The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Road Bike is the pinnacle of speed, combining cutting-edge aerodynamics, ultra-lightweight construction, and unmatched ride quality. After eight generations and over 20 years of innovation, the Tarmac SL8 is not just the fastest Tarmac ever, it’s the fastest race bike in the world.
Winning races requires more than just aerodynamics or a lightweight build, it’s about optimising speed. The Tarmac SL8 achieves this by perfectly balancing aerodynamics, lightness, stiffness, and compliance. Real-world race simulations by Specialized's Ride Science team confirm that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest race bike ever on key routes, clocking in 16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds quicker at Milan-San Remo, and 20 seconds ahead on the legendary Tourmalet climb.
Aero where it counts. Specialized have maximised aerodynamics in the areas that matter most. The Tarmac SL8 is Specialized's most aerodynamic road bike yet, even surpassing the Venge. Featuring the new "Speed Sniffer" nose cone, they’ve re-engineered the head tube for a sharper, lower-drag shape. Taking advantage of new UCI regulations, the Tarmac SL8 boasts the narrowest, most aerodynamic seat post they’ve ever created, ensuring smoother airflow around the rider’s legs for ultimate 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 stunningly light 685g frame, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than any other bike on the World Tour*. The frame’s design efficiently manages load distribution, eliminating the need for extra carbon layers, which contributes to its lightweight construction.
Unrivaled ride quality. The Tarmac SL8 delivers a 33% improvement in stiffness-to-weight compared to the SL7, elevating its legendary handling, aggressive responsiveness, and World Championship-proven geometry. This 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 smoothly navigates rough roads, while maintaining the proven geometry and 32mm tyre clearance of the SL7 for added versatility.
Beyond gender. Specialized believe that performance isn’t defined by gender. The Tarmac SL8 is designed for all riders, eliminating the need for male or female-specific bikes. Experience the next level of racing performance, regardless of gender.
The Tarmac SL8 Pro is race-ready with a full Shimano Ultegra 8100 series Di2 groupset with a power meter, Roval Rapide CL II tubeless-ready wheelset, and a Roval Rapide Handlebar paired with an SL7 stem. Get ready to dominate right out of the box.