Photograph by Matt Phillips
Five-time green jersey winner Peter Sagan won stage three of the Tour de France on Monday aboard the newest Specialized Tarmac. Launched the day before the Tour’s July 1 kickoff, the new Tarmac features an all new frame design that’s more aerodynamic, and a significant weight reduction as well: a 56cm frame–Sagan’s size–carries a claimed weight of just 733 grams with the “ultralight” finish.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Sagan’s Bora Hansgrohe team currently rides a full Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain. The 4iiii dual-side power meter implanted in the crankset keeps track of Sagan’s watts.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Though clinchers, and tubeless clinchers, have been spotted in the professional ranks more regularly of late, glue-on tubular tyres are still the choice for the majority of the peloton, Sagan included. Sagan rolls on 26mm-wide S-Works Turbo Allaround 2 tubulars from Specialized.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
One of the most impressive details of the new Tarmac: room for up to 30mm tyres with rim brakes. Even with Sagan’s 26mm-wide tyres, plenty of clearance remains.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
The finish on Sagan’s bike looks subtle at first, but a closer look reveals complex details. The silver has an iridescent quality that, depending on the light, reflects back the colours of the rainbow: an homage to Sagan’s World Champion jerseys. The outline of the “S-Works” logo appears gold, but it too changes colour as the viewing angle changes. Small touches of Bora-Honsgrohe’s team colour – a light green – provide tasteful accents.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Like the bike he rode in last year’s Tour, Sagan’s new Tarmac uses Specialized Aerofly flat handlebar. The 250 gram (claimed) carbon bar features a wing-shaped top section which helps the bar cut 17 seconds from a 40k ride (compared to a traditional drop bar), claims Specialized’s product information.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
This K-Edge out-in front mount for Garmin Edge is laser etched with one of Sagan’s nicknames.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
This port in the downtube is unused when running an electronic drivetrain like Sagan. When a mechanical drivetrain is used, the blank is swapped for a different insert that routes the derailleur cables through the down tube.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Double-sided tape holds the Shimano Di2 junction box in place . Note the electrical tape covering up the sponsor-incorrect stem: a Zipp SL Sprint.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Sagan rides Shimano Dura Ace pedals with the optional +4mm wider axles. The Slovakian amazingly won Monday’s Tour de France stage three sprint despite unclipping from his pedal inside the final few metres!
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Smooth steering provided by team-sponsor Ceramic Speed’s ceramic-bearing headset
Photograph by Matt Phillips
This entry port in the top tube does double duty. Both the brake cable and the Shimano Di2 wire-just visible behind the brake housing-enter though this hole.
Image by Matt Phillips
Sagan’s S-Works Romin Evo saddle is colour matched to his bike. The line in the centre of the saddle was a reference point used by mechanics to ensure all Sagan’s bikes are set up the same.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Some of the most obvious outward changes to the new Tarmac are the dropped seatstays and wheel cutout in the seat tube.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Like the Tinkoff team he rode for last year, Sagan’s new team uses Supakaz Super Sticky Kush bar tape. The tape has a sticky surface, and offers some cushioning.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
The new Tarmac uses a proprietary shaped seatpost–the previous model used a round 27.2mm post. The new post is both more aerodynamic and smoother riding than a round post, claim Specialized representatives.
Photograph by Matt Phillips
Sagan’s new Tarmac is built with the newest version of Shimano’s Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain. This group’s shifting performance is the standard by which all other groups are judged.
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