Specialized Tarmac SL8 vs SL7 - Why I Won't Be Upgrading From My S-Works SL7!
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- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2024
- We've been riding the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 for a few weeks now, long enough for Jamie to decide whether he'll be upgrading his S-Works Tarmac SL7!
The Tarmac SL7 is in many people's eyes one of the best road bikes on the market so is an upgrade to the SL8 Tarmac worth it? Specialized claims that the new road bike is more aero, stiffer, more comfortable and lighter, we put it to the test as we review whether the SL8 is better than the SL7.
We compare the geometry, weight, stiffness, compliance and ride impressions in this Tarmac SL8 review before concluding on where our money would go...
Let us know your thoughts on the Tarmac SL7 vs Tarmac SL8 debate down in the comments section below...
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⚫️ In this video
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Differences between the SL7 & SL8
0:55 Price
2:00 Riding Impressions
2:20 Speed
3:05 Geometry
3:45 Stiffness
4:30 Weight
6:42 Compliance
7:24 Will I be upgrading to the Tarmac SL8?
9:50 What if you own neither?
10:33 Outro
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(for regular folks) IMO, With high end gear, it's always a good idea to skip a couple of generation to see any improvement.
Thank you no BS a honest valuation on two over priced bikes that regardless of all the hype you still have push through the wind .
The best review. Honestly, that's what we need. If we have the money, surely we will upgrade. If not, the last model bike is still great 👍🏻 Please always tell the truth and don't fool your subscribers, we do respect that thing
A good and honest review. I also ride the SL7 S-works and a few SL6 versions and I really like the bikes. I will not upgrade to the SL8 in the short run. Would I buy the Sl8 if I did not have the SL7? I think so, but building up a Pinarello Dogma F (My Way frameset configuration) is also very tempting. ;-)
this is true
I'd honestly sell an Sworks SL7 frameset for the cheaper SL8 non-Sworks frameset. You'll get a faster frame and some money in your pocket
@@TheBarts27I'd much rather have the cheapest SL8 frameset than a Dogma F unless fit constraints pin you into the Dogma.
Pinarello quality control is trash relative to the high cost. They are OK with warranty claims but not as good as Specialized
The Dogma has Italian flair and style imho. Not everybody's cup of tea but it is a real design of its own and the ride and handling is great. Nothing looks like a Dogma and it feels special to ride on that bike. I owned a Dogma F10 rim brake in the past. @@veganpotterthevegan
In the same position as an SL7 owner, just planning to put the new bars on it at some point and stay happy with the great bike I’m lucky to already have. Still prefer the look of the 7 too.
I respect your reviews a lot. They are timely and comprehensive and most importantly honest.
That was a refreshingly candid take. Thanks!
Subscribed because of the honesty of the review, as well as the the criteria you used to make the comparison. Seems like you really put some thought into it instead of just reading manufacturer's claims.
Thanks for the sub! Appreciated! What bikes would you like to see us review next?
After spending years my Venge 2 and 3, I can say that my next bike will be a an Aethos. Integrated cockpit are just a pain to live with in the long term and I believe a real non-pro rider will gain more from the extra comfort povided by the Aethos.
I have a venge 3 pro, I went out and bought an SL6 Sworks. It’s funny how we’re going backwards and being happier lol
Give me your Venge and you'll be ecstatic !@@SplatteredWRX
@@SplatteredWRXyeh but I think you should see these bikes as toys for adults. Ultimately it doesn’t matter if they work as claimed or not because you’re not racing Pogacar in a 50k uphill time trial. Do you enjoy it and is the pleasure worth the cost, that’s all. Amateur cycling is just a fun hobby, don’t worry about the ‘upgrades’, there are no real upgrades because we don’t need them
I have an Aethos, and it’s great. But I wish it had rim brakes. Probably better to find older tarmac.
But the Aethos looks exactly like the old Merida Scultura. If you write S-works on the Scultura, most people won't be able to tell
One thing I found funny - I was looking at SL7 frame prices. The SL7 S-Works frame has been cut to $4,500 which is nice and expected as they try to get rid of inventory. The SL8 non-S-Works is $3,500. Yet the Non-S-Works SL8 frame is 780 grams and the S-Works SL7 frame is 800 grams.
If you were doing a build, why would you spend $1,000 more for a SL7 S-Works frame that is less Aero than the SL8 frame? B/c it says S-Works and that's cool?
