Or maybe it hasnt been. If you want long and low, it might be. Over the past few years quite a lot of years, actually major bike brands have had an aero race bike and a lightweight race bike in their range. Its also, on its own merits, an exceptionally good bike. As we step back and analyze the new SL7, its clear to us that Venge owners will get a fairly significant overall gain if they make the switch. So, what about the new Tarmac SL7? You get three headset covers with every Tarmac SL7. Cornering is predictable and responsive, offering lots of confidence even when pushing the limits. But they do ride slightly differently despite using the same numbers. Today, if asked to make that same choice, Id pick an SL7. Pro eTap $10,500 Its 100% identical to both the SL6 and Venge. tarmac sl7 di2 tredz Its a lighter Venge as much as its a more aero Tarmac. tarmac di2 sl7 tredz To try to solve this optimization problem, Specialized once again leaned on modeling software developed by Ingmar Jungnickel, which runs CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and FEA (finite element analysis) for each shape and keeps working until it finds a shape that is drag optimized for particular weight and stiffness targets. frameset sl7 tarmac These are minuscule differences. "Separating the SL7 into two separate platforms would be arbitrary and outdated so we used all our resources to develop the perfect bike for any rider, regardless of their gender. The front end of the SL6 might have been a little too stiff or harsh and the rear was a bit more compliant; we've really worked to make sure that the ride feel is more balanced on the SL7.". He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Like this site? Yes they are,and it hasa better parcours than Poland. specialized wheelset sl6 tarmac works without Universal cap for a standard stem, plus round spacers with either electronic or mechanical shifting. These cookies do not store any personal information. "As there is likely more difference between two male cyclists than there are between a male and a female, gender alone doesn't provide nearly enough data to specialise," says Cam Piper. Because the internal dimensions are identical, tire sizes remain constant front to rear, even though the external width profile is 8mm different. The ride characteristics of this bike have remained some of our favorites. by FactoryMatt on Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:12 pm, by leejhayward on Fri Sep 04, 2020 12:35 pm, by LanceLegstrong on Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:10 pm, by preludervtec on Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:59 pm, by LanceLegstrong on Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:45 pm, by ome rodriguez on Sat Sep 05, 2020 3:36 am, by preludervtec on Sat Sep 05, 2020 4:15 am, by LanceLegstrong on Sat Sep 05, 2020 10:08 am. Its simply the next step in the optimization of both bikes. If you like road.cc, but you dont like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. Seems like the value call to me, 120g and an inperceptable difference in stiffness looks a good deal. tarmac di2 sl7 tredz On the other side of the coin, when Specialized launched the SL6, they did so noting the aero cues in the head tube and dropped seat stays. TheFACT(Functional Advanced Composite Technology) 12r carbon fibre used forthe top-level S-Works TarmacSL7was also used forthe S-Works Tarmac SL6. The Tarmac SL7 FACT 12r frameset is 3,750. Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (inc Specialized power meter) You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For the last few product cycles, the Tarmac and the Venge have been inching closer together. Forgot to include to my photo above the tarmac stem and stem faceplate computer mounts. Brake hoses and gear cables are now fully hidden both to improve the appearance and reduce drag. "Climb on the lightest bike the rules allow, sprint on the fastest all with legendary Tarmac handling. Frame FACT 9r carbon Specialized believes that there is no longer a need to have both an aero road bike and a lightweight road bike in its range because the Tarmac SL7 is both. Wheels DT R470 Disc, Tarmac SL6 Sport 2,500 2021 BMC Teammachine SLR01: The fourth generation revealed and reviewed, 2021 Trek Emonda review: the semi-aero, 'faster everywhere' climbing bike, Roval ditches tubeless with its new Rapide and Alpinist CLX wheels, The VengeCast: meet the design team behind the new Specialized Venge, The new 2019 Specialized Venge first-ride review: Aero is not everything, Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL6 Disc review: Goes faster, stops harder. hansgrohe