0
Your Profile
Your Basket 0
Your Offers 0
Continue Shopping
Checkout
To improve your shopping experience today and in the future, this site uses cookies.
Read our full Privacy Policy & Cookie information here
I Accept Cookies

Specialized Tarmac

Collections Specialized Tarmac

Rider on a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 road bike

The fastest Tarmac family ever

The new S-Works Tarmac SL9 leads the range, with proven SL8 and SL7 models continuing the Tarmac race bike story.

The Specialized Tarmac is one of the most successful road race bike platforms ever created. From WorldTour victories to fast club rides and demanding sportives, the Tarmac family combines aerodynamic efficiency, low weight and race-proven handling to help riders perform at their best.

The new S-Works Tarmac SL9 now leads the range as Specialized's fastest road bike ever, while the proven Tarmac SL8 continues across Pro, Expert and Comp models. Completing the line-up, the Tarmac SL7 Sport offers an accessible introduction to one of cycling's most celebrated race bike families.

Whether you're chasing podiums, personal bests or simply looking for an exceptionally fast road bike, this guide will help you compare the latest Tarmac models and choose the one that's right for your riding.

Meet the all-new S-Works Tarmac SL9

The fastest road bike Specialized has ever made.

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 road bike

The new S-Works Tarmac SL9 builds on everything riders loved about the SL8 while taking performance another step forward. Rather than chasing a single headline number, Specialized focused on reducing real-world Time to Finish, creating the fastest race bike they have ever produced.

Lowest Time to Finish

Engineered to reduce overall race time across real courses, terrain and riders.

4 Watts Faster

New aerodynamic shaping delivers a measurable performance gain over the Tarmac SL8.

687g FACT 12r Frame

One of the lightest aero road frames ever produced, without compromising stiffness.

Flow Fork & Win Fin

New aerodynamic features improve airflow while maintaining the balanced ride feel of the SL8.

Currently available as S-Works models with SRAM RED AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. The Tarmac SL8 continues across Pro, Expert and Comp models, while the Tarmac SL7 Sport remains the entry point to the family.

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 road bike

The Fastest Yet

The all-new S-Works Tarmac SL9 introduces Flow Fork, Win Fin and Flow State Design to deliver the lowest real-world Time to Finish of any Specialized road bike.

Specialized Tarmac SL8 road bike in action

Race-Proven Performance

The proven Tarmac SL8 remains at the heart of the range, combining lightweight efficiency, aerodynamic performance and WorldTour-winning race pedigree.

Rider cornering on a Specialized Tarmac road bike

Confidence at Speed

Every Tarmac is engineered to inspire confidence, with Rider-First Engineering delivering balanced handling, responsive acceleration and precise cornering across every frame size.

Key features across the Specialized Tarmac family

Every Tarmac is built around the same goal—helping riders reach the finish line faster. From the accessible SL7 Sport through the proven SL8 range to the new S-Works SL9, each model combines race-proven engineering with outstanding real-world performance.

Across the Tarmac family

Race-Proven Geometry

Developed through years of WorldTour racing to balance climbing efficiency, descending confidence and explosive acceleration.

Rider-First Engineering

Every frame size is individually tuned to deliver consistent stiffness, handling and ride quality across the entire range.

Performance Carbon Frames

FACT carbon construction keeps weight low while delivering the stiffness and responsiveness expected from a race bike.

Electronic & Mechanical Drivetrains

Choose from Shimano 105, Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS drivetrains depending on model, performance requirements and budget.

Modern Road Capability

Disc brakes and generous tyre clearance deliver confident braking, improved comfort and excellent grip across a wide range of road conditions.

New for the S-Works Tarmac SL9

Lowest Time to Finish

Developed using Specialized's most advanced race simulation programme to reduce overall race time rather than chasing individual performance metrics.

4 Watts Faster

Refined aerodynamics throughout the front and rear of the bike deliver measurable efficiency gains over the Tarmac SL8.

Flow Fork & Win Fin

Completely redesigned aerodynamic features improve airflow around the bike while maintaining the balanced ride quality riders expect from a Tarmac.

687g FACT 12r Frame

Flow State Design creates one of the lightest aero road frames ever produced, without compromising stiffness or handling precision.

Time to Finish: the only metric that matters

Winning is not just about having the lightest frame or the lowest drag figure in isolation. The Tarmac SL9 was developed around one clear objective: helping riders reach the finish line faster across real courses, terrain and race conditions.