My thought was if you wanted to build an all-rounder, you get an SL8 Non-S-Works with a SRAM mixed setup (Red Cassette, Red 160F/140R discs, Red Crank, Rival Shifters and RD, Force FD, get some cheaper/lighter 50mm Wheels, probably that Rapide cockpit, your fave saddle and you've achieved a lot of the lightness and aero for like $7K?
Absolutely! Sounds like a cracking build!
Solid review. Thank you.
Quite refreshing seeing or rather hearing you not repeating blindly all that marketing bull shit. I can understand it is a thin line between being true and not upsetting the manufacturers you depend and so much. Thank you for that and keep up the good work!
i have the same SL7 frame, own the Roval Cockpit, along with various weight saving pieces and i have come to the same conclusion, too good a bike to waste spending a good amount of money to get an SL8. I love my SL7.
Nice!
Amazing review thank you
Good honest review!
Love tone of the review, not just repeating marketing jargon. I agree with everything Jaimie said. Thanks for that.
nice format to discuss bikes. Appreciate no moped motor sounds on the road shots. Good job road cc
Cheers, glad you liked it!
Perfect review, congrats!!!!
Best review I’ve seen. Chapeau.
Great review
Good honest review this one👍🏾 I have an SL4 ( Rim Brake ) and although it’s from 2014🤔 it’s still rapid and still a real fun to ride and it’s just as nimble and reactive as many of the newer tech ones of present- as you say if new to road bike scene then get or if you have 12k just sitting idle then yes get it, but it’s not a stop 6 lanes of traffic to cross the road to get kinda bike
Excellent review. I admire your objective and practical approach. I suppose now would be a good time to buy an SL7 if anything
Congratulations, a very honest review. This is what we need. I did not understand well, is the sl8 bottom bracket stiffer than the sl7?
Cheers! Yes, the SL8 BB is stiffer
Nice video... Just the perfect amount of fun and informations. I bought for my SL7 Works the new roval rapide three month ago. What should I said I gave it back 4 days after purchase and I am happy with the old one. I ll wait fir the Sworks SL10 or the new venge
best review for SL8 so far.
Could you please compare the SL8 vs SL6? That would be great!
Would have liked a weight comparison for the top Specialized SL8 to the S-WORKS SL8.
Good review, buy an SL7 at a discounted price while stock lasts, seems sensible 🤔
I like your honesty
Honest and detailed review. Well done! I still prefer the look the SL7 more even the SL8 gives all the "benefits".
In one way it would have been nice to see a giant leap with the SL8 on the other hand the SL7 purchase won't need an update in another 3 years. Crazy good value from a brand that is crazy expensive. Not the value i'd expected but very much welcome.
Just ordered sl8 - Pitsburgh. Thx
Any thoughts on these two bikes vs the SL6? The older models are now discounted and the SL6 is looking tempting.
We'll find one out and have a play! From the spec sheet the SL8 does appear to have come on a fair way in terms of carbon layup (will affect stiffness) and aero mostly thanks to the integrated cables (love them or hate them!)
SL6 Ultralight is the best modern bike ever! 5.8 kg with Lightweight Obermayer. End of discussion.
The Speed Sniffer is a game changer 😂
Ok, and what to choose, for example, I know better that these are two different worlds and different categories of bikes, one is aero, the other is climbing SL8 or Cervelo S5 which is stiffer and has better acceleration or maybe Dogma F ? I'm also thinking about Ridley Noah Fast Disc Team
Love your content,Should I get the sl7 or a sl8 at this point. I have a aethos which I really enjoy the ride on it but I want something that a bit more aero than aethos since I have moved to a environment where have more flats then where I use to live.
Cheers! The SL8 is definitely the more comparable bike to the Aethos with it's lower weight and more compliant rear end, we'd suggest perhaps the non S-Works SL8 which currently retails for a similar price to the S-Works SL7 but is cheaper, more aero, still a tiny bit lighter and more compliant, hope that helps :)
Need a comparison vs a Venge
I crashed my Scott Addict RC, should I get an S-Works SL8 or get an used SL7 frameset?
I gotta think the bike is for the guy who just doesn't care at all and has all the money. Or the guy who goes top end and is ready for a new bike after 5 years - yeah, you prob buy the SL8.
The color you have on your SL7 is already great, you customized it all and don't wanna give that up, but you will upgrade to the new cockpit which is the bit that is faster - does shave a few grams and, lets face it, looks great, so that's the part you'll do. For you, I'd do exactly as you're suggesting.
