2010 Specialized Helmets, Saddles, Tires and Gear

Specialized has a slew of new goodies for 2010, from all-new S-Works road shoes to tires, sunglasses, seats and more!  One of the first things is their new Headset helmet retention system. Shown above, it uses a dial to easily tighten the helmet around the base of your brain bone.

The S-Works helmets, shown above in the Quick-Step team colors edition and a red/black design, remain largely unchanged save for better padding (current models’ padding up front is a little thin and tends to slide up, pushing the plastic web into your forehead…but they’re still sweet lids).  Next down the line, the Propero (not shown) gets the ProFit 360 retention system of the S-Works helmet.

Hit ‘more’ and see all the goodies you’re going to want on your bike, especially their 112g padded saddle…

The TT2 Aero Helmet has been used in the European races for a couple of years, and for 2010 it’ll finally be available to the rest of us (it finally passed Snell certification) in XS/S and M/L sizes.  The helmet uses Specialized’s 4th Dimension cooling system,  using a large air intake at the front that funnel through internal chambers and exit through four rear vents.

The 2010 Eschelon helmet gets a Komen model, a portion of the sales for which goes to benefit the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  it uses a Headset SL system and also comes in Black, Silver, Red/Silver and Blue/White

The 2010 S-Works shoe, which is being ridden by a number of riders in this year’s Tour de France, claims to be the lightest road shoe with mechanical closures…and that’s with TWO Boa ratchets.  The shoe uses the new BOA S1 system, which allows you to rotate it in either direction for fine-tuned tightening and loosening.  Additionally, by having separate closures for the fore-/mid-foot and the arch, the fit can be further customized for individual feet. Claimed weight is 225g for size 42.

It uses Specialized’s FACT 12.0 carbon fiber in a torsion box design, keeping the sole super stiff while having a very low profile, keeping your foot very close to the pedal (just 6.5 to 7 mm).  Cleats mount with a three-bolt pattern, and they have a replaceable heel tread.

The S-Works model is also available in white (click to enlarge). Another new feature is a drastically improved (in our opinion) top ventilation over prior models (2008 and older, anyway) with a lot more mesh, especially through the length of the tongue.  The rest of the upper is a “water resistant micromatrix” material.  On the inside of the shoe, the top Boa strap pulls out of the “hook” for quick, easy shoe removal.

On the right is the new Specialized Spirita women’s mountain bike shoe.

The Toupé SL Carbon Saddle (above) has received a few upgrades for 2010, including oversized carbon fiber seat rails and carbon fiber base.  It has ultralight padding and uses the micromatrix cover material like the shoes.  No official claimed weight other than to say it’ll be the lightest Body Geometry saddle ever:  112g! Available in November in 130 and 143mm widths, also in white.

Below that is the women’s Ruby Gel (left) and Romin SL (right).  The Romin is a new seat for 2010 and is intended for road and triathlon.  It has hollow Ti rails and designed  with a slightly raised tail to improve blood flow when the rider is leaning well forward in drops or aero bars. It uses the MicroMatrix cover, too.  The 143mm wide model weighs in at 221g.

The SL chamois on left gets joined by a new, more thickly padded RBX chamois.  It’s stretchy and seamless.

The Specialized shorts get upgraded to double stitching.  Shown here is the women’s SL short.  The ladies also get a new RBX bib short that has more widely spaced bib straps.

Lots of new shades in the collection, starting with the Roul (above) in silver and black (below, left).  Most or all are available with their Adaptalite photochromic NXT lenses that darken in sunlight.

Above center and right are the Muira and Muira Small.

These are the Arc 2, with the model on the right having a Polarized lens option.  Not shown but similar is the Arc X, which has squared off outer lens edges and folding arms.  The Arc 2 uses stainless steel (non-folding) partial frames.

Shown above are the Mondo and Mondo Turbo tires.  Not shown is Specialized’s new S-Works Turbo tire, which is a clincher that’s designed to feel like a tubular.  To achieve this, they used a special extraction process to pull more rubber out of the casings, yielding a more supple tire akin to a tubular.  They also reshaped the dual radius to a less severe change, giving the S-Works Turbo a more natural feel as you transition from straight line into a turn. Lastly, they gave it a “BlackBelt” inner puncture liner. It’ll be available in regular tubed versions and a new Tubeless 700 x 23c size that’ll weigh in at just 298g.  Word on the street is, these are already shipping to dealers.

Shown here are the Roubaix and All Conditions tires.

The new Body Geometry Pro Shorty Glove for men…

…and the Komen Body Geometry Women’s Shorty Glove.