What makes the S-Works SL8 so light? 🤔

[@timd7958]

What I learned from my own sworks sl8 build: 1) You won't need to undo the plate for the front derailer installation (Shimano) 2) For the saddle screw: easy just mount a cutout saddle haha 3) If you need to shorten the seatpost, make sure to drill holes for the di2 battery holder (rather a problem for 52 frames and smaller) 4) You can only mount 160mm disc in front as per the instructions As a little bit of a weight weenie, I cried looking at those 7,7kg for the sworks :P

[@garyfan3526]

Is it the tyres and ffwd wheels combo? 7.7 without pedals is a bit too much indeed

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@garyfan3526 ffwd must be even bit lighter than stock Rovals...

[@timrooke9344]

@@garyfan3526 My TCR Advanced SL Ultegra Di2 with Light Bicycle 465/565 wheels and pedals, bottle cages and computer mount comes in at 7.2 KG.It does seem very heavy although the forks still need cutting

[@rrluthi1]

The Ultegra Cassette is a chunky boy, I know from doing my own build.

[@timrooke9344]

@@rrluthi1 I put a Dura Ace 11-34 on my build

[@Adub101]

Great video and review of the frame. It's disappointing that on a top end frameset you have to face the BB and brake mounts, actually unacceptable!

[@gweflj]

Especially when it voids the warranty.

[@matthewlewis2072]

When I watch your vids, it makes me want to move to the Lakes so you can be my LBS.

[@Stefanosinf]

As always, informative, no BS, "inside" informations and well put thoughts.

[@Chunky246]

Jeez, that amount of money and you still need to finish Spesh's QC......

[@johndef5075]

That is kinda ridiculous, especially on an SWorks.

[@shannontaylor3565]

I love the attention to detail you guys give your bikes + your customers. Would never own a bike like this myself cuz I'd want to be able to maintain it, but love what you do.

[@Mapdec]

Thank you.

[@youling1997]

A bike shop faced the BB and revealed the aluminum shell. Which made the bike not safe to ride and they had to get the customer a new frame. Also, per Specalized manual you are not supposed to face anything. So how do you know how much material to take off at the BB?

[@Chunky246]

I remember that too. They had to replace the frame..... oops

[@Mapdec]

You use the bluing agent, measure, and check every few turns.

[@JibbaJabber]

🥇 aka 'what makes your wallet so light'!

[@Mapdec]

haha, this should have been the title

[@govermentsoundsystemrootik8887]

😅🤣😂

[@guntorclement8080]

Credit card

[@JibbaJabber]

@@guntorclement8080 Credit card! Buying one of these will melt it 😜

[@enjoyschill]

If a bike is making your wallet light … I guess there are bigger reasons 😅

[@ilgour]

Proper pro mechanic right there...we are looking at the 1% here. You wont see this kind of job in 99% of bike shop out there. Well done.

[@Mapdec]

Thank you 🙏

[@gpurkeljc]

I'd take the Look. It just makes far more sense for anyone who wants a nice bike that they intend to use for many years to come.

[@DPbike]

7.7kg, that's quite surprising as the advertised painted SL8 pro weight, for a 56cm is 7.16 kg (15 lb, 12.6 oz) with supposedly 'heavy' butyl tubes, no pedals though. Would be interesting to see the weight once the fitting is over and the final bars/stem, tubules and steerer cut done, etc

[@matanhale]

Not sure it would be much different - length of cut steerer tube vs bar tape

[@Mafacracer]

Considering the build cost the weight is unreal. A 20 year old Caad frame build would be lighter at a fraction of the cost. So much for racing bikes being referred to as 'lightweights' those days are gone. We're supposed to get excited about 1 finger braking instead 😂

[@LTBlightthebeam]

@@Mafacracer #CAADgang

[@RylHango]

@@Mafacracer Old bikes are dramatically lighter but less aero, get over it, weight is not as important as aero for most riding under 5% gradient

[@Mafacracer]

@@RylHango I don't think the average rider has the ability to hold a truly aero position on a bike so the marginal aero design differences are irrelevant. A light bike feels nicer and feel is what makes cycling enjoyable for most people. I couldn't care less about the CdA of an overpriced frameset.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Still rocking the first gen emonda with rim brakes sub 6.8kg.

