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Today’s Deals2016 Specialized
Tarmac Elite
A carbon frame race bike with upper mid-range components and shimano 105 rim brakes.
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| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 11 |
| Groupset | 105 |
| Brakes | Shimano 105 Rim |
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.
Stiff racing frame
Mimics Grand Tour winner’s geometry
Powerful sprinting ability
Assured handling and descending prowess
Quick-steering but not twitchy
Heavy wheels slow it down
Lower-grade carbon construction compared to range-topper
May fatigue after two or three hours on UK roads
Feedback?
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Mar 2024 · Mat Brett
With less than a fortnight until this year’s Tour of Flanders, let’s take a look at the very special bike that Sagan piloted to his first Monument win
Aug 2016 · Marc Abbott
The Specialized Tarmac Sport has the race-ready geometry of its bigger brothers but does it deliver at this price?
Stiff racing frame
Heavy wheels slow it down
Jun 2016 · Warren Rossiter
A sharp-handling, firm-yet-forgiving race machine that’s seriously fun to ride. Buy if you want a fine-handling race rig that’s a blast to ride
Sorted handling that the tarmac is famous for, luxury tyres
Brakes could be a little sharper
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
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.
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
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
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
| Frame | Specialized FACT 9r carbon, FACT construction, compact race design, 1-3/8"" lower bearing, OSBB BB Standard: BB30, 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 Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Nylon, loose ball bearings, w/ reflectors |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano 105, 11-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano 105, 11-speed |
| Crank | TURN Zayante by Praxis Works, BB30, 52/36T |
| Shifters | Shimano 105 STI, 11-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-28t |
| Chain | Shimano 105, 11-speed |
| Brakes | Front: Shimano 105, Rear: Shimano 105 Type: Shimano 105 Rim |
| Rims | Front: Fulcrum Racing S-19, Rear: Fulcrum Racing S-19 |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: S-Works Turbo, 120TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x24mm, Rear: S-Works Turbo, 120TPI, folding bead, BlackBelt protection, 700x24mm |
First added July 9
Last updated July 9
Not listed for 2,521 days