SPECIALIZED Bristol

Tel. 01179 514942 • bristol@specializedconceptstore.co.uk

Specialized Concept Store, Eastgate Road, Bristol, BS5 6XX

Free UK Delivery

On all orders over £20*

30 days returns

Exchanges or refunds available

Price Promise

Buy from us with confidence

Cycle 2 Work

All major schemes supported

CYCLOCROSS

THE Bristol STORE

The Bristol Store offers excellent service and facilities such as:

One stop shopping experience
Friendly and experienced staff
Price promise
Body Geometry Fit
S-Works custom build
Suspension and service specialist
6 week free saftey check
Test bikes

Workshop Booking
Bike Fit Booking

Location

Specialized Concept Store, Eastgate Road, Bristol, BS5 6XX
Tel. 01179 514942
bristol@specializedconceptstore.co.uk
Email Form

Opening Times

Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-7pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-7pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday + Bank Holidays: 10:30am-4:30pm

Map & Directions

CYCLOCROSS

Bristol NEWS

Our helmets just got a big facelift

Remember those days when a helmet was just a plastic lid you wore on your noggin? Well, those days are now gone, we’ve transformed the rudimentary helmet into a live tracking device.

Prepare for the worst and stay dry this season

Anyone who rides a bike knows that you can’t beat the weather, but the weather sure can beat you. so you need a reliable selection of gear to keep your pedals turning. At Specialized we have everything you demand, proven on the road and on the trail to be tough enough to last as long as the winter does, and then some.

Introducing the new SWorks Recon

With a design that’s been honed over 30 years, it comes as no surprise to learn that these are some of the lightest, robust and freakishly comfortable shoes we’ve ever produced.

Treat the kids this Christmas

Christmas is coming and as the little ones buzz with excitement, adults are often left thinking “how the hell are we going to get all this shopping done?” Well, that’s where we come in. Here’s a quick guide to all the awesome kid’s bikes and gear that we have to offer. Even if your little’un has forgotten to write their list, fear not, for we have something for just about everyone this Christmas.

Super support from MIMIC technology - No more suffering in silence

There’s nothing worse than a numb backside on a long ride. For female riders especially, finding the perfect saddle is a tough task and one that requires a lot of research and pre-planning. Striking the perfect balance between helping you lay down the watts, and providing a plush surface for your tush, the new women’s Power Saddle with MIMIC technology significantly reduces the pressure and improves comfort, power and performance in bucketloads.

Skip the winter and go abroad

Living in the UK, we all know that winters can get pretty rough, with the snow, rain and slush inhibiting our abilities to get out there and ride. But what if we told you that you didn’t have to trudge through this cold and wet season and that you could head abroad instead, chasing the eternal sun.

Winters coming - Cyclocross on the CruX

Winter can really test your resolve. As the days get colder and the mornings get darker it can be more and more difficult to prise yourself out of that comfy bed and head outdoors. But at the same time, you’re a cyclist, right? It’s what you do, and it’s what you need – it keeps you sane. This is where cyclocross comes in!

Wrap Up For Winter

One of the best things about bike riding is being outdoors: great views, fresh air and good riding. But there’s no denying it - winter is around the corner.

Introducing the new S-Works Shiv Disc

When it comes to triathlon, aerodynamics are truly everything and the secret is integration. When you start taping on gels, fixing bottles and flat kits to the frame, you’re left with a whopping aero encumbrance that’s only going to slow you down. The new Shiv has solved that and more.

Specialized dominates the 2018 World Championships

The Tour de France has its prestige, the Giro its classy allure and the Vuelta its gruelling parcours, but no race quite matches the season-ending World Championships in terms of drama and ‘edge of your seat’ action.

Ain't no mountain high enough for the Enduro

The term ‘all mountain’ isn’t used loosely, it takes one special bike to take on climbs and descents with equal aplomb. That’s where the Enduro comes in, a bike that can ride the entire mountain while striking the perfect balance between performance and efficiency.

How to prepare for an all-day epic

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. The 'train hard; fight easy' mantra is never more apt than when the all-day ride, that's been in the diary for months, is suddenly right around the corner. Don't be caught short and follow Ben Plenge's formula to be ever prepared.

Trail-blazing with a turbo boost

The all-new Turbo Levo FSR is here to change that. It’s stiffer, lighter and more powerful than ever before, and, it will give you the boost you need to climb back to the top, rendering the uplift redundant. Welcome to the new age of mountain biking – it’s still you, only a whole lot faster.

