- From
- €4,499$4,200£3,999
- Lightest
- 7.1 kg15.7 lb
- Builds/sizes
- 6/7
Specialized · model family
Specialized Tarmac
3 variants by frame grade and generation. Compare them part by part below.
- From
- €13,999$13,500£11,999
- Lightest
- 6.6 kg14.6 lb
- Builds/sizes
- 6/7
- From
- €3,299$3,300€3,299
- Lightest
- 8.27 kg18.2 lb
- Builds/sizes
- 1/7
Generations
What changed from one generation to the next. Useful when you're weighing a used bike against a new one.
2026-06
SL9
- Claimed 4 W more aero than SL8 at 45 km/h
- Speed Sniffer head tube 4 mm narrower (10% less frontal area)
- Twisted-blade Flow Fork, Win Fin, dropped down tube
- S-Works frame 687 g
- 30 mm stock tyres, 32 mm max clearance
2023-08
SL8
- S-Works frame 685 g (SL7: 800 g)
- Rapide one-piece cockpit, about 80% of the aero gain over the SL7 cockpit
- Speed Sniffer nose cone
- Claimed 33% better stiffness-to-weight
- Claimed 6% more compliance
2020-07
SL7
- Replaces both the Tarmac SL6 and the aero Venge as Specialized's single race bike
- Disc brakes only
- Claimed 45 seconds faster than the SL6 over 40 km
- S-Works FACT 12r frame 800 g, FACT 10r frame 920 g (claimed, painted, size 56)
- Threaded BSA bottom bracket, removable front derailleur mount and up to 32 mm tyres
Variants side by side
Each variant is shown with its first complete build. Pick other builds on the compare page.
| SL9 (FACT 10r) | S-Works SL9 | SL7 Sport (FACT 9r) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Brand | Specialized | Specialized | Specialized |
| Build | Tarmac SL9 S-Level - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | S-Works Tarmac SL9 - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Tarmac SL7 Sport - Shimano 105 |
| Build notes | Colours: Satin Carbon (US); Gloss White Silver Metallic (UK, Germany). Weight of a painted production bike as pictured. | Colour: Satin Carbon (US). Weight of a painted production bike as pictured. | Colours: Gloss Oasis Tint Silver Dust (US), Gloss Black (Germany), Gloss White. Not listed on Specialized's UK store. Weight of a painted production bike as pictured. |
| Price (MSRP) | €10,499$10,000£8,749 | €13,999$13,500£11,999 | €3,299$3,300€3,299 |
| Bike weight | 7.1 kg15.7 lb | 6.6 kg14.6 lb | 8.27 kg18.2 lb |
| Weight measured on size | 56 | 56 | 56 |
| Model year | 2027 | 2027 | 2021 |
| Generation | SL9 | SL9 | SL7 |
| Launched | 2026-08 | 2026-06 | 2020-07 |
| Newer generation | — | — | SL8 (2023) |
| Discipline | Aero road | Aero road | Aero road |
| UCI legal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Verdict (out of 100) | |||
| Overall score | 84 | 80 | 71 |
| Aero | 80 | 87 | 58 |
| Frame | 85 | 95 | 60 |
| Components | 76 | 94 | 55 |
| Fit | 84 | 82 | 82 |
| Practicality | 76 | 72 | 76 |
| Price | 90 | 27 | 98 |
| Weight | 94 | 100 | 71 |
| Frame & fork | |||
| Frame material | FACT 10r Carbon | FACT 12r Carbon | FACT 9r Carbon |
| Fork material | FACT 12r Carbon (Flow Fork) | S-Works FACT 12r Carbon (Flow Fork) | FACT Carbon |
| Frame weight | 822 g29 oz | 687 g24.2 oz | 1,010 g2.23 lb |
| Frameset weight | — | 1,390 g3.06 lb | — |
| Weight measured on | Frame 822 g as stated by Specialized on the S-Level product page (painted production frame; BikeRadar gives it for size 56) | Frame 687 g as stated by Specialized; frameset (frame, fork, headset bearings, S-Works Rapide Post) 1.39 kg in size 56, painted production frame | Frame 1,010 g as stated by Specialized on the Tarmac SL7 Sport product page |
| Max system weight | 125 kg275.6 lb | 125 kg275.6 lb | — |
| Frame sizes | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Colours | S-Level: Satin Carbon, Gloss White, Gloss Cayenne Metallic (US), Gloss White Silver Metallic (UK/EU); Expert: Gloss Pacific Blue Metallic, Gloss Black, Satin Warm Smoke Metallic, Gloss Silver Dust; Comp: Gloss Dolomite Metallic, Gloss Charcoal Tint, Gloss Vivid Red (varies by build and region) | Satin Carbon; Satin Silver Dust; Gloss Ruby Metallic; Gloss Dolomite Metallic; Gloss Carbon; Gloss Vivid Red / Tarmac Black; RTP Raw Carbon; Made in Racing Red (LTD); Gloss Metallic White Silver (LTD); team replica paints (varies by build and region) | Gloss Oasis Tint Silver Dust, Gloss White, Gloss Black (varies by region) |
