Description
The new Tarmac is designed to go fast, there’s no if’s, and’s, or but’s about that—but it represents so much more than just aerodynamic prowess. With a light-weight, Rider-First EngineeredTM frame, it delivers the best-possible ride characteristics, no matter the size. So no matter what you have planned for your new Tarmac, its ready to help you achieve your goals—PRs, KOMs, or podium top-steps. One bike to rule them all. With a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic groupset to keep shifts crisp and fast, and S-Works Turbo 700x26mm tires to keep you rolling fast, this new Tarmac delivers performance at a more palatable price point.
- “Aero is everything”—we’ve been Specialized tarmac sl7 expert specs preaching it for years and it’s still the driving force for the new Tarmac. In our quest for tube shapes that deliver the fastest frame that the UCI rules allow, we took a page out of the Venge development book and utilized our FreeFoil Shape Library. Armed with a library of optimized shapes, we turned to the Win Tunnel to plug these shapes into a modular test bike, for more testing and validation. The result? A new Tarmac that’s the fastest we’ve tested. No compromises, just pure speed.
- While aerodynamics were paramount to the Tarmac’s development, and to the development of all of our race bikes, weight was the co-pilot on this optimal race bike journey. Previously “aero bikes” always compromised in the weight department—the more drag you reduced, the more weight you gained. With the new Tarmac, our design philosophy was to keep it at, or below, the UCI weight limit out of the box, with no sacrifices to aerodynamics. And with the help of the FreeFoil Shape Library, tools like isotopic FEA analysis, and some engineering wizardry by the best engineers in the industry, we delivered.
- Continuing our quest to develop the perfect race bike, we used our Rider-First EngineeredTM philosophy to ensure that the new Tarmac is the most balanced, best handling Tarmac yet—no matter the size. With an army of the world’s best test riders from our three World Tour Teams — Boels-Dolmans, Deceuninck-Quick-Step, and Bora-hansgrohe — we made changes to the Tarmac based on their thousands of kilometers on the road. We balanced the ride quality between the front and rear end, so even the longest days in the saddle continue to be comfortable—all without giving up anything to the Tarmac’s legendary handling and race-winning snappiness.
- Building on the learnings from the Venge, the new Tarmac utilizes simple integration to create a clean, fast cockpit that’s easy to live with. We’ve improved the routing for any configuration — mechanical shifting, traditional stems, round bars, etc. — all while keeping its aerodynamic attributes. These same traits also make the new Tarmac easy to work on and easy to travel with. It’s a win-win.
Technical Specifications
Frameset
- Frame – Tarmac Sl7 Fact 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded Bb, 12x142mm Thru-Axle, Flat-Mount Disc
Suspension
- Fork – Fact Carbon, 12x100mm Thru-Axle, Flat-Mount Disc
Cockpit
- Handlebars – Specialized Expert Shallow Drop, Alloy, 125mm Drop X 75mm Reach
- Saddle – Body Geometry Power Expert
- Stem – Tarmac Integrated Stem, 6-Degree
- Tape – Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
- Seatpost – 2021 S-Works Tarmac Carbon Seat Post, Fact Carbon, 20mm Offset
- Seat Binder – Tarmac Integrated Wedge
Brakes
- Front Brake – Shimano Ultegra R8170, Hydraulic Disc
- Rear Brake – Shimano Ultegra R8170, Hydraulic Disc
Drivetrain
- Shift Levers -Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8170, Hydraulic Disc
- Front Derailleur – Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8150, Braze-On
- Rear Derailleur – Di2 Shimano Ultegra R8150, 12-Speed
- Cassette – Shimano Ultegra, 12-Speed, 11-30t
- Crankset – Shimano Ultegra R8100
- Chainrings – 52/36t
- Bottom Bracket – Shimano Threaded Bsa Bb
- Chain – Shimano Ultegra, 12-Speed
Wheels & Tires
- Front Wheel – Roval C38, 21mm Internal Width Carbon Rim
- Rear Wheel – Roval C38, 21mm Internal Width Carbon Rim
- Front Tire -S-Works Turbo, 120 Tpi, Folding Bead, Blackbelt Protection, 700x26mm
- Rear Tire – S-Works Turbo, 120 Tpi, Folding Bead, Blackbelt Protection, 700x26mm
- Inner Tubes – Turbo Ultralight, 48mm Presta Valve
Kenneth –
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert is a bike that screams speed. It’s a machine built for the discerning cyclist who craves performance and efficiency without breaking the bank. This review will delve into its key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks, ultimately helping you determine if it’s the right ride for you.
Steven –
* **Customization:** The stock build is fantastic, but some riders might desire greater customization options, especially concerning cockpit components and gearing.