The Transition line is a new frameset for Specialized and is an attempt to build a 76 degree seat tube tri bike with aero tubes and good components for a reasonable price. While the frameset generally achieves this goal, it’s not the smoothest flowing design and it looks much better in darker colors. While I like brushed aluminum and titanium finishes, the Comp’s polished chrome finish is a little over the top. While I am getting used to the look, the polished finish and the swirling decals make the Comp frame look a little on the clunky side - even with its aero tubes.
Another thing about the frame that I found annoying are the far too prominent bottle cage bosses. Additionally, at least on this 54cm frame, the seat tube bottle cage was mounted too high to accept an oversized water bottle under the sloping top tube.
I was impressed with the very aerodynamic, all-carbon fork with its Zertz vibration-damping inserts. I also liked the Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars; they are very adjustable and comfortable, which is the mark of a good aerobar. You can adjust the length, width, upward angle and cant of the bars in relation to the position of the armrests. Furthermore, the bars attach below the base bar, providing an aggressive position on the bike. The drivetrain is mostly Shimano Dura-Ace 10 speed with the exception of an Ultegra front derailleur. Specialized also specs Shimano Ultegra brakes instead of some brand you’ve never heard of, which can be a comfort at high speeds and unpredictable traffic.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t impressed with the Mavic Cosmic Elite wheelset. While they might last a lifetime, their 1900g weight makes them one step away from boat anchors. I also don't think much of the Specialized saddle that seems to defy modern logic by being too chunky while having insufficient padding. Most people replace the saddle on a new bike to one they’re used to or find more comfortable and upgrade to racing wheels so I’m not too concerned about my disappointment with Specialized’s selections. I raced this bike with my saddle and a set of Zipp 303s.
After a single ride to dial in the position, I took the Comp to a local sprint race with a hilly 12.6 mile bike leg. I found that it climbs reasonably well and then loves to go fast on the downhills. It is very stable and confident at speed, thanks to its relatively slack head tube angle and generous fork rake. I was quite pleased with how it performed and with my higher-than-usual placing in the bike leg. My main conclusion thus-far during my testing is that you are often going faster on this bike than you think you are. It holds cruising speeds easily and with less energy than many bikes, due mostly to the aero tubes and the proper aero position.
I am most impressed with the fork; it absorbs shock very well, is very aerodynamic and looks cool. It makes the bike much more comfortable for long events than it otherwise would be. What Specialized has created in essence is a bike that is very stiff through the bottom bracket and back-end, but forgiving through the front-end, where a significant amount of your weight is resting. Based on my initial testing, I would love to see a version of this bike with Specialized’s carbon fiber chainstays with Zertz inserts like it uses on its Roubaix framesets. The base bar also has these Zertz inserts, which I am sure contibutes to the front-end comfort.
Since this is a long-term test bike, I'll be adding new thoughts on the Transition Comp throughout the race year.
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Key features (from Specialized)
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The Specialized-designed Transition triathlon frame found on the Elite, Comp, and S-works models represents the best in modern aluminum manipulation technology. Our engineering department designed this ultra light race frame to have an extremely low drag coefficient, by radically butting, swaging, and shaping each tube to be optimized for aerodynamics and ride quality.
The NACA-designed elliptical downtube and seatstays are proven to reduce drag and deliver true aerodynamic performance. The aero downtube is an angled ellipse shape for minimum drag, but tapers to an oval for maximum stiffness at the BB junction. This unprecedented attention to shape manipulation sets new standards in weight, BB stiffness, aerodynamics, and ride quality.
Our engineering and technical prowess has been combined with Iron Man-winning geometry, designed with guidance from Tri legend Peter Reid, balancing rider position, center of gravity, and wheelbase. The headtube angle was slightly relaxed, the fork rake increased, and the trail increased to give the rider more stability at speeds. The chainstays were shortened, and the front-center was increased to keep the rider's weight centered over the bike for additional stability. The seat tube angle is 76 degrees for forward-biased weight placement, and the head tube is shorter to allow the rider to attain the critical aero position. Even details like our unique internal cable routing add to the aero advantage.
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