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Specialized S-Works Venge – First ride review

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$8800

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Specialized S-Works Venge

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Low in weight, high in stiffness and aerodynamic to boot – a winning combination"

25 comments
Tue 22 Mar 2011, 12:30 pm GMTBy

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Almost five years in the making, Specialized have aimed high with the newest addition to their road range. The S-Works Venge, the bike that inspired their collaboration with Formula One constructors McLaren, is billed as an aero road bike that’s ‘more road than aero.’ It blends several design features from elsewhere in their stable; the aerodynamics of the Shiv and the low weight/high stiffness of the Tarmac SL3 are at the core of a bike Specialized say occupies the space in between.

Okay, at £6,000 the S-Works Venge isn't exactly cheap. But its appeal lies in the fact it’s not an everyday bike. This is a racing powerhouse that Specialized themselves say is designed for certain races, racers and conditions. So it’s very much a niche bike. But what a bike it is.

Ride & handling: Effortless speed and razor-sharp handling

Less than 24 hours after HTC-Highroad’s Matthew Goss’s win at San Remo on the McLaren Venge, we put the S-Works model through its paces on the very same roads. And it’s every bit as good as we’d hoped. It was just a shame the ride had to come to an end, and if we could have bundled it away in our suitcase we would have done.

From the get go, its pace out of the blocks was obvious. What can sometimes be a struggle on other bikes was achieved effortlessly on the Venge. As we began our first climb of the day, the much heralded stiffness became apparent. The jerking through the rear of the bike during out-of-saddle efforts showed the lack of flex throughout the frame, but the speed it helped build up on steep inclines was remarkable. It’s by no means the comfiest ride out there, but it’s designed to win races.

Even more impressive was the razor-sharp handling on the descents. Tight bends were negotiated with confidence, thanks in part to the Venge's Specialized Turbo tyres and Roval Rapide SL45 carbon wheels. Vibration was largely offset by the S-Works SL carbon handlebars and FACT seatpost, and made for a smooth ride on the downslopes.

Frame & equipment: Sleek, stiff and light on the scales (for an aero bike)

The Venge is a superbike, and as such it won't suit somebody looking for a comfortable cruiser for Sunday afternoons. It's designed for racing, and racing fast. Aerodynamics is clearly at its heart – it evolved from initial tests on a Specialized Transition time trial bike fitted with drop bars – and its aero, UCI-legal carbon seatpost, tapered head tube and internal cabling give it a sleek, dynamic appearance.

Specialized are keen to talk up the stiffness of the full-carbon frame, which is emphasised by the one-piece oversized bottom bracket shell and chainstays. Tipping the scales at 2.18kg for the complete module (frame, fork, seatpost and crankset), it’s 108g heavier than the McLaren Venge but compares favourably with aero road rivals such as the Cervelo S3 (2.33kg) and Felt AR1 (2.59kg).

The version we tested was the US-only SRAM Red groupset model; the UK version has Shimano Dura-Ace. Braking was what you’d expect from SRAM Red – powerful and well modulated – as was the smooth, DoubleTap gear shifting.

The S-Works Venge will be available at the end of April, from $8,800 / £6,000. The US and UK versions share the same red, white and black colour palette, although in different combinations. We think the American version tested here looks just as striking as the matt black McLaren Venge.

We'll be putting more miles on the S-Works Venge in due course, and will update the review with any further findings.

Click here for the full gallery of images for this review.

Video: John Stevenson and John Whitney's first look at the Specialized Venge

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 25 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 comments

  • Looks awesome, so whats the difference between the S-Works and Mclaren versions apart from an even heftier bill?

  • What it the total weight for the bike with SRAM Red as shown? What size?

    Looks like an awesome bike. Pricing for the McLaren version?

  • For more on the Venge McLaren, including prices, see: www.bikeradar.com/news/article/specialized-mclaren-venge-aero-road-bike-launched-29642

    We rode the S-Works at the official launch and weren't able to weigh it. It's due in the office soon for further testing so we'll stick it on the scales then and update this review.

