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Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08) | $550
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BikeRadar verdict

45 out of 5 stars

"A sound grab-and-go urban ride with enough in the style department to turn heads"

By Gary Boulanger, US editor

The Specialized Globe Centrum is one of three core Globe models in a wider 2008 'Multi Street' line-up from the Morgan Hill, CA company, and at US$550 the Sport variant is one of the most stylish grab-and-go bikes we've tested this year.

The 26.3-lb (21-inch) Centrum Sport is following the same path as other models found on the market: stylish curves, flat-black finish, disc brakes and singlespeed gearing with braze-ons galore to appeal to the hearty urban commuter. Visually, its allure is all in the curves: swept-back handlebars, low-slung top tube, swoopy down tube and miniscule rear triangle all of which is churned by a single gear and modulated by disc brakes. The mostly black components blend everything together just how a chic urban hipster likes them, albeit in stark contrast to the white iPod earbud chords cascading down their necks.

Frame: smoothly does it

The hydroformed aluminium frame appears to strike the fancy of everyone else on the road, and passers-by always stopped to ask about the bike at the library, book store and coffee shop. The slider-style dropouts are very mountain-bike influenced; the matching alu fork blends nicely into the sculpted headtube, completing the smooth transition from stem to stern.

Equipment: street smart selections

Specialized uses the core Globe concept of a simple, urban street bike in two variants of the Centrum model; Elite and Sport. The Sport we tested uses a nifty chain-guarded 38-tooth single crankset with oval, canted platform pedals for a natural angle when wearing street shoes. The Shimano M415 mechanical (cable-actuated) disc brakes worked wonderfully with standard brake levers, and the discs themselves never squealed or talked back.

The Specialized 26 x 1.5-inch Nimbus Sport tyres roll as well as can be expected and feature a spiffy inverted rain channel tread. Stainless steel spokes keep the Alex RHD double wall alu rims tensioned to the generic Specialized-labelled hubs (28 hole in front with a convenient quick-release skewer for easy transport or tube repair) while other bits like the 31.8mm stem and 27.2mm seatpost are standard, reliable Specialized kit.

Ride: silent running for control freaks

A good grab-and-go bike allows you to just roll up a pant leg, grab a lock and helmet, and just go without any fuss. The Centrum Sport felt light and nimble, almost like a rigid mountain bike from the late 1980s, but much lighter. The 1103mm wheelbase of the 21-inch version, coupled with the 71/73 head/seat angles and 51mm fork rake, made the ride almost cruiser-like and therefore ideal for street riding. The natural-feeling, 15-degree swept-back bars, at 600mm wide, meanwhile, make for near-effortless control of the rig, even with one hand. The virtually silent chain allowed me to enjoy the natural sounds in my neighbourhood, albeit while reminding me that one gear needs a little more effort. We can see why the three-speed Elite variant would be an improvement when needing more speed on the flats; the gearing might mean too fast of a spin for some.

Verdict

Likes: a flat-black beauty always gets attention, even in Googleville, California. Singlespeeds are quiet and easy to maintain. Very comfy saddle, natch for Specialized.

Dislikes: Simplicity aside, we'd like more horsepower, Captain! The cable guide braze-ons below the chainstays (useful for the three- and eight-speed models) prohibit the use of a kickstand; if the engineers would just bump it a few millimetres, all would be well for freestanding parking. Surprisingly, despite brake and chainstay bridge mudguards braze-ons, there's no mudguard or rear rack braze-on at the dropouts.

The Globe Centrum Sport is a step in the right direction from Specialized; the urban transportation market is expanding, and by blending an off-road pedigree with intelligent, road-oriented engineering it could be adding yet another feather to its big red cap.

© BikeRadar 2007

User Reviews

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  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08)

    It's an overweight piece of styled crap for the posturing classes. Did you actually test it, or is that test/review PR pap you have recycled?

    How on earth can they build an alloy bike with a single speed that weighs over 26lbs? and this from the company that builds the Langster.

    A real singlespeed is above all LIGHT!

