Specialized's Rio 2016 bikes will change colour in the heat (video)
Bikes and helmets will change from orange to yellow when the temperature hits 22ºC
Canyon and Merida have both recently released special paintjobs for the bikes that their sponsored riders will be riding at the Rio Olympics, with both going for a green and yellow look inspired by the Brazilian flag
>>> British Cycling unveils its 'fastest ever' track bike ahead of the Rio Olympics
However Specialized has decided to do things a little differently, giving its athletes bikes and helmets that change colour from orange to yellow when the temperature hits 22ºC, the daily average temperature for Rio de Janeiro at this time of year.
The special paintjob has been added to three different bikes for the Olympics, the Tarmac men's road bike, the Amira women's road bike, and the Epic FSR cross-country mountain bike that will of course be used by Peter Sagan as he tries to go for off-road Olympic glory. The company has also released the Specialized Evade helmet with the same colour-changing treatment.
>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial: route, map and schedule
The bikes will be used in the men's road race on 6 August by the likes of Vincenzo Nibali, Julian Alaphilippe and Dan Martin, and in the women's road race a day later by Lizzie Armitstead, Megan Guarnier, and Evelyn Stevens
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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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