Specialized Tarmac SL3 Build
02-13-12, 04:22 PM
#1
Raising the bar
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Specialized Tarmac SL3 Build
Just got it back from the shop.
Frame/fork: Specialized SL3 Tarmac
Wheels (race): Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR
Groupset: All DA 7900 with the exception of the KMC Gold Chain
Bars: Deda Zero100
Stem: Specialized
Seatpost: Thomson Masterpiece
Saddle: Specialized Toupé Expert
Housing: Gore Ride-On
Cages: Specialized Ribcage
and some Fizik bartape.
Just rode a quick 15 miles today and Holy Jesus, that was fast.
Never really bought in to the stiff thing until today. Total efficiency.
Biggest surprise was the shifting. I have the same groupset on my other bike with some ratty housing. This new stuff was absolutely amazing (and its in red!).
Anyway, here are some cool pics.
Frame/fork: Specialized SL3 Tarmac
Wheels (race): Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR
Groupset: All DA 7900 with the exception of the KMC Gold Chain
Bars: Deda Zero100
Stem: Specialized
Seatpost: Thomson Masterpiece
Saddle: Specialized Toupé Expert
Housing: Gore Ride-On
Cages: Specialized Ribcage
and some Fizik bartape.
Just rode a quick 15 miles today and Holy Jesus, that was fast.
Never really bought in to the stiff thing until today. Total efficiency.
Biggest surprise was the shifting. I have the same groupset on my other bike with some ratty housing. This new stuff was absolutely amazing (and its in red!).
Anyway, here are some cool pics.
02-13-12, 05:30 PM
#6
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Great looking bike; well done 
Not a huge fan of those bottle cages though; I think a pair of black (or white) ones would look much better (Arundel Mandibles, maybe?)
Not a huge fan of those bottle cages though; I think a pair of black (or white) ones would look much better (Arundel Mandibles, maybe?)
02-13-12, 06:36 PM
#8
Raising the bar
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I forgot to mention that I have Ultegra 6700 pedals on there. I weighed it with those pedals and some heavy Ksyrium Equipes. The weight was around 16.86 lbs. A projected weight with the CCs and some DA pedals I have lying around is about 16.25 lbs.
It rides awesome!
02-13-12, 06:45 PM
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No, no. no....me want SL3. Me have SL2. SL3 "Peanuts" envy.
Seriously, very nice looking bike. Congrats.
Seriously, very nice looking bike. Congrats.
02-13-12, 06:48 PM
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super clean!
the red cables are a nice touch. Rarely do i see cables other than black work that well.
the red cables are a nice touch. Rarely do i see cables other than black work that well.
Last edited by jmtomasz; 02-13-12 at 06:56 PM.
02-13-12, 07:29 PM
#12
Raising the bar
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It should weigh about 16.25 lbs when I get the 7800 pedals on there.
02-13-12, 07:56 PM
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nice lines on the frame. and build up looks great. i "get it" about assuming stiffness is BS, but finding out different. same thing happened to me...
my dad was always reminding me... "nobody can TELL YOU ANYTHING!!!!!
". which was true enough. but, experiencing it was, and is, a different matter.
my dad was always reminding me... "nobody can TELL YOU ANYTHING!!!!!
". which was true enough. but, experiencing it was, and is, a different matter.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 02-13-12 at 07:59 PM.
02-13-12, 09:02 PM
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I'm not usually too fond of Specialized frames, but that's a hell of a beautiful build.
02-13-12, 09:25 PM
#18
Raising the bar
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Instead I have a 52/39 with a 14-28 cassette to satisfy junior gearing. It was a pain to sort that out. I am using a junior cassette from 14-20, and then an Ultegra 11-28 cassette for the 21, 24, and 28t cogs. This way I can have about the same ratios all around coming from a compact crankset.
02-14-12, 03:34 AM
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+1 on HOT HOT HOT!!!! Pics without any bling on the bike really make for a clean looking bike. The red cable housing and bottle cages are a nice touch. Love the pic along the chain stay. Now to clean up the pool of drool...
02-14-12, 07:44 AM
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That's a nice looking build.
My wife has the same frame. Hers is built up with Sram Force and a Quarq 975 crankset and a set of custom wheels - Kinlin 27mm rims and CK R45hubs. She also has red cages, though hers are Blackburn Carbon, and she has a red Spec. stem. Her bar tape is dark grey Fizik with silver housing. We thought about doing the red housing but decided against it.
My only complaint about the bike is that the fork is starting to yellow a bit. After a year, it's a noticeably different shade of white.
My wife has the same frame. Hers is built up with Sram Force and a Quarq 975 crankset and a set of custom wheels - Kinlin 27mm rims and CK R45hubs. She also has red cages, though hers are Blackburn Carbon, and she has a red Spec. stem. Her bar tape is dark grey Fizik with silver housing. We thought about doing the red housing but decided against it.
My only complaint about the bike is that the fork is starting to yellow a bit. After a year, it's a noticeably different shade of white.
02-14-12, 09:58 AM
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Awesome build man , How you like the Dura Ace 7900's? thinking about buying me a group for my next build.
, How you like the Dura Ace 7900's? thinking about buying me a group for my next build.
02-14-12, 05:26 PM
#24
Raising the bar
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Yup, my parents had them custom made. They love 'em.
That is Gore Ride-On stuff. the LBS had it on the back shelf and i asked them if they had any red stuff and they were like, "I think we have what you need." It performs extremely well - very little friction in the shift to an easier gear, and there's more accurate shifting now that the cable doesn't have to fight the housing.
The 7900 was good on my last bike, and fantastic on this new one. The shifts are more positive and defined, and it is super quick.
That is Gore Ride-On stuff. the LBS had it on the back shelf and i asked them if they had any red stuff and they were like, "I think we have what you need." It performs extremely well - very little friction in the shift to an easier gear, and there's more accurate shifting now that the cable doesn't have to fight the housing.
The 7900 was good on my last bike, and fantastic on this new one. The shifts are more positive and defined, and it is super quick.
02-14-12, 09:44 PM
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I have come back to this thread a bunch of times to look at your build. So clean and crisp and the red cables are perfect.