[@Ryan97beyond]

i have an aluminium emonda with 105 pedals, cages and comp mount at 6.89g

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

@@Ryan97beyond thats how we roll!!! Great build!

[@LTBlightthebeam]

first 3/4 vid: "specialized well done on qc". last 1/4 vid: "wtf are you doing specialized!"

[@timhall7771]

For £4k+ the frame should be basically perfect. Sad (but unsurprising) indictment of the state of the industry today.

[@tonyg3091]

You want perfect, buy TIME. However buy it now while they are still made in EU, when they start making them in the US….I do not know really…

[@timhall7771]

@@tonyg3091 I already did :-)

[@tonyg3091]

@@timhall7771 Very good

[@GCPerformance18]

That’s wild for the price match guarantee for SHIMANO. That’s awesome for you guys. Over here groups are still around that price of 2400-2600 which is actually forcing consumers to buy groups internationally. Mind blown by that. Sounds like shops get nice dealer support. Good video

[@Mapdec]

Thanks Grant

[@andrewbrewin5418]

You win some you loose some. We get decent Shimano prices, but SRAM is priced high, as is anything American made, like the Enve Ses 4.5s at £3350 😮

[@LyndonNLeeming22]

Great video as usual though! Love the bike build ones 🤌🏼

[@jorgesierra3165]

nice video👍, as always everything has been explained pretty well. Every time I see new bike models, instead of being excited about owning one, I just get scared when I see how complicated maintenance is.

[@mikehhhhhhh]

Be interested to see ride thoughts on that bottom bracket and rear end stiffness. Comparing my SL8 to previous SL7, I find it nothing short of witchcraft how stiff it is out the saddle at 1300w compared to the much beefier BB and rear end of the SL7.

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

Great video as always. It did feel like a disconnect to be spending so much money on the this frame then fitting ultegra on it with relatively heavy wheels when you could have saved 500g on wheels alone. I would get the look and just take a 300g poop before leaving the house.

[@Mapdec]

Umm. These are a 1500g wheel. You might get a wheel set for 1250 to 1350 if you make a few sacrifices, or spend more on hubs. Defo not 500g. (Umm maybe if you went full tpu tubes and light tyre or even tubs) maybe. 🤔

[@mikehhhhhhh]

Just noticed upon fitting new pads to my SL8 that my rear caliper mount is also terrible. The top and bottom of the mounts aren’t even close to square to each other and it pulls the caliper to tilt towards the outside when torqued. As much as I’d like to come to you guys, a 12 hour round trip is prohibitive. I don’t suppose you can recommend someone down south/around London can you? I’ve spoken to three shops and their answers were “I’ll be surprised if you need it” and “we’ll get it aligned” 🙄😭

[@Mapdec]

You know. I just tried too. Because I get asked this a lot. Just tried the best I know of. L’Atelier Du Velo, Apex Cycles, impressed and London Bike Kitchen. Oh and Velosport. They all said they don’t have a disc facing tool, or didn’t know how to use it. I’m seriously upset about this.

[@mikehhhhhhh]

@@Mapdec I appreciate that, thank you! Guess I have little choice but to take my chances with the warranty process 🙈

[@Jonislol]

once I've reached my own personal goals and deserve a dream bike build definitely coming to you guys to get it done despite me living near London.

[@Rezmund]

0:41 what would you guys recommend to protect the rtp frame please? I have a new Aethos RTP frame and a used SL7 rtp bike although that has darkened from new. Cheers.

[@Mapdec]

The best thing would be to paint it.

[@Rezmund]

@Mapdec thanks. I like the raw carbon finish and understated look of the RTP framesets. Maybe I'll wrap the frames.