Specialized's super weekend at the MTB Worlds

It was a special weekend for our Specialized MTB riders, breaking and matching records in both the men’s and women’s disciplines.

BLCK DMND drops – new rubber for our 2019 MTBs

Our tyres are, first and foremost, designed to keep you planted on the trail – but a grippy tyre isn’t necessarily the lightest. We’ve been looking for the perfect rubber, a combination of grippy, fast and light for years. With the help of enduro specialists – Curtis Keene and Jared Graves – we may have just found such a tyre.

The Stumpjumper evolves

You’re going to love this latest Stumpjumper EVOlution, a bike that doesn’t quite fit the mould of a ‘normal’ trail bike. It’s built for the rough and gnarly, designed to carry some hot speed through the toughest and most technical of trails. Does this sound like a Stumpy that you could handle? Then listen closely…

The CruX of Cyclocross

The Specialized CruX has experienced a revamp for 2018, slimming down to be the greatest Cyclocross bike for the local woods or your next world cup.

The new Allez Sprint

You may recognise the Specialized Allez Sprint as the aluminium racer that the Hagens Berman Axeon team rode to much success throughout the early 2018 road season, Well, now it has a new iteration, the Allez Sprint Comp Disc, upgrading the stunning alloy racer with superb stopping power and all-weather versatility.

Loic Bruni wins in Mont-Sainte-Anne

World champion, Loïc Bruni, took a memorable victory, getting his just deserts after a season so far marred by misfortune.

The new Venge Pro

As the S-Works Venge went on to dominate the sprints of the 2018 Tour de France, Specialized’s Venge Pro lay in wait – biding its time before this week’s big reveal.

Peter Sagan - record breaker

Peter Sagan lined up for his seventh Tour de France, once again in the rainbow stripes of world champion, with a fierce glint in his eye and that trademark cheeky emerald glint.

Turbo: It's you, only faster

The e-bike revolution is here and it has come surging in with the speed and style to match that of even peloton favourite, Peter Sagan.

The next evolution of trail bikes

As the cross-country (XC) discipline grows ever popular among the mountain biking community and wider cycling crowds, XC bikes are becoming more and more versatile without compromising any of that characteristic, lung-searing speed.

Super Sagan and the brand new Venge

With the Tour de France now well underway, we’ve become familiar with seeing the peloton showing off a new collection of drop-dead gorgeous road bikes, all looking to make a statement on the world’s biggest stage.

The all new 2019 VENGE

Seven years of aero testing and race-winning results later, the new Venge has been born. Transforming the burgeoning concept of aerodynamics into an ideology, every edition of the Venge has been optimised to make you ride faster – the new model redefining the meaning of speed.

New Specialized Tarmac disc models just in time for the Tour

With the Tour de France approaching and the peloton’s best gearing up for three weeks of racing action, now’s the perfect time to launch a new line of Tarmac frames complete with disc brakes and drop-dead gorgeous paint jobs.

Peter Sagan - Why so serious?

With the stage victory on day two, Sagan took a record-extending 16th stage win at the Tour de Suisse, adding yet more weight to the claims that he is ‘the greatest rider’ of our time.

Gravel grinding on the road less travelled

An explosion in gravel riding popularity now sees more and more races popping up worldwide, check out this year's UK events as competitors hit the road less travelled and grind it out in the grit.

Three weeks of unrivalled success

With the pro peloton taking a well-earned breather after battling it out across the sunny beaches of California and the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Giro d’Italia, Specialized have been celebrating a spectacular few weeks of racing.

Aero is everything

With aerodynamics now at the forefront of bike technology and driving the market forwards with perpetual advancement, it’s time to take a look at the many ways we can take advantage. Forget pedal power, aero is everything.

The Retul bike fit philosophy

A process often neglected when purchasing a new bike, the bike fit is something that too many riders forgo and almost always regret further down the line. Retul’s bike fit technology provides all the necessary tools to improve both rider performance and comfort, so don’t wing it, bike fit it.

The womens road racing season so far

The undisputed queens of the early season, Boels have crushed every race that has unfurled before them. With a small hiatus before the next big race, let’s take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the women’s racing season so far.

Specialized head to the Giro d'Italia

After a historic spring classics campaign for Specialized, worthy of entering cycling’s illustrious hall-of-fame, they now head to the Giro d’Italia alongside a rampant Quick-Step Floors team eyeing the sprints, and a promising Bora-Hansgrohe side targeting results in the high mountains.

