Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 at Total Rush

I was down at the local bike shop earlier this week when this awesome Specialized Tarmac SL4 caught my eye.

In standard guise the SL4 looks as tuff as pair of old boots; adding a pair of lightweights just takes it to a whole new level.

Of late I've been hatching a plan to pick myself up a low end Tarmac as a wet weather trainer; but I have to admit that as I get ready to hand over the old 'hard earned' I am very temped to throw in a few more dollars and get one of these instead.

~VL

S-Works Project Black Venge at Total Rush

Down at Total Rush, Richmond on Saturday for the morning bunch ride to Mordialloc and back when Skinny Luke goes and busts out this awesome S-Works Project Black Venge.

Miniature S-Works SL3

I was playing around with my Canon S95 yesterday testing out a few different settings before an upcoming holiday.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the tilt shift-esque 'miniature' effect. It makes the SL3 looks like a little toy.

~VL

Bike No. 1 - Torker2 280 Air

Way back in 1987 I was 10 years old. Thanks to the video release of the film 'Rad' I developed an unhealthy obsession with BMXs. This obsession never quite passed and over time has gradually morphed into the road bike version you see some 24 years later.

Assos Campionissiomo G731

I came across this while trawling the internet over the weekend. Seems that Assos has teamed up with Goomah to produce a limited handmade Assos road bike called the Campionissiomo G731.

Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge

Hey, remember when the Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge bounced on to the scene with a sonic boom back in March!

The Venge hit the ground running in a pretty big way when Matt Goss won Milan San Remo on the Venge's first professional outing; and Mark Cavendish has (at the time of writing) taken 4 stage wins aboard the Venge at this year's Tour de France in his pursuit of the overall green jersey.

It kind of seems to me that after all of the initial hoo-haa on its release, the hype surrounding the Specialized McLaren Venge is dying down a bit and the impact of this ridiculously awesome bike is fading away into the background... probably overshadowed somewhat by Specialized's release of the S-Works SL4.

Why don't you take a couple moments out of your busy day and cast your eyes (and heart) back over the McLaren Venge... you can't tell me you don't think this thing is awesome!

I'm hanging to see one of these bad boys in the flesh... hopefully somebody will be kind enough to let throw a leg over one!

~VL

Photos courtesy of Specialized Bicycle Components and bicycledesign.net

Specialized Tarmac SL4 Frameset

Not quite the S-Works... but I think I just fell in love!

Photo courtesy of bikeradar.com

~VL

Specialized Shiv at the 2011 Tour de France

I have never thrown a leg over a time trial bike, yet somehow I instinctively know that I would be absolutely rubbish (more so than I normally am) if I ever tried to give one a go.

I think I need a winter bike?

So this morning I was out for another ride with the boys and as is now becoming the Melbourne winter custom, I arrive home sopping wet with a filthy bike.

Wife greet's me with the usual "blah blah lots of money spent on the bike.... blah blah Sram Red is not made for this type of abuse... blah blah Tommy Voeckler will go for a breakway stage win at the tour (what?)".

S-Works SL3

Owner:  VL
Make:  Specialized
Model:  S-Sworks SL3
Size:  58 (team geo)
Group:  Sram Red
Wheels:  Easton EC90sl Carbon Clincher

Like:  The stiffness of the frame and stability of the bike when bombing it down hills