[@Mapdec]

@ you need some UV protection really

[@vladvultur3347]

I got same frameset with the dura ace srm pm9 darimo seatpost . Compare with my venge 2020 sl8 is so responsive and such a comfortable bike . And about the tyre you’re so right ,people not pay good money for good tyres .

[@SoManyMiles]

Great review and nice to see it compared to a Look frame. Would love to see a comparison of Specialized Crux and Time ADHX 45 (dark olive colourway has stolen my heart) one day as I am currently thinking about going for one of these next.

[@davidjenkins2011]

What a phenomenal video and bike shop. Top stuff!

[@Mapdec]

🙏

[@kpizzle1985]

In Dave Arthurs SuperSix video he said there would be no more BB creaking thanks to the threaded BB. I said it looks like a two piece insert rather than a sleeve so may still have issues, like with this SL8. He responded very sarcasticly, I was disappointed in him.

[@Mapdec]

I wish he would take the bikes apart in his reviews.

[@Chunky246]

Yeah he doesn't like being challenged on anything, won't have a debate etc. Just throws his toys. But shillers are always like that.

[@PeakTorque]

Biggest bike industry shill there is. In the pocket of all the uk bike industry cronies.

[@farrar5197]

I totally agree with Paul about more care and regular servicing with a bike like this. Standard family car standard servicing, high end performance sports car regular high end service intervals.

[@Pablo_Coach]

Just read page 5 in Tarmac SL8 service manual (section: „trade off”):„relatively short product life”, „you are choosing light weight (shorter frame life) over more frame weight and a longer frame life”, „you are choosing light weight over more dent resistant or rugged frames that weigh more”.

[@SoCalCyclist]

@mapdec You may want to look at Tour magazine’s test data for bike aero and stiffness before making comparisons. Despite the absence of weight, the SL8 tests as a stiff frame and the 2nd fastest road bike.

[@Mapdec]

I’m not questioning that here. Not until I have ridden it. Just showing my observations. Hope it was interesting

[@martynstokes9289]

Great job on the video and what a great bike and build I have he SL6 Tarmac great bikes

[@ramsden35]

I love those bikes. What is worrying about the issues with the bottom bracket and brake mount, other bike builders would have bodged it. The care and concern shown by Mapdec is exemplary.

[@gweflj]

Cool story bro🤣

[@funwithlg]

Since comparing it to the new 785, will there actually be some upcoming videos on the Look with some more in depth review than the first video of it? Would love to see more about it and footage is rare since its quite new

[@Mapdec]

Yes. I am training for a gravel ride right now, so struggling to film the road bike outdoors.

[@JimUe1]

Great video. Would love seeing similar videos for builds of other brands & models and what is supposed to make them unique and your experience of their properties and qualities.

[@Mapdec]

We rely on folk bringing their bikes to us. We don’t want to get into sponsored vids.

[@JoeW71]

Nice video. I thought the bike would be lighter, but I guess disc brakes and Di2 do add some weight. My old Scott weighs 16.08 lb with pedals and bottle cages.

[@arolex11]

Where can I get a bike stand like that? (Nice Video) I have the SL8 Pro Blue

[@matanhale]

The one at the end?...for presenting the bike. Ride now, Ali express

[@RICHARD.WRIGHT1]

My SL3 from 2010 with BB30 PF works a treat! Ah yes it's got NTN bearings in that's probably why. 😅

[@brockjennings]

Rumor has it that Walmart may aquire Specialized. If so, I can buy now and pay later on a new SL8.

[@jrh1704]

Love the videos from Mapdec! Slightly concerned with that flex though, geez! Not to mention the small finishing that needed to be done. I'm cheap but that's why I can't drop that kind of cash on a bike like that. For 3 grand, you can build a bad-ass aluminium CAAD or Spec Sprint with Ultegra and ride like the wind. I'm not going to notice a few hundred grams and neither is that guy if he's a full time fisherman. He's not racing. Love the knowledge you give us though

[@SichardRamuels]

Guessing he's a rigger rather than a fisherman if he's got £4750 to drop on a frame! The price of the top level American brand frames blows my mind every time, especially when compared to the top level Giant offerings (who actually make the things for Specialized and Trek).

