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Acqua & Sapone 
E5
Price:
A$6,200 complete, A$3000 frame and fork-only
Sizes: 47, 50, 52, 53, 54 (my bike), 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 62 cm
Weight: 7.5kg (without pedals)
Frame: 
Columbus
SLX E3 Aerotec geometry frame with replaceable rear derailleur hanger
(1245g)
Fork: Reynolds Ouzo Pro Carbon Fibre fork with carbon steerer (453g)
Specification: See
below
Contact: Le Tour Cycles +613 98706267 www.letour.com.au,
Specialized
www.specialized.com
I always want to get my hands on a Cipollini's bike and never have money to buy a Saeco machine. In 2002, Cipollini joined the Italian Acqua and Sapone team and yes I wanted an upgrade.
The bikes: Mario Cipollini's Acqua & Sapone team riding in 2002 are built around Specialized's S-Works E5 compact frame, developed over the last several years out of Specialized's association with the now-defunct Festina team. It has been proven in the best of the cycling ground. It shared the podium spot of Tour de France, won outright in Velta.
Acqua and Sapone team:
Cipollini contribution in 2002: The new frame design (E5) was developed and optimized early last year in a grueling prototype process that saw Specialized engineers and framebuilders back in Morgan Hill, California, handbuilding a series of 22 different frame versions over a period of months based on Cipollini's exacting feedback. The final design was the one Cipo used to capture the Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem classics, six stages in the Giro d'Italia, three in the Vuelta a Espaņa, and, of course the World Championship...and the one that you see above.
Kevin Franks from Specialized says, "First, Mario is a perfectionist when it comes to his bike, equipment and the setup of his kit. He has developed a specific formula that he is comfortable with, and he has not deviated from in a long time... if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
So his bike is a little different from the rest of the squads. The difference between his S-Works E5 and the others is custom geometry - although same E5 tubeset and same everything else as per the rest of the team bikes. In fact, we developed 22 different framesets for him here in Morgan Hill to ensure that we got it just right. It's worth noting that the rest of the squad rides bone stock bikes - the same bikes that consumers can buy in their local bike shop."
Columbus:
The tubing is made for Specialized by another Italian connection, Columbus,
from proprietary E5 aluminum alloy. This blend includes silicon, copper,
manganese, magnesium and zinc and according to Specialized, E5 retains
more of its strength after welding than other aluminum alloys.
Upgrade from Festina S-Works SL: Integrated headset. Carbon steerer head tube. New Frame design.
Comment: Wicked high rpm response. It is a very stiff. The old frame was not stable at the front but it is corrected in this E5. You can power the bike when you stand and feel the front as a sold steel. However, the absolutely straight chain stays and inboard dropouts leave precious little ankle clearance.
Why Compact Frame: Sloping top tubes And compact frames, such as this, are a current trend. The fore-shortened seat tube, top tube and seat stays are claimed to yield lighter, stiffer frames than conventional geometry. The first bike of this geometry is Giant's TCR. I had the first TCR design as my second bike.
Sizing Done Right: The bike now can be fitted with eleven sizes. Three or four sizes - like the Giant TCR - simply isn't adequate. However, I am a perfect 55cm with a relatively long stem. I tend to sit a near the back, forcing myself to use my gluteal more.
Ride Quality: It is not a good if you use any seat post other than a carbon fiber one. I elected to use the Mike Burrow seat post. It comes with 4-5 lengths to give you a perfect match. It is stiff. Lighter and less flexion than the aluminum or titanium counterparts. The Reynolds Ouzo Pro is better than the Time Millennium fork in damping vibrations and gives excellent steering feedback when cornering hard. The Mavic Ksyrium is also very forgiving.
Final say: A euro-style race bike - if you can brave enough to wear the zebra kit.
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| Back Triangle ~ Dura Ace Derailler and Ksyrium wheel | Seat Tube Clamp ~ Unique shape of clamp to fit the aerodynamic seattube |
Team colour~ Zebra and Acqua & Sapone and check out the integrated headset |
From front ~ Cinelli cork tape look less aggressive then 3T Zebra tape - that suits my style |
There is an "S" on the top tube ~ reminds you that you are riding |
Look PP 396 ~ Jalabert Limited Edition |
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FRAME FRONT FORK GROUP SET HEADSET STEM HANDLEBAR WHEEL SET TIRE SADDLE SEAT POST SEAT BINDER COLOUR |
Specialized Compact design, E5 AEROTEC,
fully double-butted, heat-treated Columbus tubing |
Catalog 
©2002-2007
req'd. Best 1024x800 ~
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