Stumpjumper pilots top the table at the Sea Otter Classic

For anyone questioning the extreme performance promises of the new S-Works Stumpjumper 29, two trail-blazing Californians have just proved beyond doubt that the iconic bike is everything that it seems, and more.

Everything you need to know about the new Specialized Stumpjumper

The new Stumpjumper is here! Through some engineering wizardry and design overhaul, the new model is the ultimate trail bike.

Specialized: the Kings of Spring

With Peter Sagan’s historic victory at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, the cycling world turns the page over to the next chapter of the calendar.

Everything you need to know about Specialized e-bikes

If you think there’s space for an e-bike in your arsenal – which there really ought to be – then you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding something to suit you in our range. After all, we could all do with a bit of a boost from time to time!

Specialized put in epic performance at Cape Epic

You can keep your Tour de France and your Volta a Catalunya; we’re over here enjoying our new favourite stage race, the hot and brutally tough Absa Cape Epic.

New Specialized Spring clothing range

Our new spring clothing range has launched just in time, so let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

An Epic XC World Cup

On Sunday 11th March, the cross-country (XC) mountain biking world was gifted with a spectacular day of racing. Stellenbosch, South Africa, played host to the first round of the UCI World Cup XC event. Let’s take a closer look at the riders and bikes behind an Epic weekend.

Improve your commute with a hybrid bike

Hybrid bikes are all the rage in urban and rural communities alike, favoured by riders looking to upgrade their commutes and improve their fitness, and Specialized boasts some of the best and most popular hybrid bikes that the world has to offer.

Women’s off-road bikes

Let’s take a look at some of the women’s bikes and kit ready and raring to accompany you on your next adventure.

Which bike for you?

Two of our most popular machines are the Tarmac and Roubaix, two bikes which seem to have a similar purpose at first glance: to ride fast. However, there is a lot to distinguish between them. Read on for a helping hand in deciding which is for you.

RETÜL MATCH NOW IN-STORE

The perfect fit for every aspect of your ride. Data-driven, personalized product recommendations in a matter of minutes.

New S-Works Evade helmet and S-Works 7 shoes

If you’ve been watching the early season races closely, you might have noticed that our Specialized supported athletes and teams have been sporting new models of familiar helmets and shoes. Let’s take a detailed look at these exciting new pieces of kit.

Specialized Road Helmets

With racing underway and motivation gathering momentum, now’s the time to take a look at the new products hitting the cycling world.

Worth It: Will Do

We know January has slid beneath our wheels already but that doesn’t mean steps can’t be taken to make a change or set a goal in 2018.

Specialized MTB helmets

After taking a look at our road helmets last week, this week it is the turn of our mountain bike collection.

20 reasons never to buy Specialized

Thinking about whether or not you should buy a Specialized bike as the next addition to your personal fleet?

Tour Down Under 2018 race preview

It’s time to box up the Christmas decorations, drag them back up to the loft, and bring down the inflatable kangaroos; the Australian cycling season is officially underway.

New Year New Bike (Sale)

Kick-start your motivation with a new set of wheels at mahoosive discounts in our winter sale.

Ten things every cyclist does at Christmas

Ten things every cyclist does around the Christmas period.

The six cyclists of Christmas… and what to get them

Welcome to our deeply unscientific look at six of the most common pedalling personas we think you’ll encounter out there, along with some handy Christmas gift recommendations for these types of cyclists.

New team rider

Introducing Kriss Kyle our new team rider

How to plan a long-distance touring trip…

A tour guarantees a succession of mornings spent breakfasting in new, beautiful locations, days riding through an endless variety of landscapes filled with friendly people and evenings watching a sunset and reflecting on the day’s events.

It’s time to take e-bikes seriously

The popularity of e-bikes is growing and with it, the recognition within world racing that it's here to stay.

Everything you need to know about disc brakes

Earlier this week, British Cycling announced that disc brakes will be allowed in all levels of domestic competition in road races and closed circuit events from 1 January 2018

Is Peter Sagan the greatest cyclist of all time?

Is Peter Sagan – our current world champion, a description he has carried for three years now – the greatest ever cyclist?

8 things your non-cycling friends just don't understand

Some of the acknowledged cycling stereotypes live on through sheer stubbornness and a firm belief that traditions and conventions should be upheld. Some are genuine issues of practicality, efficiency and safety. And most cause some degree of head-scratching from our non-cycling friends.

