Yesterday Specialized and McLaren introduced a new bike that they say is the lightest, fastest, and most aerodynamic road machine ever built. It also happens to be the kind of bike that looks great as well, with speed written all over it.
Constructed from carbon fiber, and designed to take on the winds of the open road, the new Specialized Venge has a carbon fiber frame that weighs in at just 950 grams, or just a shade over 2 pounds. It's origins date back to a rejected design from 2009, which saw the bike company asking the car company, McLaren, to help them improve the design. The results are an 8% increase in speed and better resistance to drag not just from headwinds but also a cross wind as well. Something road cyclists struggle with on a regular basis.
The new bike is already being ridden by a few riders in a race this weekend, and it will be used by Alberto Contador and Mark Cavendish this season. It comes in two models, the S-Works Vernge, which will set you back $4000 for the frame alone, with a ridable version starting at $8700, and the McLaren Venge which starts at $8000 for the frame and will go as high as $15,000 for a complete package.
To find out more about this impressive looking bike, check out this story at The Adventure Journal and the Official Venge page as well.
I want one!