FIRST RIDE: SPECIALIZED TARMAC SL2

Stiffness is the main focus for Specialized?s Tarmac SL2, which in true Spinal Tap style scores an 11 on Specialized?s one-to-10 scale for the FACT carbon frame.

A one-and-a-half inch head tube makes space for a wider fork steerer and lower headset bearing, and also provides a larger surface area for the attachment of an oversized top tube and huge down tube. With the benefit of having their own integrated BB and cranks, Specialized?s engineers have also beefed up this critical tube junction.

There?s always a grey area between test results and how they translate to the road, but the SL2 is about as stiff as they come. While impressive lateral stiffness was welcomed in the bottom bracket area, I felt the front end stiffness was responsible for a few unnerving handling characteristics.

At 80kph I did not feel confident piloting the SL2 through a succession of sweeping bends and even small movements caused a wobble. Perhaps a small change to the geometry is needed to counter the nervousness.

The only non-oversized tubes are the seatstays, which are stick thin by comparison, and designed this way to hold back some of the road shock.

Although seemingly the must-have fashion accessory for 2008 there is no integrated seatpost, just a standard 27.2 carbon FACT seatpost with Zertz shock-absorbing inserts for further comfort. Specialized may not have followed market trends with the seatpost but it has not fallen short in the weight race, and the SL2 is a true featherweight at 13.5lb (6.1kg).

Specialized Tarmac SL2

DistributorSpecialized UK 0208 391 3500 www.specialized.com

Price£4,999.99

FrameS-Works FACT 11r carbon, FACT IS construction, compact race design

ForkS-Works FACT monocoque carbon, 1.5in crown bearing race

Size range49 to 61cm

Weight13.5lb (6.1kg)

GroupsetSRAM Force

AlterationsS-Works FACT carbon crankset, integrated oversize design

Gear ratios53-39, 12-23

WheelsSpecialized Roval Rapide SL Carbon

TyresSpecialized S-Works Mondo Dual Compound

BarsS-Works Barmac Wedge one piece carbon bar/stem combo

StemAs above

SeatpostS-Works SL, FACT carbon w/ Zertz insert, 27.2mm

SaddleSpecialized BG Toupe Gel 130

Size tested56cm

CW FIRST IMPRESSION: 8/10