What to look forward to in the 2018 race season

The 2017 WorldTour racing season came to an explosive end this week with the Tour of Guangxi, the last and newest top-tier event on the calendar. It was a particularly eventful finale for Specialized thanks to one athlete in particular.

Stay safe and seen out there… commuting essentials for winter

As of September 22nd, the equinox, summer’s reign is officially over in the northern hemisphere. This means the sun sits lower in the sky and the nights stretch on for longer as the northern hemisphere tilts further from the sun.

What is Specialized SWAT storage ?

Specialized SWAT is all about carrying everything you need for your race or ride in the most efficient way possible.

Specialized bikes and kit reviews - round up

Here's a roundup of Specialized product reviews throughout the press, these independent reviews offer an unbiased opinion on performance in everyday use

What is Cyclocross?

Some would lament the end of summer as we progress through September at an alarming pace. However, even though our carbon road steeds will see little other than the insides of the stable for the remainder of 2017, there is still a lot to look forward to this year.

Winter hi-vis essentials

The days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping so it’s time to make sure you’re well prepared for whatever winter might throw at you. Hi-vis fluoro clothing and accessories are a must-buy at this time of year.

Who and what to look out for at the World Championships

All the world’s best and brightest cycling talent will shortly be descending on Bergen in Norway for the UCI Road World Championships. The racing starts with the women’s team time trial on 17th September and closes the following Sunday with the men’s road race.

Specialized dominates World MTB Championship

The 2017 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships are in the books, and it was a successful week Down Under for many Specialized riders. There were some heroic displays across all disciplines and age groups, with the full gamut of Specialized bikes on show.

Four reasons why you need a bike fit

Everyone loves a good bike upgrade. Anything to help us climb easier, ride faster or stay in the saddle for longer durations. While there are countless products that promise to help you on your way towards these common goals, some are more effective than others.

First look: Turbo Kenevo

The all-new Turbo Kenevo picks up where the ground-breaking Turbo Levo left off, and adds more travel, providing the freedom to ride steeper, rougher, and gnarlier trails than ever before.

Best photos and recap from Vuelta week 2

It has been another spectacular week for Specialized’s supported athletes at the Vuelta a España, and though their presence is still as acutely felt as ever, it has not been all about Quick-Step Floors. Bora-Hansgrohe have also come out to play.

Recap the first week of La Vuelta with the best bits

Quick-Step Floors have sustained their status as the winningest team of 2017 in the first week of La Vuelta. With three of nine stage wins, the team elevate their victorious tally to a staggering 25% of all the Grand Tour stages completed so far this year.

Prepare for the CruX Season

It’s already agonisingly close to the end of August, which means the cycling world will shortly be turning off the paved roads and bombing it, instead, through thick mud, sketchy rock gardens and up and over vicious ramps.

The young guns of Quick-Step Floors

The Vuelta a España got underway this week and, if the early signs are anything to go by, it’s set to be one of the more electrifying Grand Tours of recent years. One team that’s already set about grabbing the Spanish bull by the horns is Quick-Step Floors

Bob Jungels - The Vuelta’s dark horse

The last Grand Tour of the season is just days away and the circus is already assembling in Nîmes, France, for the technical team time trial before the Vuelta heads into Spain for the race proper.

Best deals in the Specialized Concept Store sale

Its end-of-season sale time here at the Specialized Concept Store, and there are literally hundreds of bikes, clothes and accessories available at low prices.

Some of the big names riding Specialized in 2018

For fans of many sports, August means transfer season. And, while you won’t see any cyclists being purchased for multi-million pound sums, pro teams are now beginning to dip into the market of soon-to-be out of contract riders

The new 2018 Specialized Epic

In line with the changes to XC tracks in recent years, the Epic frame has been completely redesigned to better negotiate the tricky rock gardens and technical singletrack of modern racing.

Tips for buying your first road bike

When making that first foray into the road bike market, though, wading through the hundreds of different options can be a daunting prospect. But fear not, lycra-warrior! Here are a few pearls of wisdom to lean on when picking out that all-important first bike:

BORA-HANSGROHE, THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE?

Bora-Hansgrohe have proved again and again that they have immense strength in depth and a real passion that does not dip in the face of adversity. The team may be newbies in the WorldTour peloton, but they are a near unstoppable force.

