What are Zertz inserts on a Specialized Vita?

[hebe]

I'm looking at this Specialized Vita (http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=61522&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use+), or will be, when the bike shop has one in.

What are Zertz inserts and how do they work, please? I understand that they reputedly smooth the ride but I don't know how, or what they are made of. I'm looking for a bike that will be capable on local tarmacced lanes and roads but that can also do the very occasional short stretch of gravel or surfaced pathway. The choice seems to be between a Vita or a Giant Escape.

Thank you!

[Seajay]

The theory is that they damp out a broader range of vibration than just the aluminum or carbon in the rest of the frame. Thus making the bike more comfortable over the course of a ride
Think along the lines of the rubber dampers on tennis racket strings.

Certainly there are those who claim "marketing" Maybe so. People do find many of the Specialized bikes quite comfortable. Is is the Zertz? Who knows. It's certainly not hurting anything...so may as well have them.

[hebe]

Aha, thank you. So Zertz is something rubbery? This would be my first bike without any suspension so I am willing to give it a go.

[laura*]

So Zertz is something rubbery? This would be my first bike without any suspension so I am willing to give it a go.

My impression is that the Zertz are there to reduce high frequency vibrations - i.e. stuff you'd perceive as buzzing.

They are not an alternate to suspension components. They won't do anything to smooth out a bumpy road.

[pll]

Ride both bikes over a rough spot, if you can, so you can compare how they feel to you. Even better if you could use the same wheelset with both bikes (since the wheels and tires make a difference). The geometry of the bike and the material of the bike are important. You can find plenty of discussion in different fora, with some stating the inserts are revolutionary and others that they are just a gimmick.

[Roadtrip]

Not sure if it's all marketing or not, Specialized first started putting the Zertz on the upper end carbon bikes, but recently has started trickling down to the other lines. I have them on my Ruby, but have really not ridden other bikes without, so not really anything to compare to.

I really like the Vita. Honestly, I really like most of the styling of Specialized more then any other bike manufacture. I ended getting a Trek FX because of the deal the shop was giving me!

Shannon

[Sardine]

My impression is that the Zertz are there to reduce high frequency vibrations - i.e. stuff you'd perceive as buzzing.

They are not an alternate to suspension components. They won't do anything to smooth out a bumpy road.


I think laura* is right. I don't know if this is helpful but when looking for a road bike earlier in the year, I test rode a Scott, a Fuji, the Specialized Dolce Sport, a Trek and one other, all on the same day. The Specialized was the most confortable and with the least road buzz despite the fact that the Trek I tested had a carbon seatpost and forks while the Specialized only had carbon forks and an aluminium seatpost. As I have only ridden steel bikes for the last 5-6 years, the difference with aluminium seems quite pronounced to me.

The Specialized may have felt more comfortable partly due to the Zertz inserts, which I think are made from a kind of plastic. But pll is right about geometry and tyres. The Specialized was designed to be comfortable over long distances and had 25mm tyres as opposed to the 23mm on the others. Like she said, do test ride both. While the Specialized was more comfortable, it also felt less lively which in my view weighed against it despite having the best looks too.

[pll]

While the Specialized was more comfortable, it also felt less lively which in my view weighed against it despite having the best looks too.

Wow! I had the exact same impression when I was test riding. There was a Specialized test ride event and I test rode two of their bikes, for ~10 min each, a Ruby and a Tarmac something or the other... I was a plush ride, but not responsive. I found it hard to accelerate on them.

[Seajay]

The Specialized was designed to be comfortable over long distances and had 25mm tyres as opposed to the 23mm on the others.

Even better if you could use the same wheelset with both bikes (since the wheels and tires make a difference

Well noted, Sardine, and PLL
The change to the 25mm from a 23mm tire (and appropriate pressure) on any bike will override any other comfort "feature". Not sure why folks are feeling the Zertz bikes as less responsive. No reason they should feel that way. Personal preference I suppose.

[Hi Ho Silver]

...snip

Not sure why folks are feeling the Zertz bikes as less responsive. No reason they should feel that way. Personal preference I suppose.

I'm always surprised by the remark that the Zertz equipped bikes are less responsive. I think maybe people are inappropriately equating "responsiveness" with tactile and/or auditory feedback, because I find that my Ruby accelerates well (er, as well as this old engine can power it along) and responds immediately to steering inputs.

[pll]

I'm always surprised by the remark that the Zertz equipped bikes are less responsive. I think maybe people are inappropriately equating "responsiveness" with tactile and/or auditory feedback, because I find that my Ruby accelerates well (er, as well as this old engine can power it along) and responds immediately to steering inputs.

I would not attribute my perceived lack of responsiveness to the zertz. It could be simply the geometry, perhaps I was put on too big a bike. The contrast for me was a Cervelo RS I rode the day before (which was a bit big for me). That bike was *fun*. It was comfortable and felt fast: whatever power I applied to the pedal, resulted in acceleration. The two Specialized bikes I rode, by contrast, felt like molasses to me. It was a disappointment, especially because I had expected to buy a Specialized (several friends have them and like them).

At the end, I went with a Cannondale, which also rode very nice for my "taste", but in part it was due to the different attitudes of the bike shops. The Cervelo dealer would not order a bike in my size without a commitment to buy from them (and I have been going to that shop for 10 years). The Cannondale dealer went out of his way to allow me to test a bike with the components I wanted.

[Sardine]

To clarify, I really can't say if the Zertz inserts was the major factor. I think that the bike may have been designed with comfort as an important feature if the sales pitch was anything to go by. It happened to sit in about the same price range as the other bikes I tested, which were more geared towards racing. Also, it was the only Specialized bike I tested so my opinion is restricted to that model, which isn't in the same class as your bike HHS. I was looking at that level as I'm new to riding this type of machine.

[Roadtrip]

I think the Ruby is a more comfort oriented geometry, yes... Specialized also has the Amira and Venge is the more race oriented road bikes for women.

Shannon

[hebe]

Thank you so much for all the replies, and for clarifing what Zertz is and what it does. It's so interesting to see all the different experiences.

Test rides are difficult around here, but if I shop on a dry day then it might be possible. Thank you again, I'll update when I've seen the bike.

[luv2climb]

I have the Zertz inserts on the carbon front fork of my aluminum 2011 Dolce Triple. That bike is very comfortable over rough roads, so I guess they work.

[KnottedYet]

So the Zertz are supposed to make carbon and aluminum feel more like steel?


(I know a really easy way to make a bike feel like steel, and last for several decades as well!) ;)

[hebe]

Thanks luv2climb and KnottedYet, much appreciated!

[Roadtrip]

I'd defiantly give some steel a try.. The Jamis Coda Femme is a nifty looking bike. I'm sure there are some good steel builders there in the UK. Jamis and Surly are two of the bigger steel manufactures here. Catrin is in love with her custom steel Gunnar by Waterford... I think Serrota also makes custom steel bikes but they are really pricy.

[Laguna]

I always assumed Zertz was pure marketing hype. This spring I rode a Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix back-to-back at the dealer. Wasn't I surprised when I could indeed tell the difference! The Roubaix (w/Zertz) was noticeably smoother at the high vibration end of the scale. It had NO effect on bumps...we're just talking road vibration.

However, while the difference was noticeable it was minimal. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it but it did make a slight but noticeable difference.

[Roadtrip]

I think it depends to the road surfaces too... nice smooth Tarmac is much different the chip seal. Nothing except suspension is going to help with really truly bumpy roads.