{"id":52926,"date":"2023-08-06T16:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-06T14:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=742123"},"modified":"2023-08-06T16:35:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T14:35:45","slug":"faster-lighter-stiffer-and-more-compliant-specialized-tarmac-sl8-officially-breaks-cover","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/faster-lighter-stiffer-and-more-compliant-specialized-tarmac-sl8-officially-breaks-cover\/","title":{"rendered":"Faster, lighter, stiffer and more compliant Specialized Tarmac SL8 officially breaks cover"},"content":{"rendered":"

New SL8 with ‘Speed Sniffer’ head tube unveiled at World Championships <\/p>

By Ashley Quinlan\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 06 August 2023 at 14:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Specialized has finally unveiled the new Tarmac SL8 on the day of the men\u2019s road race at the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.<\/p>\n

The new bike features an elongated head tube, called the \u2018Speed Sniffer\u2019, among a host of other tweaks aimed at making the Tarmac SL8 the fastest road bike it has ever produced.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the geometry remains unchanged compared to the Tarmac SL7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

An S-Works Tarmac SL8 Fact 12r carbon frame is claimed to weigh 685g in a size 56cm, while the second-tier Fact 10r carbon frames are said to weigh 780g.<\/p>\n

The new bike will cost as much as \u00a312,000\/$14,000\/\u20ac14,000\/AU$19,900 for the S-Works model, while the second-tier Tarmac SL8 Pro is priced at \u00a38,000\/$8,500\/\u20ac8,500\/AU$11,900. The Tarmac SL8 Expert costs \u00a36,000\/$6,500\/\u20ac6,500\/AU$9,400.<\/p>\n

Ashley Quinlan took the new Tarmac SL8 out for a test ride on the morning of the 2023 World Championship men\u2019s road race in Glasgow. You can read his initial findings here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Starting with aero\u2026<\/h2>\n
\"Specialized<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new Tarmac SL8 blends deeper aero-profiled tubes for its leading edges with shallower, rounder tubes behind.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The previous-generation Tarmac SL7 arguably set the trend for modern race bike design, with many brands adopting its all-in-one approach.<\/p>\n

The new SL8 marks an evolution of that design, with an aerodynamic overhaul to the bike\u2019s \u201cleading edges\u201d, which Specialized says makes it \u201c16.6 seconds faster over the fastest aero bike we\u2019ve ever made [the Venge<\/a>]\u201d at 45kph.<\/p>\n

This comes firstly via the new pronounced head tube, which the brand says presents a sharper, more efficient profile to the wind.<\/p>\n

In order to achieve a deeper head tube, Specialized says it\u2019s commonplace for brands to pull the trailing edge back, effectively filling in the gap.<\/p>\n

\"Specialized<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bike\u2019s new \u2018Speed Sniffer\u2019 head tube design is said to help the bike cut a more efficient line through the air.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, wanting to preserve the same geometry and handling characteristics of the SL7 at the behest of riders such as Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering and Kasper Asgreen, Specialized\u2019s forward-extending design is said to improve aero performance while keeping the steerer in the same place relative to the previous bike.<\/p>\n

The head tube is topped with the new Roval Rapide integrated cockpit, which is said to save 4 watts compared to the old two-piece setup used on the SL7. There are 15 options, with bars ranging from 38-44cm wide and 75-135mm stem lengths.<\/p>\n

While the integrated setup is said to be the most efficient, Specialized says the head tube spacers also work neatly with the old two-piece SL7 cockpit (which will be found on some builds), while the bike can be run with any stem fitting a 1-1\/8in steerer.<\/p>\n

Further back, the seat tube has been narrowed to the same width as the SL7\u2019s seatpost, with the new seatpost naturally slimmer again to fit inside.<\/p>\n

This is said to help the \u201cfast moving, dirty\u201d air in this area to pass more efficiently than the previous design, although Specialized doesn\u2019t specify by how much.<\/p>\n