The Specialized Foundation launches 'Outride ADHD'

To coincide with stage 18 of the Tour de France, the Specialized Foundation launched the ‘Outride ADHD’ campaign to create awareness of an under-appreciated method to combat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The foundation aims to educate doctors, parents and teachers about the merits of cycling for children diagnosed with ADHD.

Red Hook Report

he Red Hook Crit is always a great place to spot beautiful bikes, with the unique Specialized Allez models ridden by the team standing out in a field of standouts. These fixed-gear versions of our market-leading aluminium frame are perfect for the hurly burly world of crit racing and have carried Team Specialized riders to victories in this and previous series.

Prepare your family for a summer of cycling

The summer holidays are finally here so it’s time to start planning some fun family rides. The warmer weather at the end of the school year is the best time to build up your family’s confidence on the bike and on the road.

The Red Hook Crit, London

Criterium racing is one of the more exciting and spectator-friendly disciplines of our sport. Raced on short, often city-centre, circuits, criteriums inspire a frantic and full gas style of racing

Catch up with the Specialized Pro Riders

Specialized bikes of all varieties have been put to the test on varying terrain, from the technically challenging MTB trails of Andorra and Switzerland, to the insane climbs of Italy and the extraordinarily fast sprints in France. Let’s catch up with some of the riders and what they’ve been up to lately

A good weekend for Specialized at the MTB World Cup Round 4

Last weekend saw the fourth round of the UCI MTB Cross-Country World Cup in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. For a few days, the venue was overrun with riders and fans who enjoyed the spectacle of MTB racing in some of the best scenery Europe has to offer.

Why your next road bike should be equipped with disc brakes

Marcel Kittel made history on Stage 2 of the Tour de France by winning on a bike equipped with disc brakes for the first time ever.

Boels-Dolmans at the Giro Rosa

The European road race champion rests at the top of the UCI rankings and currently tops the general classification standings at the Giro Rosa

Pro Bikes of The Tour de France

The professional cycling peloton is about to set off on its 104th Tour de France and there’s plenty to get excited about. The first stop for this unique travelling circus is Dusseldorf, where the racing kicks off with a 14km individual time trial. The Tour then visits Belgium and Luxembourg before arriving in France at the end of stage four

Specialized Teams at The Tour de France

Of the 22 teams heading to Dusseldorf, two will be riding with Specialized equipment including bikes, helmets and shoes. Both Bora-Hansgrohe and Quick-Step Floors are packed full of incredible talent for this Tour. Let’s take a look at who to look out for

A first look at the all new Specialized Diverge

The Specialized Diverge all-terrain adventure bike has been treated to a major redesign for the new season. In an era in which hybrid disciplines like gravel riding, or “Groad” biking, are inspiring the cycling world

The new 2018 Crux

Right now the perishing cold and sticky mud of winter may seem like a long way off, but Specialized has just launched a new version of its CruX frame. The new CruX is a cyclocross bike that is sure to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy all through ‘cross season when it does eventually come around.

STAR 2017 PRODUCTS

From the Venge Vias Disc eTap to the S-Works 6 road shoes, each of the products below are there for a reason; not only do they look simply stunning but they also perform to near-perfection.

Five times Peter Sagan was the Raddest Dude in Cycling

Peter Sagan is a rare breed of cyclist; a man whose abilities transcend the boundary between mountain bike and road racing, and whose personality would be well-suited to the Hollywood red carpet.

Getting ready for Bikepacking season

Bikepacking is a craze which is sweeping the cycling world with bikes designed especially for a particular type of adventure, bags and equipment developed for ultra-lightweight and efficient storage, and events like the Transcontinental Race being talked about almost as much as the Tour de France.

Get into the OVO Womens Tour with Boels-Dolmans

The OVO Women’s Tour, this year supporting Breast Cancer Care, is run by the same organisers as the men’s Tour of Britain and features five stages finishing with a challenging criterium-style finale in London’s West End.

A NEW GENERATION IS BORN

The 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia came to a thrilling climax on Sunday and it’s already being talked up as one of the more exciting Grand Tours in recent memory. It had everything; controversy, drama, crashes, surprise, fury, disappointment and elation

Spotlight on the Sirrus

The Sirrus is a machine perfectly suited to fast and comfortable urban riding, but it needn’t be confined to the city. Every model in the range can help you become fitter, faster and stronger, on the roads, through the woods or to the café with friends.

ANNIKA LANGVAD - EPIC CHAMPION

Langvad is a passionate athlete who sets a fantastic example for the sport on and off the bike and we’re proud to have her in the Specialized family.