| Also available as | S-Works Tarmac SL9 (FACT 12r frame and fork, 687 g frame); no FACT 10r frameset is sold | Tarmac SL9 S-Level (FACT 10r frame with FACT 12r fork), Expert and Comp builds; S-Works LTD and team replica editions | Tarmac SL9 (FACT 10r) and S-Works Tarmac SL9 (FACT 12r), the current generation |
| Compatibility & standards | |||
| Brake type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Max rotor size | 160 mm | 160 mm | — |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Max tire width | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Bottom bracket standard | BSA threaded, 68 mm | BSA threaded, 68 mm | BSA threaded, 68 mm |
| Front axle | 12x100 mm thru-axle | 12x100 mm thru-axle | 12x100 mm thru-axle |
| Rear axle | 12x142 mm thru-axle (UDH dropout) | 12x142 mm thru-axle (UDH dropout) | 12x142 mm thru-axle |
| Drivetrain compatibility | 1x and 2x; Shimano Di2 (wired routing) and SRAM AXS. 2x chainrings: Shimano 34-42 / 50-55T, SRAM 35-41 / 48-54T; 1x 46-54T. Cassettes: Shimano 11-36 max, SRAM 10-46 max. | 1x and 2x; Shimano Di2 (wired routing) and SRAM AXS. 2x chainrings: Shimano 34-42 / 50-55T, SRAM 35-41 / 48-54T; 1x 46-54T. Cassettes: Shimano 11-36 max, SRAM 10-46 max. | — |
| 1x compatible | Yes | Yes | — |
| Max chainring | 55T | 55T | — |
| Front derailleur mount | Removable braze-on hanger; cover for 1x | Removable braze-on hanger; cover for 1x | — |
| Cable routing | Internal | Internal | Internal (Clean Routing) |
| Hydration & storage | |||
| Bottle mounts | 2 | 2 | — |
| Bottle mount locations | Down tube and seat tube | Down tube and seat tube | — |
| Fit & adjustability | |||
| Cockpit | One-piece Roval Rapide Cockpit on S-Level builds; Expert and Comp use a Roval Rapide alloy stem with a 31.8 mm Specialized alloy drop bar | One-piece bar and stem (Roval Rapide Cockpit) on S-Works builds | — |
| Seatpost type | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seatpost, D-shaped (35.9 x 18.4 mm), 15 mm offset, integrated wedge | S-Works Rapide Post, FACT carbon, D-shaped (35.9 x 18.4 mm), 15 mm offset, integrated wedge | S-Works Tarmac Carbon seatpost, 20 mm offset, Tarmac integrated wedge |
| Fit notes | Seven sizes from 44 to 61 cm with size-specific layups. Stock bar width 380 mm (44-54), 400 mm (56) and 420 mm (58-61) on every trim; stem length 75 mm (44-49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56) and 110 mm (58-61) with the S-Level cockpit, the Expert and Comp stems being 80 mm on sizes 44 and 49. Headset spacers up to 35 mm. | Seven sizes from 44 to 61 cm with the same performance targets for every size. Stock bar width and stem length change with size (380 mm and 75 mm on 44-49 up to 420 mm and 110 mm on 58-61). The user manual also lists a separate Rapide stem (31.8 mm bar clamp) with Expert Shallow Bend handlebars; headset spacers up to 35 mm. | Seven sizes from 44 to 61 cm in the geometry chart; the US store offers 44-58 and the German store 44-61. Stock bar width 360 mm (44) to 440 mm (58-61), stem 70 mm (44) to 110 mm (58-61), crank 165 mm (44-49) to 175 mm (58-61). |
| Aerodynamics | |||
| Manufacturer aero claims | Same tube shapes as the S-Works SL9: Specialized calls the SL9 the most aerodynamic road race bike it has tested and claims 4 W less drag than the SL8; the Speed Sniffer head tube is 4 mm narrower for a 10% smaller frontal area, with the rear brake hose routed beside the steerer (Offset Steerer) to make room. | Specialized calls it the most aerodynamic road race bike it has tested and claims 4 W less drag; the Speed Sniffer head tube is 4 mm narrower for a 10% smaller frontal area. Specialized measures it by 'Time to Finish' over simulated race courses. | — |
