Specialized launch Peter Sagan collection - gold bikes, shoes and helmets for triple world champion

​Specialized used the recent Tour of Flanders race weekend to unveil its brand new Sagan collection, comprising an S-Works Tarmac SL6, S-Works Roubaix, S-Works 7 shoes and Evade aero helmet, all in matching gold to represent Sagan’s triple world championships.

“Like the man himself, the Sagan Collection masks complexity and power with a seemingly subtle exterior. Take a closer look, though, and the reality of each piece becomes clear: Its understated aesthetic is hiding the highest performing gear in the world. This is the Sagan Collection,” explains Specialized.

Has gold ever been considered an understated aesthetic? We’re not so sure. The new bikes, shoes and helmets go heavy on the gold paint, with two shades of the same colour and a mixture of gloss and matte finishes. It’s a bold and unique look, and while it clearly appeals to Sagan will it appeal to anyone else? Apparently, the design takes inspiration from Sagan’s love for American muscle cars. Sagan’s name is sprawled across the bikes, shoes and helmets and a logo on the seat tube says “if I don’t have yellow I have green. If I don’t have green, I have rainbow”.

Sagan was riding a rim braked S-Works Tarmac SL6 in the race (he finished 6th) but you’ll be able to buy this bike, or a disc brake version, as the whole collection is available to buy. And if the S-Works Roubaix is too rich for your tastes, the US company is also offering a more affordable Roubaix Comp bike. There’s even a Diverge frameset in the collection as well, so all bases are covered.

Sagan rode the latest S-Works Tarmac SL6 with rim brakes in the Tour of Flanders race, and once again opted to switch from the usual electronic Di2 groupset to mechanical. It’s probably to do with reasons based on nothing more than a feeling that mechanical gearing is going to be more reliable plus it might easier to use on the rough roads. Fabian Cancellara also used to favour mechanical in the cobbled races.

Otherwise it’s a pretty stock build, with Roval CLX 50 wheels and 26mm wide S-Works Turbo tyres and his usual Zipp SL Sprint stem with the logo taped over. Extra points for the gold bottle cage bolts and K-Edge chain catcher.

Will he stick with this same bike, but with wider tyres, for Paris-Roubaix, or will he switch to the S-Works Roubaix with its space for wider tyres, Future Shock and disc brakes? We’ll have to wait and see.

Here are the brand new S-Works shoes, available in a rather fetching black finish with a shiny gold heel cup and matching BOA dials. You can read our first look at these new shoes here. 

- New Specialized S-Works 7 shoes and Evade aero helmet - Unboxing Video + First Ride

And here is the new Evade II aero helmet. 

www.specialized.com