[@JibbaJabber]

Since he works at sea, he'll need that flex to help him get his land legs back!

[@cornelhughes6763]

Enjoyed the video. Really like how you have ensured that the service you provide is value added eg the bike fit.. However for the wheels I would have gone with something lighter, perhaps CRW Works 40/45 @1200 grams for the pair costing about 1700 usd. Would have changed the cranks to some lighter ones to save about 300 grams costing about 400.00 usd (Incolor Skypivot )

[@DCRUZ547]

Any chance of a comparison between the SL8 and the 795 Blade RS??

[@Mapdec]

If I can borrow an SL8 to test ride, for sure.

[@varfolomeev_d]

@@Mapdec I also don't know what to buy sl8 or 795 blade rs. So this comparacing will be really helpful for me.

[@Maxibsa]

Nice Bike. I am still waiting for my Stevens Izoard pro Disc. Waiting since March😢

[@muratmustafa4532]

A similar weight saving can be done from 105 di2 to ultegra di2 for £500 extra. Also no compromise in frame durability.

[@MrGarycoww]

Love specialized,in think there's very few bike shops that would check on the level you guys do. Even the specialized concept store had poorly trained staff.

[@michaelclements4664]

@11:55, for a customer like that, riding hard in poor weather, I'd recommend a more robust if slightly heavier frame. @12:40, it's pathetic that such an expensive frame can't properly align or face the BB or the brake mounts. Well done demonstrating and fixing the problems. Road tubeless: I'm not a fan. It's not lighter or faster than latex tubes, just messier.

[@pinkyfull]

I agree re: latex, but the cycle industry really loves to sell overpriced tubeless fluid, and tyre liners, and you need to replace both more often than an inner tube, so i think you'll continue to see a push from pro teams and the like to go in that direction, unfortunately.

[@paulhshudson]

I've been using tubeless on the road for well over ten years now. I find it so much more reliable than tubes, including latex tubes. I don't really understand people's resistance to road tubeless to be honest.

[@michaelclements4664]

@@paulhshudson I can explain, at least in my own case. You need to replace the sealant at least every 6 months, and that's more often than I get flats. So tubeless would be higher maintenance. And there is no benefit - it's not lighter, nor faster. The puncture resistance is slightly better but overrated - I've stopped on rides to help people who flatted their tubeless tires. With MTB it's a whole different thing because tubeless enables you to run lower pressures and gain significantly better traction. Not so on road bikes, where you get all the expense and inconvenience of tubeless without the benefits.

[@carefulsum]

It's made in China and shipped to Taiwan for paint and tarrifs purposes so when someone says China carbon frames are bad just give them example of this S-Works frames and it will shut them up.

[@rendezvous_with]

I built out a non S-Works SL8 and didn't have any issues with the BB or brake mount surfaces. I wonder if I got lucky, or the things they do to get the S-Works so light are the reason for the issues?

[@Pablo_Coach]

Poor quality control and lottery in bb quality

[@DrJRMCFC]

Sounds like an awesome bike shop.

[@Mapdec]

Thank you. We try really hard.

[@durianriders]

My sworks SL1 with alloy wheels is lighter than my sl8 sworks.

[@edmundhodgson2572]

These look great with paint on. The raw just hides its lines and actually makes it look heavier! (its over a kilo heavier than my 2012 Isaac also which does have paint, and pedals, and cages)

[@armasks]

Only 55gms lighter than my Lemond Tete de Course ultimate triomphe from 2008...16yrs of innovation by specalised..🙏

[@johndef5075]

Nice!

[@dvoob]

No less than 20w faster from an aero perspective though.

[@armasks]

@@dvoob I doubt it, just put the power down harder..lol

[@dvoob]

@@armasks if that's your mindset you should keep riding the lemond. if you want to win races you should care about aero. You could get 70% of the benefit the SL8 gets with integrated bars + wheel combinations.

