Specialized

74 Main Street Middlebury Vermont (802) 388-6666

Helmets, shoes, saddles -- three reasons why we became a Specialized dealer, because Specialized has a well-earned reputation as a top-notch designer in all three areas.

We are especially impressed with the Specialized Boa® rotary closure system, which uses a high-strength braided steel lace to provide a dynamic, adjust-it-on-the-fly fit for the Specialized shoes that use it. The closure is firmer than Velcro -- dial this in, and there is virtually no movement of the foot inside the shoe. The advantage is especially noticeable during long, in-the-saddle climbs -- you get more power from the upstroke than you do with more conventional closure systems.

Then there's the lowly water bottle. It's an afterthought for many bikers, until the day you go to refill it and see (and sometimes smell) the grunge left over from multiple fills with your favorite sports drink. To address this problem, Specialized has developed the new odor- and taste-free Purist WaterGate. To clean it after a ride with your favorite sports drink, just use hot water, a squirt of dishwater, and shake hard.