I do think people are crapping on this SL8 way too hard. They came in with a bike that's faster, stiffer, significantly lighter for less $$. I get that bikes are too $$, but come on to all the haters, they did EVERYTHING you wanted yet still you complain b/c well, that's what people on the internet do. It didn't matter what Specialized put out - half of you were just gonna complain anyway.
Can you do look 795 blade rs 2024?
i have a first gen Trek Emonda w DA9000 with rim brakes and mechanical shifting, and imo that is the pinnacle of road bike.. everything else has added complexity, cost, and weight
I prefer SL7 just because it looks better, SL8 looks too round.
I bought S-Works SL7 2021 and I am happy with that. It's too expensive for me to buy a SL8 and for me, it's not any faster for me. I don't think it gives me any significant benefit for me anyway. I would compare that to my iPhone Pro12, should I upgrade to new one. I think not, as long as battery life is good enough I don't need new iPhone, because new phone doesn't give anything new what I really need. Don't know is it fear to compare bikes and phones together but idea for me is same.
A more relevant question might be if for a new buyer this bike will make a good choice. I know there are people that will 'upgrade' their relatively new top end bike for the latest model. But for anyone who isn't swimming in money and is a bit more realistic about their needs that is really not very sensible or relevant. I would not consider this bike because it's too expensive and the overly light carbon frame might be vulnerable. And if you have a nice bike, just use it for a bit longer. You don't need the latest and greatest, since the upgrades are marginal.
Hi there is small mistake (like in most of the videos) geometry is closer to Aethos now which is 3mm shorter reach and 10 mm higher stack - this should make it quite more comfortable. Didn’t you feel any difference during those 2 weeks ? ( I suppose less stretchy person should be more happy with that)
I’m glad someone else caught that I thought it was only me 😅
Similar to my 2023 Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7 but about $8k less
Just out of interest, what upgrades have you seen benefit from on the S Works SL7 please?
since the weight drop in the second grade sl8, does it make it a good value since it has the same weight as the swork sl7 but almost half the price? doesn the aero and confort gain (even tho I know they are very small gains) still apply?
Yes, and yes. It is possible that, in addition to the weight difference, the non-sworks version is also a bit less stiff. But I’m not certain of this.
Specialized claim that the non-S-Works model is identical in stiffness, compliance and geometry. However we haven't managed to get one in to ride yet
Will these bikes last? I'm new to biking and I've seen too many videos of carbon bikes snaping in half, and just this weekend we had a rider with an older bike have her carbon wheels snap. She got a broken wrist and a trip on the ambulance ($$$ in the US). I guess my point is, the pros seem to change their bikes on a regular basis. Should you be upgrading just because the newer bike is ... newer and the carbon is less degraded?
GCN has done a few vid on this. Carbon does not have a shelf life, e.g.
As with anything there are some that go wrong but the reputable brands have two decade old carbon frames still going strong. We have no reason to believe that carbon degrades within the meaningful lifespan of a bike but you should always be wary of buying carbon (and any bike) second hand as you don't know what's hiding under the paint and whether it's been dropped or crashed
I think this release opens up a great opportunity for cheapskates like me to buy an SL7 in the next coming year. The upgrade from my current alu 105 endurance racer would be massive and the price might be right...
Only reason I'd pick the SL8 is because the steerer tube issue is finally resolved
Agreed. I bought my S-Works SL7 in Feb last year. Absolutely LOVE this bike!! Can't see dropping that much coin for marginal gains. However, that "nose" on the SL8 is finally starting to grow on me. LOL!!
Best review I've seen so far. Like most of your reviews. For me, I just find both a little bland and boring. Probably because I see so many North London posers on them.
Cheers! What bike would you like to see on the channel next? Perhaps Saturdays video will be more up your street!
@@roadcc something by an Italian brand would be nice. Or maybe a brand we don't wee that often
I wasn't clear what your comment was on the bottom bracket. Are you saying that the SL7 bottom bracket is stiffer than the SL8? Thanks!
SL8 BB is stiffer, in his opinion.
SL8 BB is stiffer than SL7, apologies for the confusion
Thanks for responding! I'm surprised as the SL7 BB looks beefier. Must be some magic in the lay-up.@@roadcc
Honestly, how much do people think bikes can get "more aero" ot more stiff, or whatevet while still looking like a regular bike? Its not like its new science, or new materials. 99% marginal gains are in the marketing department
May I ask how tall are you? (Preferably in metric measurements)
Absolutely, Jamie is 183cm
Agree
…and should i upgrade sl8 to sl9 , and from sl9 to sl10 ? Just asking
We'll cross that bridge when we get to it...but for now I'm happy on the SL7
what about catastrophic steerer failure?
