*Tour Aero Bike Tests*

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Noctiluxx
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by Noctiluxx

Just got back from the last stage of Tour of California where I spoke to a couple of members (non-riders) of Jumbo Visma. I asked them specifically why no rider on their team uses the Specialissima. Both guys told me although its lighter, it lacks the stiffness of the Oltre and would only be used as a back-up.
Bianchi Oltre XR4, De Rosa SK Pininfarina, Trek Madone SLR, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Cervelo R5 Disk, Giant Revolt

ichobi
Posts: 1793
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by ichobi

Wow thats interesting. The Speciallisima is not particularly light if i remembered correctly, and still it lacks stiffness?

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TobinHatesYou
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by TobinHatesYou

ichobi wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 5:24 am
Wow thats interesting. The Speciallisima is not particularly light if i remembered correctly, and still it lacks stiffness?

The Specialissima is pretty light.

Maybe it uses Countervail in all the wrong spots or in the wrong direction, heh.

hannawald
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Location: Czech Republic

by hannawald

Thanks for the info. I find Specialissima pretty responsive, both riding up the hill or accelerating. I used to have Canyon Ultimate, Scott Foil.., I think better than these, definitely better than Canyon Endurace, probably lack of watts:)

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kgt
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Location: Athens, Greece

by kgt

Noctiluxx wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 2:21 am
Just got back from the last stage of Tour of California where I spoke to a couple of members (non-riders) of Jumbo Visma. I asked them specifically why no rider on their team uses the Specialissima. Both guys told me although its lighter, it lacks the stiffness of the Oltre and would only be used as a back-up.
So it is not because Oltre is aero. Interesting.

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wheelsONfire
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Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

hannawald wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 7:07 am
Thanks for the info. I find Specialissima pretty responsive, both riding up the hill or accelerating. I used to have Canyon Ultimate, Scott Foil.., I think better than these, definitely better than Canyon Endurace, probably lack of watts:)
It could narrow down to preference, weight and simply how strong you are!?
Stiffness to weight is one thing, all out stiffness is another.
Though, i haven't seen any manufacturer show measured data which is available for the public.
It's easy to say, model A is 13.5% stiffer in BB than model B etc etc.
But if we had a somewhat objective library of frame data, it would be great. This way each and everyone could actually learn from owning previous bikes, on what to chose next time. It's not really ideal to read reviews or even owners opinion. Owners all tend to love their own bikes even if they turned out all that good.

It's rather complex and it's not really getting more easy if we go full custom.

Another thing, when trend is to use wider and wider tires, it kind of lessen the feel of the frame itself.
Riding 28mm tires VS 23mm tires, it's easy to see that you probably will notice less, if a frame is a bit harsher than you'd normally like.
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

Johnny Rad
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by Johnny Rad

Noctiluxx wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 2:21 am
Just got back from the last stage of Tour of California where I spoke to a couple of members (non-riders) of Jumbo Visma. I asked them specifically why no rider on their team uses the Specialissima. Both guys told me although its lighter, it lacks the stiffness of the Oltre and would only be used as a back-up.
That’s the same answer a Jumbo Lotto mechanic gave me at last year’s Tour of Utah (2018). The mechanic didn’t seem at all impressed with the Specialissima in comparison to the Oltre.


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Dan Gerous
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by Dan Gerous

Johnny Rad wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 5:05 pm
Noctiluxx wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 2:21 am
Just got back from the last stage of Tour of California where I spoke to a couple of members (non-riders) of Jumbo Visma. I asked them specifically why no rider on their team uses the Specialissima. Both guys told me although its lighter, it lacks the stiffness of the Oltre and would only be used as a back-up.
That’s the same answer a Jumbo Lotto mechanic gave me at last year’s Tour of Utah (2018). The mechanic didn’t seem at all impressed with the Specialissima in comparison to the Oltre.
The lighter frameset doesn't matter at all for them if the heavier, more aero, stiffer and better feeling bike comes close enough to 6.8kg anyway.

hannawald
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Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:28 pm
Location: Czech Republic

by hannawald

It seems now that Specialissima is a noodle..i know 2 people from my Bianchi shop hobby local club that actually prefer Specialissima to Oltre..i need to ask them why, maybe because of comfort or climbing while standing..

bikesrdangerousmmk
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Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:54 am

by bikesrdangerousmmk

Did anyone notice the reference to Tour’s test results including the Strada? See below: https://blog.3t.bike/2019/05/8974/new-s ... tegra-di2/

Can anyone speaking German with access enlighten us as to the Strada actual performance relative to other bikes? I’ve gotten no quantitative or qualitative response from 3t other than “it did well.”

poppiholla
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by poppiholla

Maybe the Specialissima is not used that often anymore because the frameset is not the strongest and in Grand tours/ there are a lot of crashes. Besides that the Oltre is also pretty light, aero and maybe stronger in its construction?
Specialized Tarmac S-works SL7 (Satin carbon spectraflair tint)
Specialized Tarmac S-works SL6 (Green Cameleon)
Specialized Tarmac Pro SL6 Disc (Blue/Teal Sram Force AXS)
Specialized Epic Elite 29
Greetings from the Netherlands

Philbar72
Posts: 185
Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:47 am

by Philbar72

bikesrdangerousmmk wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 9:36 pm
Did anyone notice the reference to Tour’s test results including the Strada? See below: https://blog.3t.bike/2019/05/8974/new-s ... tegra-di2/

Can anyone speaking German with access enlighten us as to the Strada actual performance relative to other bikes? I’ve gotten no quantitative or qualitative response from 3t other than “it did well.”
why anyone would want one of those is beyond me. they look hideous.

bikesrdangerousmmk
Posts: 249
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:54 am

by bikesrdangerousmmk

Philbar72 wrote:
Mon May 20, 2019 4:22 pm
bikesrdangerousmmk wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 9:36 pm
Did anyone notice the reference to Tour’s test results including the Strada? See below: https://blog.3t.bike/2019/05/8974/new-s ... tegra-di2/

Can anyone speaking German with access enlighten us as to the Strada actual performance relative to other bikes? I’ve gotten no quantitative or qualitative response from 3t other than “it did well.”
why anyone would want one of those is beyond me. they look hideous.
Some people like to keep it funky. The Due looks great in the flesh.

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wheelsONfire
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Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

bikesrdangerousmmk wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 9:36 pm
Did anyone notice the reference to Tour’s test results including the Strada? See below: https://blog.3t.bike/2019/05/8974/new-s ... tegra-di2/

Can anyone speaking German with access enlighten us as to the Strada actual performance relative to other bikes? I’ve gotten no quantitative or qualitative response from 3t other than “it did well.”
This is not Tour's test and it's the 1* version, but perhaps it adds something?
https://granfondo-cycling.com/3t-strada-2018-review/
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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