New Spec Tarmac SL6

[rnhood]

It looks pretty good to me, and I like the write up on it. In particular, it will take 30mm tires now (rim brake). Seems to me they are keeping things current, and their tweaks are generally spot on the money. Yes, it's lighter, but aren't they all now. I will be interested in reading the real world (that means us) ride reports when they start coming in, perhaps later this summer. Will need another year or so for the trickle down to take effect on lower end models.

https://cdn-cyclingtips.pressidium.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2018-Specialized-Tarmac-feature.jpg

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/07/2018-specialized-s-works-tarmac-sl6-first-look/

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/men/bikes/road/performance/tarmac

[beeatnik]

Laterally stiff and vertically compliant.

Serio.

[thwart]

http://images.45cat.com/jefferson-airplane-white-rabbit-1967-14.jpg

;)

[mjb266]

Kinda looks like a Pinarello F8

[rnhood]

I was going to say BMC look alike. I guess they all kind of look similar nowadays. Very competitive marketplace. And very overpriced.

[beeatnik]

Kidding aside, it's a great race bika.

[Mzilliox]

Let's start me a go fundy and I'll give everyone a real world review.

For carbon it's pretty hot. I'd try it

[rnhood]

Mine is still hot (to me), and it's a 2010 model. But I'm thinking it's probably time for a new bike, since mine has 60k miles now. It's brought me a lot of happy years.

[54ny77]

nice! i'm still enjoying my sl2 with 10 speed, which is probably 600% less stiff and compliant than the sl6, but still, it was good enough for tom boonen to win a few races on it. :D

i have zero need for a new bike, but if i did, i wouldn't blink at getting a new or used tarmac right off the shelf and ride it the next morning.

[IJWS]

I haven't had any interest in s Spec in a long long time, (anyone remember the Kawasaki Green M5's from '99?), but this is a great-looking bike for a Specialized. Would ride.

[John H.]

Haters can get in line to have Ben and his medical staff fit you up for aModoMio.

[ultraman6970]

BMC was the 1st company I remember that started making those super short rear ends, wonder when they are going to sue them for stealing their designs :P

[sandyrs]

Haters can get in line to have Ben and his medical staff fit you up for aModoMio.

What if I hate both?

[dustyrider]

Why not a direct mount rear brake under the chain stays? Clearly a marginal gain has been missed in this design... :)

[54ny77]

Then think of all the money you'll save!

What if I hate both?

[dbnm]

English just posted this on instagram.

This is their bike from 2012.

[beeatnik]

Tarmac is better.

[Mzilliox]

Tarmac is better.

You've ridden both?

[R3awak3n]

Tarmac is better.

Never (:

[ultraman6970]

Because if they do it will look 100% exactly like Mr English bike? English can make a lot of money here I think...

Why not a direct mount rear brake under the chain stays? Clearly a marginal gain has been missed in this design... :)

[beeatnik]

You've ridden both?

For 6.5W/Kg, 135 pound climbers and 1800W Pro Tour sprinters, the Tarmac is better. As it should be, since it was designed for those riders.

The English was designed for a guy in Portland (or MA or OK or TX).

[velotrack]

my 2015 tarmac pro is an incredible bike to ride. i don't doubt the sl6 is better.

[Pelican]

Anyone want to buy my SL3 S-Works Tarmac? Been hanging in the rafters for last four years. I don't think they're actually calling this an SL6 are they?

Anyone else laughing at the "all-new gender-neutral geometry" marketing speak? They just don't want to pay for the molds!

[ultraman6970]

Smart move, so now finally they are recognizing that female frames was just a scam to ask more money? :P

[Cicli]

I just barely like the looks of the older Tarmac although mine is easilly the best riding bike I have ever owned. Not too sure I like the looks of the seat stays being lower on the seat tube.
I am sure its nice though.

[54ny77]

I wonder if the new SL6 has as beefy a down tube as my SL2. It's already carne asada-sized. If it's any porkier, would that make it carnitas-sized?

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_3077.jpg

[EDS]

That new Specialized looks great.

[Elefantino]

That's a good-looking Merida.

[Drmojo]

http://images.45cat.com/jefferson-airplane-white-rabbit-1967-14.jpg

;)

Made my day!
Thanks

[T.J.]

