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Specialized McLaren Venge Road Bike Shipping – Eyes On & Weight

Specialized McLaren Venge road bike shipping and weighed in US bike shop
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Specialized McLaren Venge road bike shipping and weighed in US bike shop

A while back we got a close up look at the Specialized Venge S-Works frameset before our Specialized PR guy even knew they were shipping (granted, that’s not his job), and now we’ve got what’s claiming to be the first McLaren version to ship to the States.

Word is this is the only one in the U.S. and unless you’ve already plunked down the $18,000, it’s not going to you. Seriously.

Specialized McLaren Venge road bike shipping and weighed in US bike shop

Our spy couldn’t get a shot of it on the scale but says it weighed in at exactly 14.0 pounds for the size 56 without pedals.

Specialized McLaren Venge road bike shipping and weighed in US bike shop

The McLaren version comes with eeCycles eeBrakes and Zipp cork Tangente Pro brake pads (good catch, Rob!).

Thanks to Robert for the tip!

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Rob
Rob
12 years ago

Those aren’t the Zipp cork pads. They are the Tangente Platinum Pro pads.

Will
Will
12 years ago

I know that shop! It’s Surf City Cyclery in Huntington Beach, CA. I don’t think divulging it will spoil anything since anyone that has been in it will recognize the shop from the pictures. I wish I knew if my wife had spent $18,000 lately!

Topmounter
Topmounter
12 years ago

I at least have to give Specialized some credit for figuring out how to sell an already overpriced $9,200 bicycle for $18,000… and even more, they managed to do it without Bono signing it.

phlat albert
12 years ago

i’d feel like a tool if i had to buy it THEN try to make it go fast. @18k i’d ask to drive an F1 Mclaren for a couple of hours instead.

Steve M
Steve M
12 years ago

Hopefully the owner of this thing wears a matching jersey- better to pick the tool out of a line-up on the patio of the local Starbucks.

Daniel Knighten
Daniel Knighten
12 years ago

I love that on an $18,000 bike that the best they could come up with to prevent the DI2 battery from flopping around was a zip tie. This bike really is an awful joke. Almost certainly the person receiving it would be better of riding a custom, made to fit them specifically, bike. There are an awful lot of really good custom builders out there.

Buttrumpus
Buttrumpus
12 years ago

So how much is it worth once it leaves the store? How about a year from now? $3k?

Nathan
12 years ago

Still, I wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating crackers.

Eric Ruffing
Eric Ruffing
12 years ago

I guess we will be seeing this in southern california, most likely Huntington Beach?

Chad
Chad
12 years ago

rabble rabble rabble!

John Q
John Q
12 years ago

For $18K, shoot for $9K, they should have integrated to batter into the frame. I suppose if you are dropping this much on a bike, that the ~$500 for the Calfee internal battery conversion is chump change.

Rick S
Rick S
12 years ago

This is cycling’s version of a $112,000 Chevrolet.

BJ
BJ
12 years ago

Can a custom bike builder make this bike though? With the same stiffness and all that jazz? There isn’t a factory in the states that could properly make this machine. It’s an out of this world bike, with a crazy price tag, that few of us will ever ride or consider purchasing… so perhaps hold the shit talking until you give it a ride? Hey, I’m sure your fancy carbon road bike ‘is just as nice for you’… Specialized charging this for this is just as crazy as a few other random road brands with bikes over 10k that still use cheap carbon and lay up design.

Robert
Robert
12 years ago

Look, it’s a piece of history. I think anyone that appreciates a well-designed bike will appreciate this. The money spent developing this will trickle down and everyone will benefit from it.

If it was up to some of you, we’d still be riding with downtube shifters and exposed brake cables (not that I don’t have a bike that is still set up that way).

teh persons
12 years ago

Dork charriot. And for such an allegedly aerodynamic bike, tell me that eeCycles front brake is slippery in the wind.

Spend $5000 on a bike and a coaching program, work hard and you’ll actually be faster. Instead of a poser.

Turbofrog
Turbofrog
12 years ago

@ Daniel

I agree that $18,000 is pretty ludicrous, but at the same time I think it’s equally ludicrous to spend that amount of money on a custom bike. With a properly sized frame, the vast majority of the population can pretty easily get a bike that exactly fits them simply by swapping saddles, stem, seatpost and bars…so about $200.

Dale
12 years ago

That is at Rock N’ Road Cyclery.
Great shop with a great owner and awesome staff.

Robin
Robin
12 years ago

It’s certainly a beautiful bike. It could be the price is justified given the R&D required, the materials, and what production costs. Since no one posting here or anyone outside Specialized or McLaren knows those costs, that question will remain unanswered.

I hope the person who receives this on Christmas likes it. Certainly buying or getting such a bike says nothing about what kind of rider or person someone is. All it says is that someone had enough money to get it. Good for them.

