Specialized sl8 sans hésiter ! J’ai le sk7 sworks c’est un avion de chasse,magnifique,confortable et très très très rapide!! Je suis devenu fan de la marque tellement leur productions sont top ,les chaussures,les cuissards,les casques et évidemment leurs vélos,tout transpire la qualité,jamais déçu de Specialized.
I think the better comparison is the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 versus the Canyon Aeroad CFR. These are the bikes being ridden on the pro peleton. The Specialized S-Works Aethos vs. the Canyon Ultimate CFR would be the other accurate comparison.
Guys, the 45km/h in the windtunnel equals to riding 30km/h with a 15km/h headwind. Which is quite a realistic test speed. The presenters should be clearer about that. Aero does matter for those looking for an advantage.
You have to ask yourself if the $4,500 extra for the Specialized is worth the name badging on the frame? The sweet spot in my opinion is the CF SLX 9 Di2. It is now $6,499 and comes with Dura Ace R9200 w/power meter, top of the line DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut wheels w/180 hubs and a semi adjustable cockpit (bar width). That config is even better spec'd compared to the Tarmac Pro, and still $2,000 less money. The version I want, that is not available in the US (at this time) is the Ultimate CFR Di2 Aero in the Alpecin-Deceuninck Replica colorway. It's an age-old dilemma, do you want a Rolex on your wrist or an Omega? They both tell time, but one screams to your bro's "you're a Baller", even though you can't shoot or dribble for squat.
i had the Sworks SL6 & now have the Ultimate CFR. SL6 had a more neutral stable handling vs Ultimate feels like it wants to turn & react faster. Both are v comfortable for long distances & climb well. Some say the SL6 is better than the SL7, maybe even SL8. Slap on aero wheels & the Ultimate can defo keep up with the best race bikes
The SL8 looks more modern especially with aero-rims vs the classic ones on the Ultimate. A year ago I ordered a SL7. Soon I should get my SL8... It will be a replacement for my 2007 Ultimate. The Canyon is a very good bike, but I like electronic shifting and don't wanted to spend more than 3x the price vs. the old bike on a bike where there is limited service support.
Nobody talks about the ultimate CFR with Red groupset and ZIPP 353, at 25 inner rim width and with 28mm tires. It seems to me such a compelling package, I'd love to buy one but can't find any review with that spec
Canyon Ultimate if it came down to budget, especially when you have the choice of a deeper rim aero wheelset for the same price. I'm still riding my 2017 Ultimate CF SL and am very happy with it. No issues apart from the broken Ultegra crank arm!
@@abcxyz6880there are some which does, like factor, orbea. I know most brands do not offer choice over parts when you buy, at least they still sell the stem separately, the cp0018 by canyon is no where to be found in theor website and the customer service straight told me the stock of such parts is only for crash replacement, you cannot change stem lengths
I was kind of shocked Canyon kept essentially the same design on the Ultimate. It looks quite dated to me and continues to look that way despite the update. Not only is the Specialized better performing, it just a much more attractive bike. They say a clean bike is a ridden bike...I think a good looking bike is a ridden bike too. Of course, it comes with a higher price tag. Feels like there are a number of alternative All rounders that are better performing that the Ultimate, and better looking, I would go with if I didn't want the Tarmac - Addict RC, Orca Aero, Teammachine, versions of the SuperSix, etc. Also feels like you could buy the SL8 frame and build up how you like and save a few bucks vs the SWorks full build. If I were to buy a Canyon, it would would be the Aeroad, which I get isn't the point of this chat, but it it's a good looking bike.
@@aaxxa I mean sure, but I won’t ride around in an ugly bike. That Ultimate is probably the ugliest high end road bike on the market. Which is why I gave alternatives in the category that looked better and were a better value than thr Tarmac.
Any Specialized dealer will swop out the Rapide rims (aero) for their climbing rims, the Alpinists, and give you a slight saving, if that is the buyers preference.
I'm a massive S Works fan, but the new SL8 is ugly compared to the outgoing SL7. The Canyon looks like a climbing bike rather than an all rounder, even when you add deeper wheels. For me I'd choose an outgoing SL7 because to me at least, it's the beat all rounder out there. The aero advantages of the SL8 are meaningless to a 53 year old rider like me, but the feel good factor of the better looking SL7 give me a psychological lift that the SL8 wouldn't.
