July 25, 2005 (Santa Cruz, CA) – The second weekend in July was gold for Specialized. While international media descended upon Santa Cruz for a taste of Specialized’s 2006 offerings, Georg Totschnig was, almost on cue, hammering towards a mountainous Tour de France 2005 stage win upon his Specialized Roubaix. Levi Leipheimer added to the ironic exposure of Specialized’s line by pulling off a 5th place in the same stage on his Specialized Tarmac SL. Not to be outdone, Specialized’s mountain bike line was also given headline press thanks to Liam Killeen winning the Norba XC #4 on his S-Works Epic. While the big word at this years product launch seems to be Carbon it’s not the only word.

Road

The Road line sees the Tarmac SL in 100% Composite. A frame and fork so light – 895g for a 54″ frame – that not only does it have to be weighted to be UCI legal by taking on two full water bottles you double the bikes weight. Historians may recognize the revival of the Roval wheel sets that can be found gracing the Tarmac SL. The Tarmac SL also sports the super stiff, super light, one-piece S-Works BARMAC bar/stem system that scales in at less than 370 g. The new Toupe saddle is also a highlight on the Tarmac, weighing in at only 155g. Featuring Specialized’s Body Geometry design it has to be one of the lightest saddles on the market, and comes in both 130 and 143mm widths for comfort.

The endurance savvy Roubaix line is pumped up to six models offering a whole new level of pricing that will allow more to experience the Tour de France’s favorite bike.

Of course the sweet spot on this year’s road, or as Specialized refers to it, “Free-Road” line has to be the S-Works TriCross. This SLX frame sports and incredibly robust carbon cyclecross fork with Speed Zertz inserts. Frame and Fork weigh in at about 1,300g (54″) and features eyelets for panniers and fenders. A sweet looking bike that feels as comfy on the road as it does ripping up the local cyclocross course.

Mountain Bike

Full on fiber! The S-Works Carbon Epic at about 2,300g is stiff, light, fast, and features Specialized’s new Az-1 (“As One”) carbon front triangle and M5 allow rear triangle. All the 2006 Epics receive a brain upgrade to the Brain Fade, which features adjustability between hardtail firm and trail-tuned squish.

The 1,150g S-Works Carbon HT is lighter than some competitive road frames. It features 90mm of travel from the Fox F90X, a big stiff bottom bracket, and replaceable, protective pads that prevent frame damage during chain suck.

Thanks to carbon the StumpJumper FSR loses weight and gains stiffness for 2006. A lot of that stiffness comes from the cold forged magnesium link, with cartridge bearings, and the custom butted and shaped asymmetric rear triangle. The Top 3 Stumpy models get the new Brain Fade but unlike the Epic you go from trail soft to fully open.

The S-Works Enduro gets an all new full SRAM drive train, 24/36 chainring, cartridge bearings, and Fox DHX Air, 150mm rear shock.

In fact Fox and SRAM both seem to have much more of a presence in Specialized’s 2006 line.

Accessories

The hottest accessories for this year have to be the ARC optics, and the Decibel and Deviant helmets.

For the road the 16g ARC sunglasses features adaptive lenses that not only darken and lighten in seconds to suit conditions, they are bullet proof! Do not attempt to verify this at home! For off-road you get the Half Time optics, which have an open frame design and the same adaptive lenses as the ARC but optimized for off-road conditions.

The Decibel helmet has some hefty ventilation but that’s about all that’s hefty. It’s down 30g over last year to about 298 g and features both vertical adjustments (12mm) and size adjust through an improved PRO fit retention system.

The full-faced Deviant helmet is well ventilated and very light. It is CPSC-certified, available in both a carbon and a fiberglass shell material, and features PRO fit.

Ned’s Birthday Bash

Included in this year’s celebrations of both 2006 products and Tour de France successes was a milestone celebration closer to home for Specialized. A pre-emptive 50th birthday bash for none other than Ned Overand, a name synonyms with Specialized, was offered up to international media, family, and friends on the second day of Specialized’s 2006 product release camp.

Hundreds gathered to celebrate “Deadly Neadly’s ” big “five-oh” a number that doesn’t seem to phase “The Lung” who recently pulled off an 18th place finish in the pro men’s field at this year’s Angel Fire World Cup event. The night was highlighted by a draw for a Specialized jersey signed by Overend, mingling with Ned and his family, and a video of Ned’s life from rug rat to trail rat with a hilarious birthday tribute from cycling’s bad boy, Bob Roll. Here’s to another 50 Ned, keep cranking!