Quiver

2014 Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld vs 2012 Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact

The Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact size closest to your 540.0 is the 540.0. Compare the 540.0 instead

What changes on the Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact

Compared with the Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld in 540.0, the Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact in 520.0 places the top of the head tube 21 mm lower and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 8 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−21 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−1 mm
About the same reach
Wheelbase
−8 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
±0.0°
About the same head angle
Chainstays
±0 mm
About the same

The two frames

2014 Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld (540.0) and 2012 Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact (520.0), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact is the colored outline on top.J 978

Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld, 540.0Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact, 520.0Drawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Allez Comp Smartweld 540.0Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact 520.0Difference
Reach387mm386mm−1 mm
Stack547mm526mm−21 mm
Head tube angle73°73°±0.0°
Seat tube angle73.5°74°+0.5°
Chainstay length405mm405mm±0 mm
Wheelbase978mm970mm−8 mm
Standover798mm755mm−43 mm
Seat tube length500mm490mm−10 mm
Head tube length145mm120mm−25 mm

Differences are the Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact minus the Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld. Full charts: 2014 Specialized Allez Comp Smartweld, 2012 Specialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Allez Comp SmartweldSpecialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-Compact

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other road bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartSpecialized Allez Comp SmartweldComp SmartweldSpecialized Tarmac SL3 Expert Mid-CompactExpert Mid-Compact
ForkSpecialized Tarmac Compnot listed
ShifterShimano TiagraShimano Ultegra
DerailleurShimano TiagraShimano Ultegra
CassetteShimano TiagraShimano 105
ChainKMC X10KMC
CranksetFSA GossamerFSA SL-K Light
WheelsetSpecialized AXIS 1.0Fulcrum Racing 4
TireSpecialized EspoirSpecialized Roubaix Elite Armadillo
BrakeSpecialized AXIS DC 2.0, Shimano TiagraShimano Ultegra
StemSpecialized Elite-SetSpecialized CompSet
SaddleSpecialized RivaSpecialized Ruby Gel
Framenot listedSpecialized FACT 10r
Chainringnot listedFSA SL-K Light
Handlebarnot listedSpecialized Shallow Drop
Headsetnot listedSpecialized Integrated
Seatpostnot listedSpecialized Comp

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