You should not be compelled to compromise between aerodynamics and weight, between ride quality and speed. Introducing the new Specialized Tarmac Road Bike. Ascend on the lightest bike permitted by the UCI, then descend on the swiftest. Specialized have harnessed their most cutting-edge technologies, from their FreeFoil Shape Library to an entirely new Rider-First Engineered™ frame, to produce a race bike that embodies true excellence without compromise. The era of sacrificing between "aero" and "lightweight" bikes has ended; the all-new Tarmac stands as the fastest race bike ever created. One bike to dominate them all.
To complement the world's fastest frame, only the finest components suffice which is precisely why you'll find elite selections such as Shimano's Dura-Ace group with power meter and Roval's groundbreaking CLX Rapide wheels, renowned for their exceptional stability and aerodynamic prowess. The S-Works Tarmac emerges as a premier race machine straight out of the box.
'Aero is everything' - a mantra Specialized have upheld for years, and it remains the driving force behind the new Tarmac. In their pursuit of tube shapes conducive to crafting the fastest frame permitted by UCI regulations, Specialized drew inspiration from the Venge's development and tapped into their FreeFoil Shape Library. Armed with an arsenal of optimised shapes, Specialized ventured into the Win Tunnel to integrate these forms into a modular test bike for extensive validation and refinement. The outcome is a new Tarmac that eclipses all in speed, a staggering 45 seconds swifter over 40km than the Tarmac SL6. No concessions, just unadulterated speed.
While aerodynamics took precedence in the Tarmac's evolution, weight served as a crucial companion on this journey toward the optimal race bike. Historically, "aero bikes" invariably sacrificed in the weight department; the more drag reduced, the more weight accrued. With the new Tarmac, the design ethos centred on maintaining it at, or below, the UCI weight limit off the shelf, without any compromises to aerodynamics. Assisted by the FreeFoil Shape Library, tools like isotopic FEA analysis, and the ingenuity of top-tier engineers in the field, Specialized birthed a frame weighing a mere 800g, devoid of any compromise in aero efficiency, stiffness, or ride quality.
In their relentless pursuit of perfection, Specialized applied their Rider-First Engineered™ philosophy to ensure that the new Tarmac emerges as the most balanced, superior handling iteration yet, irrespective of size. Bolstered by input from a legion of elite test riders representing their three World Tour Teams (Boels-Dolmans, Deceuninck-Quick-Step, and Bora-hansgrohe) Specialized fine-tuned the Tarmac based on their extensive on-road experiences. They harmonised ride quality between the front and rear, ensuring comfort endures even during the lengthiest spells in the saddle, without any compromise to the Tarmac's legendary handling and race-winning agility.
Drawing wisdom from the Venge, the new Tarmac seamlessly integrates simplicity to craft a sleek, swift cockpit that's effortlessly manageable. Specialized have refined routing for diverse configurations, be it mechanical shifting, traditional stems, or round bars, whilst upholding its aerodynamic prowess. These shared attributes render the new Tarmac both user-friendly and travel-ready.