All-New Very-Limited Specialized Shiv

With the 40th anniversary of the Kona Ironman, the event that started it all, Specialized has launched the all-new S-Works Shiv Disc. This bike is super limited, with only 500 made, and you must order it by the end of October. Specialized spent five years focusing on not just building a bike that was fast in the traditional sense but building a triathlon bike that was complete in every facet. They focused on aerodynamics, on-bike storage, and fit. They even took into account how to travel with the bike!

Aerodynamics

In a triathlon, it’s you versus the clock, so every bit of energy saved matters. Specialized designed this bike from the ground up, literally. They started with two wheels in their wind tunnel and began building the bike around them. They looked at the areas that impacted aerodynamics the most and optimized tube shapes in those areas. The bike was not only designed to be slippery through the air but also to perform well in crosswinds. One of the most visually remarkable design elements is the unique fork legs that extend all the way up to the top of the headtube to the integrated base bar. The result is a bike that’s a minute faster around the Kona course than the previous Shiv.

Fuel

Whether you’re training or racing, you need fuel. Designing a bike that’s aerodynamically fast but then requiring the rider to have a bunch of cages and boxes for storage doesn’t make a lot of sense. To alleviate this problem, Specialized hides their Fuelselage, which will hold between 1.5 and 2 liters of liquid (depending on frame size), behind the seatpost and seat tube. A hose then runs cleanly to the front of the bike for easy, aerodynamic use. The carbon Fuelselage actually improves aerodynamics at a minimal weight penalty, but it’s still removable if you don’t want to run it. Specialized also adds a second Fuelcell, hidden neatly inside the downtube, to carry bars, chews, or gels. There’s even room below it to carry a flat kit. With this much storage, riders can fly through the first few aid stations all while being more aerodynamic.

Fit

A bike that fits properly allows a rider to ride longer and more comfortably. Specialized used a tremendous amount of rider fit data when designing the new Shiv. While the Shiv uses an integrated cockpit for increased aerodynamics, it doesn’t sacrifice fit and adjustability. The new cockpit offers 115mm of stack adjustment with virtually unlimited pad reach adjustment. An updated pad design gives riders more confidence and stability while in the aero extensions. And finally, the base bar has three positions to allow riders to move from the extensions to the brakes easily.

Travel

Triathletes tend to travel to races, and that travel can be stressful when it comes to disassembling, packing, and reassembling the bike. So Specialized even took this into account when creating the new Shiv. By merely loosening five bolts the base bar folds down to the fork legs, which means there’s no need to disassemble the cockpit or disconnect any brake lines completely. This makes packing the bike easier and retains your fit. The initial run of limited edition bikes will even come with a specially designed travel case with room for shoes, helmets, wetsuits, or anything else a triathlete might need.

The S-Works Shiv Disc is only available as a limited run of 500 individually numbered bikes. You MUST order the bike by October 31 and the estimated delivery date is April 2019.