Test: The new Specialized Tarmac SL7 not only comes with a facelift compared to the previous model, but also has a lot to offer on the performance side. The US manufacturer describes its latest race bike as an "uncompromising design". We have tested what is on it and how it drives for you.
The brand new Specialized Tarmac SL7 is already on everyone's lips. On paper, the US manufacturer spared no expense or effort to build the perfect road bike. With an uncompromising combination of aerodynamics, weight, stiffness and ride quality, the new Tarmac is designed to outperform and free riders from deciding which bike best suits the track. Because the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 in the S-Works version is just as light as the UCI rules allow. Actually nothing earth-shattering in times of high-end carbon racers, if it weren't for the improved aerodynamics. After almost two decades of development, the new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 is said to be faster than ever. According to the manufacturer, it saves 40 seconds over a distance of 45 km compared to its predecessor. This makes the Specialized Tarmac SL7 even more aerodynamic than the Venge, which is known as a pure aero bike.
This speed advantage and class-leading weight are made possible by new tube shapes. Because with the new Tarmac SL7, the seat tube, seat stays, head tube and fork have not only been aerodynamically improved through countless calculations and tests, they have also been equipped with the same weight and stiffness advantages as the predecessors.
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The Aerofly II handlebar, which is already known from the Specialized Venge and is now also used on the Tarmac SL7, promises even more aerodynamics. This enables a tidy cockpit with completely internally routed cable routing. Nevertheless, this is a combination of handlebars and stem, which offers significantly more adjustment options than a cockpit unit, but certainly leaves a few watts behind. Also new is the stem specially developed for the Tarmac, which is 45 g lighter than its predecessor and attractively hides the cables from the wind. Thanks to the 31,8 mm clamp, not only the in-house Aerofly handlebar can be mounted, but also any other (suitable) handlebar. Also included are built-in mounts for GPS devices, cameras, and lights. The angle of these can be adjusted, allowing for a high degree of connectivity.
The rest of the equipment is also impressive. With the Roval CL wheels you have really fast all-rounders, which are supposed to make the Tarmac even faster and the Shimano Ultegra Di2 actually offers everything you could wish for from a gear system at a reasonable price point.
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 in review
After our tester Flo Nowak had already competed in various international races and a world championship with the predecessor model Tarmac SL6, the expectations of the Specialized Tarmac SL7 were particularly high. Because if you're banging your head like that before the launch, it's better not to have leaned too far out of the window. After extensive test rides and several hundred kilometers, we were even more enthusiastic about the Specialized than before! But first things first.
Our test bike was the Specialized Tarmac SL7 equipped with Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Roval CL wheels for a mere €6.999 Euro. From the very first meters, we were particularly impressed by the acceleration of the new Tarmac. Its excellent stiffness ensures ideal power transfer and thus first-class propulsion. Thanks to its low weight, the Specialized Tarmac SL7 really pulls away even when accelerating on uphill sections and impresses with its great agility on all levels.
Of course, this is only half the battle if it weren't for the significantly improved aerodynamics. Once you've got the Tarmac SL7 up to speed, there's no more km/h, because not only aerodynamics, but also smooth running ensure first-class rolling characteristics that are actually reminiscent of pure aero bikes like the Venge. The high-quality Roval wheels, which were not just somehow built onto the bike, but also well thought out and offer real added value with a successful mixture of speed and climbing ability, also play a not inconsiderable part. The slightly higher rear wheel in particular does an incredibly good job here, but it also needs to be controlled. Because this sometimes pushes so well and has such a rigidity that you have to be a real handling pro on descents to steer the bike down without using the brakes.
Luckily, the Tarmac itself has first-class and precise handling, which results in great agility and thus, in the overall package, still leads to a thoroughly forgiving and pleasant downhill performance for everyone. But this shows quite well that the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 is also a real racer that was also built for this purpose. For this very reason, the rigidity was maximized at the critical points, especially in the bottom bracket area, to ensure first-class power transmission when accelerating but also when sitting down and not wasting any watts. Of course, this also affects the comfort of the bike a little, because the very stiff frame parts only absorb impacts and bumps minimally. The lowered rear end only helps to a limited extent. Although this relieves the seat and back area, the rigidity also exceeds the comfort advantages here. In combination with the quite sporty geometry, which was developed in cooperation with the professionals supported by Specialized, the Tarmac becomes a bike that is out of place on relaxed rides. Even if the seating position can be relaxed a bit with spacers and stem length, the well-known Specialized slogan "Smoother is Faster" is not used here. But real racers and all those who want to become one have even more fun with it and can really accelerate with the new Specialized Tarmac SL7.
Despite upgrades, new developments, facelifts and much more, the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 remains true to its original characteristics and is still a real mountain goat. Of course, with just 6,8 kilos in the top version, it doesn't get any easier. Added to this is the great power transmission, which should also be an advantage on the mountain and sweetens our way up. This makes the new Tarmac a real all-round weapon for competition and brisk trips.
