

View Original

They’re back!

Image 7 of 32

View Original

The Ruby

Image 8 of 32

View Original

I don’t know about you

Image 9 of 32

View Original

The curved top tube of the Tarmac

Image 10 of 32

View Original

Specialized’s new Az-1 technique

Image 11 of 32

View Original

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank

Image 12 of 32

View Original

Bigger, better, faster, more!

Image 13 of 32

View Original

The Ruby

Image 14 of 32

View Original

Like the Roubaix

Image 15 of 32

View Original

Specialized is so devoted

Image 16 of 32

View Original

Zertz vibration dampers

Image 17 of 32

View Original

I don’t know about you but this certainly wasn’t the view out of my dorm room when I was in school…

Image 18 of 32

View Original

Image 19 of 32

View Original

Specialized’s new Az-1 technique wraps layers of carbon around preformed and mitered carbon tubes. Each layer is sequentially cured before the next one is applied, and the whole structure is cured at the conclusion of the process to ensure a homogeneous structure.

Image 20 of 32

View Original

All sorts of yummy road bike goodness in a sub 15 lb package. I know this is a cliché, but yes, it does look fast even standing still.

Image 21 of 32

View Original

New lighter weight S-Works carbon fiber post still incorporates the vibration-absorbing Zertz elastomeric pads for a buzz-free ride.

Image 22 of 32

View Original

The new Toupé saddle incorporates all of Specialized’s innovative Body Geometry principles for hours of trouble-free riding. The saddle is available in two widths to fit different-sized riders. In spite of its minimal appearance, it actually really is quite comfy!

Image 23 of 32

View Original

Specialized’s FACT carbon crank uses stiff carbon fiber arms and a massive center-splined aluminum bottom bracket spindle. Sorry, but although it’s allegedly 165g lighter and 11% stiffer than Dura-Ace, you’ll need an oversize bottom bracket shell to install it.

Image 24 of 32

View Original

Bigger, better, faster, more!

Image 25 of 32

View Original

From the rider’s perspective the stem is just huge. Just like it says in your sideview mirror, this thing really is larger than it appears, but it is also tremendously stiff when cranking on the bars.

Image 26 of 32

View Original

They’re back! Ok, well maybe it’s really more in name than anything else, but Specialized did actually track Claude Lehanneur down in France to consult him on this project and get his blessing before using the Roval name.

Image 27 of 32

View Original

In spite of its somewhat mundane “Endurance Road” title, many pro riders (and even some sprinters) choose the stabler handling of the Roubaix over the more Type A Tarmac.

Image 28 of 32

View Original

The slight headtube extension on the Roubaix can provide for more upright positioning should you so desire without running a mountain of spacers. Rest assured, though, that you can still go just about as low as you want.

Image 29 of 32

View Original

According to Specialized, the Ruby frame is the most advanced women’s-specific road frame currently available from a major manufacturer.

Image 30 of 32

View Original

Like the Roubaix the Ruby wears a slight head tube extension to allow for a more upright position if so desired.

Image 31 of 32

View Original

Specialized is so devoted to accommodating the fit needs of women that it even molded a women’s-specific oversize carbon fiber handlebar that makes for a short reach to the levers when you’re in the drops.

Image 32 of 32

View Original

Zertz vibration dampers are also incorporated into the Ruby seatstays to kill fatigue-inducing vibration before it can get to the rider.

no copy in legacy cms

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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

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