lennyparis

Thoughts on this bike. Especially since comes with DT Swiss wheels, Tiagra cassette, KMG Chain, FSA crank

Dunbar

If you're referring to the 2014 SL4 Ultegra Comp Di2 it actually has Fulcrum 5S wheels (which are probably not as good as Fulcrum 5's.) It also comes with an 11sp Ultegra cassette (Tiagra/105 are still 10sp only.) I wouldn't be happy with the FSA Gossamer crank (which is pretty low end) but you can always throw some Praxis rings on it for ~$100. The frame is also 9r which is the more basic type of carbon. I think it's a fairly priced bike given the level of components on it.

The SL4 Expert with 10r carbon and mechanical Ultegra 6800 (which costs half as much as di2) is only $400 cheaper.

TrojanHorse

An 11-speed tiagra cassette?

Are you sure?

Roobay_today

So are you saying get the expert and upgrade to di2?

Dunbar

Not really, I just pointing out that the Tarmac SL4 Expert has the 6800 groupset which sells for $800-900 less (discounted online) than Ultegra di2 and yet the complete bike is only $400 cheaper. I would say the di2 version is a better value but it depends on how much value you place in the FSA SL-K carbon crank, 10r carbon layup in the frame and slightly better wheels on the SL4 Expert.

Roobay_today

Yea I'm between these two now I like the di2, I think I would eventually put zipps 404 on either bike. And, if I got the the expert I would add di2 to it after wheelset upgrade. I'm just not that experienced at purchasing bikes at this end of the spectrum. $4000 is a lot of money for me so the bike will be my primary for the next 10 years probably. so far all my bike purchases have been under $1000. I know I want 11 speed so 2013 tarmac expert di2 is out. I hate the color choices for 2014 expert. Not sure How much 9r vs 10r frame stiffness matters. And I would want to change the crank on the comp di2. leaning copm di2 today, yet theres always tomorrow and I will probably change my mind.

Dunbar

FYI, the 11sp Ultegra Di2 ship date got pushed back into early 2014.

lennyparis

I am refering to a left over 2013 with 10sp
Has frame changed for 2014?

Like frame but handlebars, cranks and wheels are not great
Crank is low end and cassette is Tiagra and chain is KMG

So would take frame if get bargain and upgrade rest to 11sp Ultegra (even if not out for a few more months)

Dunbar

No, the frames haven't changed except that the SL4 is now standard across the whole Tarmac and Roubaix line this year. You said you weren't considering 10sp Di2 so I was just pointing out the 11sp Di2 launch has been delayed.

lennyparis

Thanks. So if I can get a good bargin on the frame I may swap out all components to get it the way I like. Any issue with fitting Zipp 303 or 404 on chainstays?

darb85

this is the spec to a 2013 and there is absolutly nothing wrong with this bike.

Cassette is a who cares, Wheels work fine, just a bit heavy, Crank is great, I own two, no issues at all, and KMC Chain, well I dont Prefer it but it works.

Great Bike.

lennyparis

I care about cassette-Ultegra better than Tiagra
Wheels are heavy-looking at Zipps
Crank is not Shimano-why buy FSA?
Chain is not Shimano-why buy FSA?

Rather get what I want

So what about electronic shifting and Tarmac frame

Dunbar

FSA cranks allow them to use BB30 bottom brackets across the whole line (Shimano is still Hollowtech II). Don't know if that's the reason or cost cutting. Probably a bit of both. Chains are relatively inexpensive so I wouldn't let that influence my decision.

Roobay_today

I would probably change the BB to a Chris king ceramic when Changing the crankset.

darb85

Shimano doesnt make BB30 The FSA Crank is a really great crank. The Chain is not shimano, and other chains work just fine with shimano and they get a OEM break on those chains.

every single manufacture does this.

thechemist

you will have issues fitting zipp 303 firecrest. my 404s fit fine though.