Tommeke and Specialized back to their winning ways in Belgium
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Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 the day before Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The use of Specialized's FACT Carbon cranks make for a distinctly light and stiff drivetrain but it also complicates the switch to SRAM's newer Red group.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
A pair of Tacx Tao aluminum cages keep bottles at the ready.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 sports an hourglass-profile head tube.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) runs an unusually long and low position with a 140mm stem. This FSA stem was fitted only until Zipp came out with its own 140mm size.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 sports a rather understated paint job.(Image credit: CPSC)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) recently replaced his temporary FSA stem with this 140mm-long Zipp Service Course SL model. Note the way team mechanics have attached the computer mount, too.(Image credit: CPSC)
Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) new SRAM Red 2012 calipers are fitted with Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro carbon-specific pads.(Image credit: CPSC)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) has already found early season success aboard his new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: CPSC)
Torx-head titanium bolts on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Zipp Service Course SL stem.(Image credit: CPSC)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) is one of the latest pros to get upgraded to SRAM's new Red 2012 group.(Image credit: CPSC)
SRAM's new Red 2012 brake calipers use a cam-actuated single-pivot layout.(Image credit: CPSC)
The new SRAM Red 2012 rear derailleur on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: CPSC)
This is the only view of Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 that most racers saw during Friday's E3 Prijs-Vlaanderen.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The seatpost height is marked with a bit of team logo tape.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) is using an all-aluminum cockpit.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) was using the previous SRAM Red levers just a few weeks ago but switched to Red 2012 just prior to Paris-Nice.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Grippy bar tape for Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Zipp Service Course SL bars.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
We've long noted the use of these little rubber nubs to protect the paint on Quick Step team bikes.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) perches himself atop Specialized's Body Geometry Chicane saddle.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The seat stays on the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 are only modestly shaped when viewed from the side.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Zipp 404 tubulars on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
The rear derailleur cable is internally routed on the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4. This older SRAM Red rear derailleur has been since replaced by the newer version, too.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
As is virtually standard issue these days, Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 is built with generously proportioned chain stays.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) puts down the power through a pair of Look KéO Blade pedals.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Specialized has downsized the lower steerer diameter from 1 1/2" to 1 3/8" on the latest Tarmac iteration.(Image credit: Daniel Benson)
Zipp's latest SLSpeed carbon fiber seatpost is fitted on Tom Boonen's (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 frame.(Image credit: CPSC)
Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) returned to the limelight this past weekend – in a good way – taking impressive victories at the E3 Prijs-Vlaanderen and Gent-Wevelgem. Boonen likely isn't the only one smiling, though, as the victories also mean fresh bragging rights for his long-time bike sponsor, Specialized.
Boonen has been swapping between both of Specialized's flagship S-Works road chassis – the aero McLaren Venge and the lighter and stiffer Tarmac SL4 – and he's found success on both already. Boonen won Sunday's Gent-Wevelgem on the Venge but we've profiled his Tarmac here, which he used in Friday's E3 Prijs-Vlaanderen.
The bikes' disparate design language is immediately obvious from first inspection. Whereas the Venge is nipped and tucked to decrease drag, the Tarmac SL4 makes virtually no concessions in the name of reducing frontal area with gargantuan, nominally round main tube cross-sections plus an hourglass-profile head tube that now boasts a slightly slimmer 1 1/8-to-1 3/8" diameter to save a few grams. Chain stays are gigantic as well and as is typical for modern bicycle design these days, the seat stays are dramatically slimmer to lend a touch of extra comfort and traction.
Just as Specialized had done in years past, Boonen's Tarmac SL4 also sports a uniquely aggressive geometry to suit his uniquely long and low riding position. Once a purely custom build – in fact, the critical numbers are virtually identical to his Paris-Roubaix machine from 2009 – Specialized now calls it "60 Pro". The top tube length roughly corresponds to the largest stock 61cm size but the head tube length falls in between that of the stock 56cm and 58cm frames – a setup few amateurs could even tolerate, let alone prefer. Handlebar drop on Boonen's bike is a similarly aggressive 120mm.
We shot the bulk of these images the day before Boonen's second-place finish at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and while the frame and Zipp carbon tubular wheels have remained constant, the former Belgian champion has received a number of upgrades since then. Old Red has been replaced with the newer, lighter, and more functionally refined version, and the unbranded FSA stem has been traded in favor of a proper Zipp model (Zipp didn't offer Boonen's preferred 140mm length until recently).
"We introduced Boonen to Red 2012 in Belgium prior to Paris-Nice [where he won stage 2 – Ed.]," said SRAM's European road sports representative, Ben Raby. "As we are slowly outfitting teams now with new Red, he was one of our key athletes heading into the Classics. He responded very well to the new hood design and was very impressed by the braking performance and new feel. He wanted it immediately."
The one exception to the complete Red switchover, though, is the front derailleur since SRAM has yet to finalize new Red rings for Boonen's team-issue Specialized carbon cranks. According to Raby, that development period is nearing completion so we expect to see the trick Yaw-equipped front derailleur on Boonen's bike soon enough.
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Also noteworthy is Boonen's tire choice. Quick Step once openly used Veloflex tubulars badged with Specialized hot stamps but according to team liaison Simone Toccafondi, Boonen and the rest of the team are now on proper house-designed rubber following the company's successful 'cross tubular debut.
"Finally, this year we have our own made and designed tubulars," Toccafondi told BikeRadar. "They are called S-Works and it is our first approach to a self made tire. We strongly believe that there is a lot to do in this area. It is an important piece of equipment that has never developed much in the years. We have worked closely with the team to determine the right compound, width and thread. We came up with a great result in terms of rolling resistance and durability."
Specialized has a history of unveiling special builds for Boonen at Paris-Roubaix and we'll be on the lookout as the race approaches. Another win for Boonen on another Specialized bike debut? Lady luck has shined on the big 'S' in the past but we'll just have to wait and see.
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4, custom geometry Fork: Specialized S-Works FACT Carbon Headset: Integrated 1 1/8-to-1 3/8" Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 140mm x -6° Handlebars: Zipp Service Course SL, 44cm (c-c) Tape/grips: Specialized Roubaix Front brake: SRAM Red 2012 w/ Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro pads Rear brake: SRAM Red 2012 w/ Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro pads Brake levers: SRAM Red 2012 DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM Red Black Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 2012 Shift levers: SRAM Red 2012 DoubleTap Cassette: SRAM PG-1070 Chain: SRAM PC-1091 Crankset: Specialized FACT Carbon, 177.5mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: Specialized integrated OS Pedals: Look KéO Blade Wheelset: Zipp 404 Tubular Front tire: tubular Rear tire: tubular Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry S-Works Chicane Seat post: Zipp SLSpeed Bottle cages: Tacx Tao Computer: Garmin Edge 500
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.92m (6' 4") Rider's weight: 82kg (181lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 815mm Saddle setback: 115mm Seat tube length, c-t: 580mm Seat tube length, c-c: 535mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 660mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 120mm Head tube length: 175mm Top tube length: 602mm
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