chris_summers1994
New member
Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 Review
Introduction
With the increasing interest in cycling (due the recent competitive success in the UK), I thought it would be quite nice to focus on something a little different from the normal array of goodies and look at a consumer level road bike. The model in question today is the Specialized Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 2012.
In this review we will look at the bike up close; not only looking at the aesthetics, but also what equipment you get with this. Further to this its speed, handling, riding position, durability and comfort. All of our practical test will be done on tarmac.
Technical Specifications
We have seen a few improvements in the new Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 on the specification sheet compared to its predecessor(Tarmac SL3 Expert Double). Most notably the introduction of Shimano's new Ultegra Di2 gear technology. This new technology has been brought over from the top of the range Dura-Ace gearing system to a more affordable price point for the consumer giving a professional ride without the professional price. More specifics will follow later in the review. The other major difference over its predecessor is a change in wheels, from Fulcrumm Racing 4's to Roval Fusee SL's. Other than that the bare-bone cycle is very similar to the previous model.
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Up Close
The Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 is the top end consumer level road racing bike coming in with an RRP of £4500. For most of us that is no small amount of money so with that price tag we are expecting a lot from this machine. As part of Specialized Tarmac range the frame is set up with an aggressive road racing position designed to give the best power output in the low racing position. This is obviously great for maximising speed over a short distance but also offers a comfortable ride over longer distances. It could be said that this aggressive riding position is unnecessary as most consumers will have no need to race, on the other hand if a less aggressive riding position is preferred then Specialized do offer the Roubaix product line in that market.
The SL4 features a full carbon-fibre frame, forks and seat-post Providing both minimal weight with as much shock absorption as you can expect from a bike without a suspension. Whilst the stem and handlebars are not carbon-fibre they are a strong and light alloy.
Next, to the Roval Fusee SL wheels. The rims are made again from an alloy but the centre hubs are carbon-fibre. The front wheel comes sporting 20 spokes to save weight and the rear holding 24. The wheels alone come in at a very competitive weight of 1546g and look the part. This said, consumer reviews seem to point towards having a low level of durability which is not a good thing as far as anyone is concerned. Fortunately they do come with a limited one year warranty, that in my eyes is still little compensation for a poorly made product.
As you can see in the picture below this bike is something of a looker with flashes of black and scarlet red over a mainly white design with a gloss finish. The professional model of this uses the same colours just in a different arrangement, it is mainly scarlet red with white and black additions. I think that this colour scheme is far more appealing; it is more reserved that its big brother, that said it is by no means hiding in the corner, when people see you on this heads will turn. I personally love the design, my only concern is that the white gloss finish will inevitably show up water and dirt more easily than a matt finish.
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As mentioned before the SL4 features the new Ultegra Di2 shifters are part of the new electrically powered gear changing revolution. It works by electrical motors on the front and rear derailleurs powered by a battery (pictured just below the right bottle cage in image 4). It uses the same shifting system on the handlebars but rather than the wire pulling the mechanism into the correct position
and change the chain position these wires go into the motors to trigger a electrically powered transition. Now I know what you are all thinking, how does this benefit me? Well it allows faster transitions and multiple gears to be changed ant once with just the press of a button. Further to this it is great for going up hills as the system does not pressure either the rear cassette or the front chain rings under high cadence. This gives you seamless gear changing allowing you to keep your rhythm and making very user friendly to even novice cyclists. Another major benefit of this system is that all adjustments in setting up the system, that would normally have to be done by a professional bike are automatic meaning that it requires next to no maintenance with expense services, just a good clean. The only downside of this system is that it is heavier than the mechanical system which may put off some people who are looking for a pure light machine, but for most of us the lower requirement for maintenance and forgiving gear changing is more beneficial than loosing a few grams. The battery life is said to last between 600-1500 miles depending on the conditions and the frequency of your shifting.
