The Tarmac SL8 Expert is unbeatably fast. The most advanced aerodynamics and low weight result in a ride quality that seemed unattainable. After eight generations and more than twenty years of development, it's not just the fastest Tarmac ever - it's the fastest road bike in the world. Are you ready?
Aerodynamics and low weight alone don't win races - it's speed that counts at the finish line. Achieving race speed requires a specific balance of aerodynamics, lightness, stiffness and compliance. Our Ride Science team used race simulations based on real data to find out that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest road bike ever built on the decisive courses. A full 16.6 seconds faster over 40 km, 128 seconds faster at Milano-Sanremo and 20 seconds faster up the Tourmalet.
Aerodynamics and low weight alone don't win races - it's speed that counts at the finish line. Achieving race speed requires a specific balance of aerodynamics, lightness, stiffness and compliance. Our Ride Science team used race simulations based on real data to find out that the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest road bike ever built on the decisive courses. A full 16.6 seconds faster over 40 km, 128 seconds faster at Milano-Sanremo and 20 seconds faster up the Tourmalet.
- AERO-AVANTGARDE: For us, aero are the surfaces that really count, not the ones that look best. With this philosophy, we have created our most aerodynamic road bike ever. And yes, it is more aerodynamic than the Venge. The redesigned head tube of the Tarmac SL8 keeps the air flowing better because the surface at the front is more tapered. We call it the Speed Sniffer and with it, the more streamlined cross-section of the head tube creates much less drag. In addition, in accordance with the new UCI rules, we have developed the narrowest and most aerodynamic Specialized seatpost ever for the Tarmac SL8. This allows the fast-moving turbulent air around the legs to flow out more cleanly. A bike with a flair for victory.
- MINIMAL WEIGHT, MAXIMUM AERO: The Tarmac SL8 uses the knowledge gained from the development of the Aethos and easily reaches the UCI weight limit with a full aero setup. Our team has developed an incredible 685 gram frame - 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than any other bike on the World Tour. The fact that Kasper Asgreen rode our Aethos on a Tour Stage with a frame weighing only 585 grams somehow doesn't count. The new technical possibilities enabled us to optimize the weight of the down tube, seat tube and rear end of the Tarmac, because the new shape of the frame distributes the load so efficiently that additional carbon layers for more stiffness are no longer necessary.
- LIGHTNING WITH LIGHTNING WITH MORE COMFORT: Thanks to the enormous improvement in the stiffness-to-weight ratio - by an astonishing 33% compared to the SL7 - the Tarmac SL8 takes the legendary handling, aggressive response and World Tour-proven geometry to a new level. The bike is stiffer at the bottom bracket, more precise at the handlebars and more compliant in the saddle, setting new standards for the performance and comfort of competition bikes. Our Rider-First Engineering™ concept ensures that every rider, regardless of size, enjoys the same ride quality and handling. On the saddle, the Tarmac SL8 offers 6% more compliance. It glides smoothly over rough roads - unique in the tension-filled world of road cycling. And if the conditions require it, tires with more volume can be ridden thanks to the 32 mm tire clearance.
- GENDER NEUTRAL: Our experience from product development tells us that there can be more differences between two riders of the same gender than between two riders of different genders. Gender alone does not create a basis for gender-specific geometries. Frames specifically for men or women are therefore unfounded and outdated. With a Tarmac SL8 for everyone, every rider can secure the decisive advantage.
- The Tarmac SL8 Expert offers outstanding performance with a complete SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset with power meter, a tubeless-ready C38 carbon wheelset and an SL7 stem with Specialized Expert Shallow Drop aluminium handlebars.
