Apparently Mclaren help to make the new S-WORKS venge

"Anon" (tjsielsistneb) 11/11/2013 at 22:25 • Filed to: None

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S-Works by the way is about the equivalent to AMG and M division for Specialized bikes.

His Stigness > Anon 11/11/2013 at 22:28

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S-Works isn't like AMG and M, they're just another name for Specialized essentially. Think of it is as a brand inside a brand, and they have their own name for "technologies" like Body Geometry.

Anon > His Stigness 11/11/2013 at 22:31

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I don't know if I agree with that. I mean Mercedes has it's normal car and then it has it's AMG cars. They're both essentially top end versions of certain models that they make.

His Stigness > His Stigness 11/11/2013 at 22:41

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S-Works is just a name though. Look at the Tarmac range: the upper one's are "badged" S-Works even though they have the same frame, which is like the car, and the components are only better. Trek doesn't do this though, they have models instead of "trims." To me S-Works is just a name because it's all the same. In the case of the Venge, the one you have pictured, the only difference between the the S-Works and the Specialized branded frames is the bottom bracket on the S-Works is ceramic whereas the Specialized doesn't. The rest of the frame is all the same.

I don't blame you for asserting that S-Works is like AMG and M but their cars are so different from stock cars whereas S-Works and Specialized are very similar, if not identical, save for the parts optioned, which in the bike world is kind of irrelevant.

And are you a cyclist? I'm just curious. I'd say yes since you mentioned nothing about the price of the bike, and if you weren't then you would have since that's all people fixate on.

Squid > Anon 11/11/2013 at 22:41

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I like the carbon bikes but there is no way in hell I'd ever get close to needing that bike or be close to using it to its full potential. . . It does look fantastic though, I just wonder how the carbon frame would live up to the stresses of crappy streets and a 230 pound man pounding down on the crank...

getchapopcorn > Anon 11/11/2013 at 22:44

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They really are gunning after Alonso ; it's all starting to make sense.

Anon > Squid 11/11/2013 at 22:51

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I don't think most pro riders need that much bike. Most bikes are won on geometry and the skill of the rider. Howerver like in f1 weight loss amd aerodynamics don't hurt.

maximillious > His Stigness 11/11/2013 at 22:55

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I used to sell specialized for a specialized certified shop. The s-works frames are different slightly in geometry and in quality of the carbon used in the frames. The price is not soley based on the quality of components because you can only go so far with those to justify the price. There is a difference between sworks and standard and his comparison from standard merc or bmw and amg and m was a fair statement.

His Stigness > maximillious 11/11/2013 at 22:57

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Well consider me a little surprised. I haven't followed cycling in years so I guess I lost touch.

maximillious > His Stigness 11/11/2013 at 23:03

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Understandable. There has always been a difference. S-works I have heard rose out of the fact that there were many auto enthusiasts in the company (as supported by this article) and that they were looking to start a skunk works (s-works) to experiment and build one off and more specialized (no pun intended) bicycles for a more enthusiast crowd (like amg and m). You are however right in one respect. The differences are minimal (not nearly as obvious as amg and m) but in the cycling world as you surely know....those very subtle differences mean A LOT when it comes to race day

His Stigness > maximillious 11/11/2013 at 23:24

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When I was involved in cycling I was more interested in high end stuff, like I am with cars, but I had never heard anything about S-Works being better, but maybe that was because the guys I was talking to weren't racers and knew ceramic bearings didn't make much of a difference, and other things of that nature. When it came time to buy a bike it was a toss up between a Top of the line Tarmac or a Trek Madone, and while I liked Specialized a lot, especially their gear, I chose the Madone for the fat ass bottom bracket and the beefer headset. Now it seems like everyone has an oversized BB and headset.

Straightsix9904 > Anon 11/12/2013 at 00:05

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The only thing I can see is the fact that it would be a pain in the ass to keep right side up in a cross wind. I mean, Why not just put a piece of cardboard in the front triangle and call it a day.

maximillious > His Stigness 11/12/2013 at 10:00

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I love all the high end bikes but they arent where I drop my money. I have a Giant Defy that I used for a cross country tour but I would love to get on a Roubaix, those bikes are seriously well balanced for alot of riding scenarios. I actually just built up a custom NJS track bike. Its all very high end Japanese track parts on a Custom badged Milwaukee Cream City frame with S&S Couplers for easy traveling. I would have had to pay a whole lot more had I not been working for the shop that built it.