2025 Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 - SRAM Red AXS

Aerodynamics or lightweight alone don’t win races – speed is what matters. Delivering that speed requires creating an uncompromising combination of aerodynamics, lightweight, stiffness, and compliance. Through race simulations using real world data Specialized’s Ride Science team knows the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest race bike ever made on the routes that matter – 16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds faster over Milan San Remo, 20 seconds faster over the legendary Tourmalet climb.

Now, the fastest race bike in the world meets SRAM RED AXS groupset with power meter – the lightest electronic groupset ever – and a Roval Rapide CLX II tubeless-ready wheelset. All S-Works Tarmac SL8 models ship with a Roval Rapide cockpit to save weight and for the fastest possible leading edge.

• AERO IN EVERYTHING: Specialized are putting aero where it matters – the leading edge – not just where it looks good. In the process they’ve created their most aerodynamic road bike ever. Yes, it’s more aero than the Venge. Clean air is optimised for maximum advantage with the Tarmac’s new nose cone – the Speed Sniffer. By moving the steer tube back – the tube that determines head tube width – the leading edge of the head tube can be much sharper, delivering a much lower drag shape. Utilising new UCI rules, the Tarmac SL8 has the narrowest, most aero seat post they’ve ever made ensuring fast moving, dirty air around the legs can flow back more cleanly. Doesn’t victory smell sweet?
• MINIMUM WEIGHT, MAXIMUM AERO: Tarmac SL8 took learnings from Aethos to be easily built at the UCI minimum with a full aero set up. The team delivered a mind bending, scale tickling 685 gram frame – 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than anything on else on the World Tour*. With the ability to make lightweight a top priority in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike lessons from Aethos were applied. The frame’s shape carries load so efficiently that extra carbon stiffness layers become redundant. *Unless of course you count the time Kasper Asgreen raced Specialized’s 585 gram Aethos frame during a Tour stage.
• GOES LIKE HELL, RIDES LIKE HEAVEN: With massive gains in stiffness-to-weight – an improvement of 33% over the SL7 – the Tarmac SL8 takes legendary handling, aggressive responsiveness and World Championship proven geometry to the next level. The bike is stiffer at the pedals, more precise at the bars, and combines it with a compliant ride in the saddle that sets a new benchmark for race bike comfort. Thanks to Specialized’s Rider-First Engineering, every rider, regardless of size, gets the same unprecedented ride quality and handling. In the saddle the Tarmac SL8 delivers 6% more compliance, floating over rough road with a supple feel unique in the high strung world of race bikes. Tarmac’s proven geometry and 32mm tire clearance are identical to the SL7, ensuring easy adaptation and the versatility to run higher volume tyres when needed.
• BEYOND GENDER: There can be more difference between two male cyclists than between a male and female. Gender alone doesn’t provide nearly enough data to specialize and that means creating male or female bikes is arbitrary and outdated. Every rider can get the next level advantage of Tarmac SL8. It’s time to go Beyond Gender.
• S-Works Tarmac SL8 is spec’d with only the best components. A full SRAM RED AXS groupset with power meter – the lightest electronic groupset ever – and a Roval Rapide CLX II tubeless-ready wheelset are the perfect complement to the world’s fastest frame. All S-Works Tarmac SL8 models ship with a Roval Rapide cockpit to save weight and for the fastest possible leading edge.