Specialized Shiv TT Review

Specialized S Works Time trial bike

Specialized Shiv  Time trial bike. Used by Tony Martin in winning World Time Trial Championship 2011.

The 2012 model has been redesigned to fully comply with UCI regulations. This involves

• Saddle must be 5cm behind the bottom bracket
• Aero seat tube complies to 3:1 aspect
• Wings on downtube have been removed compared to earlier models.

Features of Shiv Module

• FRAME    Specialized FACT 11r carbon, UCI-legal aero tube shapes.
• FORK    S-Works FACT carbon, full-monocoque, UCI-legal
• HEADSET    1″ upper and 1-1/8″ lower Cr-Mo cartridge bearings
• STEM    S-Works Shiv TT Aero
• HANDLEBARS    S-Works Shiv TT carbon Aerobar
• FRONT BRAKE    S-Works aero integrated
• REAR BRAKE    S-Works aero integrated
• BRAKE LEVERS    Tektro Shiv brake levers, alloy w/ adjuster
• CRANKSET    S-Works FACT carbon
• CHAINRINGS    53/39 TT
• BOTTOM BRACKET    OS integrated, ceramic bearings
• Colour – black (no options)

Shiv Module comes with handlebars, pads and aero extensions, brakes, carbon crankset (53×39), an integrated bottom bracket with ceramic bearings, and an aero seatpost.

You will need to fit a chain, cassette, shifters and derailleurs, a saddle and wheels.

Weight

With disc wheel and high end SRAM groupset, the bike will come in at just under 8KG, which is quite competitive for a top end time trial bike.

Integrated stem and header tube

Tribars and arm rests

Front brake

Rear brakes are hidden in chainstay

Video of Specialized Shiv 3

Specialized Shiv TT video by Specialized.

Review of Specialized Shiv 3 at Tour of California

Overall

The Specialized Shiv has a great pedigree and some of the most impressive palmeres of time trial bikes on the market. It claims to have the stiffness and rideability of a road bike, and testing suggests road handling is very good. Also, it is built to maximise power transfer, which is as important as weight and aerodynamic shape.

Triathletes may be dissappointed that the UCI regulations have limited geometry shape and 3:1 aspect ruling. Also, like many modern time trial bikes, bike fit is increasingly fiddly and complicated. Hopefully, you won’t have to refit cables and brakes too often.

But, if you are looking for a light and superfast time trial bike, you would find it difficult to do better than the Specialized Shiv 3. It has made significant gains on earlier Specialized models. Even if you’re not doing UCI races, its adherence to UCI rules won’t compromise speed significantly. There is still room for adjustability of saddle to non-UCI positions.

As long as you like black, you will enjoy the admiring glances that the Shiv will encourage. It looks as aerodynamic and has a very good smooth finish.
Sizes

Comes in 5 different sizes enabling fit for everyone from 5′ 3″ to 6’3″
Small 5′ 3″ – 5′ 6″ 160cm – 168
Medium 5′ 6″ – 5′ 9″ 168 – 175
Large 5′ 9″ – 6′ 0″ 175 – 183
X-Large 6′ 0″ – 6′ 3″ 183 – 191cm

Related
Specialized Shiv tech features at Specialized

Time trial bikes

Specialized Shiv TT and Triathlon bikes at Evans Cycles