The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Road Bike stands as the pinnacle of speed, blending aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and ride quality to an unprecedented degree. With over two decades of evolution across eight generations, it transcends being merely the swiftest Tarmac to claim the title of the world's fastest race bike.
In the realm of competitive cycling, victory isn't solely determined by aerodynamics or weight; it's all about speed. Achieving this velocity necessitates an uncompromising fusion of aerodynamics, lightweight design, stiffness, and compliance. Through meticulous race simulations grounded in real-world data, Specialized's Ride Science team affirms the Tarmac SL8's dominance as the swiftest race bike ever crafted, particularly on the most crucial routes; 16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds quicker in the Milan San Remo, and 20 seconds speedier on the fabled Tourmalet climb.
Aerodynamic innovation across the board. Specialized strategically prioritise aerodynamic enhancements where they yield the most significant impact, the leading edge, rather than merely where they enhance aesthetics. This endeavour culminates in the creation of Specialized's most aerodynamically advanced road bike to date, surpassing even the Venge. Specialized optimise clean airflow for maximum advantage through the Tarmac's groundbreaking nose cone, the Speed Sniffer. By repositioning the steer tube backward, the tube dictating head tube width, Specialized have sculpted a sharper leading edge for the head tube, resulting in a substantially reduced drag profile. Adhering to new UCI regulations, the Tarmac SL8 features the narrowest, most aerodynamic seat post they've ever crafted, ensuring efficient dissipation of fast-moving, turbulent air around the legs.
Lightweight minimalism, maximum aerodynamics. Drawing insights from the Aethos, the Tarmac SL8 effortlessly meets UCI weight standards while boasting a comprehensive aerodynamic setup. The outcome is a feather-light 685g frame, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than any other contender in the World Tour. By prioritising lightweight construction in critical areas like the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike, lessons learnt from the Aethos, the frame efficiently distributes loads, rendering additional carbon stiffness layers redundant. *Unless, of course, you consider the instance when Kasper Asgreen raced on a 585g Aethos frame during a Tour stage.
Blazing spped, divine comfort. With a monumental 33% improvement in stiffness-to-weight ratio over the SL7, the Tarmac SL8 elevates legendary handling, aggressive responsiveness, and World Championship-proven geometry to unparalleled heights. The bike boasts heightened stiffness at the pedals, enhanced precision at the bars, and seamlessly integrates it with a compliant ride in the saddle, setting a new benchmark for race bike comfort. Thanks to a Rider-First Engineering ethos, every rider experiences identical unprecedented ride quality and handling, regardless of size. In the saddle, the Tarmac SL8 delivers 6% more compliance, gracefully navigating rough road surfaces with a supple feel unique in the realm of high-performance race bikes. Maintaining the Tarmac's established geometry and 32mm tyre clearance from the SL7 ensures effortless adaptation and the flexibility to accommodate higher-volume tyres when necessary.
The disparities between two male cyclists can often eclipse those between a male and female. Gender, in isolation, fails to provide adequate data for specialisation, rendering the creation of male or female-specific bikes arbitrary and outdated. Every rider can now access the next level of advantage offered by the Tarmac SL8.
The Tarmac SL8 Pro delivers exceptional performance, featuring a full Shimano Ultegra 8100 series Di2 groupset with a power meter, Roval Rapide CL II tubeless-ready wheelset, and a Roval Rapide Handlebar with an SL7 stem. Race-ready right out of the box.
Shimano Ultegra Di2
It’s time to find out what really matters. The freedom of the open road, crisp mornings and fiery sunsets. Laughter filling the air and then trailing off. Nature, unfolding as you roll. Breathtaking vistas that stop you in your tracks. Coffee stops, with cake of course, and camaraderie. Route prep and weather checks. Rain breaks and sunny bursts. Mad dashes. Racing each other to the top then kicking back. It’s about leaving time behind. Tuning into tranquillity and shifting into oneness.
Di2 (DIGITAL INTEGRATED INTELLIGENCE)
The revolutionary Di2 shifting system solves the challenges drivetrains present to the power-delivery equation in cycling. Di2 gives you instant, accurate, lighting-fast shifts the first and every time, at the push of a button. Even in the most extreme conditions, shifting is precise and controlled. You can change gear even under heavy load while climbing or accelerating. With Di2, you are in complete control.