[@glennoc8585]

Fair point if you're focusing solely on weight but it's more than that. Frame stiffness wheel width and aerodynamics are what 16 years has created

[@Pablo_Coach]

When will the new TIME Scylon be released?

[@Mapdec]

Probably the day after Shimano release the new groupset that needs a new hanger standard.

[@Pablo_Coach]

@ ok thanks! By the way I'll ask: do You rate the quality of giant tcr over tarmac sl8?

[@Mapdec]

@@Pablo_Coach I'm not sure what you mean by 'do you rate'? they are 2 different bikes TCR vs Atheous, Or Propel vs SL8. Are you at s-works or SL level ?

[@Pablo_Coach]

@ I mean overall carbon layup and frame build quality Giant vs Specialized

[@Mapdec]

@ I can’t comment on layup as they would need dissecting. Fit and finish is about the same. I do detest the Giant overdrive steerer though.

[@NeonGrayEdits]

Love it! ❤

[@PatrickRoberts-cv2np]

Have you considered reviewing high end Merida (e.g. reacto, scultura) for comparison? Same manufacturer to specialized as i understand, but a fraction of the price.

[@Mapdec]

We just review what customers bring us. We are not a media company. Just a bike shop that does show and tell.

[@FaiscaaaH]

8 kg for a high end bike with several frame problems? Damn... I will stay with my SL6 rim brake version. Obs. I would love to have a bike shop like yours that do a proper job when building a new bike 💪

[@tommywilson9040]

How does the build quality of the SL8 frame compared to the old SL7? More substantial or durable BB, hanger etc?

[@Mapdec]

I would say the SL7 seems more robust

[@Antoine_Frs]

I also got to have a look at an S-Works SL8 ready to paint at my local bike shop, and to my untrained eye it looked well finished like this one. It's disappointing to see that despite having been faced the BB and brake mounts are out of alignment. The BSA cups sticking out also look a bit odd on such a build 😅. Other than that it's refreshing to see a Spesh with personnality, instead of the catalogue ones all looking uninspireringly fancy.

[@vozzen]

With all those weight saving measures, why do they have a seperate seat post instead of it being part of the frame?

[@thomaskuhn6541]

Thanks for the video Paul. Surprised the customer went with Ultergra. I figured anyone who gets this level of frame is going for Dura-Ace or Red. On a different topic, had another of your videos pop up in my KZbin recommendations that I wanted to watch but it turned out to be for "Memebers Only". First time I've seen that, is that new or have you been doing that for a while? I'm a subscriber and watch about 90% of your videos, did you ever do a video to bring that to people's attention?

[@Mapdec]

I’ve been putting a few of my worst videos into members only or deleting them.

[@abhimawa1]

Nice video! If I get that frame, I will eventually put at least a clear coat for the sake of long-term durability, but then I still won’t get the tank-like Patek-esque construction of the Look. With sufficient coating, I’d guess the weight difference is ± 200-ish grams? Beautiful 785 Huez 👍

[@Mapdec]

Are you calling my Blade a tank? 😂

[@abhimawa1]

@@Mapdec 😂 Correction: the Look is more like A. Lange & Söhne build-like 😉

[@michaelfahy1203]

cool video :) cockpit looks strange with the SL7/other spacers. the sniffer is clearly made for the roval rapide bar. (or to sell the cmr one)

[@Mapdec]

We will just fit with this set up and swap when happy with dimensions.

[@valmorell]

Interesting that you should highlight how reduction in weight usually means a reduction in toughness (not durability). I see this across all industries. A purchaser buying this bike should be prepared to have it cared for in an appropriate manner. Not what I would choose for a winter bike, or maybe even a UK bike. Designed for California?

[@vitaldemuynck5848]

about that really long compression bung aka expander plug it didn't used to be that long the original one wasn't that long and subsequently recalled after some forks broke. i work at a specialized dealer and i changed so many i can probably do it with my eyes closed by now.

