The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Road Bike is unparalleled in speed, thanks to an innovative blend of aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and exceptional ride quality. After eight generations and over two decades of development, it's not just the fastest Tarmac, it's the world's fastest race bike.
Speed Matters
Winning races isn't about aerodynamics or lightweight alone, it's about speed. Achieving this requires a precise balance of aerodynamics, lightweight design, stiffness, and compliance. Specialized's Ride Science team, using real-world data and race simulations, has confirmed that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest race bike on crucial routes (16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds faster over Milan-San Remo, and 20 seconds faster on the legendary Tourmalet climb).
Aero in Everything
Specialized prioritise aerodynamics where it counts, not just for looks. This approach has resulted in their most aerodynamic road bike ever, even surpassing the Venge. The Tarmac’s innovative nose cone, the Speed Sniffer, optimises clean air for maximum advantage by moving the steer tube back, allowing for a sharper, lower drag head tube shape. Utilising new UCI regulations, the Tarmac SL8 features their narrowest, most aerodynamic seat post, ensuring smoother airflow around the legs.
Minimum Weight, Maximum Aero
Inspired by the Aethos, the Tarmac SL8 achieves the UCI minimum weight with a full aero setup. The frame weighs an astonishing 685g, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and the lightest on the World Tour*. Lessons from Aethos allowed Specialized to prioritise lightweight design in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike. The frame’s efficient load distribution renders extra carbon stiffness layers unnecessary. *Excluding Kasper Asgreen's race with a 585g Aethos frame during a Tour stage.
Goes Like Hell, Rides Like Heaven
The Tarmac SL8 boasts a 33% improvement in stiffness-to-weight over the SL7, elevating its legendary handling, responsiveness, and World Championship-proven geometry. The bike offers increased pedal stiffness, enhanced bar precision, and a compliant ride that sets a new standard for race bike comfort. Specialized's Rider-First Engineering ensures that every rider, regardless of size, experiences the same exceptional ride quality and handling. The Tarmac SL8 delivers 6% more compliance, smoothly gliding over rough roads with a unique suppleness for a race bike. Its proven geometry and 32mm tyre clearance match the SL7, providing versatility for higher volume tyres when needed.
Beyond Gender
There's more variability within male cyclists than between male and female cyclists. Gender alone doesn’t provide enough data for specialised designs, making gender-specific bikes arbitrary and outdated. The Tarmac SL8 offers its advantages to every rider, regardless of gender.
Ultimate Dream Build
With a 68mm threaded bottom bracket, flat mount disc brakes, and seamless integration, the Tarmac SL8 Frameset is the ultimate foundation for your dream build.