I did the same thing you did. I bought the exact white bike and slowly upgraded the parts I wanted. I upgraded my my handlebars to Aerofly 2. I upgraded my crank to sram red. Sram red chain. Sram Force cassette. Roval CL50 wheels. I went with assioma duo pedals for power and wahoo elemnt bolt bike computer.
From the UK and enjoying watching your videos, you have helped me make my decision on my next bike. I went for a SL7 comp at the weekend. I’m waiting for new freehub driver to fit my Zipp 303s for my lbs to fit. I then intend upgrade chainset, rear cassette handle bars etc as I go along, think this keeps the enjoyment of the bike going. Great videos keep up the good work!
I would have made the same decision. Take the cheaper model and upgrade what I want. Plus, like you said, you get an extra set of training wheels if you upgrade the wheels. However, alloy bars on both of these bikes at this price point is absurd.
Thanks for these videos! Just wanted to point out that you can change the Shimano shifting to exactly how SRAM does it, with simple easier/harder paddle shifter style or any other way you want. You can even set where the FD shifts the chainring, and let the system deal with that and never have to touch the front derailleur. It’s very customizable.
My sl6 expert looking better and lighter with every price increase. Got one for 3k at the end of 2020. Would like that new ultegra di2 but 5k more is insane
Glad you like your SL6. Funnily enough, most ppl here would still rather pay for the SL7, even when the sl6 is being cleared at bargain clearance price. The SL6 is still available on shelves, but ppl are waiting in queue for the SL7 lol
Super breakdown. I agree with the upgrade approach. Looking at the new expert SL7. Comes with Rival and entry carbon wheels. But there is room to upgrade down the line - transmission group, handlebars, wheels etc - all while not paying the huge Specialized mark-up.
I did exactly the same. Got stock SL7 2022 Comp, then added: HUNT Aerodynamicist 54/54 Wheels, Assioma Duo, Force 10-36 cassette, Force cranks, 25mm GP5000TL tubeless setup, Muc-Off tubeless kit, Wahoo Bolt v2. Can't be more happy with my bike! :)
Thats exactly what im doing! Picking up an SL6 Sport tomorrow and with $3500 saved from getting it over an SL7 Comp, I’m upgrading the bars and saddle, changing the stem (for my fit numbers), getting a power meter and a new computer + picking up a pair of DT Swiss 35mm carbon wheels I sourced second hand for $750AUD. Will eventually upgrade the 105 groupo as I service the bike but fuck me, I find more value in buying the lower spec bike and making it my own.
I loved the 2021 sl7 expert in that sliver..I had the chance to get one in a size 61 when specialized wanted 5,500 and i hesitated.. the bike sold in hours..smh.im still kicking myself.
I love both. Personally I'm not a fan of that specific colour on the Expert but everything else: the wheels, handlebar shape and most importantly drive train, makes it my personal choice. As always, great review and you are no doubt the best bike Reviewer on RUclips. I know most of the bikes are customer bikes but if you're able to test ride them and give your own 'GC score' like the Doug Demuro score hat would be so sick
How could the Expert model, which is only third tier, be this expensive?? It's mind blowing 🤯. It wasn't that long ago I remember Expert tier costing mid $3k.
Specialized has nailed it - Charging more for less. Which is probably why they aren’t announcing the weight of their insanely pricey bikes. The SL7 Comp is as heavy as a train compared to its price.
@@GCPerformance18 Yes, that deserve a subscription. Do you still have the Specialized SL7 and are you happy with it? It’s on sale here in my country with a 2.000 dollar discount. Which indeed makes it very interesting. I’m currently in the market for a bike .. I was looking at a Cannondale SystemSix. However the BB30 is not to my liking. Then i looked at a Canyon Aeroad .. But i’m not throwing 5000 dollars on a bike that has service intervals on it’s saddle …
hahahhaa, I got a mess of them, hopefuly it helps someone decide with a purchasae they are maybe having troubles with :) just here to help everyone I can
Hi, Thanks for all the great vids. I have a random question, I'm installing a Shimano 12sp on my tarmac sl7, I need new brake caliper bolts, but what size do I need. Thanks again!
