Specialized introduced the all aluminum Transition frameset in 2005 and it continues unchanged for ’06. Specialized has been touting Peter Reid's involvement in honing the Transition's geometry after his Ironman Hawaii Championship in 2003. Interestingly, I think Mr. Reid actually won his last championship aboard a Specialized aluminum road frame with its 74-degree seat tube.  Nevertheless, having a true champion involved in the design of your tri bike certainly increases our interest in testing one.  I was lucky enough to try the top of the line model, the S-Works Transition that comes completely dressed up with a full Dura-Ace 10-speed drivetrain, Mavic’s lighter weight version of its well known Cosmic Carbone clinchers and Profile Design’s Sonic Strike aerobars.

The first thing I noticed about the complete bike is that it looks great.  The red and black paint scheme with the gorgeous red aero fork set off by the carbon seatpost and Cosmic Carbone wheels looks good moving and standing still.  I've always thought Specialized does a good job choosing attractive paint schemes and appropriate looking accessories for both its road and mountain bikes.  Unfortunately, though, while this trend is continuing with the new paint for the S-Works Transition, I just don’t get the move to white saddles and bar tape.  The most polite thing I can say is that white saddles are a little too European for my taste.  That’s not to say I have a bias against things European, as that would not be true.  I’ve been entranced by European Cycling ever since I spent the Summer of ’86 there, including being on the Champs-Elysees when Greg LeMond won his first Tour.  But white saddles, white bike shorts and the like are just not the acceptable norm.

Once I replaced the saddle, I was able to move past the looks to get to the ride.  The first thing I noticed is that the fork, even with its Zertz inserts, is too stiff.  This is surprising because Specialized makes a fine carbon road fork and both Tom and Mark have complimented the ride of the aero fork on the Transition Comp.  The S-Works aero fork though, even after I switched to my training wheels, is so stiff that the front wheel hops around over bumpy roads.  Perhaps I’m too sensitive to the ride of this fork, but as it is, I would hesitate to race this bike on unfamiliar courses. 

When the asphalt is smooth, the excellent straight-line handling makes the bike easy to ride.  I also test tri bikes at speed around turning courses without leaving the aerobars.  With the Transition, at least the 54 I was riding, the slackness of the headtube resulted in a slight uneasiness (the bike requires more input from the rider to turn).  While the difference isn’t significant nor does it effect the straight-line handling of the bike, the combination of the 72-degree headtube and 45mm fork rake is just too slack for razor sharp handling in high-speed turns (but this is better than having to steep a head tube that results in “twitchy” handling).  Please note, though, that the Transition’s geometry changes slightly with each size.  As the sizes go up, the seat tube angle gets slacker while the headtube angles gets steeper.  Thus, the 56, 58 and 61 sizes all have 72.5-degree headtube angles while their seattube angles go from 76 to 75.5 to 75 degrees.   Another unusual aspect of the geometry is that the rake of the fork changes from 45mm for the three smallest sizes, including the 54 I was riding, to a more standard 43mm for the three largest sizes.

Moving away from the front of the bike, the main triangle and the stays look like they were designed to be both slippery and stiff.  The bike certainly responds to pedal torque with corresponding forward motion as well as most tri bikes and better than quite a few.  I was not overly enthusiastic about the dynamics of the ride, though, as the Transition feels somewhat vague and disconnected.   I always discuss my opinions with other staff members and respected triathletes and with the Transition, I asked a friend who is a more powerful rider than me, to take it for a long training ride.  He came back with a favorable opinion of the bike and he particularly liked the way it climbed.  Moreover, just before posting this review he agreed to use the completely stock bike in a USCF Time Trial race and won his category.

This bike forces one to realistically evaluate their riding category - are you a lighter and/or less explosive rider or are you big and/or powerful?  I am in the former category at 150 lbs, higher than average cadence, better quickness and endurance than power or explosiveness, prefer to climb or sprint in the saddle rather than standing, don't typically win group sprints but can take the group on longer climbs, etc.  Riders like me will find very stiff bikes quite dull and uninspiring while bigger and/or more powerful riders, like my friend referenced above, will appreciate the lack of flex and enjoy the dynamics of the ride.  The Transition is much better suited for a big and/or powerful rider.  Moreover, I do not think the added stiffness is of any benefit to lighter and less powerful riders - it doesn't correspond into more speed, it just results in a dull ride.  Please note that my performance and value ratings below are based more on my abilities than on the bike's.  As proven by my very powerful friend, this bike is capable of bringing home victories for the right owner.

