Fabian Cancellara’s Saxo Bank Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2

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A bit of electrical tape around the valve stem keeps it from rattling.(Image credit: James Huang)

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The Specialized otherwise strays significantly though with a tapered head tube that flares from a standard 1 1/8” up top to a giant 1 1/2" at the fork crown to provide surer steering and braking. As a side benefit, it also provides more real estate for the substantial down tube, which measures roughly 65mm in diameter from end to end to prevent unwanted flex. In contrast, the bowed top tube is fairly slender and flat to allow for some counteracting vertical movement.

Frame modifications specifically for ‘De Ronde’ were seemingly nonexistent as Cancellara retained the stock ‘Pro’-version geometry with its shorter head tube – which is now offered to consumers after a team-only run last season. We weren’t able to check for any additional carbon plies to further bolster the frame though given the Swiss rider’s considerable power we wouldn’t be surprised. As with other ProTour-level Specialized bikes we’ve seen in the past, the stock replaceable rear derailleur hanger has been traded for a non-replaceable solid unit for snappier shift performance.

Saxo Bank started out the year on Shimano Dura-Ace components but recently made a switch to SRAM’s top-end Red package including their quick-action DoubleTap shift/brake levers, ceramic bearing-equipped rear derailleur, ultralight PowerDome cassette and PC-1090 chain. Cancellara apparently prefers the front derailleur from the second-tier Force group for its stiffer steel cage, however, and after that unfortunate – and very public – mishap on the Koppenberg, Saxo Bank mechanics were seen swapping the team bikes to Dura-Ace 7900 chains the following Monday.

Cancellara is at least on familiar Zipp wheels this season, though only in name in the case of their versatile 303 model. Zipp have developed a new prototype 303 that boasts a substantially wider – about 27mm at their midsection – toroidal profile that is said to be much more resistant to impact and presumably more aerodynamic than before. The team-only prototypes currently fly without Zipp’s trademark dimples but production versions will surely be equipped once they eventually hit the marketplace.

Sunday’s Ronde may not have gone as expected but given his early exit that day, Cancellara is at least rested for Gent-Wevelgem where he’ll take his Tarmac SL2 for another run at the top podium step. According to team mechanics, Paris-Roubaix will bring a slightly modified S-Works Roubaix SL2 to replace the Tarmac though we’ll have to wait a bit to catch a glimpse at that one. Bring on the cobbles!

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