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As you can see the SL4 also features the Ultegra Di2 braking system which is nice to see as some manufactures feature a few good components, but then cut corners on other less high profile parts to keep the price down. Also from a personal side I like many others prefer to have matching equipment over my bike for nothing more than aesthetics which this full-fills.
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The Specialized Romin Expert seat backs up the the aggressive riding position designed to be strong and lightweight rather than heavy and comfortable much in the theme for the rest of the bike. Also the SL4 includes internal cable routing to not only clean up the design but make it more aerodynamic saving the riders' precious energy.
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Testing
All testing has been done on a ½ mile track with a smooth tarmac surface in dry conditions and no wind. Unfortunately we only have a limited number of comparisons for the results we have.
Time Test
This test is to find how long it takes me to do a ½ mile straight.
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Maximum Speed Test
As you may expect this is a test of the maximum speed I can push out of each bike.
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In addition to this, the SL4 handles excellently both at high and low speeds giving high levels of grip in corners allowing continuous pedalling. It is very intuitive to ride; so much so that when riding it feels like an extension of your own body. Further to this even when riding on more bumpy roads the ride remains smooth and comfort undiminished. The top end speed of the SL4 is high and I did feel there was more in this bike over and above the speeds I achieved with it. The only negative I found was that when accelerating I could do with multiple shifts per up change. The Ultegra Di2 gears do not offer this unlike their mechanical twin. This can obviously limit the acceleration. I have to say that the wheels do appear to be strong and fast but how long they will last is another question that I am afraid cannot be discovered in a review like this without completely destroying the product.
Conclusion
As mentioned before the SL4 is coming to the market at a RRP £4500. If you are looking at spending anywhere near this much on a road bike then there is a pretty good chance you know what you are looking for in a bike. What I can tell you straight away is that this is absolutely marvellous to ride, both for its straight line speed and maintaining a speed of a longer distance. Despite this I cannot be missed that the price tag is very high; but I suppose we cannot expect much else when new technology hits the market.
This bike would be ideal for anyone who want to take their hobby to a more serious level whether you are a novice or veteran rider. I say this for a number of reasons, firstly the Ultegra Di2 gearing system has a huge benefit of allowing easy gear changing on hills without damaging the bike itself. Also back on the point that it is virtually upkeep free, this plays right into the hands of a novice rider, it cuts out the complication, I am sure that that feature will make this bike a huge success. On the other side of the argument some of you reading will not want an electrically based system for the general feel and to save a little weight. Fortunately Specialized have also released a Tarmac SL4 Pro SRAM Red model that features the fully mechanical SRAM Red gears. I personally do not see the electrical element as a hindrance and do appreciate the benefits it offers. The thing for me that may sway my decision to go with mechanical over electrical is that you cannot change multiple gears in one press as you are accelerating. For serious riders looking to post times this is a very real problem, but for everyday folk who would rather ride at a more leisurely pace competing in a few Etape days the over the season then electrical shifters is the way to go.
Next, I must cover the wheels on this model, whilst they seem fine for this level bike all previous reviews from customers give a clear picture that they are not reliable and the durability on them is poor at best. They have been put on this model as a new addition form the previous model and seem to be an attempt from Specialized to cut costs. They may find that this move costs them more in warranty replacements than the extra amount it would have cost them to leave them as there where.
There are only a few companies with the Ultegra Di2 gears on there bikes this season and I think it would be fair to say that the SL4 is pricey even against that competition. Specialized despite this are also probably the most highly rated brand by consumers featuring these gears at the moment. In my opinion Specialized are charging this much for this because they can. By this I mean that none of their major rivals have Ultegra Di2 shifting so they are making the most of this break. That said Specialized do offer fantastic customer service. This can sometimes be worth more than a few pounds in your pocket.
To finalize I would say that this bike cannot be questioned on its appearance or performance. The only areas for concern would be the wheels and the price. It would be most suited to an amateur rider looking to go out and enjoy their ride fully without trying to set any records. For this reason I am going to give it a Silver Award, the main thing holding it back being price.