GOING FULL ENDURO

Enduro is a discipline which is touted to be the next big thing in mountain biking. To get the most out of it, you need an all-mountain trail bike that is responsive when you’re plummeting down inclines and nippy when the trail tilts skyward.

FIVE MOUNTAIN BIKE MYTHS BUSTED

There is no better way to exhibit passion for pedalling than hurling yourself down forested trails with mates on knobbly tyres. But is it all fun and games? Like anything worth doing,

TEST RIDE A TURBO LEVO

Countless experienced mountain bikers have started coming out of the woodwork to praise the benefits of motor-assisted bikes, dispelling the assumption that ebikes should be the sole domain of the inexperienced, injured or elderly.

SPECIALIZED RIDERS TAKE THE FIRST WEEK BY STORM

On Friday 5 May, a circus arrived on the Italian island of Sardinia, a circus draped in pink, which set out on a lap of the island that would last three days. The Giro d’Italia had landed.

Spotlight on the Tarmac

This year, the men of Quickstep Floors and Bora-Hansgrohe are riding Specialized frames. For the flat and sprint stages, the Venge will be their weapon of choice, while the mountains call for the Tarmac, a significantly lighter beast. Let’s take a look at its merits.

Fairytale Fortnight for Boels

By the first week of April and the Tour of Flanders, Boels-Dolmans had cemented themselves as the team to beat. This year, however, they had scraped just one single win by the same point in the year, courtesy of this year’s world champ, Amalie Dideriksen.

Spring Road Cycling Clothing

Though summer is definitely on the way, this is a difficult time of year to dress for – so here’s a list of the key items that will set you up for spring – whether you’re dodging April showers on British shores or jetting off to the sun-drenched roads of Mallorca, Tenerife or Lanzarote for a training camp.

Spring MTB Clothing

Whether you’re using the spring as an excuse to get away from the UK for your first riding trip of the year, or simply fancy digging your trail-munching machine out of the shed and visiting the local centre, you’re going to need some appropriate kit.

Boels-Domans back with a bang

After starting the 2016 season as the dominant force in women’s cycling, Boels-Dolmans have had a quieter start to 2017. The ladies in orange have amassed less than half the number of wins as they had at this point last year, but that’s not to say that they haven’t enjoyed a significant degree of success.

Specialized Products in the DIRT 100

Every year, Dirt Magazine releases a complete guide to the 100 best mountain bike products available that year. The list is compiled irrespective of price, method of sale, or country of origin, and there are certainly some eyebrow-raisers in there.

The Other Specialized Superteam

Most British cycling superstars are cultivated in a velodrome where they learn the way of marginal gains, sports psychology and gold medals until they are deemed fully grown, ready to be released into the wild world of road racing.

Specialized Diverge - Jack of all Trades

If you remember riding your first bike as a kid, you’ll recall the unconquerable compulsion to ride over potholes and through the worst road muck you could possibly find.

Cape Epic Heroes

Taking place at the end of March every year, the Cape Epic is raced over eight gruelling days, starting on South Africa’s Western Cape at Meerendal and finishing at Val de Vie after 691kms and 15,400m of climbing.

Specialized Athletes you may not have heard about

Arguably some of the more exciting and awe-inspiring riders fly relatively low beneath the radar, so we’ve amassed some of the brightest new talents and heroes below.

Putting the Spotlight on the Allez

The Specialized Allez has been a benchmark in the road bike market for about as long as the company has been around. The Allez, inspired by the shouts of encouragement from French spectators (and also a play on the material the bike is made from), was launched alongside the Sequoia sports tourer as one of the American brand’s first production bikes in 1981.

Top 10 Road and Mountain bikes under £1500

So, you want to get into cycling but you’re not sure where to start? We’re here to help you find the perfect bike to get you inspired as you set out on the road or trail.

Grand Tour vs Classics

Why hasn’t Peter Sagan won the Tour de France? Why is Chris Froome not riding Paris-Roubaix? How is watching 200 men in skin-tight suits riding from one place to the next in the least bit exciting?

Venge ViAS Disc Reviews

The Specialized Venge ViAS Disc has become more and more prominent as the season has progressed. First, Tom Boonen grabbed a maiden race win for a disc-equipped bike at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina right at the beginning of the year

E-bike or regular - An E-asy Choice

Electric bikes have been subject to ambivalence for about as long as they’ve existed. They came onto the scene in the 1990s as city bikes with wacky designs that were far removed from traditional bikes.

