Thats the goal of the new Specialized Tarmac SL7, which replaces the superb Tarmac SL6 as the companys premier race bikea no-compromise race bike thats as fast as an aero bike and as light as a climbing bike. Even though the stock front end is highly integrated, the SL7 is compatible with any handlebar and stem. 1-10. Thats intentional, as Specialized knows the SL6 is a great riding and handling bike. Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'. The SL7 is compatible with mechanical and electronic drivetrains. Hoses and housing are hidden from the wind to improve aerodynamics. Aluminum rims may have minor A TPC buyback offer is guaranteed for 18 month on all qualifying bikes. Though threaded BBs make routine service easier, I usually hear that wide, press-fit bottom brackets allow a brand to make a lighter and stiffer frame. A computer and accessory mount that integrates into the stems faceplate is included. The more I've ridden it, the more I've enjoyed it. I have a SL6 sport 54cm that weighs 8kg with pedals, bottle cages & GPS mount. Boy, that would be something, wouldnt it? Which means that the Tarmac accelerates more quickly, and is faster up hills. The tailoring of any bike is an important step in the long term enjoyment of riding and it can take time to adjust to the fit of a new bike. - Bike is in great condition; light cosmetic scratches on head tube, seat tube, top tube, non drive side chainstay. This represented an excellent testing ground since the opening 2km are steep and favour the Tarmac of old whilst the final 3km become shallower - giving the Venge qualities a chance to shine. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. minor scuffs and scratches no paint chipping. For example, this includes bikes with major dents, carbon Rather than let the Venge erode away at the relevance of its older sibling, Specialized has taken the key aero learnings of the Venge and transposed them to the Tarmac in this SL7 model. If this bike isn't perfect for you, our Ride Guides will help you find the right one. These bicycles are good as new, often built right out of the box suspension, those components will have scratches and scuffs. The SL7s down tube is round with little obvious aero shaping. Naturally, Specializeds Rider First Engineering is present in the SL7, which aims to let every rider experience the same handling regardless of frame size. The thruaxles can be changed for J&L or similar. However, all things equal, the new Tarmac is 350 grams lighter. by mikemelbrooks on Tue May 25, 2021 9:40 pm, by TwiggyForest on Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:47 am, by TwiggyForest on Wed Sep 15, 2021 12:47 pm. >>> Tarmac SL7 launched: all you need to know. Done. highlight any wear or damage. The seatpost clamp is hidden beneath a rubber cover, but is easy to access with an Allen key or torque wrench. The headset adjustment is nestled below a top cap which flips off easily when pushed, though the spacers aren't split, so you do have to chop the steerer if you want to drop the stack at all. It's always been a responsive and quick-handling machine and in my opinion, the Tarmac SL6 perfectly hit the compliance/stiffness balance jackpot. That's very much an expectation among the top-tier bikes now, and for 11,500 (10,500 at time of review) you're quite right in expecting such additions. If you love a deal, now is probably a great time to snap up a new SL6 on closeout, or pick up a used SL6 from The Pros Closet. The pavement around me is largely crapand I do not shy away from dirt roadsand I found the SL7s smoothness surprising, refreshing, and absolutely delightful. repaired and are structurally sound. Over time, the two categories began to converge: The stiff and light bikes got more aero, and the aero bikes got stiffer and lighter. The Specialized Tarmac has long topped my list when it comes to the best 'all-round race bike'. Power transfer is superb, with electric-like efficiency and an explosive feel when you increase power to the pedals. steel, and titanium frames may have minor dents. Still, racers had to choose between a lighter, less-aero bike, and a heavier, more aero bike. I didnt need to do that on the SL7. Now uses a threaded BB for easier service, with no trade-off in stiffness or weight. In taking on characteristics from the Venge, the SL7 has got a fraction heavier - the frame weight edging from 733g to 800g for a size 56 in the top end 'Fact 12R' carbon use for the S-Works model. They want one bike that is fast everywhere. scuffs from transportation or showroom display. Bar, stem, post, and saddle are all from Specialized. A hidden seat binder resides in the top tube. Drivetrain, There's no obvious reason why. And Specialized is so confident it achieved that goal that its killing off the Venge (it remains as a frameset-only option in some markets), and Specializeds pro teams will exclusively race the Tarmac. The drivetrain will have wear Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. With the launch of the new Tarmac, Specialized brings its road-race bikes full circle. The Specialized Tarmac is an iconic bike, and the latest update from the American brand