Performance – 9
Price – 6
Presentation – 10
Introduction
With the increasing interest in cycling (due the recent competitive success in the UK), I thought it would be quite nice to focus on something a little different from the normal array of goodies and look at a consumer level road bike. The model in question today is the Specialized Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 2012.
In this review we will look at the bike up close; not only looking at the aesthetics, but also what equipment you get with this. Further to this its speed, handling, riding position, durability and comfort. All of our practical test will be done on tarmac.
Technical Specifications
We have seen a few improvements in the new Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 on the specification sheet compared to its predecessor(Tarmac SL3 Expert Double). Most notably the introduction of Shimano's new Ultegra Di2 gear technology. This new technology has been brought over from the top of the range Dura-Ace gearing system to a more affordable price point for the consumer giving a professional ride without the professional price. More specifics will follow later in the review. The other major difference over its predecessor is a change in wheels, from Fulcrumm Racing 4's to Roval Fusee SL's. Other than that the bare-bone cycle is very similar to the previous model.
Up Close
The Tarmac Pro SL4 Di2 is the top end consumer level road racing bike coming in with an RRP of £4500. For most of us that is no small amount of money so with that price tag we are expecting a lot from this machine. As part of Specialized Tarmac range the frame is set up with an aggressive road racing position designed to give the best power output in the low racing position. This is obviously great for maximising speed over a short distance but also offers a comfortable ride over longer distances. It could be said that this aggressive riding position is unnecessary as most consumers will have no need to race, on the other hand if a less aggressive riding position is preferred then Specialized do offer the Roubaix product line in that market.
The SL4 features a full carbon-fibre frame, forks and seat-post Providing both minimal weight with as much shock absorption as you can expect from a bike without a suspension. Whilst the stem and handlebars are not carbon-fibre they are a strong and light alloy.
Next, to the Roval Fusee SL wheels. The rims are made again from an alloy but the centre hubs are carbon-fibre. The front wheel comes sporting 20 spokes to save weight and the rear holding 24. The wheels alone come in at a very competitive weight of 1546g and look the part. This said, consumer reviews seem to point towards having a low level of durability which is not a good thing as far as anyone is concerned. Fortunately they do come with a limited one year warranty, that in my eyes is still little compensation for a poorly made product.
As you can see in the picture below this bike is something of a looker with flashes of black and scarlet red over a mainly white design with a gloss finish. The professional model of this uses the same colours just in a different arrangement, it is mainly scarlet red with white and black additions. I think that this colour scheme is far more appealing; it is more reserved that its big brother, that said it is by no means hiding in the corner, when people see you on this heads will turn. I personally love the design, my only concern is that the white gloss finish will inevitably show up water and dirt more easily than a matt finish.
As mentioned before the SL4 features the new Ultegra Di2 shifters are part of the new electrically powered gear changing revolution. It works by electrical motors on the front and rear derailleurs powered by a battery (pictured just below the right bottle cage in image 4). It uses the same shifting system on the handlebars but rather than the wire pulling the mechanism into the correct position
and change the chain position these wires go into the motors to trigger a electrically powered transition. Now I know what you are all thinking, how does this benefit me? Well it allows faster transitions and multiple gears to be changed ant once with just the press of a button. Further to this it is great for going up hills as the system does not pressure either the rear cassette or the front chain rings under high cadence. This gives you seamless gear changing allowing you to keep your rhythm and making very user friendly to even novice cyclists. Another major benefit of this system is that all adjustments in setting up the system, that would normally have to be done by a professional bike are automatic meaning that it requires next to no maintenance with expense services, just a good clean. The only downside of this system is that it is heavier than the mechanical system which may put off some people who are looking for a pure light machine, but for most of us the lower requirement for maintenance and forgiving gear changing is more beneficial than loosing a few grams. The battery life is said to last between 600-1500 miles depending on the conditions and the frequency of your shifting.