Well, both I guess. But front for with 160/180 adapter need 15mm I think. So more interested in the rear, and if it is crucial to use the locking bolt with the different buttons or bottom? Thanks
The price jump is huge but I'd personally take the expert. The ultegra is worth the jump and I'd imagine it'd be easier to sell the Roval's to get deeper wheels than selling the Swiss's. The comp frame looks so much cleaner though with just the one logo but I like the expert's colourway
hi gc performance as always an awesome video comparison these two beauties in my opinnion i pick the white one the competition version and got the same idea as you had in terms of a lower price bike platform but adding later on better components i dont kow much but can we could later improve or change the group set of the comp version for a shimano ultegra as the expert model has? also the changing eventually the handle bar for a carbon one and wheels as you also said to improve the bike performance as well it will take a time to do so but when that changes are applied for sure the bike would be a rocket cheers sir great job the best of lucks and keep on going !
I own a roubaix with the rival and a 2022 sl7 with the new ultegra the shimano is much better groupset, lighter, crisper, less noisy. I’ve upgraded the wheel on the roubaix to zipp 303s as the standard wheels aren’t up to much. The C38s are a great wheel but I’ve swapped them out for something deeper. Personally I’d go for the expert solely for the groupset.
no lie the sram rival was a dream group for me I had no complaints and mine was dead silent, like literaly I could hear my wheels humming, but the ultegra is always nice...... I miss my rival because my bike got sold right now but I am doing a new build
simmilar brake feel, just wider brake caliper cleaance for less brake rub but same feeling of brake and hit a wall, its the fluid inside the mineral that has no give
They finally added carbon wheels with the expert model and that’s a good thing. But the price increase is because of the new Ultegra?!?!? Last year or so the sl7 pro cost cheaper than the current 2022 sl7 expert and better wheels, and handlebars. The comp is at a decent Price where it currently is. It was $5k. I mean they raised the price by a couple hundred bucks but not thousands. Personally, I would save up for a pro of if anything s-works If you have a budget like that.
Wouldn't you be better off selling the Rival on the Comp and upgrading to Ultegra? Even if you get the same 1000 wheels I think you'd be better off no?
I really do love the rival on the biek I have no reason to want to sell it, it performs really well, shifts when I need it too, shifts under load and easy to charge, the onyl thing I want to do is drop some weight by replacing crank and cassette one day...... but I like how sram shifts and i dont want to upgrade $1000 just for the ocmponents of ultgra
@@GCPerformance18 I did exactly the same. Got stock SL7 2022 Comp, then added: HUNT Aerodynamicist 54/54 Wheels, Assioma Duo, Force 10-36 cassette, Force cranks, 25mm GP5000TL tubeless setup, Muc-Off tubeless kit, Wahoo Bolt v2. Can't be more happy with my bike! :)
I'm a mountain biker wanting to get into a little road. Can do you a comparison between the base or sport Tarmac SL6 and the new Allez Sprint (when you get one)?
These bikes are impossible to find in New York. Plus Specialized has raised prices like crazy. I love the Specialized Tarmac SL-7 but the prices have made me loose my interest in their products. Cannondale and Scott give you a lot of bike for the money and it seems like they aren't as money hungry as Specialized.
we got a good amount of them here if you need some, and yea there prices are getting up there but ti seems like a lot fo other ocmpanies are starting to do the same
As a owner of the expert. I love this bike and the color. Yes it’s expensive and the new Ultegra surely jacked the price up along with inflation and availability of bikes. I don’t regret purchasing this bike tho. Plan on changing the bar and then that’s it!
This is my first road ruclips.net/user/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and I have taken it out a handful of times and so far it is exceeding all of my expectations. I didn’t want to break the bank on a first bike and the herd is a great option for getting a fast bike with reliable components. I plan on riding this bike for many years to come. Thank you Sava!
if anyone is considering buying one of these bikes and has any questions feel free to comment down below and I will do my best to answer them
Shimano is so much better looking!!
Best channel in the game. Check out my new show on food network tomorrow 10pm et!
I did the same thing you did. I bought the exact white bike and slowly upgraded the parts I wanted. I upgraded my my handlebars to Aerofly 2. I upgraded my crank to sram red. Sram red chain. Sram Force cassette. Roval CL50 wheels. I went with assioma duo pedals for power and wahoo elemnt bolt bike computer.
Same with mine, upgraded it into clx50 ws, ultegra di2 2022. Now looking forward to change the dropbar and saddle.
