A History of The S-Works Tarmac from the E5 to the SL8

[@lorenzodestefano4043]

Sl6 rim brake was the pinnacle of Sworks production

[@cyclingthematrix]

Thanks for the comments on this video. Keep them coming. It seems most people are still a fan of Rim Brakes and I am definitely in that camp too. I really appreciate all the comments and feedback.

[@monk3ymasta]

I still ride my SL1 every week. Most reliable groupset ever, frame still holding up, and a real head turner for cyclists who love geeking out on unique bikes.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

don't sell it

[@DCRUZ547]

I've got a 2012 S-WORKS SL4 in black and red with Roval CLX60 wheels and a 2021 S-WORKS SL7 with ENVE wheels and aero bar (profile pic) I love both!!!

[@robotversuscyborg]

Rim brakes to rule them all... Good video 👊

[@lamarkbrim]

S-works SL6 rim brake all day!!

[@Jstroman221]

Same

[@tamazoid]

Nice history on the Tarmac! I started cycling in 2015 with an Allez. Shortly after I wanted a carbon bike. Tried many different bikes, but always loved Specialized so much, I found a S-Works Tarmac SL4. And most recently I got a Tarmac SL6 disc. I still have them all and alternated between them once in a while.

[@cyclingthematrix]

Thanks for the comment, I loved my SL4, miss that bike a lot. I also miss my SL6 rim brake and wish I'd never sold it. I love my Aero Disc bike but I always find myself going back to my faithful rim brake bike. Keep pedaling and again, thanks for the positive comment.

[@cyclingthematrix]

Btw I also had an Allez and started around the same time.

[@tamazoid]

@@cyclingthematrix I love my SL4 with the rim brakes for sure! But I also love doing climbs. And what goes up, must come down right? So it's hard to beat the disc brake on the descents! I don't want to wear out the carbon wheels on my SL4... But both are definitely my two favorite bikes! And I use my Allez on the indoor trainer during the winters.

[@durianriders]

DISC FOR DENTISTS RIM FOR RACERS!

[@cyclingthematrix]

Indeed, Rim for the win 100% Harley 😉

[@grahambell9831]

Has to be the Sworks SL7 as its my only road bike and my 1st specialized purchase. Lovely bike I have to say, and quite compliant on the Northumberland roads I cycle on. Great review on the history of the Tarmac. Chapeau! 👏

[@cyclingthematrix]

Thanks, my Mum lives in Beadnell so I'm up that way a lot, definitely need the bike to be compliant of some of those roads...

[@grahambell9831]

Couldn't agree more.......from Morpeth I'm either north and west or straight up along the B roads up the coast.......both special places that I simply love to cycle round........perfect training for my ironman triathlons and sportives the last being 2022s, 312km in Mallorca. Have a great weekend. It's rather warm here in Quesada, Spain ....saw the grand depart in Cartagena from the Vuelta... A marvellous occasion!

[@durianriders]

DONT ride a rim brake s-works then haha. You will have HUGE buyers remorse on any tarmac disc model. Ive ridden/owned EVERY s-works tarmac since 2004 when the first one dropped.

[@grahambell9831]

@@durianriders My 1st sworks ( previously a cervelo rs / s3 / s5 and Scott's addicts R 2 & R4 owner). I must admit I do very much admire this latest bike. Its last event outing was the 312km sportive in Mallorca. A 12 and half hour day in the saddle at 55 years young with 15,000ft of climbing.......the bike was superb throughout and the brakes were just fine 🙂 👍. Have a great weekend!

[@stephengarner4428]

I still have my SL4 Elite with upgraded Fulcrum wheels, I absolutely love it

[@amaurytovar7108]

SL4! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@danlingren7389]

I’ve been riding my 2009 Tarmac Expert for 15 years and still love it. I brought it with me to the Outback of Australia and have 700 miles on it from this trip. I do own a 2021 Roubaix S-Works (Di2 with rim breaks) and love that one even more.

[@danlingren7389]

Sorry that is a 2012 Roubaix!

[@Dali6266]

Better late than never .. I recently purchased my first ever Specialized, an S-Works SL8 & have no regrets .. I’m loving it! For me it seems to be the full package. It’s fast, great handling, compliant & a good looking bike. Just my personal opinion 👍

[@trroland1248]

Great review. However, I think you missed 2005 Tarmac, which I still have and ride. I believe that was the first year the Tarmac (including S-Works verion) was all-carbon and not alu-carbon. I still have the regular Tarmac pro from that year. It has the Zerts inserts in the seat-stays and fork ends like the Rubaix of that year.

[@richardcarr6493]

SL4 & SL6 RIM BRAKE ONLY NO DISC !!

[@durianriders]

Disc for dentists rim for racers.

[@chakrasurya7601]

​@@durianriders what do you say about the sl5 rim brake?

[@FRANKIEJ360]

sl6 rim brake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@pabloso8403]

SL6 RIM!

[@timamenmen]

Thanks for your upload! Tarmac E5's pictures are wrong. They are actually full aluminum model's. The 1st gen Tarmac's frame are painted in red for the lower aluminum part, and the upper part are not painted, just naked carbon colour. There is no colour variant. Plus, the very 1st gen was simply named Tarmac. Tarmac E5 name was applied later model. From 1st gen Tarmac owner.

[@cyclingthematrix]

OK, well they came from the articles page so I guess you will have to ask them about it. It's actually very hard to find pictures of the E5 these days to be honest.

[@durianriders]

Only people who have been around the road bike game for decades will be able to correct you. You have done great otherwise. @@cyclingthematrix

[@titeends]

You are absolutey correct. I own the Tarmec prototype and it is just as you described. I can make a photo available if you let me know where to post it. Tom

[@nochancecw]

For everyone with an SL6 rim brake claim, I've got an SL6 disc where I'm looking at doing custom 180 rotors just to brake faster abover 80km/hr 😂. #LetRimBrakesDie.

[@lesliereissner4711]

The bike shown at 2:38 in the video is the original Tarmac E5, with the arched top tube and half-carbon, half-aluminum build. I have owned one since 2007. These were available from 2004 until early 2007 and were so expensive to build with the dual materials that Specialized lost money on each one, hence the switch to full carbon.

[@durianriders]

Correct. Second tarmac was full carbon.

[@j.macmillan2293]

I like the white one.

[@bleachlectures3973]

i have an allez from 1980 that i still have

[@cyclingthematrix]

That's awesome, Rim brakes for the win..

[@leicestercityshorts9]

Keep the videos coming

[@sebastianmoise8728]

Great bike, i have Sl6 Red....check SL8 POST..ALREADY CRACKED....QUALITY THESE DAYS...😢😢😅😅

[@russellfleming6513]

I’ll stick with my S Works SL5 rim brake . I can’t believe the cost of these bikes now .

[@michaelbatterbee448]

Is the specialised amira basically the female variant of the tarmac

[@cyclingthematrix]

Yes and no

[@KickTurner]

venge!