2010 Specialized bikes announced, kinda

[gnat23]

I'm really quite frustrated. I knew there was going to be a big shift in the women's lines, especially the roadbikes, so when Specialized made their big press launch last weekend, I waited eagerly for the hype and pictures from the reporters.

(crickets)

Yeah, about that. All I've seen so far from the web are these:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...and-more-22215
and two pictures of the new Myka buried in here: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=529123

Everyone is all hyped about the new TT bike, the Shiv, and the steel Langster, and all the new 29" mountain bikes, which are, yes, pretty. But besides bikeradar, I can't find anyone that's yet acknowledged that new women's stuff was even introduced, let alone say how cool it is.

I wanna see! I've got an upgrade itch, and I just wanna daydream!

-- gnat! (grumblegrumble)

[smurfalicious]

I wanna see! I've got an upgrade itch, and I just wanna daydream!

Industry girl here. All I've heard is they're removing the "Designs for Women" tag line. Trek is doing something similar. Just a little rebranding, woo. I don't drink the WSD Kool-Aid though so I'm probably the wrong person to ask.

[TrekTheKaty]

OK, before I freak out--I'll try to rationalize: This happened to me in golf. A male recreational player has the same swing speed as a female pro, so they quit labeling some golf balls as "women's" and gave them new catchy names like "noodle." The result, of course, is shopping is more confusing (and yes, I hit a women's ball about 50 yards farther--frustrating).

Not all women need "wsd," (I do) and I am sure there are male recreational riders with a shorter reach. So maybe it's not a bad thing, as long as these frames are still available?!

[gnat23]

Well, for sure there are WSD coming out of Specialized for 2010, I was just hoping they'd make a bigger deal out of it. I *love* WSD details and geometry, and I was hoping to see what innovations were trickling down from the recent engineering into the women's lines.

From what I gather, the top-end women's bikes have split off into the Ruby and the Amira, with the Ruby being more comfy/endurance Roubaix-style and Amira getting more agressive Tarmac-style geometry and stiffness for the racers. This is a big deal, as it means they're not trying to do straddle both disciplines with one bike as they have in the past. That's not to say one cannot race on a Ruby, but it's nice to see women racers get the same attention to detail as the guys have had for years.

So, thinking that I might be in the market for a new frame soon, but I'll have to be patient until either the magazines pick up the story or it turns up in the stores. :P

-- gnat! (the pink is a nice touch, too, but I know I'm one of the few who has that opinion)

[aicabsolut]

I am so excited for the women's S-works shoe!

[Eden]

Oh man - I just bought new shoes (and I was complaining bitterly that no one, including Specialized, sold their high end shoe in women's sizing). Now I am jealous!