The Tarmac SL8's compression ring is now made out of plastic with a layer of it separating the brake hoses and wire (if the electronic groupset is wired) from the steerer tube. This piece can be replaced without recabling the bike.
If you read specializeds own white paper conparing the sl7 and venge vs the sl8 youll see how little time it saves you.
Doesnt specify wattage, but graph shows that at 1 hour at 14% (crazy i know) will save you 26 seconds over the venge.
1 hour at 0% will save you 19 seconds over the sl7.
Durianrider loves his SL8 😂
Sworks SL6 Ultralight edition (last rim brake Specialized made) is better than both of them. 6 kg with powermeter. No more discussion. Thanks.
Seems like you are a bit more upright on the SL8. Are they both the same size/fit bikes? SL8 looks one size larger.
SL8 is indeed a 56cm vs 54 for the SL7, well spotted! Unfortunately on the test bikes we can't tune our position as much as if it were our own but think we got pretty close
@@roadcc thanks for the clarification, that's what I thought too. You look nicely aero on the SL7. I have a good deal on an SW SL7 frameset and I think I will go with it after watching this review.
which one is worse
The weight saving on the frame set and maintaining the ride quality and speed is a hard fought game, it takes an awful lot of work. The guy behind the SL8 and the Aethos is one of the best in the industry.
Sworks rim brake mechanical shifting is waaaay better. Lighter,faster, easy to work on, no drama
i prefer the s works aethos myself esp on the climbs
R.I.P. that fox (?) @3:08
There are other reasons to buy a bike; Aesthetics. Visually the SL8 is, well, lets kindly say, not a glorious looker. The SL7 (in the appropriate color) is a Ferrari to the eye, one of the most attractive bikes ever made (imho). I had the option to buy the 8 but when I found one of the last remaining SL7's (in my size and color ) I couldn't resist. It hasn't arrived as of yet (will ship today)! I am a older club rider so the "weight and aero gains" are irrelevant; I will lose 1 pound and practice my aero position while riding a beautiful SL7 (Red Tint/Metallic White Silver/Satin Black.). I will eventually upgrade the front end as you mentioned. I am a very happy boy! (in an old man kind of way)! Cheers and great review!
I wonder if Spesh will retaliate in some way against you because of your review.
👍🔥
SL8 much lighter than SL7. No more questions. Thanks.
Hmm, my new gravel bike, a Bombtrack Hook steel frame is 11.8kg 👀😂
The iPhone of road bikes
😂👍
Are there really people who "upgrade" their roadbike every year? The video makes it sound like updating your phone. Just curious, cause I "update" my phone roughly every 3 years (or longer), and my first road bike lasted me 6 years.
One of my friend is doing exactly that. Not because he wants "the last bike" but to have no issue no worry. So every 2/3 years, he is selling the "old" s-works to the bike shop and buying the new version (whatever it is). He knows it's expensive but it's the way he likes to spend his money! I wouldn't do it, but I understand the idea.
first i will have to upgrade my phone🙈
There are. From the circle I know back when I was still working in the industry, quite a handful or customers I know buy new bikes annually (sometimes the intervals are shorter than a year). They only sell bikes when it's only a few years old (usually less than five years old).
My first road bike was acquired in 2015, with almost three years of riding under my belt at that time. It was only in May 2022 that I finally get to upgrade my frameset to a 2010s performance road frameset and it wasn't done by some mechanic in some shop, like almost everybody else I know, it was done by me, at home.
@@yonglingng5640a new bike annually, ok, but why?
@@Mas421 As I never asked any one of them this question (I was never close to them at all), everything I'll say next are purely my personal assumptions.
1) They have the money. Some rich people do buy expensive things to flex that they have the wealth to do so, the "Because I can." mindset.
2) They keep wanting the newest stuff.
3) Top-end spec or nothing. Electronic groupsets, über lightweight carbon parts (those with a lower weight limit), bespoke framesets (Bastion, Festka, etc.), CeramicSpeed hybrid ceramic bearings, one-piece cockpits, etc.
Je garde mon sl7 que je trouve bien plus beau
The Area that the Sworks Shines is that it's Aero SL7/SL8 .
BUT ITS LIGHTER . AND IF U R SUPER SMART U WOULD USE THE 1ST GENERATION OF THE ROVAL RAPIDE CLX AERO 51/60 @ 120 grams lighter with TPU tubes 40 grams . Who in there right ✅️ mind wants 2 stuff around with Tubeless.
