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Today’s Deals2014 Specialized
Tarmac SL4 Expert
A carbon frame race bike with high-end components and shimano ultegra rim brakes.
Compare the full range
| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 11 |
| Groupset | Ultegra |
| Brakes | Shimano Ultegra Rim |
5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'2"
6'0" – 6'4"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Specialized Tarmac is celebrated for its exceptional blend of lightness, stiffness, and comfort, making it a top choice for racing enthusiasts. It incorporates high-end technology and materials, offering a responsive and efficient ride across various road conditions. While some models feature disc brakes for superior stopping power, others highlight the bike's nimble handling and climbing efficiency. However, certain components and design choices may not meet every rider's expectations, and the price point can be a consideration.
Impressive mix of lightness, stiffness, and comfort
Trickle down technology from the S Works model at a more affordable price
Predictable yet nimble handling
Compliant ride quality on various road surfaces
Disc brakes are a game-changer on a race bike
Fulcrum Racing 4 wheels are adequate but not outstanding
New Romin saddle's width at the nose was bothersome for some reviewers
Integrated seatpost clamp design is fragile when seatpost is removed
Limited wheel choice due to modified rear hub
£8,000 price tag for high-end models
The Tarmac Expert delivers at all levels. It is essentially a Pro Tour frame with mid level components to make it more affordable.
BikerumorEvolutionary, not revolutionary
Cycling TipsBest race bike with discs we’ve ridden
BikeRadarThe Tarmac represents the first of a new breed of out-and-out race bikes with disc brakes.
road.ccFeedback?
View all reviews
Sep 2015
While the pro peloton is only just starting to experiment with disc brakes, consumers have had access to road disc bikes for a few years. Specialized was an early adopter however a pure-bred race bike with disc brakes was missing from their catalogue until recently. In this review, CTech editor Matt Wikstrom compares
Dec 2014 · David Arthur @davearthur
Fast and peerless handling with all the benefits of hydraulic disc brakes, it sets the benchmark, but it's not cheap
Nov 2014 · Ben Delaney
A dream machine in a category of its own – though some riders may find it a pigeonhole
Jul 2014 · Canadian Cycling Magazine
On Wednesday, Specialized released details on the bike, S-Works McLaren Tarmac, that was developed with the high-performance automotive manufacturer.
Jun 2014 · Matt Phillips
The new generation of the Tarmac is unlike anything else on the road
Jun 2013 · Caley Fretz
"El Pistolero" will roll a custom-painted Specialized rig at the Tour and the California company will sell a limited run of 250 bikes
Dec 2012 · Kenny Pryde
We test the 2013 entry-level Specialized Tarmac with carbon-fibre SL2 frameset and Shimano Sora components, £1200
Great frame and fork package
Good ride quality
Not much
Oct 2010 · AJ
Every year bike companies come out with lighter, stiffer, faster and more comfortable bikes. It seems impossible to engineer something that has such opposite qualities, but stiffer and lighter, but still comfortable to ride, it the ultimate goal. With the 2011 Tarmac Expert Specialized has created a bike with an impressive mix of these qualities. …
| Frame | Specialized SL4 FACT 10r carbon, FACT construction, tapered/shaped headtube, compact race design, 1-3/8"" lower bearing, OSBB BB Standard: BB30, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | Specialized FACT carbon full monocoque, OS race for 1-3/8"" bearing, hollow carbon dropouts |
| Bottom Bracket | OS integrated, sealed bearings |
| Headset | 1-1/8"" upper and 1-3/8"" lower, stainless steel cartridge bearings, 8mm carbon cone spacer, w/ 20mm of carbon spacers |
| Stem | Specialized Pro SL, 3D forged 7050 aluminum, 4-bolt, 31.8mm |
| Handlebar | Specialized Tarmac Expert, alloy, 140mm drop, 85mm reach |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Toupé Expert, hollow Ti rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized Pro SL, FACT carbon, 2-bolt, 27.2mm Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Nylon flat test ride, loose ball, w/ reflectors |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Ultegra, braze-on, 11-speed |
| Crank | FSA SL-K Light, carbon, BB30 |
| Shifters | Shimano Ultegra STI, 11-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed, 11-28 |
| Chain | Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed |
| Brakes | Front: Shimano Ultegra, Rear: Shimano Ultegra Type: Shimano Ultegra Rim |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Ultegra |
| Rims | Front: Fulcrum S4, Rear: Fulcrum S4 |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: Specialized Turbo Pro, 127TPI, foldable aramid bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x23c, Rear: Specialized Turbo Pro, 127TPI, foldable aramid bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x23c |
First added July 9
Last updated July 9
Not listed for 2,526 days