Look what we built week - Project Black Venge

The third of the bikes this week is simple... its black. Nothing more was really required in the brief.

At this stage the still rare Project Black S-Works Venge is a sight to see, I am guessing by the enquiries we are getting you will see a few more of them around the streets.

A set of Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clinchers was in need........ Black - Check

SRAM Red groupset is it available in Black? - Check

Carbon Bars Black? - Check.

Saddle in Black  Check

Bartape yes we have that in Black - Check

Pedals - Sure, Dura Ace Carbons are Black- Check

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Check it out? She is nice and stealthy

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Clean and Aero and Black

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SRAM Red Black.

Cant wait to see you out on it mate!

Look what we built week-Tarmac SL4 Di2 Saxo Bank

What a joy it is to work in the bike industry when you get to help clients build up their dream bikes and you are having as much fun and enjoyment about the whole process as they are.

This Saxo Bank Build kicked off a couple of weeks ago with a phone call and a simple question asking when are they available?

Well the when was answered so we got to work. The client had a set of wheels in his soon to be posession for this build, the rest of it was still up for some discussion and recommendations.

We talked through the groupsets, crank options, pretty quick decisions here. Di2 and those popular S-Works Carbon cranks.

Bar and stem moved from Zipp Contour to Vuka Sprint, Speed stem and SL145 to the Specialized S-Works shallow and S-Works stem.

Saddle was easy - S-Works Toupe Carbon in white.

A little more bling was needed so the choice to add in some Ceramicspeed jockey wheels in the oh so out of colour Red and the White cable outer and anodized red Brake cable ends. White Bar tape just finished it off nicely.

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Pretty sure this is Tim's Favourite build this year.

The paint details on this frame is quite something, its pretty simple from some angles but intricate from others.

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This machine weighed in at 6.4kg with pedals and cages in a 56cm with the Zipp 404 Tubs on it. Cant wait to see where it ends up with those Lightweights?

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The lighter wheels, saddle, chainrings, jockey wheels all add up to be a S#%t hot looking bike. Different enough to stand out, but not to the level that in 1-2 years it looks out of date.

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He was almost convinced to get the Enve 45's as well until his other wheels showed up.

Cant wait to hear how she rides

 

Look what we built week-Tarmac SL4 Di2 Race Black

Scott wanted a Venge, like many of us fell in love with everything the Venge stands for - Speed, Power, Strength, Masculinity. It just oozes that stuff, but Scott likes to climb, he likes to cruise, he doesnt want to feel older after he gets off the bike, than before he got on it. His home turf is rough chipseal roads that meander through the hills of the Mornington Peninsula

We had several discussions about some options and recommendations and came up with what you see below.

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The reason we went for the Tarmac was for its all round capabilities, Its super stiff BB, Incredibly light and stiff, yet still compliant frame and its ability to smoke it up a hill. Whilst softening out some of the body jarring bumps on those back country roads

Tipping in at 6.6kg without pedals, (bottle cages were added after the photo) This Shimano Di2 marvel was specced almost exactly the same as the soon to be released out of the box bike. The only way that was going to happen was if we built it.

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Justin adding some finishing touches.

In the end it looks amazing, the ever popular Matt Black Frame, contrasted with different shades of black and white rather than colour keep the overall appearance clean but striking.

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Internal cables keep it clean and simple.

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Glossy Black highlights to break up all that Matt Black set the frame off.

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Clean exit point for the Di2
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2012 design Roval wheels, stiffer than before, The increasingly popular S-Works Satin Black crankset with Compact Rings for those hills this beast will be tackling. Di2 Battery kept low but accessible.

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The man meets his machine during his BG Fit where we tuned this baby to fit him like a glove. Sorted out a sore hip issue, discovered a small leg length discrepency, and allowed him for the first time to not feel like he was squashing his man bits when reaching the drops.

Look forward to hear how she rides, was a pleasure to build both from concept to reality.

We might be able to help save 13mins off your bike leg too! The New Shiv Tri

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Craig “Crowie” Alexander wins Kona on Specialized Shiv with a course record

 

Riding the brand-new Shiv, Crowie improves his bike split by a whopping 13 minutes

Thirteen minutes and 14 seconds. That is the gigantic difference by which Craig “Crowie” Alexander improved his bike split over previous years at the Ironman World Championships, which he won for the third time Saturday with a new course record of 8:03:56.