Spring Classics are here

We can finally say with some conviction that spring is, if not here already, then definitely on its way. If all else fails, for cyclists, the beginning of the classics season is a good sign that spring is coming.

The best entry-level bikes for Women

So you’ve decided to take up cycling, (great news!) but you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Mountain bike, fitness or road racing, it’s easy to get stuck at the first hurdle of there being so much choice

Women's evenings at Specialized Concept Stores

Designed with a view to getting more women cycling, the ‘Where it Begins’ event series from Specialized is a month-long series of events that will offer a huge amount to both newbie riders and those who are looking to get back into the saddle after a long time without picking up a bicycle.

Limited Edition Bora-Hangrohe S-Works Tarmac in Stock!

A new season brings new opportunities, new objectives and new teams into the world of pro cycling, and this year is no different. 2016 saw the end of two top-tier teams in IAM Cycling and Specialized supported Tinkoff, causing a major reshuffle, not only in team rosters, but also in equipment sponsors. In 2017, Specialized has a renewed focus with just two teams to concentrate on in the incumbent Quickstep Floors team of Marcel Kittel and Tom Boonen, and Peter Sagan’s new home at Bora-Hansgrohe.

The power to ride more trails

If the divisions between roadies and mountain bikers are seen as a bit of a rift, then the split separating ebikes from the rest of two-wheeled society is perceived by some as a chasm of biblical proportions. But with the Turbo Levo, Specialized is breaking down the barriers that keep ebikes from experienced and performance-driven mountain bikers, and has already converted many of the ebike’s fiercest skeptics.

Try before you buy with demo bikes and events

When you buy a new bike, you want to know that it is the perfect machine for you. For ultimate peace of mind and confidence in the bike you choose, we have an awesome fleet of demo mountain bikes that you can take for a spin.

New Year, New Bike

New year, new you, new bike? Everyone knows new kit is one of the biggest motivators for a cyclist. Smart new kit equals more pro, which equals faster and more efficient riding. Whether you’re a mountain biker, road racer, sportive hunter or bike packer, we’ve got something to enable you to make this year great. Check out our list of bikes that will take your riding to the next level in 2017.

Introducing the stunning new Roval CLX 50

Peter Sagans Specialized S-Works Venge ViAS

His torso newly-wrapped in rainbow stripes for the second year running, Peter Sagan is about to begin a new season with his new team, Bora Hansgrohe, the german outfit which was upgraded to World Tour status for 2017 (thanks largely to the UCI points Sagan brought with him).

New year fitness drive

2017 is achingly close now, a new chapter is waiting for our reformed selves. Hopeful lifestyle changes and good intentions are just around the corner, we’ve just had the hurdle of Christmas Week to struggle over first.

Get your kids riding in no time

Passing on the skill and joy of riding a bike is a great gift to your child, it’s something they’ll hopefully never leave, and, as the old adage goes: “You never forget how to ride a bike" Getting them there is another story though, there are going to be some tantrums, some tears and some cut knees, actually even at 33 years old the cut knees never end. There are a few schools of thought on the subject of teaching your child to ride a bike. I’ll discuss below the options and current thoughts on those ideas.

How to ride wintery conditions

As we enter December and winter is well and truly here, it’s time to think about riding your bike in wintery conditions – not just in the cold and the wet, but more dangerously, on the icy surfaces that become more of an issue as temperatures drop below the zero mark on your thermometer.

Looking forward to 2017 on the road

With New Year just a hop, skip and a jump away, we’re starting to look toward the 2017 road cycling season with bubbling anticipation. While we amateur cyclists settle into our winter routines driven by willpower and fear of loss of fitness, professional riders all over Europe and the world are beginning their preparation for another racing season, newly laid targets fresh in their minds with strict plans in place in order to meet them.

The wonders of winter riding

There aren’t many of us who truly love everything about winter. As the temperatures around the UK have plummeted dramatically in recent weeks a fair few of us will have been grumbling about the chill in the air. But all this doesn’t mean there aren’t some great things about winter too.

Dress from the ground up - all the essential winter items you need

Whether we like it or not, winter is here to stay, and with the off-season slump all but over, it’s time to turn our attention to winter training; taxing for some, exciting for others. It has been said that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing, and we couldn’t agree more.

World Champs Roundup

There has been just one story on everybody’s lips this week in the world of cycling; Peter Sagan’s incredible second win in a row at the UCI World Championships.

