The Specialized Tarmac SL8 is the fastest road bike ever, combining cutting-edge aerodynamics, ultra-lightweight design, and exceptional ride quality. After eight generations and over 20 years of development, it’s more than just the fastest Tarmac, it’s the world’s fastest race bike.
Winning races isn’t just about aerodynamics or a lightweight build, it’s about maximising speed through a perfect blend of aero efficiency, lightness, stiffness, and compliance. Using real-world race simulations, Specialized's Ride Science team has confirmed that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest race bike ever on key routes, 16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds quicker at Milan-San Remo, and 20 seconds ahead on the legendary Tourmalet climb.
Aero optimisation. Specialized have designed the Tarmac SL8 to be their most aerodynamic road bike ever, surpassing even the Venge. With the new "Speed Sniffer" nose cone, Specialized have re-engineered the head tube for a sharper, lower-drag shape. By moving the steer tube back, they’ve created the narrowest, most aerodynamic seat post they’ve ever made, ensuring smoother airflow around the legs for maximum speed.
Lightweight and aero. Inspired by the Aethos, the Tarmac SL8 is built to meet the UCI’s minimum weight requirements with a full aero setup. The result is a 685g frame, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than any other bike on the World Tour*. This efficient design eliminates the need for extra carbon layers, contributing to its ultra-lightweight build.
Unmatched ride quality. The Tarmac SL8 delivers a 33% improvement in stiffness-to-weight compared to the SL7, enhancing its legendary handling, responsiveness, and World Championship-proven geometry. The bike is stiffer at the pedals, more precise at the handlebars, and offers a more compliant ride in the saddle, setting a new standard for race bike comfort. Thanks to Rider-First Engineering, every rider, regardless of size, enjoys the same exceptional ride quality and handling. With 6% more compliance, the Tarmac SL8 glides smoothly over rough roads, while maintaining the proven geometry and 32mm tyre clearance of the SL7 for added versatility.
Beyond Gender. Specialized believe in designing bikes for all riders, not just based on gender. The Tarmac SL8 is engineered to deliver top-tier performance to every cyclist, regardless of gender.
The S-Works Tarmac SL8 comes equipped with the finest components, including a full Shimano Dura-Ace 9200 series Di2 groupset with a dual-sided power meter, and a Roval Rapide CLX II tubeless-ready wheelset. Paired with a Roval Rapide cockpit, this bike is designed for the fastest possible performance and a lightweight edge.