Same, white SL7 Comp upgraded to Roval CL50 wheels (54t ratchet), Roval Rapide handlebars, Force cassette/chain, left-side powermeter, Cadex Boost saddle, 1030+ computer and DuraAce rotors.
That's insane that both of those have those cheap alloy bars at that price
yea I relaly wish they included carbon bars for 8300
From the UK and enjoying watching your videos, you have helped me make my decision on my next bike. I went for a SL7 comp at the weekend. I’m waiting for new freehub driver to fit my Zipp 303s for my lbs to fit. I then intend upgrade chainset, rear cassette handle bars etc as I go along, think this keeps the enjoyment of the bike going. Great videos keep up the good work!
For me, it comes down to which bike has the better dork disc.
lmfaoooo
I would have made the same decision. Take the cheaper model and upgrade what I want. Plus, like you said, you get an extra set of training wheels if you upgrade the wheels. However, alloy bars on both of these bikes at this price point is absurd.
thats what I lioke to do, I like to give the bike some character instead of some cookmie cutter shit
An exceptionally lame wheelset for a 5k+ bike. And a barely passable wheelset for a 8k+ bike. Ouch.
Thanks for these videos! Just wanted to point out that you can change the Shimano shifting to exactly how SRAM does it, with simple easier/harder paddle shifter style or any other way you want. You can even set where the FD shifts the chainring, and let the system deal with that and never have to touch the front derailleur. It’s very customizable.
yes I have seen that but thanks for sharing with me, shimano does a great job of giving the consumer iotions
I've ridden both, I like the ultegra shifters more. Smaller hoods, more ergonomic, and sleeker looking. Even compared to the new force
very nice!!
Keep the Tarmac content coming!
Thanks so much I have more planned
My sl6 expert looking better and lighter with every price increase. Got one for 3k at the end of 2020. Would like that new ultegra di2 but 5k more is insane
Glad you like your SL6.
Funnily enough, most ppl here would still rather pay for the SL7, even when the sl6 is being cleared at bargain clearance price.
The SL6 is still available on shelves, but ppl are waiting in queue for the SL7 lol
the tarmac sl6 is really value for money, but the sl7 is way more aerodynamic than the sl6. But yea i agree that pricewise the sl6 is way better.
The Comp model with upgrade Roval Alpinist wheelset is crazy!!! Amazing bike 🤩👍
I wish I could see more alpinist hwele builds here, they make the bike so lightweight
Super breakdown. I agree with the upgrade approach. Looking at the new expert SL7. Comes with Rival and entry carbon wheels. But there is room to upgrade down the line - transmission group, handlebars, wheels etc - all while not paying the huge Specialized mark-up.
yea it is a huge price difference
Where in FL is your bike shop?
55-8300$ "Lower" end price range. lol gotta love the cycling community! Great vids man!!
I know it is expensive but these are ht epirces today lol
LOL $8300 and they cannot even include an Outfront mount.... What a business model Specialized has taken.
lmfaoo it does duck
Holy shit bikes are so heavy now.
hahahahha
I would buy the comp and use the $2800 saved on upgrades such as power meter and carbon wheels
I did exactly the same. Got stock SL7 2022 Comp, then added: HUNT Aerodynamicist 54/54 Wheels, Assioma Duo, Force 10-36 cassette, Force cranks, 25mm GP5000TL tubeless setup, Muc-Off tubeless kit, Wahoo Bolt v2. Can't be more happy with my bike! :)
Thats exactly what im doing! Picking up an SL6 Sport tomorrow and with $3500 saved from getting it over an SL7 Comp, I’m upgrading the bars and saddle, changing the stem (for my fit numbers), getting a power meter and a new computer + picking up a pair of DT Swiss 35mm carbon wheels I sourced second hand for $750AUD. Will eventually upgrade the 105 groupo as I service the bike but fuck me, I find more value in buying the lower spec bike and making it my own.
