Ack. Pfft. It was the Specialized turbo clincher S that compelled me to go to tubulars for a number of years.

My experience was horrible. Hard to install, hard to remove, prone to flats, an unrelenting, unforgiving ride, and it wore unforgivably quick (like 600 miles, at a time I was getting 3500 out of Specialized Touring II's and something like 2k out of the Wolbler Invulnerables that replaced the Turbo S).

After the third flat in 600 miles, I noted that it had a noticeable flat spot on the tread so I threw it straight up in the air. A tree grabbed it, and for the next 15 years that tire served as a warning to other Specialized Turbos to keep clear.

It killed the tree. Of that I am convinced. It would still be there otherwise.


But you're right about the look of the bike, I think.