frameset sl7 tarmac Specialized says that the quest for aerodynamic efficiency has been the driving force in the development of the Tarmac SL7. This offers an exterior rim profile that is wider than our 26mm tires that measure 28mm. sl7 tarmac specialized "Creating the Tarmac SL7 was an exercise in patience," says Cam Piper. " This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Expert UDi2 4,750 Out of the saddle, the bike responds to efforts rapidly. "By targeting the tubes that truly impact the aero performance of the frame, whether it's the seat tube, the seatstays, the head tube or the fork blades, all with shapes from our FreeFoil Shape Library [the collection of airfoil shapes that Specialized has developed], and then mating them with the fastest components that we have at our disposal and integrating the cabling, we created a package that is 45secs faster over 40km than the Tarmac SL6," says Cam Piper. I still think Specialized has put itself in a bit of a pickle. Are the non S-Works Tarmac Framesets available yet? The Venge Vias is roughly 8 seconds slower than the new Venge over 40km, according to Specialized. Pro UDi2 $10,500 tarmac sl7 abalone spectraflair 10r frameset ibkbike We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. Find out if something better is on the way. It almost begs to. A bit of pressure on the right side of the bar sends the bike arcing right. Yes, its constructed of a lower grade of carbon, but its only 120 grams different in total frame weight. tarmac ultralight works build incredible sworks The Venge is still a bit faster. On the road, the SL7 feels and responds like its predecessor. So what is it? Frame FACT 10r carbon With that said, it is still very much a race-oriented bike. As mentioned before, the aero bars are the same as what has been supplied on the Venge. tarmac bikerumor The only choice you need to make is when to attack.". This is a bit misleading, because with the necessary headset cap, the lowest stem position is identical. Compared to a Venge, maybe a tiny bit. Its a difficult sensation to describe. Is it stiff? If you ride with your bars up near the same plane as your saddle, this probably isnt the bike for you. Maybe we should call the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 the Cannibal, since it seems designed to eat its own. All Tarmac SL7 models have a 68mm threaded bottom bracket. rim brake sl6 works carbon tarmac chameleon 49cm frameset specialized All of these models are designed for both men and women. ", Read our review of theSpecialized S-Works Venge Di2. Specialized will continue to sell the SL6 (effectively unchanged from before) at lower price points. The SL7 Pro, which uses a lower grade carbon, has a frame weight of 920 grams and a claimed built weight, with Ultegra Di2, of 7.3kg. Weve noticed youre using an ad blocker. Groupset SRAM Force eTap AXS 1x Once again, Gaviria finds himself in a race with absolutely no flat ground whatsoever! 2020 S-Works SL7 - Sagan Collection / Decon Green/Yellow. This may sound odd, but what got us most excited about the new SL7 is simply the fact that it has a threaded bottom bracket. Specialized has launched a new version of its Tarmac, the SL7, which it claims is almost as aerodynamically efficient as its current Venge aero road bike while being at the UCI's minimum weight limit for racing. A Tarmac SL7 is the ultimate expression of what that is. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site. We wondered, did we get too much of the Venge and not enough of the SL6? tarmac ultralight works build incredible sworks Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as 1.99. frameset sl7 tarmac Is the Tarmac SL7 more comfortable? Thoughts with the injured spectators. Wheels DT R470 Disc. The stack is low, too. Why break up the power couple? Id like that, if for no other reason than I want to see what those clever engineers could come up with. No compromises, the Specialized marketing materials shout. What the software churns out is essentially a repository of tube shapes with known aerodynamic, stiffness, and weight qualities. The added benefit to fit 32mm tires with room to spare makes it even more versatile. Of course, brands have lightened their aero bikes, and aero-ed their light bikes, but you've always had to decide where your priorities lie. The underside of the stem clamps the brake hoses and directs them into the gated and internally routed steerer spacers. All material FarrellyAtkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Weve had one for a few weeks, have ridden it extensively, taken it apart and put it back together, and have formed some initial opinions of the thing.