Tech

Bike Check: Mari Rabie’s Olympic Specialized S-Works Amira

· By Bike Hub Features · 0 comments

Throw your thoughts (#TBT) back to the Rio Olympics in August. One of the highlights of the games for South African supporters was Mari Rabie’s outstanding performance in the triathlon event. She came out of the water in a strong position and excelled on the bike to start the run out front. She struggled to keep the momentum going on the run and slipped down to 11th position by the end of the race.

In the triathlon event, there may be swimming and running but what we at Bike Hub care about the most is the cycling leg. Mari put in an excellent performance on the bike so let’s take a closer look at the Specialized S-Works Amira Torch that she raced in Rio.

ccs-62657-0-24202500-1493796695.jpg

In Olympic distance triathlon, drafting other riders is perfectly legal so bikes tend to look more like road bikes than the weird aerodynamic bikes you might expect to see in longer distance formats of the discipline. In the case of the Rio Olympics, Mari elected to ride Specialized’s S-Works Amira SL4 road bike. For those unfamiliar with Specialized’s range: the Amira is, in essence, a Tarmac with ladies-specific geometry and contact points.

The top of the range S-Works model comes so well equipped that Mari did not need to make many changes from the stock specification.

ccs-62657-0-86411800-1493796712.jpg

Mari’s Amira is fitted with Shimano’s mechanical Dura-Ace groupset, with the obvious exception of the S-Works carbon crank and accompanying 52-36 chainrings. The Roval carbon wheels are a set of Rapide CLX 40 providing good stiffness and some aerodynamic assistance. Specialized’s super supple Turbon Cotton tyres provide grip and low rolling resistance.

ccs-62657-0-46456400-1493796711.jpg
ccs-62657-0-10476700-1493796714.jpg

ccs-62657-0-88053600-1493796706.jpg

The cockpit features more S-Works gear with a carbon handlebar, seatpost, and Power saddle. Even the bottle cages carry the prestigious S-Works branding.

ccs-62657-0-97754100-1493796704.jpg

ccs-62657-0-01658100-1493796703.jpg
ccs-62657-0-81815300-1493796701.jpg

ccs-62657-0-37573000-1493796708.jpg
ccs-62657-0-14760000-1493796698.jpg

Full specifications:

  • FrameS-Works FACT 11r carbon, OSBB, full internal cable routing, internally integrated seat clamp, 130mm rear spacing
  • ForkS-Works FACT carbon, full monocoque, size-specific taper
  • RimsRoval Rapide CLX 40
  • Hub + SpokesRoval CLX with DT Swiss Spokes
  • TyresSpecialized Turbo Cotton
  • HandlebarsSpecialized Women’s SL Carbon, shallow drop, 125mm drop, 75mm reach
  • StemS-Works SL alloy
  • BrakesShimano Dura-Ace
  • Shifters + cablingShimano Dura-Ace
  • DerailleursShimano Dura-Ace
  • CassetteShimano Dura-Ace
  • ChainShimano Dura-Ace
  • CranksS-Works FACT carbon
  • ChainringS-Works 52-36
  • Bottom BracketCeramicSpeed
  • PedalsShimano 105
  • SeatpostS-Works FACT carbon, 20mm offset, 27.2mm
  • SaddleS-Works Power Saddle
  • Bottle CagesSpecialized S-Works Rib Bottle Cages

Comments

There are no comments yet. Why not add yours below.

Add a comment

You must log in to comment