SPECIALIZED SHIV, PRO’S CLOSET
A journey into triathlon can't be separated from bicycles. When I got my first road bike I was hooked, and knew there would be more to follow, with an eye on eventually getting a triathlon-specific bike. This video offers a glimpse into the process of trading in my first bike, my S-Works Tarmac SL3 for a Specialized Shiv Expert with The Pro’s Closet, and getting it to my first Olympic race in Los Angeles.
The process of working with The Pro’s Closet was much easier than I expected from getting my bike valued to packing it up and even putting together the Shiv when it arrived. They also sell new goods, which I didn’t even realize until I spoke to someone there. But it made it easy to fill any other needs like new pedals or POC helmets and eyewear or even a Tacx trainer for winter riding.
The Specialized Shiv Expert has taken some getting used to, never having ride in an aero position before. It feels different, but the most uncomfortable part of it is not having the brakes nearby when you’re moving fast. It’s made me more mindful of traffic and appreciative of closed-courses and park riding. The feeling overall is really good actually and having only a few weeks before my Olympic distance race to get ready, I managed to get through the 40kms in 1 hour 12 minutes with an average time of just over 33km/hour.
Photos by Steven Carvente