Good engineering is beautiful.

Robert
Robert
12 years ago

@Dale not R&R but you’re close

Brandon
Brandon
12 years ago

Sure looks like the logo from Surf City Cyclery to me:

http://surfcitycyclery.com/

Gillis
Gillis
12 years ago

For $18,000 you’re getting an awesome bike but you’re also paying for marketing, hype, and that little McLaren logo. Is it $12,000 better than an awesome $6000 bike? Probably not.

I only hope this bike sees some competitive use….even if its in the 55+Masters group.

Michael
Michael
12 years ago

Wow, sounds like sour grapes jealousy reigns supreme out in the cycling cyber world. The term “tool” seems to be thrown around like candy on Halloween. And why? Because he can afford it and you can’t? Does that mean that since you drive a Prius that everyone driving a Lexus is a tool because he can afford it and you can’t? Wait, I think I know how you’ll answer. Of course they are. Because you drive a Prius, so everyone who doesn’t is a tool. Anyway, my point is that you have not a clue in this world who bought this bike and who is going to be the one fortunate enough to ride it, so get over it. It’s not you, so you have nothing to worry about.

Robin
Robin
12 years ago

Isn’t poseur really just a person who labels people as poseurs?

Topmounter
Topmounter
12 years ago

To each his own and I’m sure someone will be real proud to hang that thing in the garage between their Dodge Prowler and Chevy SSR, but if you put 10.5 ounces of gold next to that bike and told me I could only pick one, I’d take the gold all day, every day without a single moment of hesitation.

There is nothing about that bike that I find even remotely compelling or interesting (and as a big F1 and Jenson Button fan, the McLaren name does mean something to me), unlike any number of drool-worthy custom, hand-made rigs that can be bought for half that price.

Joshua Murdock
12 years ago

Who cares what they charge for it? You don’t have to buy it; no one is forcing you. Since that is true, the only reason you can complain is because you are jealous that you can’t afford this bike… because you really DO want it. I can’t imagine having $18,000 to spend on a bike and, yes, I would love to have this one, but that doesn’t mean I have to jealously bash it to cover my unfulfilled want.

It’s an advanced and modern bike with an already impressive track record without even being publicly released. It might not be the best bike for you but that doesn’t make it a bad bike.

jon
jon
12 years ago

for 18,000, i think i would much rather buy the new Ducati 1199 Panigale instead.

and what’s with the spacers on the steer tube? that bike should not come with spacers.

Jaaaayyyyyy!!!
Jaaaayyyyyy!!!
12 years ago

I think I’ll just build me up a fm098

MT
MT
12 years ago

Look, another cookie cutter Specialized thats got to be better then everything else. $18,000 get real. Just because Specialized saturates the market with their BS and hype dosen’t make them better. Oh, but I guess they put D2i and Zipps on it, this changes everything. NOT!

MT
MT
12 years ago

Di2, sorry.

greg
greg
12 years ago

“that guy in that Porsche 911gt3 is a tool. probably doesn’t even trackday it.”
“that ferrari is not $250,000 better than my civic”
haters…

Fat2Cat
Fat2Cat
12 years ago

It’s Surf City in HB — they’ve been promoting the bike’s arrival for a while now.

http://surfcitycyclery.com/product/12specialized-s-works-mclaren-venge-130904-1.htm

Someone
Someone
12 years ago

Has anyone complaining actually researched how much a top-end full carbon custom frame actually costs?

Crumpton Corsa: 5300
Alchemy standard: 3900/ aero: 4700
Parlee z5 sl: 5500
AX Lightness frame: 5300

Stock Frames

Cervelo R5: 4900–stock
Cervelo s5 vwd: 5900
Specialized Sworks venge: 4400
Pinarello Dogma 2: 5700
BH G5: 3900
BH Ultralight: 4300

I don’t buy into the “you get what you pay for” adage completely, but nothing is cheap. Any of these bikes parted up this way would put you well at 10 grand. For some reason, the bicycling industry commentators seem to be the only ones that don’t realize that carbon fiber is expensive.

Cycling Fiend
Cycling Fiend
12 years ago

Quality costs money and this bike is beautiful.

JayP
12 years ago

Like it or not, you’re all still talking about it. Mission accomplished, Specialized.

fabiano
fabiano
12 years ago

and the Cavendish is crying for losing this….

Richard
Richard
12 years ago

I’d ride it if I could afford it. And, yes, I could kick your ass with it.

Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
12 years ago

This is simply Specialized’s one-up to Cervelo’s R5ca. There is room for this in our market, it gives us industry folk a reason to work. It adds value to the industry that keeps your hobby alive and striving. I agree, $18,000 is a tad excessive. I doubt the molds/layup cost that much but you truly are paying for a name here. When you buy a Shelby Cobra it is more expensive than a Mustang off the floor, right?

