S-Works SL4 Tarmac Black satin.

bristolpete

My new bike. S-Works Satin black 56cm SL4 Tarmac. I came very close to buying a Venge in a 54cm but after a few test rides, I concluded that the Tarmac is still the better bike for where I live and ride and my stupid long body.
It is a fairly pedestrian build in comparison to previous bikes but I have had a bit of a change up with my riding and outlook.

I sold my Tarmac last year after a bad year. Ill health, down time and other stuff like moving house. However, I have spent Sept 2012 to present day riding a single speed Langster (48x16) and moved 15 miles away from work which means I am now averaging 30 miles a day commuting which in turn has had a big effect on my riding. What riding the alloy, one gear track bike has done has changed my outlook on spec and price and also made me a much stronger rider within the realms of my skill-set.

Anyway, enough waffle. Don't let the chat fool you. I am still sh*t, just a little less sh*t.

Spec is 56cm Tarmac, Roval Rapide SL35 wheels, 24mm turbos, Romin Evo 155, 110mm stem, 44cm bars, 12/25 cassette, 170mm compact cranks, Thomson inline for short legs long body. Ultegra Glossy grey 2012.

Lovely bike. The 1/2 a degree seat tube difference from my Langster makes it feel like a Roubaix at the moment and will drop the stem by another 10mm but only built it yesterday and bedding it in.

vespario

Nice bike. How you finding the wheels?

bristolpete

vespario wrote:

Nice bike. How you finding the wheels?

Thanks. Very understated almost dull but rides well.

Re: wheels. For the £ actually very good. Offered them up to a set of Dura Ace C35 and not dissimilar for a third of the price (Though I happily accept Spinal Tap style that Dura Ace are simply just better). Stiff fast and weight wise more than acceptable to a non climber. They roll well and I think after a nice 500 miles the hubs will free up and spin a treat.

declan1

Looks awesome! I bet it's rather fast

bristolpete

declan1 wrote:

Looks awesome! I bet it's rather fast

Thanks. It goes really well. Nice having gears again though. Can push the speeds now and rather than spin up like a keystone cop pedaling like a mentalist descending, can actually hit some nice fast speeds.

lovestheclimb

nice to see you back on a tarmac Pete, looks great, very clean

bristolpete

lovestheclimb wrote:

nice to see you back on a tarmac Pete, looks great, very clean

Thanks. They are as they say in pro cycling 'the best bike I have ever ridden'. Heck it is much better than I am a rider, but this little beauty has been flawless through the winter. I had some decent 32 spoke hand-built wheels made and it has set me up lovely for 2013.

RideOnTime

Great pictures...

camratman

That bike is gert lush.

Tarmac's are the best all round road bikes in my humble opinion. I too have ridden the Venge and thought little of it. My other bike is a Roubaix Expert SL2. I love Specialized, I am a fan boy as they say.

Stealth black all the way.

Thats right 8)

TakeTurns

Just out of interest, what was the reason why you went for the SL4 instead of the Venge?

bristolpete

TakeTurns wrote:

Just out of interest, what was the reason why you went for the SL4 instead of the Venge?

I personally preferred the way the Tarmac rides at slower speeds on rolling roads of which there are plenty in the South West. The Tarmac is lively from 13-18mph and can get up to speed well. I have no doubt the Venge is fast at north of 18mph but I felt it a little flat at slower speeds. Also the Venge needs deep section and cash flow and needs/wants dictate that not for me at the moment. Anyway, ideally I would have both, and a Roubaix, but hey ho, such is life.

That said, if I lived in Florida or Norfolk I would have chosen the Venge.

RideOnTime

don't move to Norfolk for that...

bristolpete

RideOnTime wrote:

don't move to Norfolk for that...

Tried to get in once. Passport control told me it was shut for the weekend so I went home and rode up some hills.

Kubotai

Sorry for bumping an old thread. I usually try to avoid it because it can be a bit annoying, but in this case I had a specific question for the OP that may also be interesting for others.

I have been looking around for a new set of wheels and always liked the Roval Rapide SL35, but can hardly find any information about them other than what Specialized has published. I was really curious how these wheels have faired on the long term.

bristolpete

Kubotai wrote:

Sorry for bumping an old thread. I usually try to avoid it because it can be a bit annoying, but in this case I had a specific question for the OP that may also be interesting for others.

I have been looking around for a new set of wheels and always liked the Roval Rapide SL35, but can hardly find any information about them other than what Specialized has published. I was really curious how these wheels have faired on the long term.

I sold the bike lock stock when I lost my job. However, on the whole for the cost the wheels are excellent on flat and descents, but average going up. I liken them to Zipp 101 but loads cheaper.

Kubotai

bristolpete wrote:

I sold the bike lock stock when I lost my job. However, on the whole for the cost the wheels are excellent on flat and descents, but average going up. I liken them to Zipp 101 but loads cheaper.

Sorry to hear you had to sell the bike for such a reason.

Thanks for the information. Funny enough I also tend to compare the wheels with Zipp 101 because of the shape of the rim.

I will keep them in mind as I am nearing the end of my contract and could also very well be out of a job in a few months time. But they will be a nice present if I manage to find something new. Good luck to you!