The 2019 Specialized Venge Pro is an S-Works in disguise
Second-tier model gets exact same frameset
Are you still reeling with excitement at the launch of the new S-Works Venge aero road bike but crushed by the cold, hard reality that you simply can’t afford it? Well rejoice, because the Pro version is here and its built around the very same frameset, but costs £3,250 less.
- Specialized S-Works Venge: lighter, faster and all-in on Shimano discs
- Specialized S-Works Venge first ride review
Yes, it’s basically an S-Works
Like the S-Works Venge, the Pro’s frame is built from Specialized’s FACT 11r carbon and the brand has confirmed that under the skin, they are one and the same.
Claimed weight is 960g for a 56 with the lightest paintjob, plus 385g for the fork. The matching bar and stem comes in at 440g, while the seatpost is 175g.
For context, the old Venge ViAs had a 1,200g frame, 410g fork, 547g cockpit, and 200g seatpost.
All in, a fully built-up 56cm Venge Pro weighs 7.45kg (+/- 100g), approximately 350g more than the S-Works.
Venge Pro build — Ultegra Di2 and more good stuff
The Pro spec is built with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, which includes the cranks, unlike the S-Works which uses Specialized’s own. The wheels are Roval CL50 carbon clinchers, while tyres and finishing kit are all the usual, high-zoot, in-house fare.
The Venge Pro is available in two colours: a stylish black with what appear to be oil-slick graphics, and a very fetching shade of purple.
At the moment there is no dedicated women’s version, although with Specialized’s move to unisex geometry that seems less significant than it might otherwise be.
Specialized Venge pricing and availability
The Specialized Venge Pro retails at £6,250 / $8,000 / AU$9,400 / NZ$10,500 / €6,999 and is available from now.
Authors
Matthew is an experienced mechanic and an expert on bike tech who appreciates practical, beautifully-engineered things. Originally a roadie, he likes bikes and kit of every stripe, and he's tested a huge variety of both over the years for BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and others. For a long time Matthew's heart belonged to the Scott Addict, but he's currently enjoying Trek's lovely aluminium Emonda ALR and having a torrid affair with a Giant Trance e-MTB. At 174cm tall and 53kg, he looks like he should be better at cycling than he actually is, and he's ok with that.
