The best race bikes on test: The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL 8
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A prime example of a race all-rounder: With the launch of its predecessor, Specialized discontinued the Venge aero bike in 2020 and provided professionals with just one bike for all stage profiles. Specialized managed the balancing act of good aerodynamics and low weight so well with the improved SL 8 in 2023 that the competition was left scratching their heads. In the overall TOUR rating, it has now been overtaken by new models from Canyon and Scott, but not overtaken, and is therefore still one of the best.
Lab test: Specialised S-Works Tarmac
The Tarmac scores points above all with its sensationally low weight. The 723 grams we weighed for the frame (fork: 383 grams) refer to the very delicately painted black version, which is only available as a frame set for self-assembly. The colour-painted standard bikes, identically equipped, should only be slightly heavier than 6.6 kilograms. There are faster, but hardly lighter racers on the market. The bike is more streamlined than it appears at first glance. At 209 watts, it competes directly with much more expansive designs from Cube or Pinarello. Added to this are the well-sprung seat post and completely uncritical stiffness values.
The practical test of the S-Works aero road bike
As well-tuned as a Michelin-starred chef's dish: not too directional, not too nervous; the seating position is sporty, but not extreme. The chassis is firm, but sufficiently comfortable and with road-holding like a sports car. You won't find any weak points on this bike, even while riding.
Our conclusion
Of course, the S-Works is expensive, but not exorbitantly so, it ranks alongside the bikes of other well-known brands. Unfortunately, this is probably appropriate for the performance. The simpler versions are less attractive: These have heavier frames and are comparatively expensive in terms of equipment: the entry-level model is an SL 8 weighing just under eight kilos with SRAM Rival for a hefty 6,500 euros.
Facts & figures about the Specialised S-Works Tarmac
- Price: 14,500 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.6 kilos
- Aerodynamics: 209 watts
- Frame sizes: 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size bolded)
- TOUR grade: 1.5 (TOUR test winner)
Geometry data
- Seat/top/head tube: 495/565/159 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 574/389 millimetres/1.48
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 611/572 millimetres/1.07
- Wheelbase/caster: 990/60 millimetres
Equipment of the racing bike
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t., PM) | Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t., PM) Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: S-Works Turbo RapidAir 26 mm (eff.: 27 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Roval Rapide CLX II
- Impeller weights: 1136/1438 grams (front/rear)
Measured values of the Specialised
- Weight of complete wheel: 6550 grammes | Grade: 1.3
- Air resistance: 209 Watt | Grade: 1.7
- Front stiffness: 9.2 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 61 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 156 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Comfort front: 118 N/mm | Grade: 3.3
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Very light, top marks in all key disciplines
- Minus: expensive
The 13 racers in the comparison
How TOUR tests
Weight (25 per cent of the overall grade): The weighed complete wheel weight in the standardised test wheel size of 56-57 centimetres counts for the evaluation. However, we also show the wheel weights for orientation purposes. The grading scale is designed so that the physical effect of weight and aerodynamics on the average speed is comparable for an average route profile of 1000 metres in altitude per 100 kilometres. For orientation: The aerodynamic optimisation of the bike can compensate for up to almost four kilograms of weight on such a route. Simultaneous top marks in weight AND aerodynamics are mutually exclusive, but there are racing bikes that find a very good compromise. If the route is more hilly than our reference route, weight becomes more important; if the route is flatter, aerodynamics become more important.
Air resistance (25 per cent): Dynamically measured in the wind tunnel, with TOUR dummy, rotating wheels, moving legs and over a wide range of flow angles. Summarised to an aerodynamic grade for typical environmental conditions.
Front stiffness (10 per cent): Important parameter for steering precision and confidence in the bike at high speeds, determined in the TOUR laboratory. The overall stiffness is determined on the fully assembled frame set, i.e. including the fork. The stiffness values are capped. The aim is not an infinitely stiff frame, but one that is sufficiently stable to ride.
Bottom bracket stiffness (10 per cent): Reveals how much the frame yields under hard pedalling, for example when sprinting. This measurement also takes place in the TOUR laboratory, with realistic clamping, in which the frame can deform as if it were being ridden.
Rear comfort (10 per cent): A measure of compliance under road shocks, measured in the TOUR laboratory. A suspension travel is measured when the seatpost is loaded. The measured value correlates very well with the riding impressions and the feeling of comfort. Good marks also mean decent riding dynamics, which have a positive effect on speed on poor roads.
Comfort Front (5 per cent): The deformation of the handlebars under load is determined in the same way as the rear. A good score means a lot of suspension comfort, which takes the strain off your hands on long rides. However, strong sprinters who want a lot of stiffness should look for stiff handlebars.
Switching (5 per cent): The shifting characteristics are determined in the driving test. It is not the price or the quality impression of individual components that is assessed, but exclusively the function of the entire gearbox. For example, the cable routing, the quality of the cables and the mounted chain also play a role.
Brakes (5 per cent): As with shifting, the test on the road also counts here, and the experience from our countless tests of brakes is also incorporated into the assessment. It is not the component itself that is evaluated, but the function of the interaction between brake body, pads, rims or discs and cables as well as cable routing: How well can the brakes be modulated? How durable are the brakes, how long are the braking distances?
tyres (5 percent): Rolling resistance and grip are evaluated - as far as known from one of our independent tyre tests or on the basis of driving impressions.
The overall score is calculated arithmetically from the individual scores weighted differently (percentages in brackets). It primarily expresses the sporting qualities of the bike.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