Only faster than the Venge cause there's no Venge anymore. Stick speed sniffer on Venge and it's faster again, so what ur really getting is a good climbing bike from the SL8 with serviceable aero front and a minimal rear end with track bike like handling and geometry...........cool, but a pure amplified aero option would still be nice, even stick speed sniffer on old SL7 rear would be interesting
This comparison is pointless. Canyon equipped with extreme climbing wheelsets vs. Tarmac equipped with 50mm wheelsets, regardless of the existence of Canyon fitted with 50mil. What am I expected to take away from this review??
The sl8 is a all around aero bike and the canyon is a climbing bike, I think it is better to look at what the sponsored teams ride, no canyon sponsored team rides the ultimate and every specialized team rides the sl8
Not a very good comparison. The only reason that sponsored teams ride the SL8 is because they killed the Venge and that’s the only race bike Specialized offers. If Canyon did the same with the Aeroad, every one of their teams would be on the Ultimate.
How much is a threaded bottom bracket worth? It blows my mind that Canyon still carries on with press fit BB’s. The fact that canyon uses a press fit BB for their top of the line race bike keeps me skratching my head. For this one reason, my next frame will likely be an SL8 or a SS Evo.
Specialized has lifetime warranty and very easy to sort out issues, while Canyon has only 6 yrs and when it comes to customer support, it's very tricky take ages to handle issues! I have Ultimate rim brakes, Giant TCR advance disc pro 1, but I bought the SL8 expert which I can confirmed to have better performance
Have you try contacting Specialized? It is the worst customer service in the industry while Canyon is the best. I don’t own these brands anymore but every time I needed Specialized they basically said “nothing we can’t do”.
I currently ride the sl8. Bike is excellent and very fast if you have the legs. Bike needs a constant power of 200 watts or above to feel that it is moving or holding speed. It suffers a bit from side wind and relatively very comfortable. I bought the shallow wheels as well and had 28 tires on and don’t like the feel of 28s. They might be more comfortable on the bad roads and they surely take some of the agility of the bike
@@albertosantangelo6872 Yeah, seems about right. I wonder if I could put my used SORA or TIAGRA stuff on that S-Works frame. Frame is so expensive that I need to economize on the parts... 😆
@@albertosantangelo6872 It is said, that the newest 105 is the sweet spot of all higher end gruppos. Almost as light as Ultegra but way cheaper and with the same hand feeling in the drops.
SL8 is slower then the Venge, (or the Aeroad), but much faster then the Ultimate. This Ultimate is just so much behind the time, the previous version was much better, ahead of it's time. Not 1w faster or lighter, just more expensive. By far the best value was the 2021 CF SL8 rimbrake Ultimate for 2000 euros weighing in at 6.9kg.
Which bike would you choose?
Specialized sl8 sans hésiter ! J’ai le sk7 sworks c’est un avion de chasse,magnifique,confortable et très très très rapide!! Je suis devenu fan de la marque tellement leur productions sont top ,les chaussures,les cuissards,les casques et évidemment leurs vélos,tout transpire la qualité,jamais déçu de Specialized.
I think the better comparison is the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 versus the Canyon Aeroad CFR. These are the bikes being ridden on the pro peleton. The Specialized S-Works Aethos vs. the Canyon Ultimate CFR would be the other accurate comparison.
I'd prefer a more relaxed geometry one
I would choose NONE of these bikes! Because they are just SOOO EXPENSIVE! 💯KABOOOM!! 💥💥💥
Did you want to say which is better? Although I have Canyon. The SW looks stunning.
Guys, the 45km/h in the windtunnel equals to riding 30km/h with a 15km/h headwind. Which is quite a realistic test speed. The presenters should be clearer about that. Aero does matter for those looking for an advantage.
Je me suis fait la même réflexion,j’ai un orca et un sl7 sworks le sl7 est nettement plus rapide lorsque je roule avec le vent de face .
You have to ask yourself if the $4,500 extra for the Specialized is worth the name badging on the frame? The sweet spot in my opinion is the CF SLX 9 Di2. It is now $6,499 and comes with Dura Ace R9200 w/power meter, top of the line DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut wheels w/180 hubs and a semi adjustable cockpit (bar width). That config is even better spec'd compared to the Tarmac Pro, and still $2,000 less money. The version I want, that is not available in the US (at this time) is the Ultimate CFR Di2 Aero in the Alpecin-Deceuninck Replica colorway. It's an age-old dilemma, do you want a Rolex on your wrist or an Omega? They both tell time, but one screams to your bro's "you're a Baller", even though you can't shoot or dribble for squat.