On to the drivetrain, Shimano’s Dura-Ace 10-speed is my favorite set-up.  It’s super easy to install and maintain, has virtually flawless shifting and should last as long as you take care of it.  Dura-Ace 10-speed is subject to corrosion from salt water and perspiration like all other equipment so you should clean it regularly.  One thing I like about Specialized’s specifications for the Transition is that all drivetrain parts, except the brake levers, are Dura-Ace 10.  That means that it did not skimp on off brand brake calipers, lower cost cassettes and the like.  Shimano does not make brake levers for tri bikes so Specialized specified Tektro RL970, carbon aero levers.  While I like the carbon touch, I don’t like brake levers without springs or with very weak ones.  Specialized could improve the bike by specifying Cane Creek’s 200TT alloy levers.

Mavic’s Cosmic Carbones have a real smooth ride and don’t feel as heavy as 1750g.  If you’re unfamiliar with the Carbone clinchers, they are essentially a set of Mavic aluminum clincher wheels with a carbon fairing.  Consequently, I don’t understand why Mavic can’t build them even lighter.  You should also be very careful when handling them and DO NOT hang a bike by these wheels.  The carbon fairing, particularly away from the rim, lacks the structural strength you may be used to from handling other carbon wheels. 

I really liked the comfort of Profile’s fully adjustable Sonic Stryke aerobars.  While still not a super light set of aerobars, the carbon construction looks and feels great and the almost infinite adjustability means you can get them just right.  I now prefer s-bend bars as they are more comfortable and provide better leverage.   If Profile offered these bars with an s-bend option, they would be among the very best clip-on bars available.  If you like the traditional upward bend, you will love these bars.

It’s hard to criticize a bike’s performance without coming across too negative.  The Transition is a good bike that would satisfy many triathletes.  My criticisms are minor when it comes to the overall performance of the frameset.  However, having ridden and raced other aluminum tri bikes in this price range ($4,600 for the complete bike and $1,700 for the frameset), I was somewhat disappointed with Specialized’s effort here.  I know it has the resources and expertise to build a better tri bike and I hope that ’07 will be the year it uses its FACT carbon technology to build a slippery, dynamic, good handling and fast bike for all of us.

KDG

The specifications for the complete bike are as follows:

FRAME	Specialized E5 AEROTEC, fully manipulated aero tubing, compact Transition design, internal brake and derailleur guides, replaceable derailleur hanger
FORK	S-Works FACT carbon aero Transition Speed Zertz, carbon legs, crown, and threadless steerer
HEADSET	S-Works Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed stainless steel cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm carbon spacers
STEM	S-Works FACT carbon stem, magnesium face plate, 31.8mm handlebar clamp
HANDLEBARS	Specialized Zertz Transition, bullhorn bars, 31.8 clamp, with Profile Designs Sonic Stryke aero bars
FRONT BRAKE	Shimano Dura-Ace
REAR BRAKE	Shimano Dura-Ace
BRAKE LEVERS	Tektro RL970, carbon aero levers
FRONT DERAILLEUR	Shimano Dura-Ace, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR	Shimano Dura-Ace, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS	Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed bar con shifters
CASSETTE	Shimano Dura-Ace, 11-23t
CHAIN	Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed
CRANKSET	Shimano Dura-Ace, Hollowtech II 2-piece design
CHAINRINGS	53x39T
BOTTOM BRACKET	Shimano Dura-Ace, Hollowtech II
RIMS	Mavic Cosmic Carbone SSC, welded aluminum clincher rim with dual carbon flanges
FRONT HUB	Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL SSC, 16 hole, Mavic QR
REAR HUB	Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL SSC, 20 hole, Mavic QR
SPOKES	Stainless 14g aero
FRONT TIRE	S-Works Mondo, 700 x 21c, dual-compound tread, aramid bead, 127TPI
REAR TIRE	S-Works Mondo, 700 x 21c, dual-compound tread, aramid bead, 127TPI
TUBES	Specialized Turbo presta tube, 0.6mm thickness
SADDLE	Body Geometry Transition Pro saddle, microfiber cover, full nose padding, cro-mo rails
SEAT POST	Specialized Transition carbon, aero seatpost with Speed Zertz