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08)

    Good write-up. Clear details and verdict. I agree with comments except the possible use of a kickstand. That would ruin the cool look!

    I had to smile when reading the comment about chic urban hipsters on this cool black bike with their white iPod chords. Something we can all picture.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08)

    Just ridden this bike and here are my observations. It looks really good in the flesh and certainly looks the part. The drive train is 38 up the front and 16 at the back so 2:1 ratio with the gears, if you are new to cycling and are after a commuter I would say this would be okay but any hardened cyclist would find this restricting in terms of lack of power.

    I would have preferred a 42 up front and perhaps a 12 at the rear to give you a little more power as your legs get stronger.

    I would imaging that changing to a smaller cog at the back would be a good option as the dropouts at the back allow for movement.

    Tyres are good, there is very little road noise and ride feels relatively comfortable.

    I agree with the review of this being a 'cruiser' type of bike, it would be good during the summer for a 'lazy' burn around the village or roads.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08)

    Flashy and well designed and at a price I can live with.

    I've gone a lot more casual with my bicycle riding in the recent decade or two as injuries become longer healing and responsibilities have their own schedules that get in the way. To that end I've bought a few bikes I regret in an attempt to buy a bicycle that will end up being a reasonable value for the use it gets. I've been disappointed by some of the lower end bikes and finally went back to a specialized.

    Nice rake angle gives a stable but ready to move feel. Nothing like having some decent disk brakes as well. The frame is very clean and sleek. The satin black centrum single speed is an eye catcher. On flat-a-ways I can get the bike up to just around 20mph comfortably for a while. Have had it up to 28 pedaling like crazy. Its not a long distance commuter, but the 2:1 ratio makes for easy hill climbs and reasonable speeds. Well faster than one should be doing on and off sidewalks in the urban environment around pedestrians for which it was supposedly intended. It has all kinds of fixings for adding on attachments. To include some (what look to be) wire tie loops under the crank that interfere with mounting a kick stand. Though a few minutes in the garage with an angle grinder notched a generic kick stand to fit around the process near the crank. There are screws that look as if they were intended for attaching a fender or rack front and rear.. but darned if I can find one (didn't try to hard) to fit them.

    I use it for jounces around the neighborhood. Down to the local strip mall etc. Its great for that. I tried to get all the way across town on it. Its great in crowded areas.. long stretches I found myself lamenting taking the single speed. But it was new and I wanted to justify it.

    I can't agree with epicyclo that the bike is heavy. The trek Lime weighs in a good 5-6 lbs heavier. THe soho appears to be in the same league. They aren't race bikes, they are durable curb bouncers that save the clatter (and weight) of detailers (the single or multi speed hubs anyway). There are a few single or auto hubbed bikes 3 times its price that are in the same weight range. I don't know what he's looking for. Some trial bike I suppose.. do they still do that?

    Anyway. If you have the disposable income to spend on a single speed premium branded bike, I highly suggest this one.

    I'm pushing 200 lbs and have had issues with flex on other aluminum bike frames. So far on this one its not an issue.

    0.3
  • User review of Specialized Bicycles Centrum Sport (08)

    Oh yea.. and though I believe the frame at least is made in china.. the finish on the welds and paint is typical Specialized .. perfect.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Centrum Sport (08)
Built by:
Specialized Bicycles
Price:
$550.00
Brakes Model:
BR-M415
Cranks Model:
Single Speed
Fork Model:
Aluminium
Frame Material:
A1 Aluminium
Rims Model:
RHD 26
Saddle Model:
Body Geometry
Seatpost Model:
Alloy
Available Colours:
Black
Bottom Bracket Brand:
Shimano
Brakes Brand:
Shimano
Chain Brand:
KMC
Fork Brand:
Specialized
Front Hub Brand:
Specialized
Front Tyre Size:
26x1.5
Rear Hub Brand:
Specialized
Rear Tyre Size:
26x1.5
Rims Brand:
Alex
Saddle Brand:
Specialized
Seatpost Brand:
Specialized
Year:
2008

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