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2016 Specialized

Tarmac Expert

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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Top Comparison
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 Expert

40 mph

Similar Bikes

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?

View all reviews

road.cc
Specialized Tarmac Expert eTap 2017

Jun 2017 · David Arthur @davearthur

Commendable performance, and a great paint job, but better wheels would make it shine

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Cyclist
Specialized Tarmac Sport review

Aug 2016 · Marc Abbott

The Specialized Tarmac Sport has the race-ready geometry of its bigger brothers but does it deliver at this price?

Highs
  • Stiff racing frame

Lows
  • Heavy wheels slow it down

Read Review

BikeRadar
Specialized Tarmac Sport review

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

Highs
  • Sorted handling that the tarmac is famous for, luxury tyres

Lows
  • Brakes could be a little sharper

Read Review

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

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

Specs
Build
Frame

Specialized FACT 10r carbon, FACT construction, tapered/shaped 1-1/8"" to size-specific lower head tube, compact race design, internal cable routing

BB StandardBB30, Press Fit

Fork

S-Works FACT carbon, full monocoque, size-specific taper

Bottom Bracket

BB30, press-fit

Headset

1-1/8"" upper, size-specific lower, stainless steel cartridge bearings, 8mm carbon cone spacer, w/ 25mm carbon spacers

Stem

Specialized Pro SL, alloy, 4-bolt

Handlebar

Specialized Expert, shallow drop, alloy, 123mm drop, 75mm reach

Saddle

Body Geometry Toupé Expert Gel, hollow Ti rails, 143mm

Seatpost

S-Works FACT carbon, 20mm offset, 27.2mm

TypeRigid

Pedals

Nylon, loose ball bearings, w/ reflectors

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Front Derailleur

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Crank

FSA SL-K Light, BB30, 52/36T

Shifters

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Cassette

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed, 11-28t

Chain

Shimano Ultegra, 11-speed

Brakes

Front: Shimano Ultegra, 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