Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert Mod. 2024

The fastest road bike in the world

The Tarmac SL8 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 do not decide races - at the finish line it is speed that counts. In order to get to race speed, a very specific balance of aerodynamics, lightness, rigidity and flexibility is required. Through race simulations using real-world data, our Ride Science team found the Tarmac SL8 to be the fastest road bike ever built on the stretches that matter. Whole 16.6 seconds faster on 40 km, 128 seconds faster at Milano-Sanremo and 20 seconds faster on the Tourmalet.

The Tarmac SL8 Expert offers exceptional performance with a full SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset with power meter, C38 carbon tubeless ready wheelset and SL7 stem with Specialized Expert Shallow Drop alloy handlebars for an accessible, performance-packed bike.

highlights

• AERO IN EVERYTHING: Specialized puts aero where it matters - on the leading edge - and not just where it looks good. In the process, they have created their most aerodynamic road bike of all time. Yes, it's more aerodynamic than the Venge. Featuring the Tarmac's new nose cone - the Speed Sniffer - clean air is optimized for maximum advantage. By moving the head tube backwards - the tube that determines the head tube width - the leading edge of the head tube can be much sharper, resulting in a much lower drag form. Applying the new UCI rules, the Tarmac SL8 has the narrowest and most aerodynamic seatpost they've ever made, allowing fast-moving, dirty air to flow back around your legs cleaner. Doesn't victory smell sweet?
• MINIMUM WEIGHT, MAXIMUM AERO : The Tarmac SL8 took lessons learned from the Aethos to easily be built to the UCI minimum with a full aero setup. The team delivered a stunning 685 gram scale frame - 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than anything else on the World Tour. Since the ability to integrate lightweight into the down tube, seat tube and tail of the bike was a top priority, the tenets of the Aethos were implemented. The shape of the frame carries the load so efficiently that additional layers of carbon stiffness are unnecessary. *Unless, of course, you count the time Kasper Asgreen rode Specialized 's 585 gram Aethos frame during a Tour leg.
• Runs like hell, rides like heaven: With massive gains in stiffness-to-weight ratio - a 33% improvement over the SL7 - the Tarmac SL8 brings legendary handling, aggressive response and championship-proven geometry to the next level. The bike is stiffer at the pedals, more precise at the handlebars, and combines this with a forgiving ride in the saddle that sets a new benchmark for road bike comfort. Thanks to Specialized 's Rider-First engineering, every rider, regardless of size, gets the same unparalleled ride quality and handling. In the saddle, the Tarmac SL8 offers 6% more compliance and floats over rough roads with a supple feel unparalleled in the world of highly stressed road bikes. Tarmac's proven geometry and 32mm tire clearance are identical to those of the SL7, ensuring easy adjustment and the versatility to run larger volume tires when needed.
• BEYOND GENDER: There can be more differences between two male cyclists than between a man and a woman. Gender alone doesn't provide nearly enough data to specialize, and that means designing bikes for men or women is arbitrary and outdated. Any rider can take the next level advantage with the Tarmac SL8. It's time to go beyond gender.

specification

scope of delivery

• 1 x Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert (see item description for details)