Buyer’s Guide 2017: Specialized Venge ViAS Expert Disc Ultegra

Designed in Specialized’s proprietary “Win Tunnel,” the Venge ViAS Expert Disc has radical design features and tube shapes meant for eking out every second of time against the clock.

Engineers determined that traditional stem and handlebar combinations caused much aerodynamic drag. So, Specialized specs the Venge with a negative 17-degree stem, which it claims is the best option for cheating the wind. However, since most amateur cyclists aren’t flexible enough to ride in such an aggressive position, engineers designed the Aerofly bars with a positive rise that brings the rider back to a more efficient position. It makes for an ungainly look.

Okay, but how does it ride? The Venge feels fast in a straight line. It also slows down fast—the old hard-to-adjust integrated aero brakes have been replaced with disc brakes. Our testers weren’t crazy about the blocky, stark white frame’s look. The clunky, swooping bars had some testers scratching their heads. The bike’s geometry comes together with a 170-millimeter head tube, 73.5-degree head tube angle, 73.25-degree seat tube angle, 992-milllimeter wheelbase, and 410-millimeter chain stay length. Handling and pedaling response are slightly above average; smashing on the pedals didn’t necessarily conjure up images of Sagan accelerating away from Cav to take gold in Doha. Granted, the spec wheels aren’t svelte carbon hoops. The Rider-First Engineered, Fact 11r frame ensures that rider of all sizes experience uniform performance.