Us Bike Dealers Test the NEW Specialized 2011 Camber and 2011 Stumpjumper

A gathering of 600 dealers were not dissapointed when they tested the Specialized 2011 line of bikes during a product launch in Colorado late last month. Seeing the awesome 2011 lineup encouraged bike shop owners in what has already been a good season for bike sales. Specialized introduced a new mountain bike called the Camber, which they call, "a pure XC trail bike," creating a hybrid of the Epic and the Stumpjumper FSR platforms. Generally, the pricing of the Camber will be just below the Stumpjumper line. But, even without a brain shock, the design is similar to the stumpjumper, with models varying as far as crankset and frame size.

The 2011 Specialized Camber, a mountain bike for mountain bikers, closes the gap in Specialized lineup, replacing the Stumpjumper FSR with 120mm of travel (100mm for 29er versions). Pro models have a custom SRAM carbon 2x10 crankset with Shimano XTR 10-speed derailleur. Lower models get triples.

The 2011 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR models see few changes save for a retuned S140 fork (26″) with no Brain inertia valve. The Fox shock trades Pro Pedal settings for a shock that’s designed around pedaling when on with multiple compression damping settings when turned off, In order to allow tuning of the shock's characteristics for descending more than climbing.



 


 2011 Specialized Stumpjumper S-Works 29er Carbon

The Stumpjumper hardtails don’t see too many changes other than spec updates. Like the Epic, the S-Works models get carbon-rimmed Roval Control SL wheels, along with the more modern 2×10 drivetrain. The mid- and high-end models have stiffer wheels due to  Specialized’s updated 90mm travel Future Shock with dropouts. These wheels are compatible with Specialized and Rockshox forks, and they have a OS24 caps in order to make them compatible with Fox forks.

The S-Works carbon frames weigh in 100g less than the 2010 model, at 1,055g for the 29er and 920g for the 26″ model. Shaped seatstays combined with a slim 27.2mm seatpost provide vertical compliance for both models. The 2011 Stumpjumper FSR and S-Works Carbon are great additions to the Stumpjumper line.

Specialized Allez Comp: Redisigned for 2011

If you are looking into an entry level racing bike, the Specialized 2011 Allez Comp is where you should start. Redesigned for 2011, the aluminum frame is shaped exactly like the Tarmac.

"After the Roubaix, the biggest news on the road side is the complete redesign of the Specialized Allez.  The new frames are 20% stiffer…they have the same torsional stiffness as the Pro Tour-proven Tarmac SL3…and they get the same tapered headtube design on the Elite models with bearings set further up the steerer tube for enhanced stiffness due to increased surface contact area (details are a bit sparse on that aspect, we’re working on it). The seat tube gets butted, swaged and formed into a squared shape at the bottom bracket, strengthening one of the highest stressed areas on the bike.

Being Specialized’s competitive but affordable road model, the Allez comes with both high performance builds and one version with SRAM’s new performance touring compact double Apex group. In addition to the same stiffness as the Tarmac SL3, the new Allez shares its racy geometry. In this comparison, the gray is the Allez A1, yellow is the Allez E5 and the red is the Tarmac SL3."(BikeRumor)

2011 Specialized Tarmac SL3

Although the  2011 Tarmac SL3 doesn't come with Zertz inserts, it has a triangulated seat for stiffness and the geometry is aggressive. You can expect more confidence, better handling, and better power transfer from these features.

The key to stiffness is a bigger cross section in the fork with wider and stiffer blades.

Bikeradar says "Is it a case of stiffness that goes up to 11? Possibly, but again you can't argue with the results. Riders on board Tarmacs have won more than 25 ProTour races this year, and given that Alberto Contador, Fabian Cancellara, Frank and Andy Schleck will all race them at the Tour de France, there's no doubt the frame will enjoy more success."

Specialized 2011 Roubaix SL3: Responsive and Efficient

The 2011 Roubaix SL3 is a comfortable road bike at the top of the Specialized Endurance line that can race with the best of them, and yet versatile enough to be appealing to all riders.

Engineers have designed a frame that assists the bike to limit vibration and increase sticktion, which delivers a smoother and more efficient ride. And although Specialized has been using Zerts elastomer inserts for a while, they have been given a permanent home, securely placed in a nook of the seat stay. Specialized has included internal cable routing and boasts that the bottom bracket to chain stay is in one piece to increase the efficiency of power transfer.

Specialized has also taken responsiveness into consideration, and made sure to leave their “cobra” tube unchanged, which widens and drops into a fatter, tapered head tube for extra stiffness. They also offer a redesigned, stiffer fork with a two bladder molding style.