[taco12]

Hello

What do you recommnend for upgrading Tarmac SL4 Sport 2014. What are those changes that the bike needs most.

 

[TricrossRich]

I'd say first and foremost, I'd recommend wheels. The stock wheels serve their purpose but they're far from good and I think that when people upgrade wheels and tires, they usually feel some pretty dramatic changes. For $600-$1000 you can get some pretty decent wheel sets that will save some weight over the stockers. That will bring the overall weight of the bike down, but also give a feel of snappier acceleration. The added stiffness of a better wheel set usually inspires a little more confidence in turns and help when climbing, out of the saddle. Better tires will improve grip and inspire more confidence and a better tire will usually have a higher TPI count which means lower rolling resistance.

You could also look at upgrading the groups from the 10speed 105 to the 11 speed Ultegra. That'll cost anywhere from $600-850 depending on where you get parts and how much of the work you can do yourself. It'll cut some more weight and the shifting will be more precise and crisp. The extra gear means you'll be more likely to find that perfect gear for the situation you're in. It will definitely be an improvement, but whether or not its worth the money will depend on how much you like the 105... some people love 105 and some people find it lacking.

 

[Keoki]

If you're going to upgrade, do it right.

Handlebar = Zipp SLC2
Bar Tape = Lizard Skin
Stem = Zipp SL Sprint
Seatpost = Zipp SL Speed
Wheels = Zipp 404 Firestrike
Bottle Cages = Tacx Tao Carbon
Pedals = Time Xpresso 12 Titan
Saddle = Selle Italia SLR Super Flow
Drive Train = SRAM Red 22 (the lightest of them all) or Dura Ace 9000 (perfection)

or

Sell the heavy ass SL4 and get yourself a Supersix Evo Hi-Mod and call it a day.

 

[Rashadabd]

I'd say first and foremost, I'd recommend wheels. The stock wheels serve their purpose but they're far from good and I think that when people upgrade wheels and tires, they usually feel some pretty dramatic changes. For $600-$1000 you can get some pretty decent wheel sets that will save some weight over the stockers. That will bring the overall weight of the bike down, but also give a feel of snappier acceleration. The added stiffness of a better wheel set usually inspires a little more confidence in turns and help when climbing, out of the saddle. Better tires will improve grip and inspire more confidence and a better tire will usually have a higher TPI count which means lower rolling resistance.

You could also look at upgrading the groups from the 10speed 105 to the 11 speed Ultegra. That'll cost anywhere from $600-850 depending on where you get parts and how much of the work you can do yourself. It'll cut some more weight and the shifting will be more precise and crisp. The extra gear means you'll be more likely to find that perfect gear for the situation you're in. It will definitely be an improvement, but whether or not its worth the money will depend on how much you like the 105... some people love 105 and some people find it lacking.

+1- I agree with this and would only add seatpost. The stock seatpost on that model isn't great and you get a significantly different ride quality by adding one of these:

Specialized Bicycle Components

The SL4 Sport is fine on weight if you ask me. It's a great value and very worthy of an upgrade. That's not just my opinion either:

Specialized Tarmac SL4 Sport review - BikeRadar



Specialized Bicycle Components

 

[kps88]

wow. I don't think this is what he meant. but nice stuff anyway.

If you're going to upgrade, do it right.

Handlebar = Zipp SLC2
Bar Tape = Lizard Skin
Stem = Zipp SL Sprint
Seatpost = Zipp SL Speed
Wheels = Zipp 404 Firestrike
Bottle Cages = Tacx Tao Carbon
Pedals = Time Xpresso 12 Titan
Saddle = Selle Italia SLR Super Flow
Drive Train = SRAM Red 22 (the lightest of them all) or Dura Ace 9000 (perfection)

or

Sell the heavy ass SL4 and get yourself a Supersix Evo Hi-Mod and call it a day.