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2016 Specialized

Tarmac Pro Frameset

A carbon frame race frameset.

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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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road.cc
Rim brakes and a personalised paint job: check out the Specialized S-Works Tarmac that Peter Sagan rode to Tour of Flanders victory in 2016

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

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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

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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

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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.

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VeloNews
Pro bike gallery: Rafal Majka's Specialized Tarmac

May 2016 · Lennard Zinn

The Tinkoff rider is piloting this Dura-Ace Di2-equipped Tarmac for the three-week Giro d'Italia.

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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

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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

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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

Hope, BB30

Headset

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

Seatpost

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

TypeRigid

Rider Notes
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First added July 9

Last updated July 9

Not listed for 2,521 days