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Submitted by
MN_Stillwater_Roadie
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: March 21, 2011
Strengths: Light, stiff and fast.Weaknesses: I can't find one yet.Bottom Line: This is for the 2011 Specialized Tarmac Pro SL3. First of all, I was stuck deciding between the black/blue and the white/red frames. I decided on the white because I liked the glossy, clear coat paint. The accent colors inside the chain stays and front fork really give the bike a different look.
I ordered the frame and components through my LBS. Things began arriving in mid-March. Once put together, everyone marveled at home well the colors worked, and the bike looked awesome.
Now the ride: This bike does everything you ask of it and more. It is smooth, fast, and responsive, and with the Ardennes wheels, absolutely loves to climb. The first time I put my weight down for the initial pedal stroke, I could feel the bike respond and want to move forward. The more I asked, the more it gave.
It took me a few times to get used to the descent. My Roubaix is stellar and stable on the descent. The Tarmac handles this a bit differently (not bad or good, just different). Once I got used to it, I was zooming down the hills with no worries.
Braking is nice and smooth and gives me no reason to worry.
You have to praise Specialized for their "trickle down" philosophy. I am very impressed with this bike.
Favorite Ride: Quiet farm roads with fields on both sides, rolling hills
Price Paid:
$4800.00
Purchased At: The Bicycle Chain, R
Similar Products Used: 2008 Specialized Roubaix Elite
2006 Trek 1200
Bike Setup: Full SRAM Red components, S-Works shallow bend bars, S-Works Pro Stem, Toupe Pro Saddle, Specialized Pro Carbon 2-Bolt Seatpost, HED Ardennes SL wheel set, Look Keo Max 2 carbon pedals.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
pdainsworth
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: March 13, 2011
Strengths: The bike seems just as still as the S-Works SL2 I owned previously. The handling is more stable and ride quality is on par with the SL2. I really appreciated that the brand name "Specialized" doesn't show up 23 times as it did no my SL2. The bike gets lots of nice looks as it's built up. That's a good thing, since no one looks at me that way... :(Weaknesses: The frameset is a bit heavier than my SL2, at about 1045 g for the 58 cm frame, as opposed to 990 for the old bike. The S-works bike seemed to feels bit more lively, though that is a purely subjective thing.Bottom Line: The bike has been great! After an extended recover from a knee surgery, I am finally on the bike comfortably again. With the SL3, Specialized seems to have refined the handling, making the bike a bit more stable and less twitchy. Now, this could still be ridden as an everyday crit bike, but you'd be just as happy ridding Markleeville, or STP, or RAGBRAI, too.
This bike was, at first, a perceived downgrade, since my last bike was n S-Works SL2. After having some time on the bike though, I would have to say the ride quality and handling more than make up for the 50 grams or so gained in the 58 cm frame.
In all fairness, some of the credit should probably go to the Zipp 101's with the Turbo Tubeless tires. They are a SUBLIME combination of sticky road handling and comfort that nothing else I've ridden can approach, including nice silk sew ups on Mavic GL 330 rims.
All in all, I am extremely pleased with the bike and can't wait for even more conducive riding conditions!
Favorite Ride: Lake Crescent/Joyce/Port Angeles loop
Purchased At: Mike's Bikes, Sequim
Similar Products Used: SL2, Giant OCR Carbon, Many handbuilt steel from Ritchey, Mountain Goat, Otis Guy, Castle. Had a Litespeed in the day.
Bike Setup: Pro road frame set. I built it up with a mix of Red shifters, and Force for the rest of the drivetrain and brakes. The wheels are Zipp 101's shod with Turbo Tubeless tires. The cockpit is set up with an 11 cm S-Works stem and 44cm Ritchey Logic WCS Bars. The saddle is a Specialized Romin 143.
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