Crowie rode the new Specialized Shiv, a bike designed from the ground up exclusively for triathlon. As befits a three-discipline sport, the Shiv features three advantages over other bikes: unmatched aerodynamics, an integrated hydration solution and extensive options to ensure the perfect fit.

For Crowie, the math was simple. Aero + fuel + fit = 13 minutes.

“That bike is a rocket ship,” Crowie said of the Shiv. “A total rocket ship.”

At the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championships, Crowie emerged from the water with the lead group. Over the 112-mile course along the coast, Crowie crushed it on his Shiv.

Crowie came in fourth off the bike, with a time of 4:24:05. In years past, his best bike times were 4:37:19 and 4:37:33.

Crowie left the transition in third, behind Chris Lieto and Luke McKenzie. Still fresh from his time on the bike, Crowie blew through the two leaders on the run and never looked back.

He secured his third Kona title with a time of 8:03:56, smashing a course record that had stood since 1996.

“Crowie is one of the most consistent athletes here,” said Mark Cote, Specialized’s Road Product Manager and Aerodynamicist from MIT. “His bike times have always been between 4:37 and 4:39. So to have a 13-minute improvement because of the changes we made… it makes me believe in science.”

Find out more about the Specialized Shiv here.

For more information, photos and videos of Specialized Triathlon please visit www.iamspecialized.com

54cm S-Works Project Black Venge frames will be instore Monday people!!!!! Better be quick these wont last @$4499

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I have only had my Venge for a few days but it has to be the best bike I have ever ridden, stiff, fast, razor sharp handling and it cheats the wind like nothing before it. I tried not to believe the hype and make up my own decision. Everything I have read and heard about it seems true. If you want one of the black as black stealth Project Black models you better get in quick.

Expecting other sizes in about 4-5 weeks. Contact us to secure your ride! Or you will be sorry.

 

The S-Works Venge’s competition-crushing combo of Tarmac-inspired stiffness and light weight with Shiv-inspired aerodynamics makes this pure race machine truly more bike than aero. Customize this FACT IS 11r carbon OSBB frameset with the spec of your choice.

UCI-legal, FACT IS 11r Aero Race Design, full-monocoque carbon frame with one-piece carbon OSBB/chainstay, internal cable routing, and tapered head tube provides the complete performance formula for weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics
Stiff, light, UCI-legal bladed carbon seatpost flips between 20mm and 0mm setback; also wide range of vertical adjustability

UCI-legal, carbon fork with 3:1 airfoil shaping and straight profile for best combination of aerodynamics and stiffness; carbon dropouts with co-moulded steel inserts for added durability

S-Works Venge OSBB Frameset Bike Geometry

Size 49.0 52.0 54.0 56.0 58.0 61.0
Seat-Tube Length, B-B Center to Top 467mm 487mm 507mm 527mm 547mm 577mm
Top-Tube Length, Horizontal 518mm 537mm 548mm 565mm 582mm 600mm
B-B Drop 71.5mm 71.5mm 69mm 69mm 67.5mm 67.5mm
Chain-Stay Length 405mm 405mm 405mm 405mm 407mm 410mm
Seat-Tube Angle 75.5° 74° 73.5° 73.25° 73° 72.5°
Head-Tube Angle 72.25° 73° 73° 73.5° 73.5° 74°
Fork Rake 45mm 45mm 45mm 43mm 43mm 43mm
Trail 62mm 57mm 57mm 56mm 56mm 53mm
Front-Center 576mm 576mm 583mm 590mm 605mm 612mm
Wheelbase 970mm 970mm 978mm 986mm 1003mm 1013mm
Stand-Over Height 741mm 766mm 789mm 809mm 834mm 860mm
Head-Tube Length 100mm 120mm 140mm 160mm 190mm 210mm
Handle-Bar Width 40mm 42mm 42mm 42mm 44mm 44mm
Stem Length 75mm 90mm 100mm 100mm 110mm 110mm
Crank Length 170mm 170mm 172.5mm 172.5mm 175mm 175mm
Seat-Post Length 300mm 300mm 300mm 350mm 350mm 350mm
Reach 385mm 385mm 386mm 395mm 401mm 407mm
Stack 506mm 528mm 544mm 566mm 593mm 614mm

Hampton Cycles Shop Grand Re-Opening/TDF Night Pics and words

After what seemed like it would take forever but in reality only took 4 weeks, the renovations in the shop are complete, a few small variations and things still to happen, but we are set to go!

