Pro bike: Tom Boonen's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 RVV

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Belgian cycling superstar Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) doesn't want to mess with a good thing at this Sunday's Ronde van Vlaanderen. While some riders constantly tweak their setups always in search of something new, Boonen's Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4 is essentially just an updated version of what he won on last year.

Once again, Boonen is on the custom '60 Pro' geometry that Specialized essentially created just for him a few years ago, featuring roughly the same reach as the company's standard 61cm size but the head tube length of a 58cm. Otherwise, the frame is seemingly standard issue including the roundish cross-sections used throughout, the tapered 1 1/8-to-1 3/8" front end, and Specialized's usual OSBB oversized bottom bracket shell.

Much of Boonen's equipment has carried over from last year as well, including the SRAM Red 2012 group, Specialized Chicane saddle, and Zipp SLSpeed carbon seatpost, 140mm-long Service Course SL forged aluminum stem, and aluminum CSL handlebar. Wheels have been switched to Zipp's shallower 303 Firecrest tubulars, however, and they're wrapped with 25mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tires.

Specialized has since upgraded its carbon fiber crankarms, too, with a broader profile that's apparently stiffer than previous iterations. There was no power meter installed when we photographed Boonen's bike but then again, this was also one of his spares. Boonen raced Ronde van Vlaanderen with a Quarq-equipped Specialized crank last year so we expect he may do the same on Sunday.

Boonen's fit is nearly the same as before but with one major exception. While he used to run 46cm-wide (outside-to-outside) bars – apparently just because that's what he was used to – Specialized has convinced him to run a narrower 42cm size for better aerodynamics.

Total weight as pictured is 7.29kg (16.07lb).

The hugely reinforced bottom bracket area of the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4

Complete bike specifications

Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4, size '60 Pro'
Fork: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4
Headset: Specialized S-Works by Cane Creek, 1 1/8-to-1 3/8" tapered
Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 140mm x -6°
Handlebars: Zipp Service Course CSL, 42cm (outside-to-outside)
Tape/grips: Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix
Front brake: SRAM Red 2012 w/ Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro carbon-specific pads
Rear brake: SRAM Red 2012 w/ Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro carbon-specific pads
Brake levers: SRAM Red 2012 DoubleTap
Front derailleur: SRAM Red 2012
Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 2012
Shift levers: SRAM Red 2012 DoubleTap
Cassette: SRAM PC-1070, 11-26T
Chain: SRAM PC-1091
Crankset: Specialized S-Works Carbon, 177.5mm, w/ SRAM Red 2012 chainrings, 53/39T
Bottom bracket: Specialized OSBB by CeramicSpeed
Pedals: Look KéO Blade
Wheelset: Zipp 303 Firecrest tubular
Front tire: FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular, 25mm
Rear tire: FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular, 25mm
Saddle: Specialized S-Works Chicane, 155mm
Seat post: Zipp SLSpeed, 20mm setback
Bottle cages: Tacx Tao (2)
Computer: Garmin Edge

Critical measurements

Rider's height: 1.92m (6' 4")
Rider's weight: 82kg (181lb)
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 813mm
Saddle setback: 100mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 580mm
Seat tube length, c-c: 535mm
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 650mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 125mm
Head tube length: 175mm
Top tube length: 595mm
Total bicycle weight: 7.29kg (16.07lb)

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