Bicycles

After many sporting success with his athletes, Specialized has completely renovated its high model Tarmac SL, now come to the 3rd generation (Tarmac SL3). Rather than revolution is a careful evolution of the previous model, in which more than aesthetics, basically unchanged, has conducted a careful re-examination technique. For the design of the frame there is always assigned to a subdivision into four different parts: the front triangle, seat tube and bottom bracket, chainstays and verticalstays. This subdivision, as the experience accumulated by Specialized, allows a better realization of its parts, allowing more precise calculations and choosing the best type of carbon, stratification and orientation of the fibers, according to the different loads it is subjected different areas. This has led to the weight of 875 grams in size 56, for the only frame, a beautiful record. The new frame adopts the series steering cone bearings with lower 1-inch and 1/2 and up 1 inch and 1/8. Although the range has undergone a generally re-examination to adapt to the new set of steering, while keeping the blades slightly curved and appear to be broadly the same as the previous year. The central movement continues to be oversized, as is the pipe section generous oblique. This meets the bottom bracket and the seat tube with a large area of struts. The tube has a large section near the head tube and then smaller in size near the junction with the vertical tube, with a slightly curved. His line, then joins the tubes tall wagon that remain, as in the previous version, straight and thin profile. A "bridge" connects them over the wheel and allows the attachment of the rear brake. The stays horizontal wagon have, however, a larger cross-section, especially near the bottom bracket. The bike is assembled with the Dura Ace group and completed with seatpost Specialized Carbon with Zertz insert anti-vibration and Body Geometry Toupe saddle with carbon fiber hull. The handlebar is Specialized S-Works SL carbon, while the stem is forged aluminum with titanium screws and special carbon. Stem, handlebar and seatpost have a weight of about 160, 230 and 200 grams, while not record weights, are competitive. The crank is always Specialized S-Works, which was renewed for this model, with crank carbon was further eased from the previous model. This crankset, as stated by Specialized, is lighter and stiffer than the Dura Ace crankset original. The crank bearings are ceramic type for improved smoothness. New wheels, the model Roval Rapide SL 45, with high profile carbon rims and trail brake light alloy, coupled with clinchers S-Works Mondo Open Tubular, 700x23c, from 290TPI. These wheels are very aerodynamic, but not very light (1595 grams per pair). Front and rear derailleur, brakes, controls, chain, sprocket 12-27 are Shimano Dura Ace. The crankset has available only the combination 39/53. It also available frame kit, composed of frame, fork, set of steering and seatpost. Three colours available: carbon, red/carbon/white, white/carbon/blue. Six sizes available. For prices frame kit should cost 2.690 Euro, 6.490 Euro the complete bike. Even if the prices were high in absolute terms are quite competitive and lower than many other competitors. This case, if weight and rigidity values are confirmed, is positioned at the summit between the absolute high-end bike "ready to race". Besides the former Tarmac SL2 was already among the best bikes in the industry, hence this development will not be outdone, while having we consider that other companies were not "firm". It is, therefore, a bike and agony for those who want a bike light, stiff and responsive. The defect is a small comfort on bumpy and long-distance, but it is natural to model this level and, above all, intended use, because even the best competitors do not offer comfort. The bike has assembled a favorable price and assembles components of good quality and above all light, apart from the wheels that are bound to step in line for speed. For a different use, such as the climb, you should take other wheels. The frame kit allows more customization, the only advice is to give this bike a pair of tubular wheels, which offer increased smoothness, but also comfort, so as to "soften" a little the inflexible nature of the frame.