Tadej Pogacar's lightest bike @ the TdeF was 6.9 kilos .
My SL7 S-WORKS 54CM TARMAC weighs 6.83 ride away Pedals & Bottle Cages & Computer Mount
Wow, that must make us super smart! You may have noticed that they are indeed the first generation CLX wheels on our own bike with latex inner tubes
@@roadcc guess u r super smart like me because l bought the last brand new pairs ×2 sets anywhere in the world 🌎 according 2 Specialized Head Office 🏬 in Melbourne Australia. 1st generation. It's all about rotational mass . Probably one of the reasons Specialized went all out 2 build a 680 gram frame 2 try & compensate.
Julian Alaphillipies team still use the 1st generation of the Roval Rapide CLX Aero Wheelsets 51/60 with Tubes .
Who in there rite mind wants 2 replace the Tubeless goop every 4/6 months .. not me . Got a puncture in my TPU front wheel a week back pumped it up & road home . Only a slow leak .
Sloppy journalism. The frames do not share geometry at all--the newer one has around a 1 cm higher stack across the board
Whilst we agree the stack figures are different on paper, it's our understanding that the SL7 stack is measured to the top of the frame which has a recess. You are then required to run either a 13mm stem transition spacer (electronic groupsets) or 18mm spacer (mechanical groupsets). The 1 necessary spacer on the SL8 is much smaller which according to Specialized delivers the same geometry when a bar and stem is fitted. Sorry that it came across as sloppy.
SL7 looks way better as well!
Next gen SL9 would be 1.5% better than the SL8 and that could be possibly a leap improvement in the next 10-20 years bike design
snappy parts?
Been 11 years and still waiting for a good reason to upgrade. This review doesn’t help 😄
😊
The SL8 Pro is the perfect sweet spot. Lighter than an S-Works SL7, with all the aero and stiffness upgrades of the new bike. Put the Rapide cockpit on it and you are set
I certainly thought the SL8 would be more expensive. This is a small step in the right direction.
10:30 SL7 is way thicker front.
pretty sure the geometry is not exactly the same
Whilst we agree the stack figures are different on paper, it's our understanding that the SL7 stack is measured to the top of the frame which has a recess. You are then required to run either a 13mm stem transition spacer (electronic groupsets) or 18mm spacer (mechanical groupsets). The 1 necessary spacer on the SL8 is much smaller which according to Specialized delivers the same geometry when a bar and stem is fitted. Other than this the only difference is 3mm in reach
@@roadcc Interesting, appreciate that explanation!
$15,000. I'd certainly accept one for free.
These are NOT the pinnacle of bikes hehe. I own the s-works SL8 and it is NOT a race bike. My SL2 S-Works is WAY better and only cost me 750AUD lol.
You have your seat pretty high there
the sl8 was made to be trash so they could slowly upgrade it to sell more. when the uci allowed bikes to be more aero specialized did the opposite.
You'll upgrade once your fork breaks.
I imagine I will...but as we've only seen that happen on a handful of bikes all with about 2" of spacers under the stem we might be waiting quite a while
147 maximum
Shaved legs or face hair, tape over helmet, laced shoes will have give more gains than that over priced bike.
I rather prefer to pay 4500£ for a specialized venge frameset them 5000£ for a specialised sl7 or sl8
The 2019 Venge is a wicked bike!
SL6 was the pinnacle of road bikes. Downhill from there.
Yep. Im VERY pleased with my SL6 rimbrake.
Lol
The Sl5 was pretty good ;)
An honest review. How refreshingly rare on youtube. The SL8 is uglier. If you keep your SL7, periodically remove the headset and make sure the cable routing isn't degrading the steerer so it doesn't snap. Hopefully you know about that issue.
A comparable rider on a $2K Aluminum bike will be as fast as the same rider on a SL7 or SL8. Check out Durianrider's 400w hill climb test comparison of the new SL8 versus old CAAD9...same time up the mountain as both bikes are essentially the same weight.
Personally, I would never spend the money on a SL7 or SL8. I ride old Specialized carbon bikes with rim brakes.
There is almost nothing between top and mid tier bikes...pick a brand...other than price. Best thing any rider can do...aero wheelset with good tires and don't have to break the bank.
Sorry . I like SL7
Sl8 is a bit ugly in front compared to sl7
Porche 911
*Porsche 911🤦♂
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