Road Cycling - Tom Boonen's Specialized

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/probikes/quickstep_specialized_boonen/Boonen1660.jpg

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2007/probikes/?id=quickstep_specialized_boonen

Equipment connoisseurs across the globe rejoice at the abandoning of the hideous wheels:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/probikes/quickstep_specialized_boonen/Tom_Boonen_man_and_machine.jpg

i like specialized bikes, but that is a train wreck. stem length: someone is compensating...
seriously though, the paint is gross and those wheels. those wheels. those wheels are horrible looking. interesting cranks.

The horror...the horror...

But what's cool is it transforms into the Mach Five and the "hubs" turn into saws that cut through the forest.

Honest.

Farg that's ugly.

i think it looks bad***

Geez, I wish I owned stock in Specialized right about now... every body and their momma is gonna want to be on those bikes once the word gets out.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=259069 :rolleyes:

i think it looks bad***

+1. :D

I can hear Phil now--"Look out...here comes Boonen...moving to the front on the Vomit Comet!"

I wonder if the Roval hubs make a cool siren noise or something...

Also, if you're going to have a big hog of a saddle like that, some color other than white might let the eye stray away from it... Use what's comfortable, but damn that's loud.

I wonder if the Roval hubs make a cool siren noise or something...

Also, if you're going to have a big hog of a saddle like that, some color other than white might let the eye stray away from it... Use what's comfortable, but damn that's loud.

No, it's more like baseball cards in the spokes to give that "motorcycle feel"...

I don't get why Specialized painted the bike in CSC colors, and not the Quickstep colors.
Everyone hates the look of the Rovals, but the wheels are narrower than anything out there, they should keep that hub black. Many pros ride with longer stems theses days.
That crank is for training only.

Is the crank one of the Shimano ones that measures watts (with Specialized printed on the side)? If not that, I don't recognize it.

Is the crank one of the Shimano ones that measures watts (with Specialized printed on the side)? If not that, I don't recognize it.
That crank actually has a centrigal clutch connected to it if you look closely. Boonen is genetically blessed and doesn't like to train as hard as others. As a result he will often just connect a small motor to the crank to power his bike when training to satisfy his sponsors. His bike is technically a moped.
George

Is the crank one of the Shimano ones that measures watts (with Specialized printed on the side)? If not that, I don't recognize it.

It's not Shimano, it's SRM. They make power meters with all kinds of crank arms (SRM, Dura-Ace, Campy, FSA, and Cannondale come to mind) and it looks like Specialized has joined the club.

Weren't the Specialized cranks the ones that the QuickStep guys were throwing the chains on just by sprinting?

Is the crank one of the Shimano ones that measures watts (with Specialized printed on the side)? If not that, I don't recognize it.
The crank is a custom SRM based on the Specialized cranks. It also has a Campy bolt pattern, so they can use Campy rings.

Weren't the Specialized cranks the ones that the QuickStep guys were throwing the chains on just by sprinting?


This is true. But, that was the standard specialized ones. These SRM cranks even have custom spiders that allow them to use 135mm pattern Campy chainrings. I'd say they are using these to fix the flexy crank problem... and still maintain the sponsor requirements to run the spec crank. Also, note that Boonen doesn't have the matching computer mounted on his bike.

This is true. But, that was the standard specialized ones. These SRM cranks even have custom spiders that allow them to use 135mm pattern Campy chainrings. I'd say they are using these to fix the flexy crank problem... and still maintain the sponsor requirements to run the spec crank. Also, note that Boonen doesn't have the matching computer mounted on his bike.

Ah, makes sense. That's a pretty freakin' expensive work-around!

It does look like there's something on the dashboard in the first pic, though...

...on the Vomit Comet!"

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

I finally saw one of these close up (the QS team bike, red/black/white paint job, with the Specialized crank/BB and the Roval wheels) at a local shop yesterday -- and it does look significantly better in person.

What the heck, I'll say it again.

I still don't understand the red, black, and white frames with such a blue kit. Oh well.

I love this caption of the picture of his saddle: "Saddle, no-name white (similar to a Selle San Marco Regal)."

Also, Bettini is 5'6" and rides a 49 cm frame? I've heard that pros ride smaller frames, but holy crap.

does anyone know when the trend of plastering the logo all over every sq inch of the bike will end? 'cause that'd be cool if it did.

does anyone know when the trend of plastering the logo all over every sq inch of the bike will end? 'cause that'd be cool if it did.

Along with plastering said logo crooked.

does anyone know when the trend of plastering the logo all over every sq inch of the bike will end? 'cause that'd be cool if it did.

It's a race bike.

does anyone know when the trend of plastering the logo all over every sq inch of the bike will end? 'cause that'd be cool if it did.
when people stop buying said bikes

which, unfortunately, is unforeseeable

It's a race bike.

yes, it is. so were bikes from past decades which had dramatically fewer logos. nowadays everything has a logo slapped onto it.

What the heck, I'll say it again.

I still don't understand the red, black, and white frames with such a blue kit.

