SPECIALIZED SHIV S-WORKS REVIEW:

 

 

Recently I got a new TT bike for triathlon.  I wanted to get the fastest bike I could get but comfort and practicality were very important factors as I focus on Ironman distance triathlons.  The Specialized Shiv is one of the few bikes out there that has ignored UCI rules and given triathletes what they want.  I spent a lot of time researching different options but everything led me back to the Shiv as being the best option for Ironman racing.

 

THE FIT:

 

There really is no compromise with the fitting options of this bike.  The seat angle is 78 degrees, illegal under UCI rules, which creates a very powerful but energy saving position for the legs.  This leaves your legs feeling great, even after a hard bike, for the run.  The S-Works model comes with 2 different seat posts and one of them is reversible.  This gives you a lot of versatility and is a great service as only one seat post option is the standard with other brands.  The handle bars have also been designed by Specialized and the S-Works bars are out of this world.  There really is no restriction on what position you want to achieve.  This makes it a great option for any distance, allows progression into a lower or more aggressive position over time and doesn't require parts to be ordered for a change in position.  So many TT bikes now make it almost impossible to make a change to the cockpit without a whole new part being ordered.  This is expensive, time consuming and you might not even like the change so you're back to square one.  The S-Works handle bars allow you to experiment with a number of different positions to start with, allow better fitting of the bike and ultimately lead to you to the best position for you in the least amount of time. 

 

AERODYNAMICS:

 

There is only one word to describe the Shiv: FAST.  The dedication to a triathlon specific bike continued with construction of the down tube profiling.  They created a ratio that is illegal and in simple terms, that makes it faster than any bike that is UCI legal.  The fatter down tube looks like it will catch the wind but this bike has been designed to cope with the demands of real world situations and not just straight on wind.  The effect that a cross wind has on you is massively reduced by the fatter down tube and I can't quite believe how good it has been on really windy days.  This allows you to stay tucked in the bars because you don't have to sit up and control the bike and saves energy because you aren't fighting the bike.  This down tube also allows a bladder to be integrated into the frame.  This is just about the most aerodynamic way you can carry fluid and is very easy to drink.  The bike also has a very clean look to it as all the cabling is tucked away and positioned so that it won't cost you any time.  The rear brakes are hidden but the front brakes are in front of the fork.  This goes against what you see on some other super bikes but makes it very easy to make adjustments and is just way more practical.  The performance of the brakes is also extremely good and doesn't make descending massively different from a road bike.

 

ADD ONS:

 

Specialized have also designed a triathlon specific saddle, the Sitero.  It is a very comfortable saddle and allows a really open hip position, meaning more power and makes it easier to run off.  I have fitted out the bike with Sram Red 22 which sits perfectly with the bike and makes it a very light bike considering it is a TT bike (8.2kg's).  I am running a Sram Red Quarq BB30 press fit Power Meter with it which is fantastic.  I also opted for Zipp 404 Firecrest wheels as they strike a great balance between aerodynamics and weight so are also great on a hilly course.  To finish it off I put on Look Keo Blade pedals which are not only more aero than a standard pedal but are extremely stiff so result in no power being wasted.

 

In summary, this bike is the ultimate triathlete's bike.  It feels amazing to ride and thanks to Specialized with all the fit options they have provided, it is very comfortable.  It will guarantee you a significant improvement in performance.