A great night was had by all with the unveiling of the new store design, comments ranging from - Wow, to I can't believe this is the same place, it looks so much bigger. There wasn't a bad word to be said. Who could blame them the Retail services team at Specialized Australia did an absolutely fantastic job of concept & design. The store layout is fantastic maximising our limited space and diverse clientele mix of family & kids bikes all the way through to S-Works central. Almost every product category gets a share of space.

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A designated BG Fit area with motorised drop down blinds to screen some privacy away for customers that request.

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S-Works Frame selection wall, every size & or colour gets a hands on area, so it makes it easier for you to examine that custom build you have been dreaming of

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The fun kids bike wall, a way to check out the colours and sizes without having to drag out a few bikes to see what will be suitable for that special child in your life.

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A Body Geometry Saddle wall, where we can help choose a saddle based on your Sit bone measurements.

Different Widths for Different Riders:

No two pairs of sit bones are the same. Skinnier saddles don't necessarily work best for smaller riders, wider Saddles for larger riders, and so on. Even the difference in sit bone width when riding in an upright or aero position is significant. There's simply no accurate way to pick the best sized saddle for someone's body-meaning the one that will keep you riding longer in more comfort-besides accurately measuring the distance between a rider's sit bones (ischial tuberosities) and its relation to their positioning.

Specialized's Body Geometry Saddle Fit System measure actual sit bone width, then you the rider with the help from the Hampton Cycles team can determine which width saddle and style  to choose (all the model's we stock have multiple sizes available). No more blind choices. No more dealing with uncomfortable, poor fitting saddles. Different riders have different width sit bones. Body Geometry multi-width saddles optimize performance, fit and comfort.

We also have a Test Saddle program whereby you can test the Specialized saddles for a few days with no obligations to ensure that the saddle you buy is something that you will like.

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Our Showcase S-Works wall, with the latest and greatest the big "S" produces.

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To make it easier for the customer to learn a little more about items ranging from Specialized Shoes, Helmets , Saddles, Bg Fit we have iPads instore to help provide some information if a staff member is busy, or just an experience other bike store in Melbourne dont have.

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The Shoe, Helmet and Hampton Cycles shop kit range

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Highly limited edition S-Works Tarmac SL3 Project Yellow custom build hanging in the shop window.

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The 2012 S-Works Venge, who doesn't want one of these?

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HTC-Highroads' Mark Cavendish winning stage 5 into Cap Fréhel poster up behind the counter

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Road Bike Display

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Mens Shoes & Helmets

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iPad Prevail demo

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Mtb Graphic and Epic

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Shopfront

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Shopfront

 

Damien, Tim & myself (Leigh) would like to thank all our customers for being understanding during the renovation process. It was hard for you too having to deal with some longer than normal waiting and reduced mechanic capacity.

 

The night was a blast from our side of things, fun seemed to be had by all. The goodie bags, the mystery door prizes and to top it off an epic stage of the Tour De France made for a fun evening. Finding empty bottles around the shop on Saturday wasn't as much fun though. Nice hiding guys!

 

Thanks to all the Staff at Specialized Australia for helping the entire process- Hannah, Dave V, Courtney, Matt & Laura, Gabe, Con, Aaron, Leesa, Dave C, Brian, Patty, Adam, Jamie . The speeches and goodie bags were amazing!!!

Thanks to Echelon Sports & Leigh DeLuca for contributing to the night with some great giveaways and info on Zipp Wheels.

Thanks to Monza Imports - Hayden & Dan for your contributions and Sram prize giveaways.

Thanks to Brett & John @Capo for the Capo gear.

Thanks to Phil @ Oakley for the Sunglasses.

Thanks to all our VIP customers that could make it along to the evening, letting us know how much you love the new shop was great to hear from our end. Without you all there would be no Hampton Cycles.

Feel free to drop in & check out the place, don't forget to say hi.

Leigh

 

 

Up to 25% off bikes renovation Sale going strong! S-Works Tarmac & Roubaix Frames just $3200

Many sizes and colours in stock, 52, 54, 56, 58 cm. Project Black, Project Yellow, HTC, Satin Carbon/White, White/Blue, White/Red Most OSBB (BB30) some threaded BB. Were $3999, now $3200. Call or email for availability. 9521 8700 info@hamptoncycles.com.au

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