S-Works Tarmac SL8 – The World’s Fastest Road Bike
No bike is as fast as the S-Works Tarmac SL8, the result of a perfect blend of aerodynamics, lightweight engineering, and ride quality once thought impossible.
After eight generations and over two decades of innovation, the Tarmac SL8 isn’t just the fastest Tarmac ever built — it’s the fastest race bike in the world. Are your legs ready?
Pure Speed Without Compromise
Aerodynamics alone don’t win races — speed comes from the right balance of aero performance, low weight, stiffness, and compliance.
Thanks to advanced simulations and real-world data from our Ride Science Team, the Tarmac SL8 has been proven to be the fastest race bike across any course:
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16.6 seconds faster over 40 km on flat terrain
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128 seconds faster on the Milano–Sanremo route
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20 seconds faster on the Tourmalet climb
Now available with the new SRAM RED AXS groupset with power meter — the lightest electronic drivetrain ever — paired with Roval Rapide CLX III tubeless-ready wheels and the Roval Rapide integrated cockpit.
The fastest road bike ever just got even faster, thanks to the revolutionary aerodynamic performance of the new Roval Rapide CLX III wheels.
AERODYNAMICS
We’ve applied aerodynamics exactly where it matters most — creating our fastest road bike ever, even more aerodynamic than the Venge.
The front end was optimized for maximum drag reduction: the steerer tube is set behind the head tube’s leading edge, minimizing resistance.
Thanks to updated UCI regulations, we designed our slimmest, most aerodynamic seatpost ever, allowing smoother airflow around the rider’s legs and rear of the bike.
LIGHTWEIGHT
To build the most aerodynamic frame while meeting UCI weight limits, we drew on insights from the Aethos project.
The result? A 685-gram frame, 15% lighter than the SL7 and lighter than any other WorldTour bike.*
By optimizing the down tube, seat tube, and rear triangle, we removed excess material without sacrificing stiffness — every shape is engineered for maximum efficiency.
Except for the time Kasper Asgreen raced a 585g Aethos frame during the Tour de France.
RIDE QUALITY
The Tarmac SL8 delivers a 33% better stiffness-to-weight ratio than the SL7, setting a new benchmark for handling precision and responsiveness.
While power transfer areas are stiffer than ever, the SL8 also absorbs 6% more road vibration, offering unmatched comfort and balance through corners.
It maintains the proven SL7 geometry, with tire clearance up to 32mm, ensuring flexibility for various road conditions.
BEYOND GENDER DIFFERENCES
At Specialized, we design for the rider — not the gender. There are more physical differences between two male riders than between a man and a woman, so the Tarmac SL8 is engineered to fit any athlete seeking ultimate speed and performance. It’s time to move beyond outdated distinctions.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The S-Works Tarmac SL8 comes equipped with:
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SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset with power meter
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Roval Rapide CLX III tubeless-ready wheels
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Integrated Roval Rapide cockpit
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Apple Find My™ technology built into all S-Works and Pro 4iiii power meters, so you’ll always know exactly where your bike is.
Technical Specifications
Frame
S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT 12r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
Fork
S-Works FACT 12r Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
Brakes
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Front Brake: SRAM RED AXS, hydraulic disc
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Rear Brake: SRAM RED E1, hydraulic disc
Drivetrain
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Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68
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Chain: SRAM RED 12-speed
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Crankset: SRAM RED AXS Power Meter 48/35T
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Front Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS, braze-on
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Shifters: SRAM RED AXS, hydraulic disc
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Cassette: SRAM RED XG-1290, 12-speed, 10–33T
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Rear Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS E1
Wheels & Tires
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Front Wheel: Roval Rapide CLX III, Tubeless, 21mm internal width carbon rim, 51mm depth, Win Tunnel Engineered, Roval LF18-F hub, 18h, ARRIS MTO-255 Straight Pull Spokes (Carbon Fiber reinforced BioNylon, Ti end fittings)
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Rear Wheel: Roval Rapide CLX III, Tubeless, 21mm internal width carbon rim, 48.5mm depth, Win Tunnel Engineered, Roval LF19-R hub, 24h, ARRIS MTO-255 Straight Pull Spokes (Carbon Fiber reinforced BioNylon, Ti end fittings)
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Front Tire: S-Works Turbo TLR Race Tire, 700x28C
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Rear Tire: S-Works Turbo TLR Race Tire, 700x28C
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Tubes: Standard 80mm PV
Cockpit
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Handlebar: Roval Rapide Cockpit, integrated bar/stem
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Saddle: S-Works Power with Mirror
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Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon, FACT Carbon, 15mm offset
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Bar Tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
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Seat Binder: Tarmac integrated wedge
Product Details