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FEATURES: FIRST LOOK: 2012 SPECIALIZED S-WORKS AMIRA
Raelynn Milley
June 26, 2011
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The Speciailized women’s line isn’t about women’s specific; it’s about women’s performance. The 2012 AMIRA is engineered using probably the single most important factor for women: what women want in order to ride faster, longer, harder. The professional female riders of HTC Highroad team, recreational riders, amateurs and field testers provided extensive feedback and data used to create the stiff, light ride of the AMIRA . The speed will be up to you—the engine—but your performance and comfort will not be limited by the equipment.
The Reveal:
I admit that I am in love with the black on black unpainted bike. It made my heart race as I thought of a million possible accessories to customize the bike to your liking; however… this is the word on color from Specialized:
“For colors, we use different color forecasting companies who do trend analysis across fashion, sports, and other industries. They help to provide us with a color palette that we use with graphic designers to develop colors and graphics. We know that women’s taste is very diverse and what one woman loves could offend another. That is why we make a very concerted effort to offer both wild and mild colors and a selection of different colors. You will never find a pink bike from us that do not have a second color option available that is less feminine.”
Photo: Javier Arguello
The Ride:
With only a few short rides on The AMIRA, my initial response to its handling is very good. We rode in some epic downpours, amazing smooth roads, fast descents and few CAT 2 and 3 climbs. The bike handled well in all of these conditions. The bike was responsive in the sprint, light on the climbs and stiffer than previous versions of this bike I’ve ridden. I’m anxious to get the bike here to the U.S. to give it a true review on some long, hard rides when I don’t have jet lag!
The Finished Product:
The Technical Details:
Frame: S-Works Amira FACT IS 11r carbon frame and carbon lay-up with integrated, tapered head tube for a stiff, light ride. A monocoque fork with a tapered 1-1/ 8” to 1- 3/8” headset provides increased strength and precision steering.
Crank: S-Works SL OSBB FACT carbon crankset is super light weight and paired with SRAM Red drivetrain.
Wheels: Roval Fusee SLX wheelset with DT-Swiss internals and an asymmetrical rear rim combining performance and strength.
Saddle: The new Specialized Oura Pro Gel women’s saddle with hollow Ti rails for optimal power transfer and relief from soft tissue discomfort.
Bars: Specialized Women’s SL carbon with shallow drop and Specialized S-wrap
Chain: KMC X10SL nickel plate Chain ring 52-36 SL
Cassette: SRAM Red 10 speed 11-28T
Brake levers: SRAM Red
Sizes: 44, 48, 51, 54, 56
Additional: Di2 version also available
Pricing: In the ballpark of $8000.00
Availability: The base model Elite and Comp level 2012 Amiras will arrive in August, and the Pro and S-Works should be at your local dealer around September.
Likeability: The AMIRA is available in a number of different configurations of components with SRAM Red, Ultegra, Dura-Ace and DI2 making it suitable for most riders needs/preferences, this along with women’s specific bars and the new Oura saddle(also available late this summer), allow women to have the choices necessary to maximize their performance on the bike.
Prediction: For the women I’ve met that insist they aren’t getting more by having a women’s bike and bike shop dudes who insist that throwing on smaller bars and pink bar tape will sell a women a bike this is the big brand bike that will make them a believer or they will be dropped by the fastest growing population of cyclists—WOMEN.
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