[@bendardania]

I have build 18 sl8 frames so far, not one of them had any bb issue, I have same tools and same level of knowledge as you do, longer experience than you but who’s counting. ( I have to admit you are way better than me at anything MTB) Only because I am older :). I did have some issue with rear caliper. That build is surprisingly heavy, like way too damn heavy. I don’t get really the point of buying a 5.5k frame and build with FF wheels and a basic fizik saddle. But hey we just have to do what customers ask us to do. By the way I did build an sl8 with Ultegra and alpinist wheels for a kilo less than your customers bike, just saying.

[@bendardania]

Sorry, I was wrong about saddle, I meant to say prologo. :) I too can be wrong.

[@Mapdec]

It’s ok. We still have alu kit and cheap saddle on for fitting. The BB would probably pass most shops. I am being pedantic. The brake mount was poor though. Couldn’t get the caliper to align and hadn’t even connected the brakes yet.

[@bendardania]

@@Mapdec I didn’t catch it because there wasn’t anything to catch in the frames that I purchase and sold with bb facing/ spacing/ alignment. You keep assuming here….when I said I have, I should have said I have them and I know to use them and when to use them. Most bike shops have “PARK TOOL BTS-1 BB TAPPING & FACING” or “Park Tool DT-5.2” and other similar tools. Any experienced mechanic knows how to use them and uses them on regular basis, especially working on calipers(You can get your calipers and bb perfectly alight if anything wrong with them for $60. I say if anything wrong because there are those mechanics that create unnecessary issues.)

[@feedbackzaloop]

Despite the intuition, big BB shells and wide tubes are a measure to reduce overall weight. For in order to get same properties you can reduce wall thickness greater than you increased tubing size. And that is where Spec's flex comes from: reduction both in size and wall thickness.

[@marcustan5868]

He recommends a look road bike right?

[@Mapdec]

I don’t think I used the word recommend. It’s just there as an example

[@marcustan5868]

@@Mapdec I see, may I know what brands you recommend?😃

[@Penalist]

@@marcustan5868 Look and Time

[@Mapdec]

@@marcustan5868 I sell LOOK and Time because I admire their quality and engineering, but they are not right for everyone. I have made vids on other brands I like. Cinelli, Felt, Riley, and others. I like to recommend what’s right for the rider.

[@Pablo_Coach]

@@Mapdecwhat about Giant TCR ?

[@georgefarrowgreen01]

As soon as you faced this you just lost this guys frame warranty - well done

[@Mapdec]

No we didn’t. A dealer would do the same. It is a standard procedure not a modification.

[@georgefarrowgreen01]

@@Mapdecit literally says in the manual not to face these frames

[@Mapdec]

@@georgefarrowgreen01 nobody will ever know 😂. Seriously though, that’s on us. Spech won’t refuse a warranty on a broken chain stay because of a faced BB. If we had messed it up, gone too deep and wrecked the bond with the treads. Then quite rightly they shouldn’t warranty it.

[@pinkyfull]

Counter point, specialized should have aligned their bottom bracket properly so it didn't need to be faced. Especially with the ridiculous price on that frame-set, I would have expected a higher level of QC. I've had better bottom brackets on $1500 frame-set from no-name brands in China than a $6000 specialised, what a joke.

[@Ryan.T89]

@@georgefarrowgreen01I faced the BB on my SL7 and I had no issue when my frame was warrantied for a paint defect.

[@andreemurray7039]

More marketing still need to pedal it to make it move my sl4 just as good

[@marcelginter209]

Great Video! I was pleased about the build quality and attention to details until... you had to face the BB and rear break mounts. Not acceptable for a flagship product. 9Velo CD45 2.0 wheels would save 300gr 😉

[@Mapdec]

Maybe. We don’t touch the Chinese stuff. Just too hard to get service parts. We can’t offer the customer service that folk come to us for.

[@lemonshire1]

What's the point of an S-Works frame if you're going to put Ultegra on it...

[@hockysa]

Frame resale value? Could also change parts to DA over time.

[@Penalist]

That presumes that he chose this frame for the weight (only), which may not be the case.