The Aethos influence<\/h2>\n
\"Specialized<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Behind the leading edges, the tubes (like the down tube) are rounder.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Specialized has also addressed the Tarmac SL8 frame\u2019s weight, stiffness and compliance in a bid to improve the bike\u2019s overall speed on varying terrain, using the Aethos<\/a> (the brand\u2019s lightweight road bike) as a starting point.<\/p>\n

Instead of shooting for deeper aero-profiled sections all over the bike, Specialized\u2019s road product manager, Miles Hubbard, says the non-leading edge areas of the bike \u2013 the down tube, seat tube, seatpost and seatstays \u2013 are all purposefully designed to improve the bike\u2019s speed \u201cin the real world\u201d.<\/p>\n

The tube profiles are marginally rounder than the Tarmac SL7, which the brand says makes them lighter and enables them to bear the load of the rider and the forces produced more efficiently.<\/p>\n

On the one hand, an S-Works frame is set to be the lightest widely used frame in the professional peloton, weighing a claimed 685g in a size 56cm.<\/p>\n

\"Specialized<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The S-Works frame comes with the Roval Rapide integrated cockpit launched earlier this year.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, the Fact 10r carbon-framed Tarmac SL8 frames are said to weigh 780g.<\/p>\n

Along with the weight loss (an S-Works Tarmac SL7 frame weighed a claimed 800g), Hubbard says that the Aethos-inspired tube shapes are influential in improving compliance through the saddle by 6 per cent compared to the SL7.<\/p>\n

To cap off the headline claims, Specialized says the bottom bracket, head tube and fork have been stiffened, delivering a net 33 per cent gain in stiffness-to-weight ratio.<\/p>\n

All-in, Specialized says its simulations indicate a pro rider would finish Milan-San Remo 2 minutes, 8 seconds faster than if they were aboard a Tarmac SL7, and would save 20 seconds for a complete ascent and descent of the Tourmalet mountain pass.<\/p>\n

Front-Loading Development<\/h2>\n
\"Demi<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Specialized started its development process by asking Demi Vollering, Remco Evenepoel and Kasper Asgreen what they wanted from an evolution of the Tarmac SL7.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Specialized says the Tarmac SL8 was produced using what it calls a \u201cFront-Loading Development\u201d process.<\/p>\n

Essentially, this involves a cyclical iterative development process, with Specialized\u2019s engineers going back and forth between virtual carbon modelling, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to iterate the design.<\/p>\n

None of these technologies are new, but Specialized says its use of these tools helps its engineers to remove uncertainty from the development process.<\/p>\n

\"Flow<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The final iterations of the new Tarmac SL8 were validated in Specialized\u2019s \u2018Win\u2019 Tunnel.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In turn, the brand says, its prototypes can be physically tested and achieve figures far closer to the numbers its software says they should, helping it to make more definitive steps forward.<\/p>\n

Applied to the Tarmac SL8, Specialized says it started with its Fact 12r carbon material, its Aethos-developed method for lightweight carbon layup, and the new aero-optimised SL8 frame shape. It then iterated until it landed on the figures (it says) the SL8 delivers.<\/p>\n

The brand says the S-Works Tarmac SL8 represents the 55th iteration it trialled, which it claims would have equated to around 5,000 physical prototype samples.<\/p>\n

If it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it<\/h2>\n
\"Remco<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Evenepoel was key in the development of the new Tarmac SL8.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Following requests from the likes of Evenepoel, Vollering and Asgreen, Specialized has stuck almost completely to the same geometry as the Tarmac SL7.<\/p>\n

Only the stack has changed, raised by 10mm as a byproduct of the interaction between the Rapide cockpit and head tube.<\/p>\n

Like the SL7, tyre clearance remains at 32mm, while the bike continues to use a BSA threaded bottom bracket<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Specialized Tarmac SL8 availability, prices and specifications<\/h2>\n

The new Specialized Tarmac SL8 is available in five specifications. Two come with an S-Works Fact 12r frameset, while three have the Fact 10r layup.<\/p>\n

