UCI Illegal — Yes, That Good. The 2014 Specialized Shiv Elite Triathlon Bike

Today Bicycle Sports Highlights The Triathlon Only 2014 Specialized Shiv Elite. 

In the Shiv model line there are four levels to chose from and the Elite is the entry level price point.  They run a Tiagra front derailleur and bump the rear derailleur up to the 105 level which is very common among this level of bike.  The front is not used nearly as much as the rear and having a higher level rear derailleur will help with better shifting response and limited adjustments to keep it tight. 

 Let's see what Specialized has to say about the Shiv Elite:

We ignored UCI rules and designed the Shiv Elite exclusively for triathlon: With Fuelcell storage, the Fuelselage integrated hydration system, and Sitero saddle featuring Tri Pod integration. The Shiv Elite features a super light FACT IS 10r carbon frame with alloy aerobar, Shimano drivetrain and Axis 2.0 wheels to round out the package.




FACT CARBON AERO FRAME
 
WHAT Incredibly aerodynamic, crosswind-optimized, non UCI-legal FACT carbon frame with internal cable routing, OSBB, and Fuelselage integrated hydration system; available in five sizes.
 
WHY To give triathletes a purpose-built, tri-specific, highly aero bike (especially in crosswinds) that is uber-fast but also offers optimized fit for a wide spectrum of riders. Plus with fully-housed, internal cable routing, rebuild after travel and normal maintenance is considerably quicker and less complicated.
 
HOW By ignoring UCI rules that don’t pertain to tri anyway, we were able to design extra-deep airfoil tubing and fork (mostly in 4:1 ratio), and a massive headtube. These tubes dramatically improve airflow over the standard 3:1 ratio tubing, which allowed us to offer a more adjustable and ergonomic cockpit without sacrificing overall aerodynamics. We also designed each area of tubing separately, based on the specific airflow conditions in that precise area. Finally all areas are optimized for crosswinds, more typical than straight-on headwinds, especially in tri.


COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION/HYDRATION SYSTEM

WHAT Fuelselage, is a fully integrated, aerodynamic fuel station, while the frame-mounted Fuelcell is for nutrition and flat storage. The Tri-pod is for additional hydration.
 
WHY Traditional tube-mounted water bottle setups and storage concepts cause major airflow disturbance. The Fuelselage has no effect on the frame’s aerodynamics, and offers safe, easy, on-the-fly hydration, while the Fuelcell stores gels and bars in the soft upper and flat storage in the lower. Tri-pod on Sitero provides additional water bottle storage behind the rider.
 

HOW FUELSELAGE: A removable hydration reservoir (approximate capacity of one water bottle) easily fits through a port on the toptube, and fits neatly inside the downtube. The bladder can be refilled directly through the port without need for removal, even on the fly. FUELCELL: Mounts in the frame “V” for aero qualities and holds 8 gels or two bars and 4 gels in top, basic tools in bottom section. TRI-POD: Integrated Tri-pod (Sitero mounted) can carry additional water bottle (if needed) behind the rider.


CONTROL TOWER/ ADJUSTABLE STEM/AERO BARS

WHAT Multi-adjustable, aerodynamically integrated system that allows for wide range of vertical and horizontal adjustment.
 
WHY Provide riders with a highly adjustable cockpit for optimal fit (widest range for any tri bike), aerodynamics, and to keep them comfortable and efficient on the road.
 



HOW TOWER: The steerer tube can be cut to three different stack heights: either 0mm, 25mm, or 50mm above the head tube. The corresponding Control Tower composite fairing mounts in place behind the steerer tube, improving the aerodynamics of the stem/steerer interface. STEM: Simply by switching a spacer, this integrated aero stem switches from 60mm to 90mm of reach. BARS: Pads and extensions are easily dialed to rider’s exact needs: Pads feature adjustable reach and width. Extensions offer adjustable stack height, length, tilt, and hand width (plus standard aftermarket extensions will fit in the mounts).



REVERSIBLE/ADJUSTABLE CARBON SEATPOSTS

  


WHAT Two flippable, airfoil, FACT carbon seatposts, with a wide range of horizontal and vertical adjustability.
 
WHY Provide maximum aerodynamic benefit along with a huge range of horizontal and vertical adjustment, without the need for cutting or modification.
 


HOW S-Works and Pro bikes come with 12.5mm and 37.5mm setback seatposts, (Expert and below: 12.5mm only) which can be flipped to face either direction. This results in four potential positions, spaced evenly in 25mm increments. And the seat tube has room for the post to adjust up to 200mm, depending on frame size, before curving in to make room for the wheel.




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