Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 Frameset

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 Frameset

Developed with McLaren, already responsible for the Venge, the team at Specialized have created a new lay-up that's 19% stiffer than last year's class leading SL3, is lighter and even sexier to look at.

The new King Cobra tapered headtube is actually narrower, down to 1 3/8in at the crown from last year's 1 1/2in, which makes it stiffer but also improves the vertical compliance. The distinctive look is created by wrapping the oversized top and downtubes around the head tube which keeps all the transitions neatly smoothed out to help with the aerodynamics.

Constructing the bottom bracket and the chainstays as one unit rather than bonding them together as has been the norm has improved stiffness, not that the SL3's class-leading figures were in any way shabby! Add in a carbon BB shell and a set of Specialized's uber-light S-Works cranks and you have a power transfer system that's beyond compare.

The tweaks don't stop there. The chainstays are wider to improve lateral stiffness and the area around the bridge has been re-designed to further improve braking. Hollow carbon dropouts with co-moulded steel inserts at both rear and fork are stiffer and lighter while the rear ones have cable routing to keep everything neat and tidy. In fact all the cable routing is internal with the rear brake routing through the top tube and both shifters routing through the down tube for the maximum protection and aero benefit.

Note that the HTC frameset is now a mainly 'gloss/matt' black finish owing to the change in sponsorship arrangements for that team - the image shown here is correct. And if you don't like the little 'Highroad' logo at the back of the toptube don't worry - it's peelable!

Frame: S-Works SL4 FACT 11r carbon, FACT IS construction, compact race design, 1-3/8" lower headset bearing, carbon OSBB with ceramic bearings in OSBB press-in cups.

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon full monocoque, OS race 1-3/8" bearing.

Seatpost: S-Works FACT carbon 27.2mm

Finishing kit: 1-1/8" upper and 1-3/8" lower Cro-Mo cartridge bearings, carbon 8mm cone spacer and 20mm of carbon spacers, forged alloy seat post clamp/binder with titanium nut and bolt.