Specialized introduced their comphrehensive line of 2009 products in Morgan Hill this year. The riding was fast and often and the products again displayed their deep commitment to all things road. Here are the highlights of their road launch...stay tuned in the pages of RBA for our riding impressions of the products. 

2009 Roubaix SL2

The 2009 Roubaix SL2 has been completely redesigned to meet the demands of Tom Boonen. For Paris-Roubaix,  Boonen requested a smooth and efficient bike that was also torsionally stiff and could handle the rigorous demands of the Northern Classics. Specialized set out to meet Boonen’s demands without negatively affecting the ride characteristics that have been the trademark of the Roubaix line. Compared to the more aggressive Tarmac SL2 that Boonen usually rides, Specialized designed the Roubaix with a slightly longer wheelbase, slacker head tube angle, and taller head tube. 

 The Roubaix’s redesign starts a larger 1.375” lower headset bearing mated to a 1.125 top bearing for lightweight and increased stiffness. The lower bearing has also been repositioned higher into the frame to allow for straighter alignment of the carbon fiber in the fork. Along with the better carbon alignment the fork has been re-engineered to increase the vertical compliance. The integrated Zertz elastomer dampers carry over from the 2008 model.

The theme of torsional strength mated to vertical compliance continues with the top tube. The top tube on the Roubaix SL2 uses a slightly curved shape along its length and is horizontally ovalized at the seat cluster. This design allows the top tube at the seat cluster to vertically flex and bow when a load is applied from the saddle. When combined with the specially designed seat stays this effectively isolates the rider from road vibration while allowing the rest of the frame to remain torsionally rigid.

The rear of the bike sees even greater changes. The chain stays have been increased in height to 48-millimeters while the bottom bracket area has been upsized and redesigned to further increase lateral and torsional strength. The seat stays on the Roubaix have been engineered for maximum vertical compliance. The incorporation of the Zertz vibration damping elastomers further reduces the amount of vibration that is transmitted to the rider. Once Specialized had achieved the vertical compliance they wanted they went about stiffining the rear triangle to race bike level standards. By triangulating the area where the seat stays join the top of the seat tube; Specialized was able to increase torsional stiffness of the rear triangle by 21% over the 2008 Roubaix.

 2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert

The 2009 Tarmac Expert is constructed using the same molds as the Tarmac SL2. This gives the Expert the same geometry and handling characteristics of Specialized’s top of the line race bike. The construction of the expert differs slightly with the use FACT 8r carbon and triple monoque construction. The Tarmac expert also does without Specialized’s integrated S-Works FACT crank. The Tarmac Expert will be equipped with a complete Shimano Ultegra group.

 2009 Langster Tokyo

The Langster was designed for track racing as well as urban commuters. To accommodate both the track rider and the commuter the Langster comes with a flip-flop rear hub that allows the rider to switch between a fixed gear or a freewheel. The Langster Tokyo features a full-butted A1 Premium aluminum frameset. Each tube is designed for a purpose while tear drop shaped seat tube and sculpted fork crown add to its aerodynamic properties. Specialized uses it own FACT carbon fork to complete the Langster frameset. Aside from the Langster Tokyo, Specialized also makes a Langster New York, Seattle, Monaco, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Each Langster model incorporates features that are unique to each individual city.

Specialized S-works Turbo Tubeless Tire

For 2009 Specialized is bringing back their famed Turbo Tire. This time it marks Specialized’s entry into the world of road tubeless tires. Specialized has developed the S-works with a 127 dpi casing, dual radius tread with three rubber compounds to maximize rolling resistance without sacrificing corning performance. The S-Works Turbo uses the already proven Hutchinson casing and bead design. This allows the tire to be used on existing tubeless wheelsets as well as the Tubeless Roval wheel set to be released later this year. The S-Works Turbo weights 290-grams for a 23-millilmeter wide tire. Specialized estimates   the Turbo Tubeless will retail for $60.00

Specialized Strafe Glasses

Specialized in now in their fifth year of producing sunglasses specifically for the cycling market. For 2009 Specialized has expanded there line to include a more casual model named the Strafe. While the design is more lifestyle than previous offerings the Strafe still contain many of the same features of the more race specific models. Features such as light adapting Photocromic Adaptalite NXT lenses and molded Grillmid frames with rubber ear and nose pieces. The Strafe will also be available without Adaptalite lenses at a lower price point.

Cadel Evans 2009 Tour de France Time Trial Helmet.

To help Cadel Evans win the 2009 Tour de France Specialized as gone back to the drawing board for their team issued time trial helmet. The new helmet, named the TT3, has a slimmer top and side profile to reduce overall frontal area of the riders head. Specialized then redesigned and reduced the size of the front air port to increase the amount air moving around the helmet rather than being pulled inside. The overall length of the helmet has been shortened for better real world aerodynamics. Specialized noticed that a longer profile was not always ideal when a rider is moving around the bike or begins to lower their head during extreme efforts. To smooth out the air coming off the back of the helmet Specialized reduced the size of the exit ports and added an antenna port for a team radio. Unfortunately one will have to wait until at least 2010 to purchase the TT3. Like the previous model the TT3 will only be available to Specialized sponsored riders and teams.