Specialized calls this Time to Finish. It combines aerodynamics, weight, handling, stiffness and compliance into one real-world performance measure, so the bike is faster where it actually matters.

The result is a race bike designed to turn more of your effort into speed, whether you are climbing, attacking, descending or holding position deep into a fast ride.

Female rider racing on a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 road bike

Engineered for real-world speed

Every bike in the Specialized Tarmac family is designed around the same philosophy: the fastest bike is the one that performs brilliantly everywhere. Aerodynamics, low weight, responsive handling and rider comfort all work together to help you ride faster over real roads and real race courses.

While the new S-Works Tarmac SL9 pushes performance even further with its latest aerodynamic innovations, the proven SL8 and SL7 models continue to deliver the balanced ride characteristics that have made the Tarmac one of the most successful road race bikes ever created.

Whether you're sprinting for the finish, climbing mountain passes or spending long days in the saddle, every Tarmac is engineered to convert more of your effort into forward speed.

Remco Evenepoel out of the saddle effort on the Specialized Tarmac SL8 race bike

What changes as you move up the range?

The Tarmac family now spans three generations of Specialized's race bike platform. The SL7 Sport remains the accessible entry point, the SL8 continues as the heart of the performance range, and the all-new S-Works SL9 introduces Specialized's latest aerodynamic and lightweight innovations.

ModelFrameHighlights
S-Works Tarmac SL9FACT 12rThe flagship race bike featuring the new Flow Fork, Win Fin, Flow State Design, a 687g FACT 12r frame, Roval Rapide CLX III wheels and SRAM RED AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrains.
Tarmac SL8 ProFACT 10rLightweight SL8 frame with Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Force AXS drivetrains and aerodynamic Roval Rapide CL carbon wheels.
Tarmac SL8 ExpertFACT 10rPerformance-focused build with Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Rival AXS electronic shifting and Roval C38 carbon wheels.
Tarmac SL8 CompFACT 10rThe most accessible SL8 model, available with SRAM Rival AXS or Shimano 105 Di2 electronic drivetrains and DT Swiss R470 alloy wheels.
Tarmac SL7 SportFACT 10r SL7An excellent introduction to the Tarmac family, pairing the proven SL7 carbon frame with Shimano 105 mechanical shifting and outstanding all-round race performance.

Looking beyond the Tarmac? Discover our complete range of Specialized road bikes and compare endurance, aero and all-round performance models.

Specialized Tarmac FAQs

Need help choosing the right Tarmac? You can also read our road bike guide.

What is new on the Specialized Tarmac SL9?

The S-Works Tarmac SL9 introduces Specialized's latest road race technology, including Flow Fork, Win Fin, Flow State Design and a 687g FACT 12r carbon frame. Specialized says the SL9 is 4 watts faster than the SL8 and is designed around reducing real-world Time to Finish.

Is the Tarmac SL9 replacing the Tarmac SL8?

Not across the whole range yet. At launch, only the S-Works models move to the new SL9 platform. Pro, Expert and Comp models continue to use the proven Tarmac SL8 frame, while the Sport model remains based on the Tarmac SL7 platform.

What is Time to Finish?

Time to Finish is Specialized's way of measuring real-world race performance. Rather than focusing only on frame weight or aerodynamic drag, it looks at how aerodynamics, weight, stiffness, handling and comfort work together to help a rider reach the finish line faster.

What is the difference between Tarmac SL7, SL8 and SL9?

The Tarmac SL7 Sport is the accessible entry point into the Tarmac family. The Tarmac SL8 is the current platform for Comp, Expert and Pro models, combining low weight, aerodynamics and proven race handling. The S-Works Tarmac SL9 is the new flagship, with updated aero shaping, Flow Fork, Win Fin and a lighter 687g FACT 12r frame.

Which Tarmac model should I choose?

Choose the S-Works Tarmac SL9 if you want the latest flagship race bike. Choose the SL8 Pro or Expert if you want high-level performance with electronic shifting and carbon wheels. Choose the SL8 Comp for the most accessible route into the SL8 platform, or the SL7 Sport if you want a more affordable Tarmac with Shimano 105 mechanical shifting.

Shop the Specialized Tarmac family

Compare the complete Specialized Tarmac range, from the accessible Tarmac SL7 Sport through the proven Tarmac SL8 Pro, Expert and Comp models to the all-new S-Works Tarmac SL9. Find the race bike that's right for your riding, racing and ambitions.
Add
Coupons
Available

You may also be interested in…