I agree, Maybe it's Specialized saying we want our bikes to stand out more then the rider.

Who decides on a team bike paint layout? Is it the bike company OKing the team's design or is it the team OKing the bike company's design?

How about when companies stop sponsoring bike races or teams? Then you won't have to look at any logos.

yes, it is. so were bikes from past decades which had dramatically fewer logos. nowadays everything has a logo slapped onto it.

Ok, then how about:

It's a race bike, the images of which will appear not only to tens of thousands of spectators lining the race route, but also millions of television viewers, DVD-buying customers, and bikegeek forumgoers who have nothing else to do but over-analyze Euro-Peloton bikes.

Also, Bettini is 5'6" and rides a 49 cm frame? I've heard that pros ride smaller frames, but holy crap.

I'm 5'7" and I ride 49cm custom frames.

But, I ain't no Bettini... :(

i'm not an idiot. i understand the reason they plaster the logo everywhere. i'm just saying i don't think it makes the bike look good.

What the heck, I'll say it again.

I still don't understand the red, black, and white frames with such a blue kit. Oh well.



For the last couple of years, at least, Quick-step has had black and red bikes with a bit of white. I would think that they requested that color scheme. If not, then one would think they would've gone with a more color-coordinated kit or, to stand out, had the bikes painted in Specialized's trademark red.

Aside from the white on the chainstays, I like the design. And I really doubt they are going to race on those wheels. They'll be on carbon Fulcrums. As for the cranks, I thought i read on weightweenies or here somewhere that they are switching to carbon Campagnolos for the season. Don't know about that though.

Also, Bettini is 5'6" and rides a 49 cm frame? I've heard that pros ride smaller frames, but holy crap.
That's about right. I'm 5'7-5'8 and I ride a 52 in standard geometry. I often size up for the longer top tube.

i like specialized bikes, but that is a train wreck. stem length: someone is compensating...


This is Tom Boonen were talking about right? I don't think he needs to over compensate.:)

When Cyclingnews reviewed his Time setup they reported that he uses an extra long stem to get into a flatter and more aero body position.

I find it a bit presumptuous to critique the frame size and bike setup of a rider who could bury 99% of us on a recovery ride.

I find it a bit presumptuous to critique the frame size and bike setup of a rider who could bury 99% of us on a recovery ride.

maybe he could bury 100% of us if he only took our advice regarding bike fit. poor pros...they just never learn. :p

maybe he could bury 100% of us if he only took our advice regarding bike fit. poor pros...they just never learn. :p

As long as R600DuraAce is a member, it'll never be 100%. :D

This is Tom Boonen were talking about right? I don't think he needs to over compensate.:)

When Cyclingnews reviewed his Time setup they reported that he uses an extra long stem to get into a flatter and more aero body position.

if it were super mario that we were talking about, then i would agree with you. boonen may be belgium's athlete of the year, but until he gets leopard print skinsuits, he will always have to run at least a 150 stem. as far as aero position or getting more leverage in sprints, i say posh. its mere subterfuge for boonen's cippo-envy.

I find it a bit presumptuous to critique the frame size and bike setup of a rider who could bury 99% of us on a recovery ride.

I'm not critiquing it, I'm impressed by it.

I'm 5'7" and 52 seems to small for me sometimes. Maybe I have weird proportions. But if not, that's one hell of a flexible guy.

if it were super mario that we were talking about, then i would agree with you. boonen may be belgium's athlete of the year, but until he gets leopard print skinsuits, he will always have to run at least a 150 stem. as far as aero position or getting more leverage in sprints, i say posh. its mere subterfuge for boonen's cippo-envy.

long stems are the sprinter's trick, puts you 30mm closer to the line...Belgian genius.

long stems are the sprinter's trick, puts you 30mm closer to the line...Belgian genius.
Huh? Wouldn't you want a longer WB and a shorter stem? That way if you are bar to bar with a guy at the line your wheel is actually a little farther ahead. Now I understand that they want the smaller bike because it shoul dbe stiffer and more nimble....but anyway how does the longer stem get you closer to the line?

yes, it is. so were bikes from past decades which had dramatically fewer logos. nowadays everything has a logo slapped onto it.

Is that not the European/Asian/American way?

if it were super mario that we were talking about, then i would agree with you. boonen may be belgium's athlete of the year, but until he gets leopard print skinsuits, he will always have to run at least a 150 stem. as far as aero position or getting more leverage in sprints, i say posh. its mere subterfuge for boonen's cippo-envy.


Chipo's 150mm stemmed bike
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/jimfeil/cipo.jpg

Huh? Wouldn't you want a longer WB and a shorter stem? That way if you are bar to bar with a guy at the line your wheel is actually a little farther ahead. Now I understand that they want the smaller bike because it shoul dbe stiffer and more nimble....but anyway how does the longer stem get you closer to the line?

Yeah, the real trick is lots of fork rake.

Yeah, the real trick is lots of fork rake.

or oval wheels.

or oval wheels.
then it would be contingent on his phase at the finish line...