As you can see the SL4 also features the Ultegra Di2 braking system which is nice to see as some manufactures feature a few good components, but then cut corners on other less high profile parts to keep the price down. Also from a personal side I like many others prefer to have matching equipment over my bike for nothing more than aesthetics which this full-fills.
The Specialized Romin Expert seat backs up the the aggressive riding position designed to be strong and lightweight rather than heavy and comfortable much in the theme for the rest of the bike. Also the SL4 includes internal cable routing to not only clean up the design but make it more aerodynamic saving the riders' precious energy.
Testing
All testing has been done on a ½ mile track with a smooth tarmac surface in dry conditions and no wind. Unfortunately we only have a limited number of comparisons for the results we have.
Time Test
This test is to find how long it takes me to do a ½ mile straight.
Maximum Speed Test
As you may expect this is a test of the maximum speed I can push out of each bike.
In addition to this, the SL4 handles excellently both at high and low speeds giving high levels of grip in corners allowing continuous pedalling. It is very intuitive to ride; so much so that when riding it feels like an extension of your own body. Further to this even when riding on more bumpy roads the ride remains smooth and comfort undiminished. The top end speed of the SL4 is high and I did feel there was more in this bike over and above the speeds I achieved with it. The only negative I found was that when accelerating I could do with multiple shifts per up change. The Ultegra Di2 gears do not offer this unlike their mechanical twin. This can obviously limit the acceleration. I have to say that the wheels do appear to be strong and fast but how long they will last is another question that I am afraid cannot be discovered in a review like this without completely destroying the product.
Conclusion
As mentioned before the SL4 is coming to the market at a RRP £4500. If you are looking at spending anywhere near this much on a road bike then there is a pretty good chance you know what you are looking for in a bike. What I can tell you straight away is that this is absolutely marvellous to ride, both for its straight line speed and maintaining a speed of a longer distance. Despite this I cannot be missed that the price tag is very high; but I suppose we cannot expect much else when new technology hits the market.
This bike would be ideal for anyone who want to take their hobby to a more serious level whether you are a novice or veteran rider. I say this for a number of reasons, firstly the Ultegra Di2 gearing system has a huge benefit of allowing easy gear changing on hills without damaging the bike itself. Also back on the point that it is virtually upkeep free, this plays right into the hands of a novice rider, it cuts out the complication, I am sure that that feature will make this bike a huge success. On the other side of the argument some of you reading will not want an electrically based system for the general feel and to save a little weight. Fortunately Specialized have also released a Tarmac SL4 Pro SRAM Red model that features the fully mechanical SRAM Red gears. I personally do not see the electrical element as a hindrance and do appreciate the benefits it offers. The thing for me that may sway my decision to go with mechanical over electrical is that you cannot change multiple gears in one press as you are accelerating. For serious riders looking to post times this is a very real problem, but for everyday folk who would rather ride at a more leisurely pace competing in a few Etape days the over the season then electrical shifters is the way to go.
Next, I must cover the wheels on this model, whilst they seem fine for this level bike all previous reviews from customers give a clear picture that they are not reliable and the durability on them is poor at best. They have been put on this model as a new addition form the previous model and seem to be an attempt from Specialized to cut costs. They may find that this move costs them more in warranty replacements than the extra amount it would have cost them to leave them as there where.
There are only a few companies with the Ultegra Di2 gears on there bikes this season and I think it would be fair to say that the SL4 is pricey even against that competition. Specialized despite this are also probably the most highly rated brand by consumers featuring these gears at the moment. In my opinion Specialized are charging this much for this because they can. By this I mean that none of their major rivals have Ultegra Di2 shifting so they are making the most of this break. That said Specialized do offer fantastic customer service. This can sometimes be worth more than a few pounds in your pocket.
To finalize I would say that this bike cannot be questioned on its appearance or performance. The only areas for concern would be the wheels and the price. It would be most suited to an amateur rider looking to go out and enjoy their ride fully without trying to set any records. For this reason I am going to give it a Silver Award, the main thing holding it back being price.
Performance – 9
Price – 6
Presentation – 10
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