Specialized Tarmac Pro 2018

Offering most of the performance of the top-of-the-range S-Works model but at a substantially lower price, the new Specialized Tarmac Pro is a highly appealing race and fast performance bike finished with one of the best paint jobs I've seen since 1996.

• Pros: Stunning handling, looks bloody fantastic, smooth and comfortable
• Cons: Not the best value

If you've been reading road.cc regularly, you might have seen the news that Specialized massively updated its flagship race bike, the Tarmac, for 2018. And the result is that this sixth generation, the SL6, is in my opinion the most improved bike of the year. And one of the best race bikes on the market right now.

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There's a lot to like. Not only is the frame significantly lighter, it's claimed to be more aero and comfortable than the previous bike which, let's be honest, was looking a bit dated compared with the current top-end race bikes. Technology has moved on quite a bit in recent years in terms of eking out more performance from the latest carbon developments.

Ride and handling

What really matters more than all the headline-grabbing detail is how it rides, and the answer to that is: superbly. It is comfortably one of the best high-end race bikes currently available.

There are four options to suit different budgets: two S-Works models, the S-Works Tarmac Ultralight (£9,000) and S-Works Tarmac (£8,500), the Tarmac Pro we have here on test, and the Tarmac Expert (£3,500), the cheapest of the four.

I spent a lot of time riding the S-Works Tarmac and it's hard not to be impressed by a bike dripping with all Shimano Dura-Ace and carbon bling. Having now spent some time on the Pro, it's clear the improvements are there regardless of specification.

Granted, there are shades of difference between the two bikes, Dura-Ace versus Ultegra, similar but not quite the same carbon wheels (though the same tyres), and £5,400 is still a heck of a lot of money, but the Pro's superb ride is testament to the advances made in the frame. It's nearly as good as the S-Works bike, there's no short-changing in performance. (And you arguably get a better paint job.)

One critical difference between the bikes is the carbon fibre used, despite the frames looking the same (apart from the paint job, obviously). For the Pro (and Expert) models, Specialized has used what it calls FACT 10r carbon rather than the FACT 12r carbon in the S-Works model, with a difference showing on the scales: 950g claimed for this frame versus 750g for the S-Works model.

How does that manifest itself when riding? The complete bike weight is still just 7kg (6.35kg for the S-Works) and that can hardly be described as heavy, and while it doesn't possess quite the same immediacy and litheness of the more expensive bike, it's no slouch when the road points upwards.

There's also little difference to detect in other areas of performance. Generally, the Pro is as responsive and exhilarating to ride as the S-Works.

The steering is a highlight. The bike responds to your inputs at the handlebar really well, being neither too fast nor too slow when steering into corners and bends. It's a really easy bike to ride at pace and it takes very little time to get accustomed to it.

There's no lack of stiffness evident when sprinting for imaginary finish lines against your riding mates, and out-of-the-saddle efforts reveal a climbing ability that's on par with any other high-end race bike.

It's perhaps not the stiffest race bike on the market; there's just enough softness to ensure it's a very usable bike in a wide range of situations and at any speed. It used to be that a top-end race bike would be overly stiff and uncomfortably hard, crashing along rough roads with no ability to soak up vibrations, but that really isn't the case anymore. The Pro isn't harsh, and doesn't beat you up if the road surface suddenly deteriorates.

The new seatpost design certainly helps here. It provides a noticeable amount of saddle deflection – you can actually see and feel the saddle moving – and that really contributes to the wonderfully smooth ride.

There's also space for wider tyres: 28s will fit if you wanted an even smoother ride.

This is a bike you could use for any long distance ride (I did) or a sportive over unfamiliar terrain.

Build & equipment

I was blown away by the performance of the S-Works Tarmac, though the £8,500 price tag also took my breath away. This Pro model, while not exactly cheap at £5,400, is a little more affordable, and there are few compromises in the ride. The differences are marginal; I'd say that unless you have the opportunity to ride both bikes side-by-side, you won't be able to detect them.

The Pro is the third bike in the new SL6 lineup, and Specialized hasn't exactly skimped on equipment. Shimano's brand new Ultegra Di2 8150 shifters and front and rear derailleurs offer exceptional performance, as smooth and precise as Dura-Ace and with the same ergonomic hoods as the more expensive groupset.

There's no Ultegra crankset, instead it's Specialized's own S-Works carbon fibre model, which certainly looks the business, fitted with Praxis aluminium chainrings. The crankset is certainly stiff with no flex detectable, though the slightly bulbous cranks can scuff if you have a slight heel-in pedalling style or are wearing bulky overshoes.

Shifting with the Praxis rings is flawless, and the 52/36-tooth setup is ideal for the riding this bike is intended for. Praxis also supplies the bottom bracket bearings – no CeramicSpeed bearings like on the S-Works model – and I had no issues during testing.

The new Tarmac switched to direct mount brakes, allowing a lower fork crown for improved front-end aerodynamics, and the new Ultegra 8010 brakes provide a very firm and reassuring lever feel. They're about as good as rim brakes get; it feels like we really have reached a pinnacle here with rim brake technology.

Wheels & tyres

At first glance the wheels look the same as those on the S-Works build. The Roval CL50 carbon clincher rims are identical to those on the S-Works' CLX50s, but different hubs and spokes keep the price down. I noticed no trade-off in performance; the wheels are exceptionally fast, braking is excellent in the dry and respectable in the wet, and the hubs ran smoothly for the entire review period.

Specialized's own wheels continue to impress, then, but the S-Works Turbo tyres are something else. They are fantastic. They measure 26mm wide, have a 120 TPI (threads per inch) construction with BlackBelt puncture protection, and feel just lovely to ride. They're supple and smooth on any road surface, help to cushion you on rougher roads, and have a high level of traction in a range of conditions. The only downside to their awesome performance is that they do appear to wear rather quickly.

Finishing kit

Specialized isn't shy in kitting out its bikes with its own-brand finishing equipment, and nor should it be. It makes some really good products so it all works and fits perfectly. I could happily have the Toupe Expert Gel saddle with its hollow titanium rails on every bike I ever rode again. It's supportive with just enough padding to dish out long-distance comfort.

The aluminium Expert Shallow Drop handlebar has a 75mm reach and 123mm drop and I found that ideal for riding, whether on the hoods or in the drops. A carbon handlebar might add a bit more bling and drop some weight, but I'm quite happy with a solid feeling aluminium bar and have no complaints.

The only change I made was swapping out the Pro SL aluminium stem for a longer one. Even the bar tape fitted feels lovely in the hands: grippy and slightly padded.

Conclusion

Buying a Specialized Tarmac has always been a safe choice if you wanted a very capable race bike. The latest changes push its performance and desirability on a massive step from the old bike, making it also a smart choice.

It's expensive, though, and perhaps not the best bang for buck buy. Specialized still can't compete against the direct-sales brands – a look at the Canyon website reveals a Dura-Ace Di2-shod Ultimate CF SLX will cost just an extra £400 over this SL6 Pro.

There's also Trek's brand new Emonda SLR 8 which, for £5,200, offers a full Dura-Ace mechanical groupset with Bontrager carbon wheels as another option.

> road.cc Superbike of the Year 2017-18

These are all very good race bikes that offer exceptionally low weight and high levels of stiffness and comfort, and would suit any seriously enthusiastic amateur racer. I've ridden each one, though not in these specific builds and I've not had the opportunity to do a direct comparison between each, but I know it would be difficult separating them on performance alone.

And if your wallet can't stretch to the Tarmac Pro, there's always the £3,500 Tarmac Expert to consider.

Verdict

Stunning performance and great looks, though perhaps not the best value for money