2023 SPECIALIZED ROAD BIKE RANGE: SPECS AND REVIEWS
S-Works Tarmac SL8
Specialized's top level all-rounder
Frame weight: ~685g (56cm)
Fork weight: ~358g
Bike weight: 6.8kg (Dura Ace Di2 R9200 - Size 56cm)
Frame material:
S-Works Fact 12r Carbon
Bottom bracket: 68mm wide ISO (BSA) shell threaded bottom bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
S-WORKS TARMAC SL8 REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Aero qualities
- Lightweight frame/bike (only 685g claimed weight)
- Racy and punchy – high performance and speed in any situation
- High spec level (however this time does not include a ceramic bottom bracket like the SL7 which is preferred)
- Very stiff under power – feels efficient with excellent power transfer
- Reactive acceleration
- Excellent handling
- Perception of being able to hold high speeds with ease
- Unaffected by cross winds
- Aesthetics
- Comfortable
Cons
- Super high price
- Component options/sizes are not customizable if purchased online
S-Works Tarmac SL7
Specialized's former top level all-rounder
Frame weight: ~800g (56cm)
Bike weight: 6.8kg (Dura Ace Di2 - Size 52cm)
Frame material:
S-Works Fact 12r Carbon
Bottom bracket: 68mm wide ISO (BSA) shell threaded bottom bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
S-WORKS TARMAC SL7 REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Aero qualities
- Lightweight (especially for a disc frame)
- Racy and punchy – high performance and speed in any situation
- High spec level
- Excellent finish – aesthetics
- Great and balanced handling
- Unaffected by cross winds
- Very Stiff
- Cockpit compatibility
- Feels efficient/excellent power transfer
- Comfortable
Cons
- Super high price
- Wheels aren’t tubeless compatible
- Two reviewers found that it can be a little uncomfortable on very long rides (slightly more so compared to the Tarmac SL6)
S-Works Aethos
Specialized's ultra lightweight bike
Frame weight: ~585g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 5.95kg (Dura Ace Di2 - Size 52cm)
Frame material: S-Works Fact 12r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 49-61cm
S-WORKS AETHOS REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Exceptionally light frame and bike
- Traditional aesthetics
- Super ride quality
- Long term maintenance is easy (threaded bottom bracket)
- Very comfortable
- Balanced handling
- Quick acceleration
- Stiffness to weight ratio
- Paint finish with understated branding
- Very fast on the climbs
- Really fun to ride
Cons
- Super high price
- No aero advantage
- Wheels aren’t tubeless compatible
S-Works Roubaix
Specialized's top level bike for comfort and the cobbles
Frame weight: ~900g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 7.27kg (SRAM Red eTap - Size 56cm)
Frame material: S-Works Fact 11r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
S-WORKS ROUBAIX REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Handling
- Feels fast
- Bike specs
- Lightweight
- Capable on different terrain
- Performance – nipping at the heels of the tarmac
- Adjustability/versatility at the turn of a dial
- Well thought through concept
Cons
- Price
- Seat post clamp and Future Shock 2.0 don’t fit the picture in terms of aesthetics
- No mudguard mounts
S-Works Shiv TT Disc
Specialized's speed machine for racing against the clock
Frame material: S-Works Fact 11r Carbon
Bottom bracket: BSA threaded
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: XS-L
Specialized Tarmac SL8
Frame weight: ~780g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 7.44kg (SRAM Force eTap AXS - Size 56cm)
Frame material: Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
Tarmac SL7
Frame weight: ~920g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 7.6kg (SRAM Force eTap AXS 1x - Size 52cm)
Frame material: Tarmac Sl7 Fact 10r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
SPECIALIZED TARMAC SL7 REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Cornering is predictable and responsive
- Comfortable
- Very stiff
- Small aero advantage
- Good value frameset (compared to the cost of an S-Works Tarmac SL7 frameset – the difference is that the S-Works frameset has a higher grade of carbon and is 120g lighter)
- Threaded bottom bracket
- Aesthetics
- Clean/integrated cockpit
- Great performance
Cons
- Price
Aethos Pro
Frame weight: ~699g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 6.66kg (Ultegra Di2 without pedals - Size 52cm)
Frame and fork material: Aethos Fact 10r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 49-61cm
SPECIALIZED AETHOS PRO REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Incredible ride
- Excellent stiffness
- Low weight
- Perfect handling
- Gets most of the tech from the S-Works Aethos
- Acceleration
- Aesthetics – especially the paintwork in the sunlight
Cons
- Price
- Doesn’t come with a power meter
Roubaix
Bike weight: 8.04kg (Ultegra Di2 - Size 56cm)
Frame material: Fact 10r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-64cm
SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX EXPERT and ROUBAIX COMP REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Future Shock works really well – really smooth ride
- Ride quality is perfectly balanced
- Ride performance
- Good specs
- Paint job
- Frame quality
- Handling unaffected by rough roads at speed
- Versatile – works well on rough or smooth roads
Cons
- Price
- The Future Shock adjuster can ‘bounce’/break fairly easily if you aren’t careful
- Heavy wheels detract from the frame
Tarmac SL6
Bike weight: 8.33kg (Ultegra - Size 58cm)
Frame material: Fact 9r Carbon
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Disc
Sizes: 44-61cm
SPECIALIZED SL6 COMP and SL6 SPORT REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Handling
- Quality ride/performance
- Balanced
- Feels fast and highly responsive
- Aesthetics
- Comfortable
Cons
- Price
- There are other, better value bikes for the money – the specs could be of a higher level for the price
Allez Elite
Frame weight: ~g (Size 56cm)
Bike weight: 6.82kg (SRAM Force Etap AXS - Size 56cm)
Frame material: E5 Premium Aluminum
Bottom bracket: Threaded Bottom Bracket
Brakes: Rim
Sizes: 44-61cm
Other models
SPECIALIZED ALLEZ ELITE and ALLEZ REVIEW SUMMARY
Pros
- Great frameset
- Excellent ride quality
- Versatile/all-round endurance geometry
- Shimano Claris offers quality shifting
- Very good tubeless-ready wheelset (Specialized Axis Sport wheels)
- Stable ride
- Full carbon fork
- Easily upgradeable components and drive-chain/non-disc
Cons
- Bike is a little heavy
- Fork doesn’t have much mudguard/tyre clearance
- Budget brakes
