The Tarmac SL8 frame offers a combination of aerodynamics, lightness, and ride quality previously thought impossible. After eight generations and over two decades of development, it is not only the fastest Tarmac ever: it is the fastest road bike in the world. Are your legs ready? Aerodynamics or lightness alone do not win races: what matters is speed. To achieve this speed, it is necessary to create a no-compromise combination of aerodynamics, lightness, stiffness, and shock absorption. Thanks to complex simulations using real data, our Ride Science Team has verified that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest road bike on any course: - 16.6 seconds faster on 40 km of flat, 128 seconds faster on the Milan-Sanremo course, 20 seconds faster on the Tourmalet climb. Specialized uses aerodynamics where it is most needed, and in the process has created our fastest road bike ever - yes, even more aerodynamic than the Venge. The front end has been optimized for maximum advantage. The fork steerer is positioned behind the front of the frame's head tube to provide much lower aerodynamic resistance. Thanks to the new UCI rules, the SL8 was able to use the narrowest and most aerodynamic seat post ever made, to ensure that turbulent air in the leg area can flow more easily to the back of the bike. To create the Tarmac SL8 and build the most aerodynamic bicycle while meeting the minimum weight requirements imposed by the UCI, Specialized was inspired by what we learned with the Aethos. The team created a 685-gram frame, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than any other bike in the World Tour*. By focusing on maximum lightness possible in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike, the lessons learned in the Aethos project were adopted. The shapes of the frame respond so efficiently to stresses that it was possible to reduce the thickness of the material, eliminating the unnecessary. *Except for that time when Kasper Asgreen raced with the 585-gram Aethos frame during a stage of the Tour. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of the Tarmac SL8 is 33% better than the SL7. The Tarmac SL8 sets a new benchmark for handling: it is precise in the most challenging situations and responds immediately and efficiently to pedal inputs. While the areas that ensure power transfer and steering precision are stiffer than ever, on the saddle the Tarmac SL8 is more comfortable, filtering 6% more of the shocks coming from the ground and allowing you to attack corners with a unique feeling of agility and balance in the world of road bikes. The new Tarmac SL8 maintains the proven geometry of the SL7 model, with the same generous tire clearance of 32 mm, so you can use a larger volume tire when needed. In reality, there can be many more differences between two male cyclists than between a man and a woman. We design based on the individual and our philosophy is simple: Do not create differences where there are none. Every cyclist, whether male or female, can benefit from the advantages of the Tarmac SL8. It’s time to go beyond. The Tarmac SL8 frame, with a 68mm threaded bottom bracket, is the perfect starting point to create the bike of your dreams.
- Weight (size 56): 1.69 kg (3 lb, 11.6 oz).
- Fork: FACT 10r Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc.
- Frame: Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc. 780g frame.
- Seat post: S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seat post, FACT Carbon, 15mm offset.
- Handlebar Stem: Tarmac integrated stem, 6-degree.
- Seat Collar: Tarmac integrated wedge.
- Color: Black (Satin Carbon / 100% Cqv Reflex Super Red Pearl Front Edge Fade / Metallic White Silv).
