2014 Specialized

Tarmac SL4 Expert

A carbon frame race bike with high-end components and rim brakes.
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FrameCarbon
SuspensionRigid
ForkCarbon
Wheels700c Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 11
GroupsetUltegra, FSA
BrakesRim
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Rider Position
relaxedaggressive
Terrain
smoothrugged
Tarmac SL4 Expert
Other Race bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

41 mph

Tarmac SL4 Expert

40 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
49cm

5'1" – 5'5"

52cm

5'3" – 5'7"

54cm

5'5" – 5'9"

56cm

5'7" – 6'0"

58cm

5'10" – 6'2"

61cm

6'0" – 6'4"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews
Cycling Tips
Specialized Road Disc Review: new Tarmac versus Roubaix SL4

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

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road.cc
Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc

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

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BikeRadar
Specialized S-Works Tarmac Di2 Disc review

Nov 2014 · Ben Delaney

A dream machine in a category of its own – though some riders may find it a pigeonhole

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Canadian Cycling Magazine
Specialized releases exclusive S-Works McLaren Tarmac

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.

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Bicycling
2015 Specialized Tarmac Review

Jun 2014 · Matt Phillips

The new generation of the Tarmac is unlike anything else on the road

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Velo
Pro Bike Gallery: Alberto Contador’s custom Specialized Tarmac SL4

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

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Cycling Weekly
Specialized Tarmac SL2

Dec 2012 · Kenny Pryde

We test the 2013 entry-level Specialized Tarmac with carbon-fibre SL2 frameset and Shimano Sora components, £1200

Highs
  • Great frame and fork package

  • Good ride quality

Lows
  • Not much

Read Review

Bikerumor
Review: 2011 Specialized Tarmac Expert

Oct 2010

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. …

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Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Specialized SL4 FACT 10r carbon, FACT construction, tapered/shaped headtube, compact race design, 1-3/8"" lower bearing, OSBB

BB StandardBB30, 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

TypeRigid

Pedals

Nylon flat test ride, loose ball, w/ reflectors

Groupset
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

TypeRim

Brake Levers

Shimano Ultegra

Wheels
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

Rider Notes
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Last updated July 9
Not listed for 1,809 days