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2016 Specialized

Tarmac Comp

A carbon frame race bike with high-end components and shimano ultegra rim brakes.
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FrameCarbon
ForkCarbon
Wheels700c Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 11
GroupsetUltegra
BrakesShimano Ultegra Rim
Where to Buy
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Insights
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

41 mph

Tarmac Comp

40 mph

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Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews

Summary

The Specialized Tarmac is celebrated for its stiff racing frame and geometry that mirrors Grand Tour winners, offering powerful sprinting ability and assured handling. While it excels in speed and efficiency, some models suffer from heavy wheels and a lower-grade carbon construction that may lead to discomfort on longer rides. The bike's quick-steering and solid platform for cornering are frequently praised, alongside its high-quality components and comfort features.

Pros
  • Stiff racing frame

  • Mimics Grand Tour winner’s geometry

  • Powerful sprinting ability

  • Assured handling and descending prowess

  • Quick-steering but not twitchy

Cons
  • Heavy wheels slow it down

  • Lower-grade carbon construction compared to range-topper

  • May fatigue after two or three hours on UK roads

Key Quotes
The Specialized Tarmac Sport is the firm’s most affordable version of the evergreen racer and all-rounder.
Cyclist logoCyclist
A sharp-handling, firm-yet-forgiving race machine that’s seriously fun to ride
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
Best handling bike I’ve ever ridden
VeloNews logoVeloNews

Feedback?

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Cyclist
Specialized Tarmac Comp review

Mar 2017 · Marc Abbott

An agile and responsive all-rounder with exceptional disc brakes

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VeloNews
Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc Di2

May 2016 · Lennard Zinn

Any discussion about best bike in the pro peloton has to include the S-Works Tarmac. As a brand, Specialized is polarizing; as a designer and builder of

Read Review

Velo
Pro Bike: Nibali’s pink Giro Specialized Tarmac

May 2016 · VeloNews.com

Specialized unveiled a stunning, shiny, pink S-Works Tarmac for Vincenzo Nibali to ride to glory on the Giro d'Italia's final day.

Read Review

BikeRadar
Specialized Tarmac Comp review

May 2016 · Robin Wilmott

The Tarmac continues to be a great-looking, brilliantly capable bike, but doesn’t excite enough. Buy if you’re a brand-loyal fan and want a familiar, fuss-free, fast-riding bike for frequent forays in to racing and beyond

Highs
  • Fine handling, great drivetrain

Lows
  • We want more for the price – the wheels need upgrading for starters

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Bicycling
First Look: 2016 Specialized Tarmac Comp UDi2

Nov 2015 · The Editors of Bicycling

This racy road bike features the same Rider-First Geometry as the top-of-the-line S-Works Tarmac

Read Review

Cycling Tips
Specialized Road Disc Review: new Tarmac versus Roubaix SL4

Sep 2015

While the pro peloton is only just starting to experiment with disc brakes, consumers have had access to road disc bikes for a few years. Specialized was an early adopter however a pure-bred race bike with disc brakes was missing from their catalogue until recently. In this review, CTech editor Matt Wikstrom compares

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Canadian Cycling Magazine
New arrival: Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc

Mar 2015 · Andre Cheuk

Just in for testing is the Specialized new S-Works Tarmac Disc, a brand new model for 2015. The S-Works Tarmac Disc shares identical geometry with its

Read Review

road.cc
Specialized Tarmac Comp road bike

Mar 2015 · David Arthur @davearthur

Racing heritage shines through with sparkling ride backed up by no-nonsense build

Read Review

Specs
Build
Frame

Specialized FACT 9r carbon, FACT construction, compact race design, 1-3/8"" lower bearing, OSBB

BB StandardBB30, Press Fit

Fork

Specialized FACT carbon, monocoque, OS race for 1-3/8"" bearing

Bottom Bracket

BB30, press-fit

Headset

1-1/8"" upper, 1-3/8"" lower, integrated Cr-Mo cartridge bearings, 20mm cone spacer, w/ 20mm spacers

Stem

Specialized Comp Multi, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 12-degree rise

Handlebar

Specialized Comp, shallow drop, alloy, 125mm drop, 70mm reach

Saddle

Body Geometry Toupé Comp Gel, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

Seatpost

Specialized Comp, carbon, single bolt

TypeRigid

Pedals

Nylon platform pedals w/ reflectors

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Front Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, braze-on

Crank

TURN Zayante by Praxis Works, BB30, 52/36T

Shifters

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Cassette

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed, 11-28t

Chain

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Brakes

Front: Shimano Ultegra front, Rear: Shimano Ultegra

TypeShimano Ultegra Rim

Wheels
Rims

Front: Fulcrum Racing S-19 Light, Rear: Fulcrum Racing S-19 Light

Tires

Front: S-Works Turbo, 120TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x24mm, Rear: S-Works Turbo, 120TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x24mm

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First added July 9

Last updated July 9

Not listed for 2,521 days