[@glennoc8585]

I've had enough dura ace to have arrived at the point that ultegra is really all I need. The functions are indistinguishable and the internals are mostly the same including the servo motor in the derailleurs. The like of Pogacar would've won the Giro on the latest 105 let alone ultegra or rival even

[@JaiJai-by4tp]

Unless your a semi pro racer why pay 1k extra for a few 100 grams .

[@_xnk7257]

No money left after buying the frame

[@markj.a351]

Fun game: go through the comments to find the people crying about how their x years old bike with rim brakes is lighter

[@josediaspinto7438]

Well their argument is perfectly valid as the main goal of this build was to achieve a low weight, and it doesn’t seem to be a revelation

[@cup_and_cone]

​@@josediaspinto7438 Argument is not valid when anything bigger than a 26c tire doesn't fit.

[@madenwashere2123]

@@josediaspinto7438 The main goal of the build was not low weight, it was reliability. See 12:10 . Sure, choosing a S-works frame is a bit counterintuitive for that but that was the customer's decision.

[@christianb.1028]

​@@cup_and_coneThe argument: You need disc brakes for wide tires is complete and utter BS. If you wanna ride gravel tires over 33 mm sure. But my 2016 Emonda miraculously fits 28s easily with Ultegra brakes and could probably even take 30s with 105 brakes. And my wife rides 33mm cyclocross tires with rim brakes on a Triban road bike from Decathlon, zero problems, perfekt braking on aluminium rims. If the manufacturers wanted to, there would be absolutely NOTHING holding them back designing rim brake bikes with 30+ mm clearance.

[@christophertan3195]

​@@christianb.1028lol found one here

[@lukaszbbbb]

Everyone I know who's brought one,has cracked it

[@Mapdec]

I have heard this happens a lot.

[@davidhope1910]

Surely the industry should not get away with such poor QC at that price point, send it back, repeatedly if need be. Personally, I think your customer would be better going titanium for trouble free all weather reliability...

[@BenSietze]

Nice bike but I don’t quite understand the component selection. Superlight frame but quite heavy wheelset. Not that I think these aren’t good wheels, on the contrary. But to spend this much on a superlight frame and then go for relative heavy wheelset feels odd. Or does the SL8 do other things better and low weight was not the most important goal?

[@Mapdec]

Purely budget. Yes. We all know it’s a bit odd and if weight were the goal it could have been lighter with a heavier frame and lighter parts.

[@Frostbiker]

Ask yourself: if you bought a timepiece for the price of that frame, what sort of craftsmanship would you expect? And we are comparing jewelry with a piece of sports equipment.

[@Mapdec]

Fascinating question. I have no idea what a Rolex costs.

[@TheMASDrummer]

My sl4 s works tarmac is 6.6kg with alloy wheels...and not even using carbon bars or saddle

[@salvatoremannino3389]

My experience with Specialized is that they tried to sell me a dented wheel. They replaced all right but I had to wait an extra week for it. The set is really lovely but why they try these low tricks on customers? I won't ever buy anything from them again. So that's their gain

[@luismartinho7044]

Premium service… excelent

[@davemellor4697]

Surely facing the BB you have lost the warranty? It says in spech instructions DO NOT RE FACE? Seriously thats naughty.

[@Mapdec]

Like anything. If we mess it up, we pay. Shaving a micron off a BB face won’t affect a warranty claim on a cracked seat stay. I’m prepared to take that risk to make sure the bike rides perfectly. It’s a calculated risk.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

SRAM had 13 speed Red AXS EXPLR all over unbound this weekend. 1x on all the Pro SRAM riders.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Thank you for the SL8 look. There's a Roubaix SL8 S-Works frame at a local shop. $5500...way past my wallet.

[@qibble455]

Weird title for this Look blade video:P

[@LTBlightthebeam]

Mapdec will find any reason to include a Look or Time bike in it

[@Mapdec]

It’s what we have in the shop 🤷‍♂️. It’s not like I have a TCR frame just hanging here for comparison. Try not to let it bother you

[@qibble455]

@@Mapdec I enjoy your content a lot:) I also like the Look Blade very much fwiw. I wasn't trying to be serious, just poking fun, Hope there's no hard feelings.

