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Today’s Deals2025 Specialized
Tarmac SL8 Expert
A carbon frame race bike with upper mid-range components and sram rival hydraulic disc brakes.
Manufacturer Price
CA$7,799($5,516)| 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 |
Summary
The Specialized Tarmac is celebrated as a top-tier race bike, blending lightweight construction, aerodynamic efficiency, and exceptional handling. It's designed for speed and agility, with a focus on comfort and performance across various racing scenarios. While it excels as an all-rounder, some reviews note it may lack the explosive acceleration of competitors and comes with a premium price tag.
Lightweight and aerodynamic
Exceptional handling and comfort
High-quality components and build
Versatile performance for racing
Innovative features like the Future Shock headset system
Premium price point
May lack explosive acceleration compared to some competitors
Integrated components can limit customization
The Tarmac SL8 is light and stiff on take-off, with the rear triangle efficiently transferring power to the ground.
Gran Fondo MagazineSpecialized’s finely tuned Tarmac geometry contributes to its all-rounder credentials, making it a modern race bike fit for everything from mountain stages to final sprints on the Champs-Élysées.
Gran Fondo MagazineFor many, the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 remains the benchmark among race bikes – and rightfully so.
Gran Fondo MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
Jun 2026
Black paint may be hiding the finer details, but the visible changes are enough to suggest Specialized’s next Tarmac is already being race tested.
Feb 2026 · Travis Reill
Specialized teamed up with three artists from around the world to hand-paint S-Works Tarmac SL8 frames, and there are only 500 total
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.
Jan 2025 · Calvin Zajac
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 review: Can the Tarmac SL8 still hold its position at the front of the pack? Here’s what we found out.
Perfect all-rounder, Lightweight, aero, and spot-on handling
Exceptionally high-quality finish
The bike is so perfectly engineered, it almost lacks a bit of character
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
| 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: Satin Champagne / Black Pearl; Gloss Deep Lake Metallic / Green Pearl over Seafoam |
|---|---|
| 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 5
Last updated January 10
Not listed for 161 days