Bicycles

Pro Bikes: Marck Cavendish’s Specialized Venge McLaren

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Specialized

Published on Friday, 20 May 2011 07:58

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Marck Cavendish’s Specialized S-Works Venge McLaren allows the strong British sprinter to better express its capabilities.

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The frame is the result of a long aerodynamic analysis made by Specialized, which has led to a new section of aero tubes of the main frame and rear triangle. The aim was to combine the aerodynamic efficiency of the bike aero, with the weight of a traditional bike. The McLaren frame, then, drawing on the experience of the working of composite fibers of the famous F1 team, to get an even lighter frame, despite having the same rigidity. The aerodynamics have also affected the head set, which is incorporated and made especially for this model, like the fork. The Marck’s bike, is assembled with Shimano Di2; with controls, brakes, sprocket, crank, the front and rear derailleur. The crank is equipped with SRM power sensor. For commands Marck uses special commands made by Shimano for its sprinter (SW-7972), with the lever next to the low grip and the thumb while keeping your hands off the handlebars. Also Shimano Dura-Ace pedals are. Stems and handlebar are made specifically for Marck Cavendish, have greater strength, thanks to a series of internal reinforcements, weigh slightly more, but are far more rigid than other comparable components. They are both made of carbon fiber. The battery is placed inside the seat tube, improving aerodynamic efficiency. The wheels are handmade by the team, with hubs Dura-Ace and Zipp rims. The saddle is a normal Fi'zi:k. So assembled, the bike weighs about 7.6 kg, a much higher, partly due to the adoption of the Shimano Di2, in some parts very strict, but also heavy. A perfect bike for a fast and flat stage, but that puts the athlete in trouble rising and false flat. It is also difficult to have good acceleration, starting from low speeds, while the bike is at its best when accelerating from a rate already high. Under such conditions, the aerodynamic efficiency and rigidity of the bike allow a certain advantage over competitors.