Specialized Tarmac SL8 - some small savings

[Ferry]

Finally, after waiting since July the correct size Roval Rapide cockpit became available in the Netherlands. I had been watching the Specialized website multiple times a day for weeks and the delivery date was being pushed forward constantly. However, October 3rd suddenly a few sizes had limited stock, including the 380 mm x 115 mm. I immediately ordered the cockpit and I could finally start building:

I decided to transfer most of the parts of my MY20 Giant TCR Advanced SL to the Specialized Tarmac SL8 frameset. I already dismantled the TCR in August (as the cockpit was announced for September). After taking the parts of I weighed most of the parts and was very surprised about the weight of the SRM Origin PM7 (SRM PM7 diet - Weight Weenies): 854 grammes. I managed to lose some weight by replacing the composite cranks with Look trilobes with the added benefit of changing the crank length to 170 mm instead of 172,5 mm. In addition, the steel 24 mm axles was replaced with a 24 mm titanium axle and the heavy SRM chainrings with a CarbonTi and Dura Ace inner chainring.

In order to save some weight (and for maximum bling effect) I changed the saddle to a Alpitude Gardena and the 11t pulleys to Extralite 12t pulleys. Final weight of the bike is currently 6.86 kilogrammes. Wheels and tires are no lightweights but chosen for aero (front wheel) / rolling resistance (tires). There are some parts I consider replacing to save additional weight:
- Brake rotors: Galferrotors would save another 44 grammes
- Shimano K05Ti would save another 10 grammes
- Xpedo Sonik SL pedals would save 47 grammes
I have a Specialized Aethos expander plug which would save 30 grammes over the standard SL8 one. But I am reluctant to use it.

Finally some pictures and a build sheet:

[BudhaNL]

Beauty! Very nice weight as well.

Turbo Cottons and Tubolito's would save serious grams. Since you're not tubeless a set of CLX I's would also save a lot.

[powerangah]

does the 44g saved from galfer take into account the added weight of 6bolt spacers?

[Ferry]

does the 44g saved from galfer take into account the added weight of 6bolt spacers?

Galfer also sells centerlock brake discs: https://galfer.eu/bike/galfer-disc-wave ... ck-system/

[Ferry]

Beauty! Very nice weight as well.

Turbo Cottons and Tubolito's would save serious grams. Since you're not tubeless a set of CLX I's would also save a lot.

Thanks, yes for the framesize I think the frame weight is not bad.

I was using Turbo Cotton's for the last few years (28 mm Hell of the North). That would be a weight saving of 2 x 25 grammes. Just wanted to try something different because of the lower rolling resistance (8.5 watts vs. 10.6 watts according to BRR). I am not so fond on Tubolito's. I tried the first generation tubes and they all leaked at the valve. It was only a test of three tubes. I have read they are now on the third generation. Maybe these have improved.

I was running CLX50's front and rear but bought a Rapide CLX II this year because of the wider rim.

[Ferry]

Some weight savings achieved! I changed the Dura Ace pedals (235 gr.) for Xpedo Sonik SL pedals (185 gr.), A weight saving of -50 grammes




After seeing the test results on BRR I will also change the Vittoria latex inner tubes for Vittoria Ultra Lights, only 29 grammes:



Weight of the bike is now 6,70 killogrammes. Next saving will be to replace the Dura Ace 11-30 cassette with a ZTTO 11-30. That would probably save another 90 grammes. Then, hopefully a zero offset Alpitude seatpost and...

[OtterSpace]

The matching ~3k weave and finish between the crankarms and the chainrings is the best I've ever seen the Carbon-Ti chainrings look on a bike, well done. Very expensive and heavy for what it is so I'd personally flip out of it but I know many people love and trust their SRM.

I'm a huge fan of dark blue but the lack of contrast between the specialized logo is just odd on a non full black build. I think they did this on purpose to help upsell people to the bad $/g S-Works framesets. Thankfully it would be easy to change up the logos with aftermarket stickers if you want to play up the logos a bit. Id personally go for a medium grey or reflective logo to match the SRMPower crank logo color and other pops of silver.

The BR-R9270 calipers are worth upgrading to for performance but also at the weight of individual items you are considering too.

After that all that is left without impacting performance is just bolt tuning to Ti.

