Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 - Which spec?

Daipac

Hi,

I have been looking (and looking and looking!) for a new bike for the last few months now and I have made the decision to go for a 2012 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame and pick the components I wanted.

Now I have had the following spec priced up by my LBS:

S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame, fork and seatpost
3T Ergonova carbon handlebars
3T ARX Pro stem
Fizik Arione K:ium saddle
Full Ultegra 6700 groupset
Mavic Ksyrium SLS or Cosmic Carbone SL wheelset

Now the price I have been quoted I think is very good and within my budget but I have now found a complete bike with Dura Ace 7900 for £350-£400 more. The main spec is as follows:

S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame, fork and seatpost
S-Works Tarmac carbon, short drop handlebars
New S-Works ProSet Stem, 7050 3D forged with carbon-clip front cap/cone, 4-degree shim, CNC head bolts
Body Geometry Romin Pro, carbon rails saddle
Full Dura Ace 7900 groupset
Roval Fusee SLX wheelset

My question is, which is the better bike? I would prefer to be buying from my LBS but I also want to get the best bike I can for my budget. Both quotes are within my budget so that is not a factor in the decision.

With regard to the Dura Ace groupset, I will probably end up replacing parts when needed with Ultegra due to the difference in cost and I have read that the 7900 groupset doesn't cope well with internal cabling, is this true? I don't know much about the Roval Fusee wheels and I have been happy with Mavic wheels I am currently running.

Thanks for any help with this query, it is very much appreciated.

Cheers,

D.

sloppyschleckonds

Daipac wrote:

Hi,

I have been looking (and looking and looking!) for a new bike for the last few months now and I have made the decision to go for a 2012 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame and pick the components I wanted.


My question is, which is the better bike?

I see why its taken you a few months to decide.

Daipac

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Daipac wrote:

Hi,

I have been looking (and looking and looking!) for a new bike for the last few months now and I have made the decision to go for a 2012 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame and pick the components I wanted.


My question is, which is the better bike?

I see why its taken you a few months to decide.

Ok... may need to elaborate a little?

carrock

Assuming the DA bike is second hand you won't get a warranty with the frame.

You will get a lifetime warranty with the new frame assuming your LBS is an authorised dealer.

You will save £400 and only have a weight penalty of about 300 Grammes using ultegra

Daipac

carrock wrote:

Assuming the DA bike is second hand you won't get a warranty with the frame.

You will get a lifetime warranty with the new frame assuming your LBS is an authorised dealer.

You will save £400 and only have a weight penalty of about 300 Grammes using ultegra

Thanks for your reply.

Both options are brand new.

bernithebiker

I have the same frame. You'll love it.

Go for the DA, you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't......

Daipac

bernithebiker wrote:

I have the same frame. You'll love it.

Go for the DA, you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't......

Thanks for posting. Great to hear that kind of opinion on the frame.

That is my concern is that I'll regret getting the Ultegra but is the DA really worth £400 for someone who doesn't race?

Evil Laugh

Why not wait a month or so for the new 11 speed Ultegra to come out.

bernithebiker

Daipac wrote:

bernithebiker wrote:

I have the same frame. You'll love it.

Go for the DA, you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't......

Thanks for posting. Great to hear that kind of opinion on the frame.

That is my concern is that I'll regret getting the Ultegra but is the DA really worth £400 for someone who doesn't race?

It'll keep the resale value higher.....!

Daipac

Evil Laugh wrote:

Why not wait a month or so for the new 11 speed Ultegra to come out.

Is that all it is going to be? A month? I thought it was going to be around September time. I wanted the new Ultegra and was thinking about getting the 6700 now and then replacing it with the 6800 and transferring the 6700 to my current bike.

If it's only a month till the 6800 comes out then I may see if that's a possibility with the current deal.

Evil Laugh

Mid July at some retailers.