Home > Feature Stories

Save Time With The New Specialized Venge ViAS

70 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 01

As cyclists, we’re easily fixated by promises of lighter weight components, but with mandated weight limits from on high, manufacturers have been forced to play with other means of making us faster and improving our ride.

For Specialized, that meant designing a radically new cockpit, massaging every tube shape, and powerful new integrated brakes on their new Venge to save a claimed 120 seconds over 40 kilometers…

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 10

From the front, the new Venge is narrow. The profile was designed to be as slim as possible to reduce drag, without sacrificing stiffness. In the process, the lateral rigidity of the fork was magically increased by 30% for better steering response.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 12

The entire cockpit utilizes proprietary components to maximize speed, yet still be adjustable.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 03

The stem has a -17 degree rise for “optimal aerodynamic profile,” which requires bars with up to a 25mm rise to keep the stack height normal. By utilizing a two piece system (stem and bar), fit can be tuned. Several different stem lengths will be available, as well as two different bars.

Specialized Venge VIAS Headset Exploded

Proprietary headset spacers can also be used to tune the fit.

Specialized Venge ViAS Retul Sizing

When you order a Venge ViAS, you can either use your existing fit measurements, or use an online tool Specialized developed with Retül to replicate the fit of your current bike.

This will ensure your Venge will arrive at the dealer with the correct stem, bar, setback post, etc…

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 04

All of the cockpit components were designed with the intention of running all the cables internally.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 07

Having moved their focus away from creating the lightest possible components, Specialized Engineers focused on best-in-class stopping power and modulation. Their proprietary integrated front brakes complete the forks trailing edge and are claimed to be the perfect blend of aerodynamics and power.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 09

Rather than being tucked under the BB, the rear brake has been moved to behind the seat tube. There is least wheel deflection here during out of the saddle exertions, so this position reduced brake rub. This also allows the rear brake to draft behind the water bottle.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 11

At Tour de Suisse, Tinkoff Saxo Team Captain, Peter Sagan, rode a prototype of the Venge VIAS for a stage win.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 05

He will be riding the new Venge at the Tour de France, while the rest of his teammates will be equipped later this season.

Specialized Venge ViAS - Tinkoff-Saxo - Peter Sagan - 15

In addition to a new frame, the complete S-Works build will feature brand new Roval CLX 64 wheels. These carbon clinchers are paired with the Specialized Turbo Cotton Tire, which they’ve tested to have the lowest rolling resistance in the peloton.

The wheels have been optimized for both head and crosswinds, come tubeless ready, and have a 21mm internal rim width.

The Venge ViAS will be available in limited quantities beginning August 2015, and MSRP for the Di2 equipped model is set at $12,500.

For more on the bike, visit Specialized.com

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

70 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
MaraudingWalrus
MaraudingWalrus
9 years ago

oh.

dG
dG
9 years ago

hmmm… very super ugly. i’m sure it saves you 45mins over 40km or some other gimmick, but seriously… does specialized wanna have the pro mechanics go nuts with those brakes? i suppose folks are schewing aesthetics for aerodynamics. poor sagan, getting caught riding one of the fugliest bikes out there. i wonder how this compares with that aero Canyon bike.

the new shoes are cool tho.

WannaBeSTi
WannaBeSTi
9 years ago

So, in the last couple of days BR has shown us two aero bikes. One looks like a nightmare for a Tour mechanic to work on and the other made accommodations to be adjusted on the fly…
Proof that money can’t buy smarts.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

“messaging every tube shape”? Does that mean texting the tube shapes to tell them to be more aerodynamic? ;-P

HP
HP
9 years ago

I am a huge S fan, but I gotta say the new Trek Aero Madone 9 looks so much nicer, and no proprietary brakes. http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/previews/first-look-2016-trek-madone-9-series

Robin
9 years ago

It is not a suprise that only Sagan rides the bike, i dont think it is managable to have more then one in the team due to mechanic complexety.

just wonder, canyon aero vs venge and upcoming new madone. Who will pay 5000 euro more then canyon to get bounded by this special solutions?

And when discbrake are cooming next year and will be in peleton 2017…

yogibimbi
yogibimbi
9 years ago

oK, I will start reading those articles a similar way I read menus in restaurants: Not right to left, but bottom to top. Could have saved me some time. You lost me at $12,500.

MoneyMaker
9 years ago

Exactley double price then then Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 9.0 LTD. I really hope its is double faster. I think this bike is like with Ferraris, i more often see older fat man with money sitting in them then young people.

That Guy
That Guy
9 years ago

Ok, this bike is all over the internet today, and not one site or review actually states what VIAS stands for… WTF?

Super slick execution on the bike. Though… That riser bar is fugly. I hope that’s not the new norm for bikes and components to come…

Roy
Roy
9 years ago

All this aero talk is BS, making claims it will be faster assuming who is riding it exactly? A robot with perfect body position, a pro with the flexibility of a cat? Able to hold it for the entirety of the event? Ugly, expensive and proprietary parts are beside the point, wild claims are uhhh just that. Maybe specialized should design and launch a political candidate? Why not, they have no problem generating tons of spew about every single product in their expansive product line, proving that the right lure will catch more suckers. Amira Langster for President!

