Double Duty: Specialized Alias Comp

This dual-powered women’s performance road and tri bike is a first of its kind. Launched at the 2013 GoPro Ironman World Championships in Kona this year, the Alias assumes both identities by combining tri- specific geometry with aerodynamic tube shaping, a set of clip-on aerobars and a zero- offset seat post. The bike was created with the dynamic woman in mind who is both a road rider and triathlete. The Alias Comp is for the woman who wants a single bike to ride in a group and race sprint to half iron distances.

“Alias geometry is built around a triathlon position,” says Specialized’s Rita Borelli. This includes a steep seattube angle, allowing riders to move forward and air foil seatstays which are rounded near the seattube junction. Together with the rounded seatpost, this adds to this rear end compliance. The Alias is available in five sizes ranging from 44 cm to 57 cm and is offered in a Pro, Comp and Sport version.
Remove the clip-ons and add the 35 mm set back seat post, and the Alias moves to a more traditional road position. Given its dual set up, the bike handles far more like a purpose- built road bike. Cornering smoothly, climbing with flexibility and descending with stability whether in the drops or the low in the aero bars.

Streamlined Ride

An advanced nutrition storage system called the Remora is one of the aerodynamic perks of the bike. The frame-mounted split rubber unit fills in the dirty air space behind the stem and allows easy access to gels, bars and salt tabs. Available after market as well, the Remora comes with straps for bikes that don’t have the bosses. The Alias is sold either in its road or tri configuration. Specced with Shimano Ultegra components and drivetrain, the Alias features the Specialized Body Geometry Oura Comp Gel women’s saddle with durable, hollow Cr-Mo rails and race-ready Fulcrum S5 wheels suitable for training and racing.This versatile ride gives women a secret weapon for developing a range of cycling strengths simultaneously to make them more complete cyclists.–SZ