Photo: Specialized
Bicycles wearing the name and logo of car manufacturers are nothing new - putting the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star on a regular bike is a sure way to double its price for the right customer.
But McLaren doesn't seem to go down that path. Don't get us wrong, the Specialized S-Works McLaren Roubaix costs a hefty $11,500, which is more than the value of a large percentage of the cars on the road right now, but that's got nothing to do with the British supercar manufacturer.
It actually derives from the company it chose to work with on this special edition bike. Specialized makes a whole bunch of models, and it also makes the S-Works range, which is essentially the same thing as a road-legal race car.
The S-Works bikes are no-nonsense speed tools, designed for maximum performance with no compromises. That means they won't offer the most comfortable ride and they won't last you a lifetime. But while they're still in one piece, they will boost your performance significantly.
Naturally, McLaren was drawn to this description, especially as it was looking for a way to celebrate its 50 years of grand prix and Formula One racing. The fact it had worked with Specialized on previous occasions might have played a role in the decision as well.
The bike is made mostly out of carbon fiber and uses the latest technology available for reducing the weight, with the British car manufacturer getting in on the act as well. McLaren's data logging software was used in its development to create the Rolling Resistance Simulator - a tool which helped with the design of the bike.
The carbon fiber frame and fork are covered in what Specialized refers to as "Heritage Orange," a color reminiscent of the famous "papaya orange" used by the McLaren race cars in the 1960's. The vintage theme continues with the black leather bar tape complete with orange stitching.
McLaren's Specialized S-Works Roubaix commands a $1,500 premium over a standard model, but with a few extras and tons of personality, that gap seems far from a chasm. Besides, what other bike could you buy to match your orange McLaren P1?
It actually derives from the company it chose to work with on this special edition bike. Specialized makes a whole bunch of models, and it also makes the S-Works range, which is essentially the same thing as a road-legal race car.
The S-Works bikes are no-nonsense speed tools, designed for maximum performance with no compromises. That means they won't offer the most comfortable ride and they won't last you a lifetime. But while they're still in one piece, they will boost your performance significantly.
Naturally, McLaren was drawn to this description, especially as it was looking for a way to celebrate its 50 years of grand prix and Formula One racing. The fact it had worked with Specialized on previous occasions might have played a role in the decision as well.
The bike is made mostly out of carbon fiber and uses the latest technology available for reducing the weight, with the British car manufacturer getting in on the act as well. McLaren's data logging software was used in its development to create the Rolling Resistance Simulator - a tool which helped with the design of the bike.
The carbon fiber frame and fork are covered in what Specialized refers to as "Heritage Orange," a color reminiscent of the famous "papaya orange" used by the McLaren race cars in the 1960's. The vintage theme continues with the black leather bar tape complete with orange stitching.
McLaren's Specialized S-Works Roubaix commands a $1,500 premium over a standard model, but with a few extras and tons of personality, that gap seems far from a chasm. Besides, what other bike could you buy to match your orange McLaren P1?
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