Specialized S-Works Torch road shoe presented – so good that you forget it’s on your foot?
Performance – nothing else counts for Specialized with their brand-new S-Works Torch road bike shoe. It is to shine with absolute stiffness, minimal weight and maximum comfort. This puts it at the top of the Specialized shoe portfolio and replaces the S-Works 7. We’ve got all the info here in our news.
With the S-Works Torch, Specialized give the Torch line a new top model and thus replace the S-Works 7, the previous road bike shoe top model of the Californians. The focus of the development was the question of how a rider and bike can become the best possible unit. For Specialized, it is clear that the interface between the two plays a special role here, which is why the shoe is of particular importance.
With its in-house Body Geometry technology, Specialized want to solve problems at the contact points with thoughtful design. The S-Works Torch also takes advantage of thatand should thus surpass the S-Works 7 in performance while hardly being felt on the foot. The Specialized S-Works Torch road shoe should weigh 458 g per pair in size 43, costs a “measly” € 440 and is available now.
The Specialized S-Works Torch road bike shoe in detail
At the heart of the S-Works Torch are three solutions developed by Body Geometry: Varus Wedge, Arch Support and Metatarsal Button are designed to provide a more stable and improved motion. This should increase efficiency and minimize joint pain in the legs as well as numbness or burning in the foot area. More performance and more comfort is thus the credo of Specialized. Compared to the S-Works 7, three key areas have been changed. The carbon sole becomes wider by 4 mm in the standard model and 7 mm in the slightly roomier Wide model. Despite this widening, the shoe is said to be 20 grams lighter per pair than the S-Works 7.
In addition, the heel cup is asymmetric, which should provide more comfort in the area of the Achilles tendon without compromising on stability and knee guidance. In addition, the cable routing of the BOA closure has been adapted to make the Velcro closure of the S-Works 7 shoes superfluous without affecting the optimal hold in the shoe. For the S-Works Torch, Specialized have replaced the familiar Dyneema material with materials developed in-house, which are assembled into a material sandwich depending on the position of the shoe and are intended to provide foot support and comfort.
The S-Works Torch is available in White, Black and Oak Green in sizes from 36 to 49. Since the front area is slightly wider, riders with wide feet who have chosen a half size larger in previous Specialized shoes should go back to their original size, according to Specialized.
Our conclusion on the S-Works Torch Road Shoes
With the S-Works Torch, Specialized continue to push the development in the field of road bike shoes, drawing on insights from its Body Geometry technology and thousands of RETÜL bike fittings. On paper, we therefore expect an outstanding shoe because already the predecessor S-Works 7 is the benchmark for many. Whether this expectation is confirmed, the S-Works Torch, which is far from being a bargain, must prove in our test.
More Info on the Specialized S-Works Torch can be found at specialized.com
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Words: Photos: Specialized
