sjuguy

So I have a bit of a dilemma.

I currently have a 2013 base tarmac. This is the SL2 8r fact carbon with Sora components. I recently upgraded wheelset to the HED Ardennes SL, which has made a world of difference. Honestly, I can't believe how much of an upgrade this was over the stock wheelset (DT Axis 1.0).

Sitting in front of me right now is a complete Force 22 groupset.

Dilemma is... do I put the Sram stuff on my current frame or would it be worthwhile to upgrade frames now? I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on an SL4 pro frame(10r carbon), putting on the Force groupset and Ardennes wheels. This would allow me to put the stock wheels back on the base tarmac and sell it as a full bike, offsetting part of the cost of a new frame.

So the question is, is the SL4 Pro frame enough of an upgrade to spend the money and go through the additional work to build up a new frame?

Lazyass

Is buying a new frame going to make you faster?

sjuguy

Yes, my wallet will be lighter, so my climbing should improve.

lsberrios1 

Man! I would. One of those new 2015 tarmacs. The sl2 is not bad but i think a new frame will compliment the force 22 and the ardennes greatly.

sjuguy

Those are my thoughts exactly.

Wondering if anybody has had any experience between the SL2 and SL4?

Darth Steele

Put on the groupset on your current frame and work on your climbing skills. If you are don't get the desired the results then train harder.

I truly doubt that your current bike frame is the limiting factor in your climbing skills.

lsberrios1 

Are you going to buy the frame new? If so go to a shop, try an sl4 demo and buy the frame from them if you like it that much. In the end it's about being comfortable and liking the looks of what you ride. I have an expert roubaix frame which is 10 r and a giant sl frame with isp and i can notice the difference. But there is also a good amount in price difference considering that an sl frame is more of a tarmac sworks territory and that would be an 11r carbon.

Germany_chris

Of course it is haven't you read the magazines

topflightpro

The SL4 frame will be a bit lighter and a bit stiffer. Whether you will notice those differences, I cannot say.

But the SL4 is a very nice frameset, and if you feel like getting a new frame, you might as well do it now and put all your new parts on the new frame and have a completely new bike.

It's not as much fun putting older or used parts on a new frame.

lsberrios1 

Also, keep the sl2 if you end up buying the sl4, slap the axis wheelset on it and use it as a rain bike.

eippo1

I went from a 2010 Tarmac Comp to a 2011 Tarmac Pro and that was a big difference. Nowadays even more so with the newer molds. If you can stretch, do it.

sjuguy

Ha, my climbing comment earlier was a bit facetious, I live in MN which is extremely flat. If I lived in a hilly or mountainous region and truly wanted to climb better I would star by trying to lose 20lbs.