Specialized’s 2010 road bikes are here, and we’ve got the run down.  At the top of the line is the S-Works Tarmac SL3 (above), available with Shimano Dura-Ace (shown) or Di2 and SRAM Red builds.  It uses their FACT IS (Integrated Structure) carbon process, and the bottom bracket and chainstays are now one piece to increase stiffness.  To further reduce weight, the BB shell no longer has metal bearing cups, and it has internal carbon ribs for reinforcement.  The dropouts are hollow box-sectioned and the chainstays are now eliptically shaped. The steerer tube is all carbon and tapered from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″, and the headtube gets internal rib reinforcements, too.  The bearing cups up front are also replaced with carbon versions.  The top tube is curved slightly, which Specialized claims aids comfort.
All models use the new crazy light S-Works cranks with ceramic bearings, and the Dura-Ace model is spec’d with Roval wheels.  The SRAM Red model gets Zipp 202 wheels, and Specialized-exclusive magnesium TRP brakes and weighs in at just 13.1 pounds.  Frame weight is 875g for the 56cm size, and module weight (frame, fork, headset, crankset, seatpost) is 2,047 grams; that’s 153 grams lighter than last year’s SL2 (which carries over to become the 2010 Tarmac Pro and Expert trim levels).  Make no mistake, this is an all-out race bike.  It’ll have six sizes, ranging from 49cm to 61cm, and should be in stores end of year.
Hit ‘more‘ to see the full line of 2010 road, time trial, women’s and a new commuter bike…
The Specialized Shiv is the time trial bike Fabian Cancellara is riding in this year’s Tour de France.  It was developed under Specialized’s Project Black department where they secretly test awesomeness on pro athletes.  It’ll be available to you and me sometime next Spring, and pricing, quantities, etc., are yet to be determined.  The complete bike weighs in at only 16.8 pounds, and that’s with a 900g rear disc wheel.
The front uses a narrow 1″ to 1-1/8″ steerer tube with aluminum reinforcements. Despite the thin dimensions, it’s supposedly stiffer than their top road bikes, and Specialized says it’ll throw it in the wind tunnel against any other TT bike to prove it’s the most aerodynamic.  The front brake is hidden in the nose cone and has a stiffening arch within the nose, and the broad side profile of the headtube area is specifically (paradoxically?) designed to be more aerodynamic in a crosswind.  It’ll be available in four sizes, but only the seatpost height and front length will change. The seat tube and rear triangle are the same on all sizes.  This bike moves their Transition aero bike almost solely to the triathlon realm, assuming you can afford this as your TT bike.
The 2010 Roubaix carries forward unchanges but for new graphics.  The news on the comfort front comes from a lower priced model called the Secteur:
2010 Specialized Secteur Comp holds down the middle of the range.  It has the Zertz inserts like the Roubaix and mixes carbon seat stays with an aluminum front triangle.  Frame weight is 1,300 grams.  Lower trim levels do away with the Zertz inserts in the seat stays, and they’re aluminum stays rather than carbon.
The 2010 Ruby S-works mimics the White/Black/Red color scheme of the rest of the S-Works models.  With the addition of the Amira women’s race bike (two bikes below), the Ruby leans more toward the Roubaix in terms of performance and ride.  It’s now intended more for endurance riding.  The Ruby’s now have 1.5cm taller headtubes
for a more upright riding position, and the wheelbase has grown slightly, comfortable for a more stable ride.  It uses a 1-1/8″ straight steerer tube (rather than tapered) for a less harsh ride.  Specialized claims that the frame is stiffer where it counts, but also 10% more comfortable (you know, based on a scientific comfortometer).  The extra stiffness comes from a larger downtube (which is adjusted downward to improve bottle access) and stronger juncture where the seat stays meet the seat tube.
Both the Ruby and Amira use oversized, integrated bottom brackets.  It’ll be available in five sizes ranging from 44cm to 57cm, and come as S-Works, Pro, Expert, Comp and Elite trims.
The 2010 Ruby Comp women’s road bike gets the pink treatment and Susan G. Komen branding. A portion of the proceeds from Komen branded products goes to the foundation, which supports breast cancer research.
The 2010 Amira is a new line, creating a more race-oriented bike for women.  Based largely on the Tarmac, it uses some of the same frame features and tube shapes and is stiff and efficient, but tube diameters and layups are slightly smaller to be more accommodating of women’s generally lower body weights. The steerer tube is tapered, but the bottom is just 1-3/8″ rather than 1-1/2″ to keep it stiff, but not too stiff.  It uses the same FACT crankset, with crank lengths as short as 167.5mm.  The Amira is the lightest frameset in Specialized’s range.  Five sizes are on offer, ranging from 44cm to 56cm, and Comp and Expert trim levels will also be available.
The Amira will also be available as a “Module” of frame, fork, crankset, headset and seatpost.
The 2010 Specialized Roulux BG is still a work in progress from what we hear.  It’s designed to be the “most ergonomic bike ever made” and pulls from Specialized’s Body Geometry research by Dr. Minkow.  The goal is eliminate the neck, back, arm and hand pain that many people experience with cycling.
It has a very upright sitting position to keep pressure off the palms, and it has elastomer suspensions in the seatstays and crown of the fork to take the edge of road imperfections.  It’s designed to go fast, too…not just a cruiser bike, but an enthusiast’s bike as well.  The downtube has small mirrors that allow you to look down and see behind you from between your legs…no more turning your head and veering into the gutter!  No working release date or pricing is announced, it’s still in development.