It does what it does, that also applies to an old rusty 10 speed 105 from 2011
lmao, aint that the truth
I loved the 2021 sl7 expert in that sliver..I had the chance to get one in a size 61 when specialized wanted 5,500 and i hesitated.. the bike sold in hours..smh.im still kicking myself.
that was such a nice deal for the bike the wheels were understan able at that price point, but not at 8300 with $100 dollar wheels
@@GCPerformance18 exactly..lol
I love both. Personally I'm not a fan of that specific colour on the Expert but everything else: the wheels, handlebar shape and most importantly drive train, makes it my personal choice. As always, great review and you are no doubt the best bike Reviewer on RUclips. I know most of the bikes are customer bikes but if you're able to test ride them and give your own 'GC score' like the Doug Demuro score hat would be so sick
Sram rivel = shamano 105
Sram force = ultegra
Sram red = dura ace
yes
How could the Expert model, which is only third tier, be this expensive?? It's mind blowing 🤯. It wasn't that long ago I remember Expert tier costing mid $3k.
yea I know they added carbon wheels but ti went up from 5500 to 8300 and the carbon wheels are only 1000 more
Specialized has nailed it - Charging more for less.
Which is probably why they aren’t announcing the weight of their insanely pricey bikes.
The SL7 Comp is as heavy as a train compared to its price.
thats why I am here to weigh all the bikes and give consumers real world weights
@@GCPerformance18 Yes, that deserve a subscription.
Do you still have the Specialized SL7 and are you happy with it?
It’s on sale here in my country with a 2.000 dollar discount.
Which indeed makes it very interesting.
I’m currently in the market for a bike .. I was looking at a Cannondale SystemSix. However the BB30 is not to my liking.
Then i looked at a Canyon Aeroad .. But i’m not throwing 5000 dollars on a bike that has service intervals on it’s saddle …
I can’t believe they were too cheap to include a $50 expert bar on the comp.
yea it makes no sense, I guess they made it so they have something different between the two lol
Nobody:
GC Performance: Here's another Tarmac SL7 video
hahahhaa, I got a mess of them, hopefuly it helps someone decide with a purchasae they are maybe having troubles with :) just here to help everyone I can
Don't get me wrong. I still love you bruh!
Hi, Thanks for all the great vids. I have a random question, I'm installing a Shimano 12sp on my tarmac sl7, I need new brake caliper bolts, but what size do I need. Thanks again!
forf front or rear?
Well, both I guess. But front for with 160/180 adapter need 15mm I think. So more interested in the rear, and if it is crucial to use the locking bolt with the different buttons or bottom? Thanks
I got lucky because I got the comp model that came fitted with the shimano 105 di2 groupset
The price jump is huge but I'd personally take the expert. The ultegra is worth the jump and I'd imagine it'd be easier to sell the Roval's to get deeper wheels than selling the Swiss's. The comp frame looks so much cleaner though with just the one logo but I like the expert's colourway
hi gc performance as always an awesome video comparison these two beauties in my opinnion i pick the white one the competition version and got the same idea as you had in terms of a lower price bike platform but adding later on better components i dont kow much but can we could later improve or change the group set of the comp version for a shimano ultegra as the expert model has? also the changing eventually the handle bar for a carbon one and wheels as you also said to improve the bike performance as well it will take a time to do so but when that changes are applied for sure the bike would be a rocket cheers sir great job the best of lucks and keep on going !
I own a roubaix with the rival and a 2022 sl7 with the new ultegra the shimano is much better groupset, lighter, crisper, less noisy. I’ve upgraded the wheel on the roubaix to zipp 303s as the standard wheels aren’t up to much. The C38s are a great wheel but I’ve swapped them out for something deeper. Personally I’d go for the expert solely for the groupset.
no lie the sram rival was a dream group for me I had no complaints and mine was dead silent, like literaly I could hear my wheels humming, but the ultegra is always nice...... I miss my rival because my bike got sold right now but I am doing a new build
Except the Shimano Di2 has more brake actuation this year, does it not?
simmilar brake feel, just wider brake caliper cleaance for less brake rub but same feeling of brake and hit a wall, its the fluid inside the mineral that has no give
They finally added carbon wheels with the expert model and that’s a good thing. But the price increase is because of the new Ultegra?!?!? Last year or so the sl7 pro cost cheaper than the current 2022 sl7 expert and better wheels, and handlebars.
The comp is at a decent Price where it currently is. It was $5k. I mean they raised the price by a couple hundred bucks but not thousands.
Personally, I would save up for a pro of if anything s-works If you have a budget like that.