has futureproofed it. My size 52 model came with 40cm bars. Until now, Ive felt this only in metal bikesusually steelbut the SL7 has this feel without any trade-off in other areas of its stiffness. Aboard the New Specialized Tarmac SL7, Your Old PRs Dont Stand a Chance. Specialized also says that its pro riders requested more rear end stiffness (opens in new tab) in the new SL7 - reportedly stating that the SL6 was mismatched in having a firm front end with a little too much compliance at the rear. The SL7s most surprising aero detail is what it doesnt have: an airfoil down tube. Like the SL6, the SL7 gets dropped seat stays, though the SL7s are more angular and almost look like they were pulled directly from the Venge. shows light wear but the derailleurs, shifters, and levers have However, Cameron Piper, the Tarmacs product manager, says that the down tube is not a significant contributor to aero performance, even using weight yaw averages that account for crosswinds. All contact points (pedals, shoes, and saddle) can be changed and altered for personal preference, performance, and comfort. It doesnt matter if you ramp up the pace just slightly on a climb, or suddenly jump on the pedals to sprint with everything you have, the SL7 responds immediately with unfiltered forward motion. have been previously damaged, but have been professionally In most cases, first impressions of a bike change very little after more time spent aboard. Granted, my own PB was set three years ago and I've tuned my own engine in that time too - but there's no denying that this bike is fast. This model also comes with Roval Rapide CLX hoops, featuring a 60mm rear and 51mm front rim, with mismatched profiles. Bikes in this range are well-loved and have moderate wear. I also had the chance to take the Tarmac up Somerset's 5km Cheddar Gorge climb. I think you are doing fairly well getting it down to 8kg. This bike loves to corner and I love to corner on it because of how much it loves to corner. The Tarmac SL7 was different. This has jarred with me several times, because my inclination is always towards the traditional round tubed lightweight bikes: I prefer an Ultimate to an Aeroad, an monda to a Madone, and I preferred the Tarmac over the Venge. damage on rims, spokes, and/or hubs. On most race bikes I review, Im chucking the stock tires as soon as I can and stuffing in the largest rubber I can fit in an effort to save my sanity. Wouldnt it be great if a brand like Specialized took all the tools and knowledge it uses to build its premier UCI race bikes and used them to build the best bike it could with no regard for the UCIs rules? The condition charts Overall Rating is the average of those We'll happily purchase this bike back from you when you're ready for your next upgrade. In theCycling Weeklyoffice, we've nicknamed this bike the 'Varmac' - because it's very much an amalgamated child of the longstanding Tarmac and the 2011 introduced Venge aero road bike. Specialized sent my bike with the new Mirror saddle. It surprised me from the first ride, and initially not in the best way. Then the aero-road trend started and it presented riders with a choice: a stiff and lightbut not at all aerobike, or a heavier, less-stiff, aero road bike. + Read more. The Aerofly bar and Rapide wheelset account for 15 to 20 seconds alone. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The SL7s stem is based on the Venges, but its 45 grams lighter without losing any stiffness. Even though the SL7 is more aerodynamic than the SL6, it still has a round down tube optimized for stiffness-to-weight. Its really impressive: awesome pressure distribution and its like your butt is cradled by a springy little hammock. Orange Seal, does it live up to it's fame. One of the cheapest upgrades will be latex tubes. Heres why you can trust us. This is a racing bike, which has always offered an aggressive without being excessive geometry, so maintaining this seems like a good move to me, no complaints there. There's a lot of stuff you CAN do- whether you want to spend the money and agree with it is a different story altogether. condition. There are seven sizes, from 44cm to 61cm. levers, cockpit, and suspension (where applicable) are in new If the bike has Your bike ships fast for a $94.99 flat rate. The SL7s seat tube cuts a deeper and more aero profile than the SL6s, which results in a new (deeper and more aero looking) seatpost. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. The new Tarmac SL7 is faster than the SL6 it replaces, with absolutely minimal weight penalty. Published 27 July 22. stanchions are immaculate. There's nothing radical going on with the SL7s frame fit or handling geometry. stem, derailleurs, and levers show moderate scuffing or scratches, While We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The S-Works SL7 12r carbon frame weighs the same as the S-Works SL6 disc frame: about 800 grams, painted (for a 56cm). Accepting that you won't ever get super light with that platform (disc, and not the top-tier carbon), and that it would seem a shame to remove an entire brand-new groupset, 105 is a perfectly good one.. are included. The SL7 is very different - it's a rapid racer offering a firm ride quality that will suit those looking for speed above all else. significant suspension component wear. The front is significantly chunkier, reportedly fairing better aerodynamically as a result. So fast, it kills off the Venge aero-road bike. Wheels are Rovals Rapide CL with DT-Swiss 350 hubs and j-bend spokes. The cockpit has light wear, primarily on Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It comes in 20mm and zero offset andlike the Venges postthe Di2 junction box resides just under the saddle clamp. Hoses, housing, and wires are completely hidden. But this isn't a review of the Tarmac SL6 (opens in new tab). All rights reserved. Tarmac SL7 Pro and Expert modelsmy review bike is a $7,000 Tarmac Pro Shimano Ultegra Di2use a 10r carbon frame thats about 120 grams heavier than the S-Works frame. Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. not sustained any damage. That's 2-4cm wider than my ideal 36-38cm bar preference, and it's worth checking if your dealer will swap these free of charge should you want an alternative width. But 99 percent of us arent subject to the UCIs equipment regulations. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Though some companies feel differently, Piper says Specializeds testing indicates dropped stays provide an aerodynamic advantage, adding, Weight gain, if any, is marginal, and improvement in rear end stiffness from a compact rear triangle is there. We do not sell bikes that we rate lower than 6 on the condition This is the top-end model within the Tarmac line up, though it does have a SRAM Red eTAP AXS sibling for the same price. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 14 Best Bike Lights for Every Kind of Ride, Burn Up the Trails on Niners Speedy RKT RDO, A Dozen Folding Bikes That Can Go Everywhere, Treks Fuel EX-E Is the Best e-MTB You Can Buy, The 9 Best Cheap E-Bikes You Can Buy Right Now, Serial 1 Is a Callback to Harleys Origin Story, All of the Different Types of BikesExplained, The 10 Best Cheap Bikes for Every Kind of Ride. Every bike receives our white glove, Certified Pre-Owned treatment, including a full pro-tune by our Master Mechanics in Louisville, CO. All CPO bikes are pristine and rolling beautifully before we pack and ship to your door. Cycling Weekly is supported by its audience. You're welcome We're using cookies in case to provide best-possible user experience. As others have said, the wheel/tire/tube combo can help shed a significant amount of weight and improve handling/ride-feel- I know you said you already ordered new wheels, but you can consider tubs in the future- I got a set of Reynolds 11s 46mm deep carbon tubs for $450 and they weigh 1150 grams. Power meter users will be happy to note that there is plenty of clearance for all sorts of power meters, including left-side pods. from the manufacturer. the grips or handlebar tape. Speed is freakishly easy to come by on this bike, and it seems to make going faster easier than any other bike Ive ridden. Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). Even better, it was smooth and comfortable but not overdamped and lifeless, which isbased on how few bikes feel this waya really tricky balance to achieve. The frame will have slight paint loss, Shimanos Di2 offers the best shifting on the market. UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation, Its always the same, the rider who wins the Tour, no one believes it: Christophe Laporte says nothing changes with suspicion in cycling, Tour de France Femmes gravel stage throws up a tyre choice conundrum for team mechanics, Exclusive interviews, fitness tips and product reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. The tires are Specialized S-Works Turbo in 26. While these bikes have been ridden, they remain in excellent My review bike is the $7,000 Pro Ultegra Di2. Cockpit, saddle, and suspension A gear editor for his entire career, Matts journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and hes been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Dura-Ace Di2 was selected for an Editor's Choice award (opens in new tab) in 2020. And I am a bit frustrated with the UCI race bike thing because I think they force brands into a box that encourages them to build really similar bikes. You can get a lighter crank- Ultegra, Dura-Ace and Sram Red are all lighter than the 105. Shimano Ultegra Di2: perfect. This is a trend we've seen in many new releases this year - a lot of GC bikes have been taking on notes from their aero brethren (see the TCR, Teammachine and monda) and the trade-off is very often a loss in compliance as tube profiles increase. As you are changing wheels I would also change tyres and tubes, and perhaps a cassette Ztto makes a lighter one that's not too expensive, As the Seatpost is round I expect there will be an easy weight saving there. I've recommended it to countless club mates and friends. On the stock tires, and on those deep wheels, it practically glides in a way that belies its purpose as a tool for pro racing. She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt. The SL6 was a 'do it all' race bike that I'd recommend for anyone. Where I had felt the SL6 perfectly straddled the boundaries between stiffness and compliance, this new model rendered a much harsher ride quality and that was unexpected. The problem for racers: If both bikes are advantageous at different times in the same race, which bike do you pick? According to Piper, the 56cmthe size used to measure for the brands weight claimsis within 5 grams of its predecessor; every other size saw a more substantial weight savings over the SL6.. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Another you can do- and IDK how popular of an idea this would be, but you can switch to mechanical disc- the 105 hydro (even the 105 mechanical shfiters) shifters are really heavy- I'd see if I could pick up a set of R9000 or even R8000 shifters on the used market and switch to something like TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes- again- people might say this is stupid but this is WW after all and that would be another significant weight reduction. If your primary concern is going fast, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. If I were to spec this bike for myself, I'd swap the 50/61mm Roval Rapide CLX wheels for the shallower Alpenist pair day-to-day (keeping the deep pair for race day, of course), and though I like the flat top of the aero bars when climbing, I'd prefer a rounder bar with a bit more bar tape just to dampen out some of the buzz and clatter at the front end. A lot of the time I was able to make up versus the TT bike was on the descents and climbs, where the Tarmac absolutely excels due to its excellent front end handling and responsive rear end. The SL7s aero gains over the SL6 come with no weight gain. derailleurs, shifters, and levers. paint loss, they will not be structurally damaged. Specialized claims it is 45 seconds faster over 40k (25 miles) compared to the Tarmac SL6. These are a good all-round tire, and pretty durable as well. scratches. Thats because the SL7 is not just a fast bike, its fast and nearly perfectly balanced. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Construction wise, its not easy, but the benefits outweigh the difficulty.. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The marginal gain that could have been made from a deeper down tube in high yaw scenarios would have added a considerable amount of weight. According to Specialized, the tubes that truly impact aero are the seat tube, seatstays, head tube, and fork blades. The Venge is still a touch more slippery: On a flat 40k time trial, its 9 seconds faster. That said, it is fascinating to see what everyone can do when restricted by the same rules. Original stickers, parts, and accessories Lastly, Specialized bumped tire clearance up slightly so the SL7 can fit tires up to 32mm. Along with the The S-Works with SRAM Red AXS weighs about 180 grams more than the Dura-Ace Di2 model (sorry SRAM fans). In any event, with the UCI weight limit stuck stubbornly at 6.8kg, those making bikes for pro racers have little need to search for more grams to drop. But if youre already on an SL6, I cant think of a super-compelling reason for you to swap it for an SL7 unless you really, really, want a small aero bump (as I noted above, you could add the Aerofly bar and Rapide wheels to an SL6 and cut the SL7s aero advantage in half). The Despite an utterly enraging tourist traffic-induced 17-second stop, I still surpassed expectation, taking the crown from within the Cycling Weekly office and coming in 77 seconds (60 seconds without the stop!) The hidden hoses, housing, and wires are another reason the SL7 is more slippery than the SL6. Handlebars, So far, I've raced (myself) on the Tarmac, I've joined 150km club runs on it and I've taken it out for a few relaxed dawdles on my own. To earn a rating in this range, bicycles have sustained some wear Not only will they save you 50-80g. I might lose a few watts there, but I reckon I'd get them back in opting for a narrower 36cm bar, anyway. One important note before I dive into my ride impressions: The SL7 is legitimately better than the SL6; however, the SL7 feels a lot like that SL6. scale. the frame and wheels will have cosmetic scuffs, scratches, and/or You can get lighter pedals, saddle, seat-post, handlebars/stem. With those changes made, I reckon the Tarmac SL7 would be just about a perfect 10/10. The aero claims seem to measure up: It punches through the low 20s into the mid to higher 20s with ease. This model is 1,000 more expensive (later increased to 2,000 more), so it's fair to say that price has been hiked beyond inflation. Pitting this bike against the clock, I decided to test it on my local sporting time trial course. Personally, I'd preference the eTap model since Shimano's flagship groupset is due an update really and eTap gives you wireless, 12-speed shifting. Again, I want to stress that all these impressions are based on evaluating the Tarmac exclusively through the lens of a pavement-centric, UCI-legal, race bike. To bring the Tarmac up to date with current trends, Specialized gave it an aero facelift, optimising the seatstays, forks, seatpost and cockpit.