  • I'm sure it has more technology on it than your average Bond villain's submarine. But is it me, or is that thing just plain fugly?

  • The Drunk Monk is right. For all those ££££££, it could be better looking!

  • Its hideous - not helped at all by the paint job, the McClaren version looks better but even that still looks like its been hit by the ugly stick.

  • Hang on - is the price quoted for a complete bike, or just the frameset? I certainly hope it's the former - although my decisions are unlikely to trouble S-WORKS frame sales....

  • With the setup in the photo's, do I trust this reviewer

  • @drunk monk & rolling thunder - could not agree more and posted this on their blog, do not think it went down too well, but how they can take something that looks like the mclaren version and paint it like an accident involving a panda and a chainsaw is beyond me - are there markets out there that like this?

    ...and what's with getting shimano only in UK and europe as well??? why no s-works cranks??? why is the tarmac frameset not OSBB in the UK

    its a shame, for all the great innovation, R&D and product management, there are some very, very poor product marketing decisions seriously letting the brand down

  • I'm sorry but it's just so expensive and so ugly I'd never spend my post 40% income on it.

    If the frame was just all gloss white with a black S-Works on the downtube it would get more respect.

    Why is the headtube to tall? Is that supposed to be a Shiv thing? A stem level to the top tube? It totally messes the bike up. Look at the gap between the bars and the front wheel? Is it set up for Lebron James or something?

  • What's with all the verbiage on the looks/paint scheme of the bike? I'd swear I was on Vera Wang's site and the review was for a new dress...sheesh...performance > style...always.

    The bike performs. I guess posers would be so concerned about how the bike presents at the coffee shop...so be it...

    Too damn expensive though. I couldn't care less about McLaren's name being associated with it - definitely not willing to pay the probable 40-50% premium for it...

  • I ordered the Venge carbon and red colour, which I think is a mirror inverted colour image, more plain carbon, less white.

    There are project black available but now I am getting killed by the guy at LBS because I saw his secret bulletin.

    All come with BB30 so I am going to put the S Work crankset in.

    Question to John @bike radar: Coming from S Work Roubaix do I have to prepare for a perineal pain? :) I am getting it to climb better on the mountain passes sportifs next year. Some 200km and 4000m of climbing for Jan and March. I will be doing 40kmh on flat sections and if I can save 20W I will use the energy on the climb. Even less than 10W if I pull on my own at 35kmh hmmm

  • it hurts my eyes its so ugly! that head tube is so high the frame is almost rectangular. how superficial of me ha

  • Have ordered mine in project black,Frameset,only.will build with S/R 11 2010,I'll steal off my spare bike,Hed jet4 f/r clincher wheelset,SLR Kit carbono flow sadddle, ,Fsa os99 stem & Fsa compact carbon bar, fizzik dual tape,Sworks cages.Cannot review since I haven't ridden one yet.My Tarmac sl2 2008 similar build(011 s/r 11) ,STANS TUBELESS RIMS 3T STEM/SEATPOST,bar weigs in at 14lbs 6oz with computer pedals and cages.Hope Venge rides 90% as well as my Tarmac .Love all of specialized s works products,(except cages)I have owned,Buying Venge on faith,Feel better after reading this review.

  • Get used to this ugly SOB on flying past you. This is the winner!

  • Owing to cost considerations I'm going to have to make do with my current bike that has 'effort speed', one day I will have one of these fancy pants effortless bikes though.

    Is this an advert or a review? I can't tell.

  • Large frame's always look crap. Tester must be a giant! The photo's on the Specialized website look heaps better. Project Black's the one though - stealth all the way.

  • Looks very very like a chunky Tarmac. I don't see the innovation here. That 'integrated' headset cap just looks messy to me - don't see how it improves anything.

    It's almost like Apple bringing out some i____ thingy and two months later releasing a 'new' one that's essentially the same but 1mm thinner. Money spinners. 'More road than aero' - read between the lines.

