Used bike purchase guide: specialized tarmac
In this Article
Posted on October 11, 2021
What tarmac should you choose?
Launched in 2004, the Specialized Tarmac has been created to be a pure road racing bike, suitable for arduous climbs. It is light, rigid and responsive. Professionals have used the tarmac to win victories in all major towers in the overall and step rankings.
A little history
The original tarmac was distinguished by its arched upper tube. Originally, specialized has made this half aluminum tube and half carbon fiber, in order to combine the rigidity of aluminum with the lightness of the carbon, but specialized has decided to move to the full carbon after the end of barely a year. SPECIALIZED also fully integrated the bike and added backbases specific to the size of the bike.
The Cycling Legend Tom Boonen has helped develop the early versions of the tarmac to meet the criteria of the highest road race levels.
Specialized has started by creating its Rider-First Engineered ™ technology, which ensures that all bicycle sizes have the same performance. The engineers then designed custom heaven for each size and added flexible inserts that reinforce and alleviate the frame.
In 2015, SPECIALIZED introduced the disc brakes to bring the tarmac into the modern era of road bike technology. This generation also has a new fork and more aerodynamic features. In 2019, SPECIALIZED introduced a new female version of the tarmac.
Today, the last Tarmac SL7 is still rigid, responsive and lightweight, but also comfortable enough so you can ride all day. In addition, it is exceptionally aerodynamic, replacing outgoing vengeful bike, making it the ultimate versatile bike.
Tarmac's chronology
2004-2007 : Specialized presents its race bike on the mid-aluminum / mid-carbon road, with an arched upper tube that will remain virtually the same until 2015. The company goes into a fully carbon frame in 2005 and creates a geometry and a geometry and one Construction of specific frame at each size.
2008-2014 : SPECIALIZED creates new stays and launches a more modern construction method, namely the use of silicone mandrels. These flexible inserts provide lighter and stronger frame sections. Aerodynamics has also been revised.
2015-2018 : The tarmac is offered with disc brakes for the first time in 2015 and with size specific forks to perfect the direction. Specialized redraws the oblique tube, makes the flat top tube and add more aerodynamic features.
2019-2021 : The Tarmac SL6 is launched in 2019. In 2021, the Tarmac SL7 replaces the SL6 as well as the aerodynamics Specialized Venge to become the main road race bike of the brand.
Different constructions
Whatever the version of the tarmac you choose, you will get a light, fast and responsive bike. Here are some of our favorite tarmac.
SPECIALIZED S-WORKS TARMAC SL4 - 2014
This version is lighter than the previous ones but with increased rigidity. The cables are fully integrated, the S-Works Fact fork is fully carbon with conical construction and Shimano Dura-Ace components.
SPECIALIZED TARMAC PRO ULTEGRA DI2 - 2017
This high-end frame with hydraulic disc brakes is also equipped with Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic speed change. The FACT 10R carbon frame and the solid carbon S-Works fork with conical construction offer rigidity and reactive direction. This tarmac also received some aerodynamic modifications, like lowered heaven.
SPECIALIZED S-WORKS TARMAC SAGAN SUPERSTAR - 2018
The frame made with the new carbon component FACT 12R, has allowed Specialized to lose 200 grams at Sagan Superstar. It also has lowered heaven and a new shape of saddle tube. The superstar has a clearing of tires up to 30mm.
SPECIALIZED TARMAC SL6 - 2019
Specialized has applied the latest aerodynamic innovations to the SL6. In fact, it is more aerodynamic than the first version of the Venge - the high performance bike of specialized. But it is also comfortable enough to face paved and difficult routes.
SPECIALIZED TARMAC SL7 - 2021
The new tarmac is the ultimate racing machine. It weighs less than 6.8 kg and is so aerodynamic that it is supposed to be 45 seconds faster than the SL6 over a distance of 40 km. It is more comfortable than previous models, exists in seven different frame sizes and can accommodate 32 mm tires.
Conclusion
If you want the classic arched upper tube, opt for versions prior to 2015. If you want disc brakes, these were introduced in 2015. If you are looking for aerodynamics in an ultra-light bike, see the models Tarmac 2020 and 2021. With as many versions of this bike, component brakes to aerodynamic features, you can virtually choose your own perfect version.
Our experts are here to help you choose the right bike and good equipment. If you have any questions or need help, you can call us at 09 77 19 59 38 And we will be happy to help you!
