The Specialized Ariel collection concentrates fairly and squarely on those who want to get away from the tarmac as frequently as they can. Featuring front suspension forks and wider tyres, these are bikes which will go down fine with those who like to get away off the beaten track.
However, the Ariel is just as valuable at taking you quickly and painlessly to the office or college, as many owners have testified. Their comfortable ride, with exceptional shock-absorbing ability make navigating today's less-than-ideal tarmac surfaces a pleasure.
The same A1 Premium aluminium alloy frame is carried across the series. The swan-neck curve of the top tube is particularly distinctive. The designers have obviously paid attention to practicality, as the frame will take racks and mudguards in addition to a kickstand.
All bikes in the range have suspension forks. Picked from the Suntour range, they feature growing sophistication as you move up the series. Both the Sport Disc and Comp Disc versions feature lockout forks to enhance their performance on the tarmac.
The basic Ariel has V-brakes, all other models have discs, either mechanical, or hydraulic on the top-of-the-series Comp Disc. Discs are powerful - and hydraulics can make the control of that force more smooth. The benefit of discs generally is that the braking surfaces are kept out of the mud and wet, enhancing efficiency and keeping down wear.
Triple chainrings on all models result in a superb choice of gear ratios - handy for mountainous terrain. The first couple of bikes in the collection have 21 gears, going up to 24 and 27 on the higher models.
Effective running on the tarmac is aided by the 700 mm wheels. This is aided by the 45mm semi-slick tyres which possess enough grip on the side for grip on loose surfaces, but smoother faces for reduced rolling resistance.
You get a very relaxed cycling position from the low-rise handlebars, comfort further increased by the women specific Riva MTB saddle.
So the Specialized Ariel series gives you numerous options. They all come from the same design stable, obviously - speedy commuter bikes, but being just as at home spending more time off the beaten track than average.
The entry-level Ariel has a great deal going for it. However for those with the resources, the more expensive models have a lot to offer. In actual fact, you would struggle to find much to rival the Comp Disc model anywhere.
Author Resource:-
You can read more about the Specialized Ariel together with alternatives such as the Scott Sportster at Tern Cycling Reviews.
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