{"id":66705,"date":"2024-07-10T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/18f5c3f1-2973-4341-91b8-01d0b0618d1c"},"modified":"2024-07-10T19:25:28","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T17:25:28","slug":"remco-evenepoels-custom-specialized-s-works-tarmac-sl8-an-ultra-modern-frame-with-the-oldest-tyres-in-the-peloton","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/remco-evenepoels-custom-specialized-s-works-tarmac-sl8-an-ultra-modern-frame-with-the-oldest-tyres-in-the-peloton\/","title":{"rendered":"Remco Evenepoel\u2019s custom Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 | An ultra-modern frame with the oldest tyres in the peloton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Could the Belgian spring a surprise aboard this custom racing machine? <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 17:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

As the 2024 Tour de France enters its crucial second phase, Remco Evenepoel sits second overall, just over a minute off the race lead.<\/p>

Could the young Belgian, riding his first Tour, spring a surprise on the two hot favourites, Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard<\/a>?<\/p>

Whatever happens, his bike setup won\u2019t be holding him back.<\/p>

At this year\u2019s race, Evenepoel is riding a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8<\/a>. As you\u2019d expect, it has a \u2018no expense spared\u2019 build, with flagship components and an ultra-lightweight (and extremely bling) custom paintjob.<\/p>

It also has a set of tyres that could be the oldest piece of equipment being raced at this year\u2019s Tour.<\/p>

Intrigued? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>

One bike to rule them all<\/h2>
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 is as fast as an aero bike and as light as a climbing bike. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Specialized can arguably be credited with kick-starting the modern trend for all-rounder road racing bikes.<\/p>

An evolution of the Tarmac SL7<\/a> \u2013 that was intended to combine the low weight of a climbing bike<\/a> with the aerodynamic performance of an aero road bike<\/a> \u2013 the Tarmac SL8 doubles down on this no-compromises approach.<\/p>

According to Specialized, the SL8 gained from lessons learned during the development of the S-Works Aethos<\/a>, the American brand\u2019s flyweight climber.<\/p>

Taking inspiration from its tube shapes helped shave a claimed 115g from the frame, resulting in a feathery claimed frame weight of 685g for a painted size-56cm Tarmac SL8 frame.<\/p>

For context, that\u2019s only 100g more than an equivalent S-Works Aethos<\/a> frame, despite the Tarmac having (ostensibly) far superior aerodynamics.<\/p>

\"Remco
The front end of the bike helps make the Tarmac SL8 more aerodynamic than the Venge, according to Specialized. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Despite this weight reduction, Specialized says the Tarmac SL8 is even more aerodynamic than the old S-Works Venge<\/a>, its now defunct aero bike.<\/p>

Specialized says this was achieved by remodelling the frame\u2019s leading edge (or the \u2018speed sniffer\u2019 as Specialized prefers to call it), narrowing the rear of the bike and adding a fully integrated cockpit up front.<\/p>

It also claims the bottom bracket, head tube and fork have been stiffened up, resulting in a net stiffness-to-weight improvement of 33 per cent.<\/p>

Liquid metal paint<\/h2>
\"Remco
You know you’re a star when you start getting signature paintjobs. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Despite being only 24 years old, Evenepoel is an undisputed star of road cycling and, as such, gets treated to handsome custom paintjobs.<\/p>

Not wishing to sacrifice any performance in pursuit of style, though, this latest paintjob is both bling and ultra-lightweight.<\/p>

\"Remco
At its outer edges, the paintjob starts to show flashes of metallic colour. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

According to Specialized, the \u2018liquid metal\u2019 chrome finish was achieved using a technique called \u2018Physical Vapour Deposition\u2019 (PVD), via which the frame and components are covered with vaporised metal inside a vacuum chamber.<\/p>

As a result, Specialized has been able to paint both the frameset and components, such as the seatpost and handlebar, without adding excess weight traditionally associated with a bike\u2019s paintjob<\/a>.<\/p>

\"Remco
Thanks to its low weight, the custom paint extends to the seatpost and cockpit. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

There are hints of colour throughout, too, with red and yellow hues accenting the outer edges of the bike.<\/p>

With its high-gloss finish, it also reflects the colours of everything around it, meaning the effect changes depending on how and where you look at it.<\/p>

\"Belgian
Evenepoel has also used this black and white Tarmac SL8 on mountain stages \u2013 could it have an even lighter paintjob? He also appears to be wearing a set of unreleased S-Works shoes\u2026 – DAVID PINTENS\/BELGA MAG\/AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

All that said, though, it\u2019s possible that even the small amount of weight added by the \u2018liquid metal\u2019 paint was determined to be too much, because we spotted Evenepoel cresting the Galibier aboard a simpler, black and white Tarmac SL8 on stage 4.<\/p>

A flagship team build with classic tyres<\/h2>
\"Remco
Remco Evenepoel’s Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 is equipped with 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Beyond the frameset, Evenepoel\u2019s bike is built up with a mostly team-issue spec.<\/p>

That means a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset<\/a>, with Evenepoel opting for the new \u2018standard\u2019 54\/40t chainrings up front, paired with a wide, 11-34t cassette out back.<\/p>

\"Remco
Evenepoel is using 165mm cranks. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The bike we photographed didn\u2019t have a power meter<\/a>, although Evenepoel has been using Shimano\u2019s FC-R9200-P dual-sided power meter throughout this year\u2019s race.<\/p>

It did have short, 165mm cranks, though. At 1.71m tall, Evenepoel isn\u2019t the tallest rider in the Tour<\/a>, but many pro riders have moved to shorter cranks<\/a> in recent years.<\/p>