I’m the largest Specialized critic. I worked there. I have ridden their product. There is no doubt that the bike will be fantastic and it isn’t for everybody. We don’t all drive a Lotus or Ferrari to work…but for the elite few that can…it doesn’t matter how big their dick is, because they can afford it. Even if it’s only used on sunday afteroons or to be leaned up against a Starbucks window. There is a market for this bike no matter how limited or douchy it is.

I can’t afford it. It is a tad over-zealous. But, I also recognize that without it our industry doesn’t progress.

Steve M
Steve M
12 years ago

Comparing this to a car or motorcycle is pointless. A Ferrari, Cobra, or a Ducati have numerous tangible differences over competitors in their categories. An 1198 Duck has a V-twin and a Honda has an in-line 4. The Duck has Ohlins suspension, the Honda has Showa. Traction control, slipper clutches… it goes on and on.

Road bikes share dimensions within millimeters of each other within sizes. You can buy the same drivetrain, saddle, bars, and stem and put on a blindfold and you have a glorified vodka tasting contest.

I agree that there a trickle down effect on the industry, but I am afraid the stuff that is trickling down is not what you think it is….

moz
moz
12 years ago

Some of you have the nasty habit to compare cars with bicycles. So here’s this: Someone who spends $18.000 for a device without engine (no matter his social or economical status) is a TOOL. Period.

Alan M.
Alan M.
12 years ago

I will never understand why people complain about a bike like this costing 18k. Would I pay 18k for a bike, no. But if someone else wants to, so be it. It’s like a supercar, it’s not for everyone, but it’s still interesting to check out.

Double A
Double A
12 years ago

Those of you that have a problem with this bike clearly can’t see the forest through the trees. Have any of the other bike manufactures collaborated with a f1 race company… No. Don’t knock specialized for trying something different and trying to push the limits of carbon fiber in a way nobody else has even tried. So what if its 18k, it has extremely limited availability, and It is built with newest carbon layup process. Its not about hype, Its not about turning a profit on a mcclarren venge. Its about Innovation and pushing the limits of engineering a bicycle. 2 years from now the tarmac SL 5 will probably have the same layup process. It just takes a few years for this to trickle down, we all know this so get off your high horse and realize that this bike will lead to your next bike being better.

PS Boonen will own on this bike just like Cavs did

Michael
Michael
12 years ago

@JayP: wish I had said that.

djconnel
12 years ago

Everyone please stop obsessing over the price. It’s still a cool frame, either way. Don’t buy it if it’s overpriced.

What’s the mass delta relative to the S-Works frameset?

Matt
Matt
12 years ago

Specialized roadbikes look terribly out of proportion in any size larger than a 56.

patrik
patrik
12 years ago

The silliest question in a free-market economy: Is this bike worth $18,000?

Since most of us are cheap-asses, we think a bike’s worth should be the sum of the wholesale price of all the parts, and not a penny more.

Specialized doesn’t need a profit margin; they should work for free for our benefit. They don’t need to recoup their marketing costs or, for that matter, any costs. Just make the bikes and sell them (at cost) for the love of the sport. Making profits off our backs is just plain mean. Let’s drink IPAs around a campfire while wearing our Headsweats, and sing Kumbaya!

I once made a bid for a software engineer friend of mine to write some code for my company. I asked him how much he charged. He blindsided me by asking “What’s the code worth to you?” (Head explodes!) Given that the deadline was in 2 hours, it was worth a billion dollars.

VengeBuyer
VengeBuyer
12 years ago

I have one on order and hope to see it soon. They told me January at the bike shop here in Texas. One thing that is a surprise is the external battery. Cav has commented in several interviews how he likes the way they concealed the battery. Yet, here it is out???

Robin
Robin
12 years ago

I can’t remember the last time the local news or any news organization for that matter reported a story about company stooges accosting innocent riders and forcing them to buy a bike that they consider too expensive.
There’s a simple rule I go by and likely others use too: if a bike or bike component is too expensive according to my own values, I don’t buy it. Are people out there scared they’re going to succumb to someone else’s price values and be duped into spending 3, 5, 10, or 15 thousand dollars more than they wanted to? If so, it’s likely time for those people to seek therapy.

Gillis
Gillis
12 years ago

@Double A: Colnago and Ferrari have had a collaboration for years. Since 1986 to be exact. They’ve only taken it in a more marketing direction rather than the development(/marketing) direction of Specialized.
http://www.colnago.com/ferrari/

DRB
DRB
12 years ago

Haters hate.

Jose
Jose
12 years ago

Only person who can afford this bike are Drs, Lawyers, and Stock Brokers… and I haven’t been beaten by one of them in years. $18K isn’t going to change this.

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