Specialized are taking the piss out of us all and anyone who buys a bike at this point is foolish
Wouldn't you be better off selling the Rival on the Comp and upgrading to Ultegra? Even if you get the same 1000 wheels I think you'd be better off no?
I really do love the rival on the biek I have no reason to want to sell it, it performs really well, shifts when I need it too, shifts under load and easy to charge, the onyl thing I want to do is drop some weight by replacing crank and cassette one day...... but I like how sram shifts and i dont want to upgrade $1000 just for the ocmponents of ultgra
@@GCPerformance18 I did exactly the same. Got stock SL7 2022 Comp, then added: HUNT Aerodynamicist 54/54 Wheels, Assioma Duo, Force 10-36 cassette, Force cranks, 25mm GP5000TL tubeless setup, Muc-Off tubeless kit, Wahoo Bolt v2. Can't be more happy with my bike! :)
You probably don't have a 2022 Pro in stock at the moment, but when you do, please do a video.
of course I will I have some on the way
Isn’t the 2022 pro just the same as the 2021; but with an additional FD and different cassette?
sl7 Frameset or soloist ❤
any sign of these bikes going on sale?
yea u can get a great deal on the expert model from your store in the forrest color, they are lowering the price on those
nice bikes and I'm fan of Specialized bikes (cause Sagan is my compatriot) but I'm a bigger fan of Trek bikes.
I keep seeing everyone with wireless, is mechanical shifting gone forever?
newest video I just did has mechanical lol
I'm a mountain biker wanting to get into a little road. Can do you a comparison between the base or sport Tarmac SL6 and the new Allez Sprint (when you get one)?
yes of courser I am waiting to do some more coming up just need to get in stock
You up shift with the small paddle? That's complete opposite of the mechnical way.
You can program di2 to be however you want. Standard is like mechanical.
I might have fucked up what I was saying with my dyslexic self
I am 5 feet 1 will that be okay?
I’d be willing to buy any of these options if I could find a 61CM!!!
How tall are you?
@@bozidar753 6’5”
I might be able to find something for you, what about allez sprint
Hey GC, I know it’s an old video so you might not see this comment.
How do I get a White version of the expert?
you can not, they do not make a white expert, you would have to buy a pro white frame seprate and buiold it up expert spec
any chance you can shoot these in 4K? would be good to get more detail when watching on the bikes! 😃
How close are you to your 60+ inch TV that you need 4K?
@@JayLato haha, nah I just like crispy videos, especially when they're of products
lmfao maybe in the future when I make stupid money btu I know it takes forever to upload and also I need better equipment then just a phojne
@@GCPerformance18 na man, I'd expect HDR to be a bigger file size than 4K. 4K on the iPhone is just fine. 🙏
for me shimano for road and sram for gravel and mountain
These bikes are impossible to find in New York. Plus Specialized has raised prices like crazy. I love the Specialized Tarmac SL-7 but the prices have made me loose my interest in their products.
Cannondale and Scott give you a lot of bike for the money and it seems like they aren't as money hungry as Specialized.
we got a good amount of them here if you need some, and yea there prices are getting up there but ti seems like a lot fo other ocmpanies are starting to do the same
Compare this "value" to the TCR advanced disc 0
I have done a video on that bike I believe
As a owner of the expert. I love this bike and the color. Yes it’s expensive and the new Ultegra surely jacked the price up along with inflation and availability of bikes. I don’t regret purchasing this bike tho. Plan on changing the bar and then that’s it!
definitely prefer ultegra over rival... if the cheap bike has sram force.. then that's another story!
yea the ultegra is nice but this bike with ultegra is literally a bunch more money just for the shimano tax
specialized with its prices has no respect for money.
Designed in California? Well....that's a deal breaker.
lmfasooooooo cali
To much expensives for what we can get...
I don’t think the wheels are tubeless, but fact check me.
But wheels are tubeless for these bikes
@@GCPerformance18 ah I see! Gotcha!!
This is my first road ruclips.net/user/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and I have taken it out a handful of times and so far it is exceeding all of my expectations. I didn’t want to break the bank on a first bike and the herd is a great option for getting a fast bike with reliable components. I plan on riding this bike for many years to come. Thank you Sava!
For me, i won't buy either one of these overpriced bikes
everything is getting over priced right nwo