Specialized has already rolled out much of their new products for 2008 in advance of Interbike.
Saddles:
Specialized found that, because of its comfort and light weight, many of their mountain bike riders were using the Toupe road saddle off road. They saw that they could use the same technology to make an MTB saddle that is as light and comfortable, but more durable and off road specific. The result is the new Phenom saddle.
They also are rolling out a new time trial/tri saddle called the Tri-Tip. This is very similar to the Toupe, but with a longer and wider, slighty more padded nose.
Tires:
Specialized grew their tire team this year and worked with long time advisor Ned Overend on a new line of mountain bike tires. This year sees the introduction of the Control line, with S-Works, Captain, Armadillo and S-Carve models. The S-Works tire was designed to be lighter while increasing cut resistance.
The Captain is an all around tire, while the Armadillo is focused on overall durability.
They also introduced the S-Carve, an all mountain/enduro tire that offers riders easier going uphill while still offering unparalleled grip going back down.
Optics:
They have spent a lot of time on their optics line, focusing on style, function and fit. There are 2 new men's models. The Miura is a shield-type model that features bold styling and and improved fit with adjustable/moldable earpieces. The Urraco is a two-piece style with similiar styling and functionality.
The Cava is part of Specialized's DFW (Designs For Women) line and features a small circumference in the sunglass frame that better fits a woman's face.
Shoes:
There is an all-new S-Works road shoe that uses a smaller Boa adjustment dial that serves to both lighten the shoe and improve the fit. They are saying that the new shoe is the lightest out there with a closure system.
The newest mountain bike shoe uses the same upper as the S-Works road shoe and adds a reinforced toe, an all-carbon sole and urethane coating to improve off road grip.
Wheels:
Specialized makes some of the most interesting wheels out there. They are trying to reinvigorate their wheel offerings and are using an approach of the wheels being more integrated into the overall bike design.
The newest Roval Star wheel gets a little lighter and continues to offer one of, if not the most, slim cross sections of any wheel out there.
The Roubaix 322X wheel looks to be a durable, yet lightweight, all day training and racing wheel. One of its features is a carbon fiber hub with bonded aluminum flanges.
Mountain bikers get a new Control series wheel featuring a 2:1 drive/non-drive side spoke ratio for better stiffness and response. The wheel is also tubeless ready.
Helmets:
You can already buy the new 2d helmet.
It is a new approach to helmet construction. It utilizes higher density foam on the sides where the most protection is needed and lower density on the top. The whole helmet is held together by a very light, but very strong Kevlar web. Extensive research was also done into how air flows through the helmet. New venting actually helps suck air through the helmet and exhaust it out the back.
Bars & Stems:
Nothing super new here, but they are touting that the new S-Works stems can be set in any one of 10 positions per size. This system uses a selection of shims, and fitting can be done at the store with the customer on the bike to achieve the best fit.