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Today’s Deals2018 Specialized
Men's Tarmac
A carbon frame race bike with mid-range components and tektro rim brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
$1,600| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 10 |
| Groupset | Tiagra |
| Brakes | Tektro Rim |
5'1" – 5'5"
5'3" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'2"
6'0" – 6'4"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Specialized Tarmac is celebrated as a top-tier race bike, offering a blend of lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency, and responsive handling. It's praised for its comfort and versatility across various terrains, making it a favorite among competitive riders. The inclusion of disc brakes in newer models has been highlighted for improving braking performance without sacrificing speed.
Lightweight and aerodynamic design
Responsive and precise handling
Comfortable for long rides
Improved braking with disc versions
Versatile performance across terrains
High price tag
Firm ride quality on rough surfaces
Some models may feel twitchy due to short wheelbase
The Tarmac Disc Pro delivers the high performance you’d expect from the top-of-the-line S-Works Tarmac, at a much more affordable price.Bicycling
Specialized claims the new S-Works Tarmac SL6 is substantially lighter, slightly more comfortable, far more aerodynamic than the previous generation, and the handling has mellowed just a bit as well.
Cycling TipsThe Specialized S-Works Tarmac is the best bike in test.
Gran Fondo MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
Sep 2019 · Bobby Lea
Stiff but not harsh, agile but not twitchy, and aero without being heavy—it has everything you could ever want.
Lightweight and aero
Tubeless-ready carbon wheels
SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-speed
The 48t big chainring may be too small for some riders
Sep 2018 · Peter Stuart
Proof that disc brakes can make an already excellent bike even better
Fantastic integration of disc brakes
Equipped for versatile terrain
Impressively light and a benchmark in handling terms
Not much
Although the 'Pro' tier version offers better value
Jul 2018 · Guy Kesteven
Sort the cockpit and the Tarmac is a well balanced, responsive, race-style all-rounder. Buy if you want to cruise the flats and dance up the hills with added disc brake control on the descents
Naturally lively and responsive race all-rounder with fatigue-reducing forgiveness
Slightly soft at full power and the short stem makes for a cramped and twitchy feel
May 2018 · William Tracy
VN got a look at Elia Viviani's Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc.
Apr 2018 · Manuel Buck, Robin Schmitt, Benjamin Topf
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac is one of the big players in the pro peloton and has bagged many legendary titles over the years. The workhorse of defending World Champion Peter Sagan has been extensively revised for the 2018 season. Let’s see how the S-Works Tarmac stands up against very fierce competition.
Mar 2018 · Philippe Tremblay
New disc brake version of Tarmac and power meter
Mar 2018 · James Huang
It’s hardly been a secret that Specialized had a disc version of its new S-Works Tarmac SL6 on the way; prototypes were shown back in July, after all. But it’s only been within the last two months that we’ve been able to ride one, and CyclingTips U.S. technical editor James Huang was among the very […]
Mar 2018 · Rupert Radley
The Specialized Tarmac SL4 Elite has the same great frame design as the old Tarmac and the same amazing ride quality
Comfortable frame
Fast and performance orientated
Excellent saddle
Some of the spec list undermines the value
| Frame | Specialized Tarmac SL4, FACT 9r carbon, compact race design, 1-3/8" lower bearing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | Specialized FACT carbon, full monocoque |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 68mm, threaded |
| Stem | Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Toupé Sport, steel rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized Comp carbon, single bolt Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Nylon, 105x78x28mm, loose balls w/ reflectors |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Tiagra, long cage, 10-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Tiagra, braze-on |
| Crank | Praxis Alba M30, solid forged arms, 6061 chainrings, 110 BCD, 11-speed, 50/34T |
| Shifters | Shimano Tiagra |
| Cassette | Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed, 12-28t |
| Chain | KMC X10EL, 10-speed w/ Missing Link™ |
| Brakes | Front: Tektro Axis caliper, Rear: Tektro Axis caliper Type: Tektro Rim |
| Rims | Front: DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes, 20h, Rear: DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes, 24h |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: Espoir Elite, 60 TPI, Kevlar® bead, 700x23mm, Rear: Espoir Elite, 60 TPI, Kevlar® bead, 700x23mm |
First added November 6
Last updated November 6
Not listed for 2,406 days