An S-Works Tarmac SL8, built with either Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 or SRAM Red AXS costs \u00a312,000\/$14,000\/\u20ac14,000\/AU$19,900. The Tarmac SL8 Pro (Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 or SRAM Force AXS) costs \u00a38,000\/$8,500\/\u20ac8,500\/AU$11,900, while the Tarmac SL8 Expert (SRAM Rival AXS) is \u00a36,000\/$6,500\/\u20ac6,500\/AU$9,400.<\/p>\n

Framesets are also available for \u00a34,750\/$5,500\/\u20ac5,500\/AU$8,900 and \u00a33,000\/$3,500\/\u20ac4,000\/AU$5,600, respectively.<\/p>\n

Specialized says it encourages dealers to offer free choice of Roval Rapide cockpit at point of purchase, but the specification of 15mm-setback seatpost is fixed (albeit a zero-setback model is available aftermarket).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Specialized is also set to continue selling the Tarmac SL7 frame in a Fact 9r carbon configuration, with prices and full specifications to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Dura-Ace Di2<\/h3>\n
  • Price:<\/strong> \u00a312,000\/$14,000\/\u20ac14,000\/AU$19,900<\/li>\n
  • Frame:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 12r carbon<\/li>\n
  • Fork:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 12r carbon<\/li>\n
  • Groupset:<\/strong> Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200<\/li>\n
  • Power meter:<\/strong> Yes (4iiii)<\/li>\n
  • Wheels:<\/strong> Roval Rapide CLX II<\/li>\n
  • Seatpost:<\/strong> Specialized Tarmac SL8, carbon<\/li>\n<\/ul>

    Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Red AXS<\/h3>\n
    • Price:<\/strong> \u00a312,000\/$14,000\/\u20ac14,000\/AU$19,900<\/li>\n
    • Frame:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 12r carbon<\/li>\n
    • Fork:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 12r carbon<\/li>\n
    • Groupset:<\/strong> SRAM Red AXS<\/li>\n
    • Power meter:<\/strong> Yes<\/li>\n
    • Wheels:<\/strong> Roval Rapide CLX II<\/li>\n
    • Seatpost:<\/strong> Specialized Tarmac SL8, carbon<\/li>\n<\/ul>

      Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2<\/h3>\n
      • Price:<\/strong> \u00a38,000\/$8,500\/\u20ac8,500\/AU$11,900<\/li>\n
      • Frame:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
      • Fork:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
      • Groupset:<\/strong> Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100<\/li>\n
      • Power meter:<\/strong> Yes (4iiii)<\/li>\n
      • Wheels:<\/strong> Roval Rapide CL II<\/li>\n
      • Seatpost:<\/strong> Specialized Tarmac SL8, carbon<\/li>\n<\/ul>

        Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Force AXS<\/h3>\n
        • Price:<\/strong> \u00a38,000\/$8,500\/\u20ac8,500\/AU$11,900<\/li>\n
        • Frame:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
        • Fork:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
        • Groupset:<\/strong> SRAM Force AXS<\/li>\n
        • Power meter:<\/strong> Yes<\/li>\n
        • Wheels:<\/strong> Roval Rapide CL II<\/li>\n
        • Seatpost:<\/strong> Specialized Tarmac SL8, carbon<\/li>\n<\/ul>

          Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert Rival AXS<\/h3>\n
          • Price:<\/strong> \u00a38,000\/$8,500\/\u20ac8,500\/AU$11,900<\/li>\n
          • Frame:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
          • Fork:<\/strong> S-Works Tarmac SL8, Fact 10r carbon<\/li>\n
          • Groupset:<\/strong> SRAM Rival AXS<\/li>\n
          • Power meter:<\/strong> Yes<\/li>\n
          • Wheels:<\/strong> Roval C38<\/li>\n
          • Seatpost:<\/strong> Specialized Tarmac SL8, carbon<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
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