SL8 for me, will be purchasing one this January
i had the Sworks SL6 & now have the Ultimate CFR. SL6 had a more neutral stable handling vs Ultimate feels like it wants to turn & react faster. Both are v comfortable for long distances & climb well. Some say the SL6 is better than the SL7, maybe even SL8. Slap on aero wheels & the Ultimate can defo keep up with the best race bikes
Love the Ultimate personally
The SL8 looks more modern especially with aero-rims vs the classic ones on the Ultimate. A year ago I ordered a SL7. Soon I should get my SL8... It will be a replacement for my 2007 Ultimate. The Canyon is a very good bike, but I like electronic shifting and don't wanted to spend more than 3x the price vs. the old bike on a bike where there is limited service support.
Could you compare the SL8 with Giant TCR or Scott Addict?
Nobody talks about the ultimate CFR with Red groupset and ZIPP 353, at 25 inner rim width and with 28mm tires. It seems to me such a compelling package, I'd love to buy one but can't find any review with that spec
That build with Dura Ace would be absolute insane
Canyon Ultimate if it came down to budget, especially when you have the choice of a deeper rim aero wheelset for the same price. I'm still riding my 2017 Ultimate CF SL and am very happy with it. No issues apart from the broken Ultegra crank arm!
as long as canyon does not allow alternation of the stem length I will go for other brands
No brand does it. So good luck!
@@abcxyz6880there are some which does, like factor, orbea. I know most brands do not offer choice over parts when you buy, at least they still sell the stem separately, the cp0018 by canyon is no where to be found in theor website and the customer service straight told me the stock of such parts is only for crash replacement, you cannot change stem lengths
Agreed. Factor lets you specify stem length and that's one of the reasons why I chose an Ostro VAM.
@@abcxyz6880Orbea and Ribble do. Lolllll
@@abcxyz6880 actually there are some brands... Most of them are more on the expensive side though...
I was kind of shocked Canyon kept essentially the same design on the Ultimate. It looks quite dated to me and continues to look that way despite the update.
Not only is the Specialized better performing, it just a much more attractive bike. They say a clean bike is a ridden bike...I think a good looking bike is a ridden bike too. Of course, it comes with a higher price tag. Feels like there are a number of alternative All rounders that are better performing that the Ultimate, and better looking, I would go with if I didn't want the Tarmac - Addict RC, Orca Aero, Teammachine, versions of the SuperSix, etc.
Also feels like you could buy the SL8 frame and build up how you like and save a few bucks vs the SWorks full build.
If I were to buy a Canyon, it would would be the Aeroad, which I get isn't the point of this chat, but it it's a good looking bike.
just LOL. look at the price of both. Price-performance package is winner for me, that's Canyon
@@aaxxa I mean sure, but I won’t ride around in an ugly bike. That Ultimate is probably the ugliest high end road bike on the market. Which is why I gave alternatives in the category that looked better and were a better value than thr Tarmac.
Both bike are in no way anywhere near aesthetically pleasing. Both are ugly, heavy, generic looking disc brake carbon “road” bikes.
@@astrayagrarian WTF are you talking about? The Tarmac is under 6.8kg which is the UCI limit. You couldn’t be more wrong
The Ultimate was on sale last month for 20% off. Considering that - the choice is easy for me.
What would your pick be if prices were equal?
@@bikeradar if equal. Of course the Specialized!
Did they just use a 300km race to calculate their aero claims? They are making it harder for you to shill those bikes every year. 😂
Sl8 Vs emonda?
Any Specialized dealer will swop out the Rapide rims (aero) for their climbing rims, the Alpinists, and give you a slight saving, if that is the buyers preference.
I'm a massive S Works fan, but the new SL8 is ugly compared to the outgoing SL7. The Canyon looks like a climbing bike rather than an all rounder, even when you add deeper wheels. For me I'd choose an outgoing SL7 because to me at least, it's the beat all rounder out there. The aero advantages of the SL8 are meaningless to a 53 year old rider like me, but the feel good factor of the better looking SL7 give me a psychological lift that the SL8 wouldn't.
after reading all the comments I am now even more confused about whether to buy an sl7, sl8, or the new Canyon Aeroad CFR !!
Only faster than the Venge cause there's no Venge anymore.
