Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge

Every once in a while a bike comes along that just cant be explained with words. Specialized along with McLaren collaborated to put together such a bike.

This week we took deliver of 2 of them a 54cm & 56cm bike.

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The 56cm Bike built up.

I had seen the press releases, the pictures on cyclingnews, managed to see one over at Specialized HQ, Morgan Hill in California late last year. Until holding it in my hands, closely inspecting the workmanship and details that have gone into producing such a special bike, I was not sure if it would live up to its hype.

Unboxing it last week, I have to say it sure does. Built up out of the box a 56cm bike weighs in at 6.3kg. Thats with Zipp Vuka bars, Zipp Speed stem, Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubulars. Shimano Di2 Groupset, S-Works Carbon Cranks, S-Works Carbon Toupe saddle and the amazingly light and strong EE Cycleworks brakes.

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EE Cycleworks brakes 94gms the pair.

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The paint finish on this bike is amazing! Vibrant red pinstriping would have taken quite some time to get it just right.

The normal S-Works Venge frame takes about 15-20 hours to make in labour. The McLaren frame takes upto 10 times that at 150-160 hours in carbon layup and optimization as well as frame finish and painting.

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My only dissappointment with the bike is the archaic way that the Di2 battery has to be mounted. The cable tie is only there for transporting but at $18000 AUD I would have liked it to be a little more exotic. We will be putting the battery inside the seatpost for the customer lucky enough to buy our specimens.

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We have for sale a 54cm and a 56cm complete bike. They are priced at $18000 and we will be including an internal Di2 battery with the bike at no extra cost. Come in and have a look at it in person or call/email if interested in the bikes.

info@hamptoncycles.com.au
03 9521 8700

For more details please see this website.

http://venge.specialized.com/html/content/en/index.html

 

New S-Works Shiv Di2 getting built up today. Come & check it out

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S-Works Shiv Di2

We ignored UCI rules and designed the Shiv exclusively for triathlon: with unmatched aerodynamics, the Fuelselage integrated hydration system, and a huge range of fit adjustability. The S-Works FACT IS 11r carbon frame, Zipp 404 wheels, and Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain make the S-Works an ultralight, crazy fast package.

Features

  • The ultimate frame for all distances of triathlon, this S-Works FACT IS 11r carbon frame with OSBB is optimized for crosswinds and the most aerodynamic race-ready frame anywhere
  • S-Works FACT carbon monocoque fork with crosswind-optimized airfoils is stiff and stealthy for precision steering and max speed
  • Specialized S-Works FACT carbon OSBB crankset with TT chainrings, removable carbon spider, and ceramic bearings, combined with state-of-the-art Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting for ultralight, smooth performance
  • Fuelselage™ integrated hydration system keeps your fluids hidden inside the down tube for ergonomic fueling and optimal aerodynamics
  • New, fully adjustable, Specialized Carbon Aerobar with semi-integrated aero stem adjusts to fit any rider
  • Stiff, light, contoured Body Geometry Romin Evo Pro saddle positions the rider for optimal power transfer and comfort
  • Lightweight, Shiv FACT carbon aero seatposts are reversible, with 12.5mm and 37.5mm offset options, for wide range of saddle fit (both included)

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.