English can make a lot of money here I think...

Make money ? I am assuming you are basing that off the dropped seat stays ? My Giant is a couple years old , has the dropped seat stays. Yes they do look similar but most all bikes do

[azrider]

I for one am pleased to see such big mfg making wider tires work on their 'race' bikes.

But as for bike itself, looks like pretty sweet no-nonsense fast bike to me

[Pschnei3]

Has anybody got a discount on this frame or is everybody paying full retail?

[Bostic]

A cyclist on my Strava feed just got one. Way tricked out with the Lightweight wheels, the works (rimshot). I'd like to test ride one. I have yet to ride a bike that climbs better than the Tarmac SL2 comp I had before giving it to my brother in law. My Camo Venge accelerates much better but on long climbs that Tarmac, I miss it!

[Pschnei3]

Been calling shops all around and they are saying December delivery on these frame sets.

[doomridesout]

This is going to be my $2500 race bike with Ultegra when this model trickles down to lower price points. I'm into it much more than past Tarmac models.

[shovelhd]

I for one am pleased to see such big mfg making wider tires work on their 'race' bikes.

But as for bike itself, looks like pretty sweet no-nonsense fast bike to me

The Tarmac was always a road racing bike/frameset, designed for road racing. Why would anyone want 30mm tires on a road racing frameset? Isn't it too aggressive a geometry for gravel? Or is this just a response to what riders think they want?

[radsmd]

Just saw it at the new Specialized store in Costa Mesa.

Meh...

Sure it's a nice bike, but so many nice bikes out there with a more character. But I don't race.

[John H.]

I set a guy up on one last week.

It is a nice bike- His was 14.5 lb. with heavier deep clinchers, 12.7 lb. with his light tubulars (both weighed with pedals).

Bike will fit a true 28mm tire- it will not fit a "fatty" like a Conti GP4000 II in 28mm.

Like other Tarmacs it is a low stack bike- Works well for racing posture and a good amount of drop- not so much for moderate to minimal bar drop.

[azrider]

The Tarmac was always a road racing bike/frameset, designed for road racing. Why would anyone want 30mm tires on a road racing frameset? Isn't it too aggressive a geometry for gravel? Or is this just a response to what riders think they want?

Ha. Could be a little of that.

I 'personally' would like to cram a 30mm tire onto my race bike for winter training when my rides sometimes go to really crappy road surfaces, and canal rides which are super hard packed dirt/rock. Now, can I accomplish this on 28's........probably, but in my mind I'm CONVINCED a 30mm would make allllll the difference. YMMV

:p

[sparky33]

Tarmac (and SuperSix Evo) riders I know all remark on how enjoyable the ride is. It is uniquely consistent commentary among avid riders on carbon bikes from what I can tell. I would definitely give the Tarmac a chance.

That it fits 30s is a bonus. Fat road tires are fun sometimes, and not everyone needs a different bike for that.

Like other Tarmacs it is a low stack bike- Works well for racing posture and a good amount of drop- not so much for moderate to minimal bar drop.
Praise be^. Good news for people who fit on bikes this way. Seems low stack is a hard thing to find off the shelf these days.

[John H.]

Based on my measurements a 30mm tire might be a big ask on a new Tarmac-

Might fit, but I bet the littlest bit of debris will make it rub at the fork and back of seat tube-

Tarmac (and SuperSix Evo) riders I know all remark on how enjoyable the ride is. It is uniquely consistent commentary among avid riders on carbon bikes from what I can tell. I would definitely give the Tarmac a chance.

That it fits 30s is a bonus. Fat road tires are fun sometimes, and not everyone needs a different bike for that.


Praise be^. Good news for people who fit on bikes this way. Seems low stack is a hard thing to find off the shelf these days.

[sparky33]

Based on my measurements a 30mm tire might be a big ask on a new Tarmac-

Might fit, but I bet the littlest bit of debris will make it rub at the fork and back of seat tube-

hmmm. what is it with optimistic clearance specs these days?... 3T Aero Road (http://granfondo-cycling.com/brand-new-3t-strada-their-new-aero-road-bike/)overstated as well.

[earlfoss]

That's a beaut. I really don't care for the brand and the bad headlines they seem to generate every year or so, but I dig the look of that ride.