Specialized Tarmac SL8
95/100
BikeRide Score
?
Where to buy
$6,499.99
Performance Bicycle
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$6,500.00
Specialized
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$8,500.00
Contender Bicycles
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Facts
Type
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
15.1, 14.59, 15.79, 16.4, 17.13 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material
Summary of Reviews
We have read all expert and user reviews on the Specialized Tarmac SL8. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
14 reasons to buy
- Experts agree the (S-Works) Tarmac SL8 is among the best race bikes on the market.
- The Tarmac SL8 is repeatedly described as lively, fun, and a “joy” or “delight” to ride.
- Testers are impressed by the bike’s blend of aerodynamics and low weight.
- The well-balanced geometry earns praise from reviewers.
- The handling is a standout feature for many experts. They say it’s “responsive” and “sharp” without being unstable.
- Multiple reviewers note the Tarmac holds speed very well.
- Testers enjoy the “extremely fast” and “reactive” acceleration. One describes the bike as “devastatingly quick.”
- Experts appreciate the ride comfort, given it’s a race bike. One feels it’s one of the most comfortable bikes in the peloton.
- According to reviewers, the Tarmac SL8 is a “fantastic” climbing bike.
- The one-piece Carbon Roval Rapide cockpit (S-Works builds) feels “extremely responsive” and stiff.
- The stopping power and control of the Dura-Ace brakes (S-Works build) are “phenomenal” in one tester’s experience.
- Several experts laud the stiffness of the “rock-solid” bottom bracket.
- The BSA 68 threaded bottom bracket is easier to service and less prone to creaking than press-fit.
- Specialized states that the frame has clearance for 32mm tires.
5 reasons not to buy
- Reviewers feel the Tarmac SL8 is expensive, especially the S-Works builds.
- Most testers would prefer 28mm tires instead of the stock 26mm.
- Multiple reviewers complain that the components aren’t customizable at checkout.
- The one-piece cockpit on the S-Works builds isn’t adjustable.
- A reviewer complains that the “thinly bladed” tops on the Roval Rapide bars are uncomfortable.
Bottom line
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 is a ‘do-it-all’ race bike that balances low weight and aerodynamics for “superb all-round” performance. It’s available in three high-end tiers: Expert, Pro, and S-Works. The list of superlatives used to describe this bike is extensive, but experts generally agree it’s among the best in its class. In particular, they praise the handling, “rock-solid” bottom bracket, rapid acceleration, ability to hold speed, and relative comfort. The main gripe shared among reviewers is the high price, especially of the S-Works builds. But overall, the “masterpiece” Tarmac SL8 earns top marks across the board.Expert Reviews
90/100 based on 4 rated expert reviewsSpecialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Dura-Ace Di2 Review
Test of the New Specialized Tarmac SL8 [French]
Specialized Tarmac SL8 In-Depth Review – One Bike That Can Do It All
Specialized Tarmac SL8 S-Works Di2 Review
500 Miles on the New Tarmac SL8: Is It Venge? Aethos? SL7?
Specialized Tarmac SL8 First Ride Review – No Wonder the Internet Got Excited
Faster Than I Was as a World Tour Pro
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Here’s Why I Won’t Be Upgrading to the Specialized Tarmac SL8
The New Specialized Tarmac SL8 2024 – Evolution or Revolution?
Specialized Tarmac SL8 First Ride Review: Clinical Improvement
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Dura-Ace: First Ride Review
Reviewed: The New Specialized Tarmac SL8
We Test the New Specialized Tarmac SL8: Back to a Forgotten Lightness and Agility
Getting Started With the Specialized Tarmac SL8, the Defects of the SL7 Erased [French]
First Exclusive Test of the New Specialized Tarmac SL8 [French]
First Impression of the S-Works Tarmac SL8 [Dutch]
First Impression: Specialized Tarmac SL8, a Logical Evolution of the SL7 [Dutch]
First Impression: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 [Dutch]
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8: Our First Impression [Dutch]
The New Specialized Tarmac SL8 First Test [German]
Specialized Tarmac SL8 [German]
Rankings
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Bike Comparison
Specialized Tarmac SL8 in comparison to averages
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