Michelle Arthurs-Brennan's Specialized Amira Elite

A decade on, Michelle's second road bike is still a cherished companion

- 

ROMIN EVO SADDLE The Romin Evo from Specialized is a personal favourite, arrived at after testing many different models

RIM BRAKES Rim brakes are the only thing holding this bike back from being the everyday ride of choice

CHAINSET A Shimano Ultegra chainset with 52/36 chainrings and 165mm cranks provides the perfect set-up

ENGRAVED TOP CAP The top cap - a present from Michelle's husband bears the engraving 'RideWriteRepeat' and 'PLF'

BRAKES AND SHIFTERS Shimano 105 shifters and brakes are the only remaining original components, aside from the frame

FAVERO ASSIOMA POWER METER Favero Assioma power meter pedals are swapped between all the bikes Michelle rides, allowing for consistent readings across personal and test bikes

THE SPEC

Frame Specialized Amira Elite 2012

Crankset Shimano Ultegra chainset, 52/36, 165mm

Brakes Shimano 105 rim

Shifters Shimano 105

Cassette 11-25t

Wheels Cero AR24 wheels, tubeless-ready

Tyres GP4000 tyres (soon to be replaced)

Saddle Specialized Romin Evo

Seatpost/ Bars/ Stem Zipp SL

Bar tape Kinesis Anti-Slip Handlebar Tape, Signature

Weight 7.76kg

My 2012 Specialized Amira Elite represents much more to me than the sum total of a carbon frame and a decade's worth of replacement components. Purchasing this bike marked a grudging acceptance that my body was not designed for triathlons; the intoxicating dawn of an assault on the British road racing scene, and a first - rather organic foray into bike testing.