replacement for broken specialized s-works tarmac SL

replacement for broken specialized s-works tarmac SL

Author
Discussion

Tiddy1

Original Poster:

83 posts

116 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
My faithful s-works tarmac SL (2008 frame) frame has failed at the BB with cracks running most of the way round the BB/down tube. I assume it is just fatigue damage. but with no chance of a warrenty replacement I chose to repair with at kit from carbonzone. its been pretty successful and survived for the last few 1000 miles. However I assume that it will soon be time to replace the frame and the question is with what.

I love the tarmac SL and have been told thst the SL4 is far better but it should be at £2600 for the frame only!!! (my SL1 cost me £850) so I am looking at alternatives and so far I have the following list:

1. s-works tarmac SL3
1. Canyon CF SL (I dont think that the SLX is strong enough, its fine if you are a pro and can replace the frame every year though)
2. Colnago C59/ M10/CLX?
3. storck
4. Cervelo R3


I am quite short and ride a 50cm frame so the number of second hand/ good deal bikes seem to be a bit limited
I do not want to go to DI2 as I will just shift my Dura-ace kit from the SL

I ride 50+ miles a day during the week with the odd sportive ( last one was 100 miles in 5 hrs) so feel I can justify half way decient bike
Any suggestions

okgo

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Why don't you think its strong enough?

And why do you class the R3 as able, given the stays on the R3 are tas thin if not thinner than the SLX...

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
This years Tarmac SL4 uses the same frame as last years S-Works so you could always go for a complete new bike from this years range if you want to stay Specialized?

Or how about something different, you can get the 2015 S-Works Allez for £1500. Same geometry as the Tarmac and meant to be a great ride.

Tiddy1

Original Poster:

83 posts

116 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Have you picked one up? the SLX is quoted at 790grams, the SL at 950g, my s-works is 950ish, i don't think that that slx is worth the extra money to save 200g. When you hold the frame I reckon that I could crush the top tube between my fingers, I hope that it will have been designed to withstand the loads from normal cycleing but it felt like a simple ding in the wrong place and you could right off the frame, I don't want to have to treat the bike like a china doll I just want to ride and not worry. If you are a pro and get them free then thats a different story

okgo

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
What you have said could be said of any frame from a high end brand tbh.

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
If the C59 is in your budget that would be my choice, beautiful bike.

The Walrus

1,857 posts

204 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
I thought specialized offered lifetime warranty on the frames, is it second hand the current frame ? if not you can get either a heavily discounted frame from Specialized or possible but unlikely a free one....

Disco You

3,681 posts

179 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
The Walrus said:
I thought specialized offered lifetime warranty on the frames, is it second hand the current frame ? if not you can get either a heavily discounted frame from Specialized or possible but unlikely a free one....
My thoughts exactly =\ They do both a warranty replacement (free) and crash replacement (discount).

Justin S

3,637 posts

260 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Specialized are one of the best people to help out with issues. I broke 3 of their mtb frames and was no quibble replacements the next day. They wont touch it now, sadly.

Tiddy1

Original Poster:

83 posts

116 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
as I did not buy the frame new from them they would not touch it, also crash replacement discount was 20% on RRP hence the decision to repair

and i agree about all the top spec/ pro bikes what I was trying to say is i was happy to put up with the extra few 100g for the piece of mind.

C59 is the same price as an s-works tarmac SL4 so rather pricy, how much better are they than the older C50?