The bike press are loving our 2017 bikes

There’s a lot of love out there for our 2017 bikes, particularly the new incarnation of the Sequoia and the reimagined Roubaix. What can we say? We tend to agree!

Feeling adventurous? The new Sequoia and Burra Burra

The trend for adventure riding seems to be gathering pace with every passing month. More and more cyclists, be they mountain bikers or roadies, are discovering the joys of heading out into the wilds, just them and a bike loaded down with everything they might need for a few days in nature.

Winter welcome – cold weather clothing

You can’t fight it, in fact you might as well embrace it, winter is well and truly on the way. Riders all over the UK have been feeling a nip in the air and have begun the much-loathed process of sorting out their winter bikes and kit

Ride Into Winter

We all know the best way to keep riding through the Winter is to make sure you’re prepared to tackle the worst that the season can throw at you. With that in mind, we invite you to join us at your local Specialized Concept Store for our women’s Ride into Winter evening sessions.

The Specialized superteam – Etixx-Quickstep

Very few World Tour teams ever come close to the achievements hoarded by Etixx-Quick Step each season. With a squad brimming with talent and opportunities, there is not just one leader around which the team is built as with some teams. The Belgian squad are a stalwart of the pro peloton and are a joy to watch at any race. What’s more Eitxx is perhaps the only true candidate for the ‘super team’ label.

Essential 2017 helmets

There are few pieces of kit that are imperative if cycling is to be taken seriously and a helmet is one of them. In some countries you can incur a hefty fine for neglecting to protect your noggin, Australia, for instance. Earlier this week an Australian study was released, drawing on data from more than 64,000 cyclists worldwide, concluding that helmet use reduces the risk of serious head injury by 70%.

Four reasons you need a 2017 S-Works Enduro in your life

The Enduro is a fearless, peerless backcountry bike – ideal for racing or simply exploring the local wilderness. Not only is it extremely able, but it also offers fantastic pedalling efficiency, because when you ride ‘all-mountain’, you have to take on the whole of the mountain – and that means putting in the power to go uphill as as well as down.

Revolutionary rides: the new-look Ruby and Roubaix

The Roubaix has been a stalwart of the Specialized family since 2004, when it revolutionised road cycling as the first truly successful entry in the ‘endurance’ bike category. Through the years it’s been through its fair share of changes and tweaks – like all our bikes, both mountain and road, we believe you can always improve on perfection.

Smoother is Faster

To some, smoothness is merely concept. But for the all-new Ruby and Roubaix, it's the driving force behind every design decision we make, and the result are a pair of bikes like no others before them. Find out how we did it.

The Tarmac is back – 2017 range of our top-end road machine

For when owning a great bike is not quite good enough, the Specialized Tarmac is an exceptional all-round race bike. Light, stiff and agile, the it’s a versatile machine that is perfectly suited to sprinting, descending and climbing.

Enduro 2017 – a whole new attitude

The Specialized Enduro has been a favourite for MTBers for some years, but has remained largely unchanged since 2013. That’s largely because we don’t believe in changing things just for the sake of it – especially not when you’ve got such a natural-born hill killer on your hands.

Meet the Sequoia – ready for adventure

Specialized first entered the market in 1974 with a touring bike called the Sequoia – and now that touring and all-road adventure riding is very much back in fashion, Specialized have brought it back.

Get into cyclocross – and meet the Specialized CruX

Riding a bike during the winter months can be a chore to say the least. The cold, rain, wind and gritty roads can wreak havoc with your mind, body and your drivetrain – confining many a keen road cyclist to the indoor trainer.

Marcel Kittel's S-Works Speed Machine

An introduction to marcel Kittel's S-Works Venge Vias and one of the fastest bikes on the market

S-Works Superstars - Our Cutting-edge Products Getting Rave Reviews

Our top of the market kit are getting the reviews they deserve across the cycling industry

Lizzie Brings it Home for Britain

Lizzie Armitstead wins at the Tour of Britain

Three Items to Instantly Upgrade Your Summer MTB Clothing

Here are our recommendations for three pieces of equipment to add to your summer cycling essentials

Our Five Favourite Things About Summer Riding

There are so many good aspects to summer riding but here are our top five favourites

Three bikes perfect for riding L’Etape du Tour

With less than a month to go before the 2016 edition of the L’Etape du Tour, we thought we’d take a look at some of our best road bikes for tackling this type of epic road cycling challenge.