Bora-Hansgrohe is a German-based cycling team, originally founded in 2010 under the name Team NetApp. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Bora, a German cooking surface and extractor manufacturer co-sponsored with bike manufacturer Argon 18. For 2017, the team becomes Bora-Hansgrohe, Hansgrohe being a manufacturer of shower heads and bathroom and kitchen faucets. Also joining them is bike supplier, Specialized, and two-time world champion, Peter Segan, signed to a three-year deal with the team. Be sure to check out Peter’s disc brake Venge with gold wheels from the Tour Down Under!
Team riders have the choice of the Specialized Tarmac, or the aero Venge ViAS, which is the case here with Irishman, Sam Bennett. Sam came on board in 2014 when the team was sponsored by Netapp-Endura, and originally turned professional with Irish team, An Post-Sean Kelly. He has many good results on his palmarès, including 2nd place at the recent People’s Choice Classic, the pre-cursor race to the Tour Down Under.
Click on through to see more of Sam Bennett’s Bora-Hansgrohe Specialized Venge ViAS…
To say that Specialized built the Venge to be fast is an understatement. The company has invested huge amounts of time and money into a bike they feel has changed how aerodynamics are perceived, at least with the humble bicycle.
With this in mind, Specialized have designed what they call a “complete speed system.” They examined and optimized almost every facet of their existing designs and believe the result, the Venge, comes up big with a 116-second advantage compared to the Tarmac, over a 40 kilometer distance.
On this particular Venge, a bike that has absolutely no cables visible to the wind, is this port option for a brake and mechanical shifter cable.
Likewise, a mechanical shifter cable port can be seen behind the right side of the headtube.
The uber aerodynamic front rim brake and fork junction.
Another view of the fork and front brake. Of interest, the 2017 USA Specialized website no longer lists the rim brake Venge ViAS – it’s disc brake only from now on.
The rear brake cable, cut short with just enough length to operate the brake.
Part of the Venge’s system of aerodynamic enhancements is the S-Works Aerofly ViAS handlebars with matching aero stem. Only the integrated Garmin computer mount hangs out in front.
Not totally slammed, but the season is young.
Bora-Hansgrohe is another team who relies on the well-proven Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic gear shifting system. The current 9070 generation is due for retirement soon, with its replacement, the R9150 and R9170 systems, making their way to World Tour teams at the time of this article.
Bora-Hansgrohe is the second team in the World Tour peloton whose power metering needs are supplied by 4iiii.
In this photo you can see the non-drive side 4iiii power measurement device – and Sam prefers 170mm cranks.
The rear Di2 derailleur cable, one of the only cables that ever sees the wind on a Venge ViAS.
Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 series 11-speed cassette, 11-28 ratio.
A fast frame needs fast bearings – Ceramic Speed supply the team’s bottom brackets.
Roval CLX50 Rapide wheelset. The disc brake version of this bike utilizes the 12mm thru-axle standard on the front wheel, and 142mm x 12mm for the rear.
Specialized S-Works Turbo tubular tire in 700c x 26mm with Gripton compound.
Discreet seatpost clamp keeps the Venge’s aero carbon seatpost securely planted.
The Specialized Venge ViAS looks fast from any viewing angle.
Plenty of adjustment on the Venge’s seatpost.
Sam relies on a Specialized S-Works Power Body Geometry saddle. Specialized claim their Body Geometry design caters to both men and women to help deliver superior performance while in a more aggressive position.
Humble Tacx Deva bottle cages keep team water bidons in place.
Article and photos by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
