The Specialized Alibi on Indian roads!
BASICS
HOW CAN A TYRE BE AIRLESS?
Most bicycles come installed with pneumatic tires – a rubber tire casing with a bicycle tube inside which needs to be pumped up regularly. This design has multiple benefits offering a comfortable ride, light weight, and good traction and has been the preferred choice on bikes from most bicycle manufacturers. The only problem with pneumatic tires and something we hate as cyclists is that we dread and hate fixing punctures on our rides.
The tires that come on the Alibi are completely solid. No tube inside!
Benefits of having solid tires
- no more punctures!
- no filling in air before rides
- items you no longer need to own: Pumps, spare tubes, puncture patches, tire levers, on-ride pumps, tire liners etc.
HOW CAN A CHAIN BE RUST PROOF? WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?
Chains normally require minimal maintenance to make sure they are well lubricated and clean to prevent squeaking, fast wear and tear and to also make sure they don’t rust. A quick splash of water on a chain which is not lubricated could develop a layer of rust if the bike remains unused for a few days.
The Alibi uses a galvanised chain so rust won’t be a problem. You still need to lubricate the chain to make sure its not squeaky, but you wont have to worry about your components rusting!
EXPERIENCE QUESTIONS
HOW LONG DO THESE SOLID TIRES LAST?
Specialized claims these tires last 4000 – 4500kms but a lot of factors can affect mileage – riding conditions, road conditions, braking, etc. Either ways, the rider profile for this machine is not high mileage and mostly fall into the urban commuters and neighbourhood fitness category. The tires are bomb-proof and should last a long long duration.
MORE ABOUT THE TIRE
The Nimbus Airless is a Specialized proprietary tire developed in collaboration with a leading solid tire manufacturer, Tannus.
The 700C tires are 38mm in width, so there’s plenty of contact with the road surface. The tires are made of a micro-closed-cell polymer resin which Tannus calls Aither similar to the compound used to make your running shoe soles.
Specialized quotes 900g for the tire, which is similar to a standard city tyre and tube of this width.
WHERE CAN I GET REPLACEMENTS FOR THE TIRES
You can reach out to your closest Specialized retailer across the country or even buy these Nimbus airless tires online.
WHY DOES THE HANDLEBAR LOOK DIFFERENT?
The bike offers an upright, comfortable riding posture and the handle bar plays an important role in this design. The rise and back sweep on the handle bar allows weight to be eased off the wrist and also helps with a very comfortable reach.
Riders can easily switch out the handle bar with a flat bar or a bar with a much smaller rise to opt for a more performance oriented aggressive position on the bike.
CAN THE BIKE BE UPGRADED TO HAVE GEARS IN THE FRONT?
Not possible sorry. This particular model has been designed with seven gears to keep only the gears necessary for most urban commutes and shorter fitness rides.
Simplicity, Reliability and Comfort dominate the ride experience on the Alibi.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALIBI AND SIRRUS IN TERMS OF RIDE EFFICIENCY AND RIDE FEEL?
Test riding these bikes is the way to really experience this. Both the bikes have a very very different feel because of the geometry of the bike, the components on the bike and the way the rider is actually positioned on the bike.
The Specialized Sirrus is clearly targeted for riders who aim for a faster ride and have longer distances in mind whereas the Alibi is more suited for the urban commuter or the neighborhood fitness rider.
Have more questions on the Specialized Alibi? Do let us know, please do shoot us an email at support@bumsonthesaddle.com
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CYCLING
I love riding my bike. Whether it’s a simple commute, a high-intensity road race, a jaw-grinding brevet, fixie rides thru packed Indian city or a kick-ass technical single track – I love it all. Apart from riding bicycles, I love being all geeky and know everything there is to know about bicycles, technology, bike fit, and service.
I started BUMSONTHESADDLE to share this passion for cycling.
DISCIPLINE: Partial towards MOUNTAIN BIKING but love it all
CURRENT BIKE(S): Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Tarmac, Pure Cycles Original
DREAM BIKE: S-Works Epic HT & S-Work Roubaix
OTHER PASSIONS: Technology, Photography, Baking, Travel, and Reading