Smitty
Smitty
9 years ago

$12,500? when did Spec stop making bikes for people?

tom
tom
9 years ago

not loving the looks of this bike, nor the odd brake pad wear that will occur, but they are doing an amazing job on the roll-out. This is how marketing is done! Trek hasn’t gotten a quarter of this notoriety with their aero bike.

alvis
alvis
9 years ago

lets not forget that their own testing showed the aero benefit of round tubes to the original Venge could be had by shaving your legs so is this really so great bang for buck? If it is I guess no other bike will win anything now. The death of the racing bike or BS? and I dont mean bicycle science.

Wayne
Wayne
9 years ago

@That Guy

Venge Integrated Aero Solution

kc
kc
9 years ago

Is that a non tapered headtube before I see before my eyes?Moving away from the lightest components. Oh dear, some tech heads are going to be upset. No fan of Specialized as a companybut their bikedesign is plain awesome.

isaac
isaac
9 years ago

Although I appreciate the design exercise, this bike is just not right for the vast majority of the market (and the majority of its future owners). Proprietary parts, potentially difficult maintenance, ultra-stiff etc. As an owner of half a dozen aero bikes over the years, my switch to a nice steel bike this year has been a revelation. The riding, racing and maintenance/ownership experience is so much more pleasant. Yes, the Specialized is much faster, but does faster mean better, even for competitive cyclists?

Robo
Robo
9 years ago

@Roy, there’s a LOT of articles out there today explaining EXACTLY what you’re making assumptions about. I don’t care if you buy into it or not but at least read a little bit before making yourself look like an idiot. The article over on Velonews by Leonard Zinn is a great place to start.

This bike definitely will not permeate the market like the current Venge has. But I don’t know that it’s really supposed to either. At $12.5, in one build, it’s obviously designed to be a function-over-form ultra bike. It’ll be neat to see the trickle down tech over the next few years.

Love the new shoes and wheels.

Manna
Manna
9 years ago

OK, I agree it’s a bit “tech” ugly. More interesting is the fact that within two, three years the brakes and many other aspects of this design is obsolete when disc brakes is standard on all top competition road bikes. This bike is perhaps the last and most sophisticated shot at the ultimate rim braked road bike we ever will see. It’s in many ways the last of a dying breed and NOT the future we see in this bike. Hello and goodbye!

haromania
haromania
9 years ago

I think it looks badass. In fact I think it’s one of the sexiest road bikes I’ve ever seen.

SamSkjord
9 years ago

@Smitty, this isn’t the only bike they’re going to sell from now on…

Remi
Remi
9 years ago

I’m going to flip through some NAHBS galleries to combat the memory of how ugly that bike is.

'Merika
'Merika
9 years ago

@WannaBeSTi “One looks like a nightmare for a Tour mechanic to work on.”

I heard Michael Schumacher is ditching his F1 vehicles and getting a Toyota Camry instead.

“I know I pay my mechanics very well and they are all competent, but the F1 chassis is just way too complex for them to work on. I hereby am announcing my move to the stock Toyota Camry. Parts can be acquired at any Autozone store, which makes it easier when we run out of parts mid-race. Although winning to me is everything (hey, I shave micrograms off my car’s underside!), making sure my mechanics are saddled with standard, easy-to-work-on components is my first priority.”

Victor
Victor
9 years ago

@tom,

Trek hasn’t gotten the same notoriety because they haven’t released their bike yet. Release date for the new Madone is June 30th. Before today, the first day Specialized released information, there was even less talk on the Venge than Trek.

Fred
Fred
9 years ago

I’m curious, maybe I missed something. How do you swap out spacers with the cables running through the stem and what not? I’d like to see a diagram of how everything routed.

Ciclistedelcamino
Ciclistedelcamino
9 years ago

IMHO aesthetically the stem-steerer juncture is the visual analog of “corrective” shoes on a person. Potentially effective but ghastly to gaze upon…

maonara
maonara
9 years ago

definitivo la bici mas fea que he visto en mi vida, que estaban pensando en la gran S, complicar mas el mercado de partes, que tal los frenos….. son una !v!IeRD@

jeff
jeff
9 years ago

When I owned my component company, I made mountain bike cranks that saved 4 minutes on any uphill over 10 miles long and 2 minutes on any downhill….at least thats what I would claim…prove me wrong…
Specialized is a lot like Harley Davidson, probably not the best bike or motorcycle, but certainly has the best marketing in the industry.

millcitycycle
7 years ago
Reply to  jeff

and somehow they must pay that bill

Chris L
Chris L
9 years ago

Funny how all the aero advancements and lighter weight bikes have failed to deliver on the claims their makers put forth. “Saves 30 seconds”, “10% stiffer”, “Saves XXXX watts”, etc. Add all these advancements up and then factor in the gains made in physiology training in the last 30 years and guys in the Tour should be going significantly faster than they did 30 years and yet they’re…not! Look at the average speed of the 1982 and 2012 Tours (good years to compare since the race was of comparable length and difficulty)

Darling Picky
Darling Picky
9 years ago

Someone please save the bike industry from itself.

