Tarmac SL6 & Campag EPS - simply my best?

[liam7020]

Thought I better post this up before it becomes completely out-of-date, with it’s antiquated braking system and soon to be defunct 11 speed EPS….! Anyhow as you can see it’s a Specialized S-Works SL6 in Sagan Superstar colourway with a frame weight of 925g, fork 345g and seatpost 185g. Not as light as Speesh would have us believe but ain’t that always the case with bike manufacturers and although the paint job is heavy, in fairness the colours are very striking when seen in daylight. Total weight as photographed is 6.39kgs which is pretty respectable.

But more importantly, how does it ride? Well it rides very well indeed! I’d ridden a lot of fine bikes over the years, including some C series Colnagos, and this might be the best. Well maybe apart from the C-40, but that’s another story. I previously had 2 SL5s and they were decent machines too but the SL6 is just that bit better. It’s a little lighter, more responsive and extremely comfortable over all but the harshest road surfaces. I know wheels and tyres play a role in the perception of comfort but I had these Xentis wheels fitted to a Pinarello F8 for far too long (about 6 months!) and it was a horrible mean f*cker.

When I first built the bike the tyres were shod with my standard rubber, Veloflex Corsa, which I’ve used for years and found to be an excellent tyre. However, I quite liked the aesthetics of the Turbo Cotton tyres with their gum walls and so I took a punt, fitting a pair solely based on looks alone. Shallow, I know. Well now – what a revelation. The Turbo Cottons, whilst being a few grams heavier than the Veloflexs, made an already comfortable ride even better and oh boy are they very very fast!

Here’s a brief build list:

Frameset: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL6 56cm
Headset: Ceramic Speed with FSA top cap
Derailleurs & shifters: Campag Record 11 EPS
Wheels: Xentis Squad 4.2 clinchers fitted with Veloplugs
Skewers: Extralite
Tyres: Specialized Turbo Cotton 26mm
Tubes: Continental Supersonic
Crankset: S-Works 172.5mm with Praxis Buzz chainrings 52/36
BB: Ceramic Speed
Pedals: LOOK Keo Blade Carbon Ti
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-28
Chain: KMC 11SL gold
Brakes: EE Cycleworks direct mount
Saddle: San Marco Asphide FX Carbon
Seatpost: S-Works SL6
Stem: S-Works SL 110mm
Bars: 3T Ergonova Ltd Stealth 42cm
Tape: Lizard Skins DSP 1.8mm
Cages: 14g each cheapos off Ebay

When the 12 speed EPS comes out I might upgrade but then again it already is a fantastic bike so I very well might not bother my backside! Enjoy the snaps.

[Jugi]

Chapeau! A very nicely finished build.

[markyboy]

Very nice and the pics are great,how do you get pics like that?

[liam7020]

Very nice and the pics are great,how do you get pics like that?

Cheers markboy. I used to work as a semi-pro photographer for a while but still have the studio gear. Only really used for snapping bikes now!!

[markyboy]

Ah thats why then,i wish i could get pics like that for my bikes.

[Mep]

Wow that paint job is even more amazing than I had realized. Seems like it's worth the weight penalty!

[liam7020]

Ah thats why then,i wish i could get pics like that for my bikes.

If you weren't "over the water" I could have taken a few snaps of your bikes at a WW mate's rate!!!

[liam7020]

Chapeau! A very nicely finished build.

Many thanks!

[liam7020]

Wow that paint job is even more amazing than I had realized. Seems like it's worth the weight penalty!

Cheers, the flash doesn't totally do it justice, it really sparkles in bright sunshine.

[Calnago]

That’s a nice setup you’ve done there. I really want to try out those Turbo Cottons in the tubular version soon. They go great on your bike.

[markyboy]

Ah thats why then,i wish i could get pics like that for my bikes.

If you weren't "over the water" I could have taken a few snaps of your bikes at a WW mate's rate!!!

[liam7020]

That’s a nice setup you’ve done there. I really want to try out those Turbo Cottons in the tubular version soon. They go great on your bike.

Thanks Cal, really are a superb rolling tyre.

[tabl10s]

Very nice and the pics are great,how do you get pics like that?

Too much yellow for me.

[onemanpeloton]

You, sir, have style

[liam7020]

Cheers! Now that the weather's slightly improved, I've had the bike out for a few spins and still extremely impressed. In the end I didn't upgrade to 12 EPS. If the V3 battery had been compatible with the 12 EPS I might have considered it but too much hassle pulling out the bb etc to change the battery. And the bloody price of the EPS never mind the increased weight over the 11 speed. I might make a few WW cosmetic changes to get the weight below 6.3kgs - depnds how the bank balance is!