The Sport Factory Specialized Transition

Specialized Transition

I recently had the opportunity to take a sneak peek at the new 2008 Specialized Transition; one of the most revolutionary bicycle designs of the new year. Roswell Bicycles was able to secure one of the first Transitions available. The bike pictured below is the Specialized Transition Comp which will retail for $3000 and is spec'd with a mix of 105 / Ultegra components and Mavic Aksium wheels. The frame incorporates some very innovative aerodynamic design concepts not found on bikes in this price range, borrowing from it's big brother the $8500 S-works ridden by Chris McCormack to victory in the 2007 Ironman World Championship.

Unfortunately the bike was an XL and I did not get the opportunity to test ride it but I hope to have a full review posted soon.

The first thing you notice is that the frame is very, very narrow. Judging from it's beefy side view I expected the frame to be more substantial but it is almost invisable when viewed from the front or rear. The stays follow the width of the rear wheel, flaring at the very end to meet the rear drop outs.

The front brake is a proprietary center pull unit placing the brake cable in the center of the slipstream. Notice the bolt covers and aero shape of the caliper.

The rear brake is mounted under the chain stay and behind the bottom bracket out of the slipstream.

UCI legal fairing directing airflow from the front wheel under the fork onto the shaped down tube.

All internal cable routing. Notice the fourth hole for routing of power meter / bike computer wiring.

The Comp comes with Zipp Vuka carbon bars mated to an aluminum base bar. Brake levers are also proprietary.

Vertical seat post has two positions including a zero offset allowing for a very wide fit range.

Published in: Quick Tips: Gear Review