Mark
Mark
9 years ago

I disagree. The best looking bike that I have ever seen.

I am sure it would quiet all of the haters if they could get a chance to ride it. I have a feeling it might be a tad faster than their Long Haul Trucker.

I am sorry to say I don’t think I will get a chance to ride one at the 12k price tag.

boom
boom
9 years ago

Ya…I’ll just wait to see what Trek’s Madone is like instead. Looks FAR better and Trek has a much better history with being aero. Excited to see what their numbers are when they make an actual aero bike. Some of the tech here is cool (for sure) but others have me scratching my head. I can’t get over how ugly it looks though.

John
John
9 years ago

I’m guessing the downmarket models won’t have those proprietary brakes?

John
John
9 years ago

And what’s up with the gullwing handlebars vs. a $5 set of spacers?

greg
greg
9 years ago

@Chris L:
yet another dude with the idea that Tour speeds should be going up if the bikes are actually better. Nope. Thats been disproven a hundred times. Grand tours aren’t about going the fastest possible. They’re about going faster than the guy next to you. They’re often about going as slow as possible while not having anyone break away. Only certain times and certain stages (time trials) are about actually going as fast as you can.

Matthew
Matthew
9 years ago

“Engineers focused on best-in-class stopping power and modulation.”

Which class was that? The ‘stupidly placed brake mounting’ class? If power and modulation matters, mount it on the crown like we’ve been doing since we stopped mounting brakes on dual pivot canti-bosses.

SamSkjord
9 years ago

“Chris L, Your argument is like asking why F1 cars aren’t any faster than they were in the late 70s, the engines aren’t turbocharged anymore so they’re making up the difference with aerodynamics. Same applies to modern cycling.

lars
lars
9 years ago

@ Samskjord: Nice analogy. I hope it’s true. 🙂

Chris E
Chris E
9 years ago

Making a super low frontend and then putting on a riser bar????????????????

Sensei
Sensei
9 years ago

I’m no Specialized fan (at all!), but I don’t think most people understand what this bike is all about. It wasn’t designed for YOU. Please don’t buy it. It was designed to make top level athletes better. You are not a top level athlete. F1 cars aren’t designed to haul groceries or be driven by soccer moms. Are all their claims accurate? probably not. But if you are a Pro. in peak form and you are looking for that little extra edge over the Pro. next to you…

And yes, I do realize that most of these bikes will be purchased by bank VP’s. But, unles you are that bank VP or that Pro, nothing about this bike pertains to you.

gatorskin
gatorskin
9 years ago

ugly. not adjustable. can’t swap components. need to buy the matching outfit as well. cost as much as a car and depreciate faster than a bmw 12 cylinder.

gatorskin
gatorskin
9 years ago

Whats up with the front brake!?
There must be a reason why brake arms run parallel to the fork and brake pads perpendicular to brake arms? 🙂

I start thinking the specialized+mclaren deal (unlike the colnago+ferrari model they are trying to copy) may be better off.

Shanghaied
Shanghaied
9 years ago

@ lars, it’s no longer true, I’m afraid. Turbos are back in F1 as of 2014, since the engines have been made smaller (1.6L V6). So the analogy is like, uh, that doping is again allowed but everyone has to ride 1950s steel bikes, or something. I think I’ve taken this too far.

Nate
Nate
9 years ago

Something bothers me about this article, the other similar article on this site, and the article posted the other day by Zinn on VeloNews.com. They all seem like they’re funded by Specialized. There’s no opinion, no real questioning of validity of the claims, it’s essentially just a regurgitation of Specialized marketing lingo.

cscf
cscf
9 years ago

Every time I try to say, “riser drop bar” my mouth gets all mushy and the words won’t come out.

matt
matt
9 years ago

One can always count on Specialized to make a bike with so many proprietary parts. I guess if you love them as much as some people do you dont care all that much.

guillaume
guillaume
9 years ago

very nice looking bike from the specialized team! I love everything about their new concept I dont understand those who complain here.My road bike is a 1986 fiori modena.I love it,I cant imagine how fast I would be with a bike like that,you guys who are complaining about it seems to picky to me,to materialist….sorry
congrats to spech
I just love innovation and new concept such as the position and shape on the brake,the head set,the stem.

Bill
Bill
9 years ago

I for one like to see the boundries being pushed. Engineers need to be challenged and be allowed to design things that many be a little “out there”from time to time. Imagine going to work every day and doing the same round tube b.s. every day…….boring! As for the mechnical aspect, any mechanic worth their salt would be able to work on the bike easily with some practice. Mechanics sometimes like a challenge too. In short, if there is no push to inovate, we would all be riding fixies and rigid mountain bikes.

Mac
Mac
9 years ago

Pretty funny that they revived V brakes for a road bike. Not getting how people think those will be a challenge for any decent mechanic.

haromania
haromania
9 years ago

I still think I looks badass and you folks complaining about look kinda dumb.

haromania
haromania
9 years ago

“it” looks badass. I look the exact opposite of badass.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.