| Testing method | Specialized Win Tunnel with a moving-leg mannequin, plus race-course simulations | Specialized Win Tunnel with a 6th-generation moving-leg mannequin, plus race-course simulations | — |
| Tube profile | Speed Sniffer head tube, dropped down tube, Win Fin rear, twisted-blade Flow Fork | Speed Sniffer head tube, dropped down tube, Win Fin rear, twisted-blade Flow Fork, deep S-Works Rapide Post | FreeFoil-shaped tubes, dropped seatstays |
| Travel, maintenance & warranty | |||
| Headset bearings | Stainless steel bearings, Specialized custom 49.5 mm OD x 40.5 mm ID x 6.5 mm, 45° (top and bottom) | CeramicSpeed SLT bearings, 49.5 mm OD x 40.5 mm ID x 6.5 mm, 45° (top and bottom); 28.6 mm steerer | — |
| Derailleur hanger | UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger) | UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger) | — |
| Maintenance | Front rotor 160 mm only, rear 140 or 160 mm. The user manual lists tubeless compatibility as 'Only S-Works (OE spec)'; the Expert and Comp ship with inner tubes. No rack, fender, bag or kickstand mounts; 2.3 kg seat-bag limit. | Front rotor 160 mm only, rear 140 or 160 mm. The user manual lists tubeless compatibility as 'Only S-Works (OE spec)'. No rack, fender, bag or kickstand mounts; 2.3 kg seat-bag limit. | — |
| Proprietary parts | Roval Rapide one-piece cockpit (S-Level), D-shaped seatpost and wedge, custom headset bearings | Roval Rapide one-piece cockpit, S-Works Rapide seatpost and wedge, custom headset bearings | — |
| Sold via | Specialized retailers and specialized.com | Specialized retailers and specialized.com | Specialized retailers and specialized.com |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Groupset | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Launched | 2021 · current generation | 2021 · current generation | 2023 · current generation |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes | No |
| Drivetrain | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Shifters | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 | — |
| Crankset | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Chainrings | 52/36 | 52/36 | 52/36 |
| Crank lengths available | 165 mm (44-52), 170 mm (54-56), 172.5 mm (58-61) | 165 mm (44-52), 170 mm (54-56), 172.5 mm (58-61) | 165 mm (44-49), 170 mm (52), 172.5 mm (54-56), 175 mm (58-61) |
| Power meter | 4iiii Precision Pro | 4iiii Precision Pro | — |
| Measurement | Dual-sided | Dual-sided | — |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano Threaded BSA | CeramicSpeed BB Alpha | Shimano Threaded BSA |
| Standard | BSA threaded, 68 mm | BSA threaded, Shimano | BSA threaded, 68 mm |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Notes | Braze-on | Braze-on | Braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Cassette | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 | Shimano 105 R7100 |
| Range | 11-34 | 11-34 | 11-34 |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M9100 | Shimano CN-M9100 | Shimano CN-M7100 |
| Notes | XTR M9100 chain with quick link | XTR M9100 chain with quick link | SLX M7100 chain |
| Brakes | |||
| Brake calipers | Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270 | Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270 | Shimano 105 |
| Type | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Wheels & tires | |||
| Wheelset | Roval Rapide CL III | Roval Rapide CLX III | DT Swiss R470 |
| Front rim depth | 51 mm | 51 mm | — |
| Rear rim depth | 48.5 mm | 48.5 mm | — |
| Internal rim width | 21 mm | 21 mm | 20 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | Aluminium |
| Tubeless ready | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hubs | DT Swiss 350, 18H front, 24H rear | Roval LF18F 18H front, LF19-R 24H rear, with Sinc ceramic bearings | Specialized sealed-bearing thru-axle hubs, Centerlock, 24H |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition Race straight-pull | Roval by ARRIS composite aero spokes with Ti end fittings | DT Swiss Champion 14G stainless steel, brass nipples |
