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!

[Kiwi Stoker]

Thanks goodness they have created a beefed up women's race bike!

A friend of mine who is riding at elite status and is trying to get to the Commonwealth Games had an S-Works Ruby- well she is a total powerhouse in the legs (she is a great time trialist) and ended up having to swap her Ruby for a men's bike- the bottom bracket flexed (so much that other riders thought it was broken) and the rear end wagged.

I know how she felt, I have noticed my 2008 Ruby if you really power up it feels like the rear end is going to skate from underneath you.

It is a bit early yet for a total reveal- real bikes (the one in the article will be the final prototype/sample) normally only get out of the factory in late July/August (and that's just medium sized display models for bike shows and overseas distributers). Catalogues are September. Ex-industry girl.

[kenyonchris]

Thanks goodness they have created a beefed up women's race bike!

A friend of mine who is riding at elite status and is trying to get to the Commonwealth Games had an S-Works Ruby- well she is a total powerhouse in the legs (she is a great time trialist) and ended up having to swap her Ruby for a men's bike- the bottom bracket flexed (so much that other riders thought it was broken) and the rear end wagged.

I know how she felt, I have noticed my 2008 Ruby if you really power up it feels like the rear end is going to skate from underneath you.

One of the reasons I had for changing bikes. I have the 2008 Ruby Expert. I don't race (faaaaaar from it) but I ride with racing men....and it is just a little too squishy for me. This time I veered away from WSD and went with the Colnago....since it is still being assembled, too early to tell if this was a good move....
I think the more styles, designs, stiffnesses, etc. there are to pick from the better, but "women specific" often lead women to buy bikes that are not necessarily the best for them....till they know better!
I think I will sell my ruby rather than keeping it as a training bike...way too nice a bike to put on the trainer or let gather dust. It is a great bike, just not *quite* right for me.