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Today’s Deals2024 Specialized
Tarmac SL8 Expert
A carbon frame race bike with upper mid-range components and sram rival hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
$6,499| Weight | 17.1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | Rival AXS |
| Power Meter | Rival AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Tarmac model range
View ComparisonSummary
The Specialized Tarmac is celebrated for its lightweight design, exceptional speed, and agility, making it a top choice for racing. It offers a balance between aero performance and comfort, with some models featuring advanced components like SRAM's Force AXS power meter. However, its high price point and some design choices, such as noisy brake rotors in wet conditions, are noted drawbacks.
Lightweight design
Exceptional speed and agility
Balance between aero performance and comfort
Advanced components like SRAM's Force AXS power meter
High price point
Noisy brake rotors in wet conditions
Integrated chainring design
The build spec of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro (SRAM Force AXS) is, groupset apart, made up of components from Specialized and its, Roval.
BikeRadarSpecialized also includes SRAM’s Force AXS power meter, which uses the same internals as the excellent.
BikeRadarThe Specialized Tarmac SL8 is the fastest and most expensive bike in this comparison.
Gran Fondo MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
Aug 2025
Stunning frameset and ride quality, hampered by the tyre choice
Excellent ride quality from the frameset
Great range of frame sizes
Quick handling & nimble without twitchiness
Tyres feel lifeless
Jul 2025 · Suvi Loponen
The double stage winner at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift rides a special-livery Tarmac with some personal touches.
Dec 2024 · Dorian Steinhoff
Despite the numerous aero optimisations, the Specialized Tarmac SL8 tips the scales at just 6.96 kg in size 56. And the price is rather remarkable too at €14,000! But how does the fastest bike in Specialized’s portfolio fare on Mont Ventoux? We’ve put it through the wringer to find out! Since its launch last year, […]
Ergonomic cockpit
Intuitive handling
Outstanding all-rounder
None
Nov 2024 · Jordan Villella
If you want to own a piece of cycling history, donate to Outride, and have an extra $50K lying around, listen up.
Oct 2024 · Alvin Holbrook
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 isn’t perfect, but it is truly hard to beat. Here is everything we learned riding the bike for eight months.
May 2024 · Simon von Bromley
Pro performance, punter price?
Fast
Light
Fun to ride
Near flawless build spec
Expensive
Brake rotors exceptionally noisy when wet
Oct 2023 · Sam Challis
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 launched at the 2023 World Championships – bagging a gold in the women’s Road Race under
Light weight
Reactive acceleration
Perception of comparative ease when holding high speeds
Non-proprietary component standards
Component options not customisable at purchase online
Cheapest build is £6
Aug 2023
Decades of development leads to lightest, fastest Tarmac ever made
| Frame | Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc BB Standard: BSA, 68mm, Threaded Tire Clearance: 32c Colors: Gloss Smoke / Obsidian; Gloss Metallic Dark Navy / Astral Blue Pearl; Satin Powder Indigo Tint over Silver Dust / White |
|---|---|
| Fork | Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA 68 |
| Stem | Tarmac integrated stem, 6-degree |
| Handlebar | Specialized Expert Shallow Drop, alloy, 125mm drop x 75mm reach |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Expert |
| Seatpost | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seat post, FACT Carbon, 15mm offset Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, braze-on |
| Crank | SRAM Rival with Power Meter, 48/35T |
| Power Meter | SRAM Rival with Power Meter, 48/35T |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival eTap AXS |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival, 12-speed, 10-36t |
| Chain | SRAM Rival 12-speed |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor, Rear: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, hydraulic disc 160mm rotor Type: SRAM Rival Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: Roval C38, 21mm internal width carbon rim, Rear: Roval C38, 21mm internal width carbon rim |
|---|---|
| Tires | Front: S-Works Turbo, folding bead, 700x26mm, Rear: S-Works Turbo, folding bead, 700x26mm |
First added August 6
Last updated May 30
Not listed for 21 days