  • Hilarious reading all of these comments about the looks of the bike by people who are obviously just being influenced by the fact that it's a large frame size...

  • A nice enough bike sure. But shocking colour scheme. I agree the the McClaren version looks heaps better!

  • Looks like Specialized venge copied my Wilier Imperiale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Wilier and

    save yourself three grand!

  • mexikid... you are probably blind dude.... blind AND ignorant. Open ur eyes and ur mind... see the light and put ur Wilier aside. Buy something that can give you speed... you gotta put ur money to something that is specifically designed to race... something specialized... go buy the specialized Venge!

  • http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/cavendish-to-debut-specialized-venge-in-milan-san-remo

    this is the bike that I would like to have... with the right wheels....now, if I could just a little campy over here!

  • Build:54cm,Romin saddle(cannot fit carbon rails on their seatpost),Keo cro-mol Blades,FSA SLK compact bars&OS99 aluminium stem.Fizzik dual bar tape with Specialized Gel inserts.S-Works :Bottle cages&Compact52/36 cranks aluminium spider.Drivetrain:SuperRecord 11 with 12/29 casette.Sram Red TOUR edition brake calipers.Mad fiber ceramic wheelset ,Tuffo 22mmHi-composite carbon tubulars,each with 30ml of Caffe Latex.Garmin computer mount.Total weight as described 14lbs 6oz.

    REVIEW::Wow accelerates like a dream,surprisingly comfortable,Very responsive,rode bike 5 rides 29,38,28,31&165miles.Slightly twitchy in cross winds is the price you pay (and gladly so)for all this performance.Too bad the motor doesn't do the bike justice.

  • Awesome bike! for those who say it's not good looking, check the dura-ace version, it's red/black/white which in my opinion looks exceptional! the price is for the whole bike, and the main difference with the mclaren version is the carbon used on them: the s-works version uses specialized's FACT 11r carbon, which is featured on all their s-works bikes, while the mclaren version uses a carbon developed by mclaren itself which has an increased weight-stiffness ratio (supposedly the best one on any aero-road race bike until now) and is now called FACT 12r. Other carbons featured by specialized in lower lever bikes are FACT 8r, 9r, and 10r, making it lighter and stiffer as the number grwos higher. Other differences between the s-works and the mclaren versions lie in their components (rims, handlebars, etc.) but then again the main difference is the carbon fiber quality.

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Specification

Name:
S-Works Venge SRAM (US) (11)
Built by:
Specialized
Price:
$8800.00


Frame & Fork:

 
Frame Material:
Works FACT 11r, Aero Race Design, FACT IS construction, internal cable routing, 1-3/8" lower HS bearing, carbon OSBB shell
Fork Model:
S-Works FACT carbon monocoque, OS race for 1-3/8" bearing
Headset Type:
1-1/8" upper and 1-3/8" lower Cr-Mo cartridge bearings w/ custom integrated Venge spacer

Brakes:

 
Brakes Model:
SRAM Red

Transmission:

 
Cranks Model:
S-Works FACT carbon, removeable carbon spider, 53x39T
Bottom Bracket Model:
Press-in OSBB cups with ceramic bearings
Rear Derailleur Model:
SRAM Red
Front Derailleur Model:
SRAM Red
Shifters Model:
SRAM Red
Chain Model:
KMC X10SL
Cassette:
SRAM OG 1090, 10-speed, 11-25t
Pedals Model:
Nylon flat test ride pedal

Wheels:

 
Rims Model:
Roval Rapide SL 45

Contact Points:

 
Saddle Model:
Body Geometry Romin Evo, hollow Ti rails
Seatpost Model:
Venge FACT carbon, flippable 20/0mm offset
Stem Model:
S-Works ProSet Stem, 3D forged 7050 alloy, carbon-wrap top and front cap, Ti front bolts and alloy top bolt, alloy shim HANDLEBARSS-Works SL Carbon, shallow drop
Grips/Tape Model:
Specialized Grip tape

:

 
Description:
S-Works Turbo, 220TPI, Black Belt protection, 700x23c tyres

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