[Ferry]

I'm a huge fan of dark blue but the lack of contrast between the specialized logo is just odd on a non full black build. I think they did this on purpose to help upsell people to the bad $/g S-Works framesets. Thankfully it would be easy to change up the logos with aftermarket stickers if you want to play up the logos a bit. Id personally go for a medium grey or reflective logo to match the SRMPower crank logo color and other pops of silver.

I have considered putting some decals on the frame for more contrast. I especially like what Patrick Lino did with the rainbow/chrome decals from Speedydecals:



However, I actually prefer no logos at all at the moment, like I had on my TCR.

The BR-R9270 calipers are worth upgrading to for performance but also at the weight of individual items you are considering too.

I transferred most of the R9170 groupset from the TCR to the SL8 but I did change the calipers to the 9270 calipers. I also decided to use Bionol instead of the standard Shimano brake fluid. I have not had enough rides on the bike to be able to tell any difference but at the time of building the bike it seemed like a simple performance upgrade.



I might change to oil slick titanium bolts. I think it will match with the dark blue paint of the frame.

[OtterSpace]

I transferred most of the R9170 groupset from the TCR to the SL8 but I did change the calipers to the 9270 calipers. I also decided to use Bionol instead of the standard Shimano brake fluid. I have not had enough rides on the bike to be able to tell any difference but at the time of building the bike it seemed like a simple performance upgrade.

Well researched bike, seems like most people who went frame up SL8 Pro build are well studied and deliver a personally tailored package with their build outs.

I run Red Line 91102 LikeWater for my mileral oil compatible brake fuild which is easier to source in the USA and a simlar idea to Bionol which in turn is better for the environment than the LikeWater while being techincally close enough. Compared to stock mineral oils both are less viscous, have higher boiling points and are clear colored. I didnt see any real performance difference in practice for my California riding but in theory they both should be way better in the cold and maintain performance without fade from fluid heating up. I've found their bigger advantages are from being easier to bleed and move air bubbles out of and the clear color will show any contamination better than the darker stuff so I'll always run one of the two for all my mineral oil bikes as best practice.

Another idea given you already are on Campy rotors is to go with Campy calipers which work with Shimano too. I like them way more than Shimano for less immidate grab and better predicatability. However I ride a lot of steep stuff in California and am a small short rider. For riding in the Netherlands as a taller person you might prefer the stronger initial bite of Shimano calipers. If you are interested in Campy for SL8 you would need the 140 rear caliper for the front due to the non standard fork holes & adapter plate.

Going back to the idea of Galfer I like running two different rotors to better hear when each is under duress from the different noises each brands rotors make. Braking is less critical on the rear so you might get on well with one there but I'd keep another rotor on the front personally.

[mike]

what a beauty!

[Ferry]

Well researched bike, seems like most people who went frame up SL8 Pro build are well studied and deliver a personally tailored package with their build outs.

Thanks, that's why I like to build myself and not buy a complete bike. There would be to many parts I would like to tinker with and replace.

Yes I also noticed it was easier to bleed the brakes using the Bionol fluid. I like that it is environmentally friendly. Before I bought the newer Dura Ace calipers I also looked into Trickstuff and Magura calipers (and read your topic on these different calipers).

I have not tried Galfer rotors and the choices I made now regarding the brakes are performance based not weight-weenie based. I would have liked Specialized to use a 140 mm rotor at the front. A 160 mm rotor is more than needed for riding in Limburg and Liège.

[OtterSpace]

I have not tried Galfer rotors and the choices I made now regarding the brakes are performance based not weight-weenie based. I would have liked Specialized to use a 140 mm rotor at the front. A 160 mm rotor is more than needed for riding in Limburg and Liège.

If you are more performance focused and like smaller diameter rotors I'd give galfer a pass. They are likely the best performance to weight and work well until they don't and will audibly let you know when they are close to the limit. A great rotor but certainly leaves top end performance on the table that you will notice the closer you get to braking limits. Also they are natively 6-bolt that they adapt to CL so have more weight advantages when ran on 6-bolt hubs.

Regarding the SL8 front what they adapted over from the æthos is quite clever and allows the caliper mounting portion to be hollow underneath which is why SL8 forks are so light compared to other disc forks. The way I view it is you are basically getting the 160mm rotor upgrade for free in exchange for a different adapter mounting standard that only negatively impacts Campy & Hope style front only calipers.