| Tires | Specialized Cotton TLR | Specialized Cotton TLR | Specialized Turbo Pro |
| Tire width | 30 mm | 30 mm | 26 mm |
| Notes | Specialized also lists 700x24-34 mm inner tubes with 80 mm valves | Specialized also lists 700x25-35 mm TPU inner tubes | — |
| Cockpit | |||
| Handlebar | Roval Rapide Cockpit | Roval Rapide Cockpit | Specialized Shallow Drop |
| Type | One-piece bar and stem | One-piece bar and stem | Drop bar |
| Integrated stem | Yes | Yes | — |
| Widths available | 380 mm (44-54), 400 mm (56), 420 mm (58-61) as fitted by size | 380 mm (44-54), 400 mm (56), 420 mm (58-61) as fitted by size | 360 mm (44), 380 mm (49), 400 mm (52), 420 mm (54-56), 440 mm (58-61) as fitted by size |
| Bar reach | — | — | 70 mm |
| Bar drop | — | — | 125 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon | 6061 alloy |
| Notes | Stem length 75 mm (44-49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56), 110 mm (58-61) | Stem length 75 mm (44-49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56), 110 mm (58-61); accessory mount compatible with Bar Fly 4 adapters | 31.8 mm clamp |
| Stem | — | — | Specialized Tarmac integrated stem |
| Stem length | — | — | 70 mm (44), 80 mm (49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56), 110 mm (58-61) |
| Notes | — | — | 6 degrees |
| Headset | — | CeramicSpeed SLT | — |
| Saddle & seatpost | |||
| Saddle | Specialized Power Pro with Mirror | Specialized S-Works Power with Mirror | Specialized Power Sport |
| Widths available | 155 mm (44-52), 143 mm (54-61) | 155 mm (44-52), 143 mm (54-61) | 155 mm (44-52), 143 mm (54-61) |
| Rails | Hollow titanium | — | Steel |
| Seatpost | Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon Seatpost | Specialized S-Works Rapide Post | Specialized S-Works Tarmac Carbon Seatpost |
| Offset / setback | 15 mm | 15 mm | 20 mm |
| Material | FACT carbon | FACT carbon | FACT carbon |
| Notes | 300 mm long (44-52), 380 mm (54-61); Tarmac integrated wedge binder | 300 mm long (44-52), 380 mm (54-61); integrated wedge binder | 300 mm long (44-52), 380 mm (54-61); Tarmac integrated wedge binder |
| Bar tape | Supacaz Super Sticky Kush | Supacaz Super Sticky Kush | Supacaz Super Sticky Kush |
| Geometry (smallest – largest size) | |||
| Sizes | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Stack | 501–612 mm19.7–24.1″ | 501–612 mm19.7–24.1″ | 501–612 mm19.7–24.1″ |
| Reach | 366–408 mm14.4–16.1″ | 366–408 mm14.4–16.1″ | 366–408 mm14.4–16.1″ |
| Seat tube angle | 73–75.5° | 73–75.5° | 73–75.5° |
| Head tube angle | 70.5–74° | 70.5–74° | 70.5–74° |
| Head tube length | 99–204 mm3.9–8″ | 99–204 mm3.9–8″ | 99–204 mm3.9–8″ |
| Effective top tube | 496–595 mm19.5–23.4″ | 496–595 mm19.5–23.4″ | 496–595 mm19.5–23.4″ |
| Seat tube length | 433–545 mm17–21.5″ | 433–545 mm17–21.5″ | 433–545 mm17–21.5″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 970–1,013 mm38.2–39.9″ | 970–1,013 mm38.2–39.9″ | 970–1,013 mm38.2–39.9″ |
| BB drop | 72–74 mm2.8–2.9″ | 72–74 mm2.8–2.9″ | 72–74 mm2.8–2.9″ |
| BB height | 266–268 mm10.5–10.6″ | 266–268 mm10.5–10.6″ | 266–268 mm10.5–10.6″ |
| Fork length | 370 mm14.6″ | 370 mm14.6″ | 370 mm14.6″ |
| Fork offset | 44–47 mm1.7–1.9″ | 44–47 mm1.7–1.9″ | 44–47 mm1.7–1.9″ |
| Trail | 52–71 mm2–2.8″ | 52–71 mm2–2.8″ | 52–71 mm2–2.8″ |
| Front centre | 567–609 mm22.3–24″ | 567–609 mm22.3–24″ | 572–613 mm22.5–24.1″ |
| Standover | 722–833 mm28.4–32.8″ | 722–833 mm28.4–32.8″ | 723–834 mm28.5–32.8″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Crank length | 165–172.5 mm6.5–6.8″ | 165–172.5 mm6.5–6.8″ | 165–175 mm6.5–6.9″ |
| Stem length | 75–110 mm3–4.3″ | 75–110 mm3–4.3″ | 70–110 mm2.8–4.3″ |
| Handlebar width | 380–420 mm15–16.5″ | 380–420 mm15–16.5″ | 360–440 mm14.2–17.3″ |
Geometry overlay
Drawn to scale (how to read it).