Stick speed sniffer on Venge and it's faster again, so what ur really getting is a good climbing bike from the SL8 with serviceable aero front and a minimal rear end with track bike like handling and geometry...........cool, but a pure amplified aero option would still be nice, even stick speed sniffer on old SL7 rear would be interesting
This comparison is pointless. Canyon equipped with extreme climbing wheelsets vs. Tarmac equipped with 50mm wheelsets, regardless of the existence of Canyon fitted with 50mil. What am I expected to take away from this review??
The sl8 is a all around aero bike and the canyon is a climbing bike, I think it is better to look at what the sponsored teams ride, no canyon sponsored team rides the ultimate and every specialized team rides the sl8
Not a very good comparison. The only reason that sponsored teams ride the SL8 is because they killed the Venge and that’s the only race bike Specialized offers. If Canyon did the same with the Aeroad, every one of their teams would be on the Ultimate.
Killed the Venge dead instead of updating it SMH
All of them use the Ultimate in big climbs.
How much is a threaded bottom bracket worth?
It blows my mind that Canyon still carries on with press fit BB’s. The fact that canyon uses a press fit BB for their top of the line race bike keeps me skratching my head. For this one reason, my next frame will likely be an SL8 or a SS Evo.
Press fit is way way better than any threaded bottom bracket! Ligh, stiff etc.
Specialized has lifetime warranty and very easy to sort out issues, while Canyon has only 6 yrs and when it comes to customer support, it's very tricky take ages to handle issues! I have Ultimate rim brakes, Giant TCR advance disc pro 1, but I bought the SL8 expert which I can confirmed to have better performance
Have you try contacting Specialized? It is the worst customer service in the industry while Canyon is the best. I don’t own these brands anymore but every time I needed Specialized they basically said “nothing we can’t do”.
I currently ride the sl8. Bike is excellent and very fast if you have the legs. Bike needs a constant power of 200 watts or above to feel that it is moving or holding speed. It suffers a bit from side wind and relatively very comfortable. I bought the shallow wheels as well and had 28 tires on and don’t like the feel of 28s. They might be more comfortable on the bad roads and they surely take some of the agility of the bike
Can u compare the bb stiffness to the sl7?
Giant TCR with good wheelset is way to go
Dogma F MyWay for me
Deveria comparar sl8 X canyon CFR
Do you mean the Canyon Aeroad CFR? That's a full on aero bike
@@francescorota2982 yes
This canyon is very ugly.
I do not understand why you do not compare the bikes with similar wheels.
ultimate is the best.
Canyon Ultimate Rim Brake (discontinued) for a total price of the difference of these two bikes. Less than $2500.
That's exactly what these bikes should cost. Who buys these ridiculously priced bikes!
I think you can buy a frame and build up an almost equivalent bike with a 40% discount wrt those prices
Is it really cheaper than the shop bike? Serious question!
I wondered how they come up with those high price tags at Specialized. 🤔
@@DilbertMuc I meant with cheaper components you can save money and have almost the same performance
@@albertosantangelo6872 Yeah, seems about right. I wonder if I could put my used SORA or TIAGRA stuff on that S-Works frame. Frame is so expensive that I need to economize on the parts... 😆
Ultegra is much cheaper than Durace and is almost equivalent in terms of performance. You can save a lot on wheels with Chinese brands as well.
@@albertosantangelo6872 It is said, that the newest 105 is the sweet spot of all higher end gruppos. Almost as light as Ultegra but way cheaper and with the same hand feeling in the drops.
I like the specialized more but the canyon is the better choice.
"The Tarmac is the only road race bike by Specialized"
Aethos?
Specialized believes that it makes spaceships because of its price. totally overrated😅
I'd rather have the new supersix than any of these.
What a nonsensical comparison 😂. Sl8 is much better, but it's much more expensive. It's more aero, lighter and has surpreme handling.
The Emonda. Shame it's got that stupid Trek sticker on the side
Tubeless on road bikes is already outdated. Benefits are low vs the pain to mount/maintain. Tpu tubes and lighter tires are now the way to go
tubeless is very easy to setup and maintain.
SL8 is slower then the Venge, (or the Aeroad), but much faster then the Ultimate. This Ultimate is just so much behind the time, the previous version was much better, ahead of it's time. Not 1w faster or lighter, just more expensive. By far the best value was the 2021 CF SL8 rimbrake Ultimate for 2000 euros weighing in at 6.9kg.
Venge is faster but SL8 is quicker. Giant TCR is quickest
Surprised to see Canyon in this comparison; hidden marketing?
😂😂😂😂😂$14,000 for a bike 😂😂😂😂😂