[@JibbaJabber]

😅

[@tube8723]

7.72kg!! what is making this bike so heavy?

[@JFomo]

Tarmac All Day 🫡

[@zedddddful]

I love how everyone is acting like ultegra is cheap shit & why didn't he fit Dura ace.ultegra is an awesome groupset and the weight difference is entirely negligible but the price difference is massive the frame will perform just as well with ultegra.

[@fredaster6668]

And everyone of us would nearly perform the same with a heavier and cheaper frame

[@gasken2182]

I’ve got an S works Sl7 which replaced my Look 795 blade RS. It was a total dog that was badly made. Never ever again will I go near a Look bike. My RS frame now hangs in my shed doing nothing. Maybe I’ll take a hammer to it one day. Total waste of nearly £3k.

[@feedbackzaloop]

You must have some peculiar taste! For SL7 is reportedly the most problematic of recent Speshes

[@gasken2182]

If by peculiar taste you mean headsets that doesn’t come lose basically every ride, and a horribly oversized bottom bracket? The look was a total dog, and not had a single problem with sl7.

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@gasken2182 well then universe had mercy on you for sacrifes made. Because for others SL7 is about breaking off clean steerers, tight BB and slipping and cracking seatposts

[@roa5359]

I dont believe for a moment the pro’s ride the same frame

[@CyclespeedTours]

Jesus, it takes some skill to make an Sworks SL8 7.7kgs. Mine is 5.8kgs and every bit as usable as that one.

[@Cycle.every.day.]

Made in the far east right? I'm perfectly ok with that,but we all need to be honest.

[@0-60.tests.with.Passengers]

Sshhh, owners of these have their head in the sand regards facts like those.

[@Penalist]

You will not find one serious Specialized owner stating that this is an American made frame. There are heaps of very capable Chinese and Taiwanese producers.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Bring on the whining and complaining in the comments section. Manual shifting, round carbon tubes, and rim brakes are NOT making a comeback, people.

[@edboy_1]

I didn't know automatic shifting was the norm already

[@BOSKASAURUS]

7.7kgs S Works is a pig of a bike without pedals and cages. Customer would be better off buying the cheaper frame with better components or the old SL7 Sworks Frameset. This is what happens when you spend the bulk of the budget on a frame then skimp on components.

[@Mapdec]

The 7.7 is with pedals, alu set up cockpit and uncut stearer. Essentially what you see at the end but with some pedals on the scale too.

[@matejzima8210]

If you can afford a Time and choose inferior and more expensive bike, what are you even doing? What's your game? I'm confused.

[@chrisshave7129]

Price ..... The illusion of quality

[@jonphotos8631]

I would go with the lab71 my self.

[@Pablo_Coach]

Or TCR

[@ghostdog1908]

What a disgrace from specialized to send one of their high-end frames in such a condition, add to that also the legal assaults they were involved and the history of the company , makes it impossible for me to ever spend a penny on a specialized brand.

[@windrider7627]

Greetings. I am about to get a Roubaix SL8… and after what happened on S-Works Frame I have doubts… I need long distance high quality road frame and that’s why I am looking on Roubaix now. Maybe should I look on different options? Thank you.

[@Mapdec]

We have a few vids on my opinion on ‘proper’ endurance bikes. Ie made for long hours in the saddle, not a detuned race bike with comfort widgets.

[@windrider7627]

@@Mapdec Thank you

[@tarpontime7562]

People Knick pick s works frames over small QC issues that had no negative impact on the ride of the bicycle. Same people pay 70k on vehicles with massive recalls and don’t care.

[@Mapdec]

Yeah. But when your brakes rub on your S-works you get pissed off pretty quick.

[@wearejames1]

Where do I start, paying another £2700 for a 300 gram weight saving against another equal if not better quality frame for another manufacture is a big NO from me. When you have spent nearly £5000 on a frameset, you should not have to machine parts of that frameset to assemble it, it should be finished properly so that it could be home built - end of..... If I had spent that sort of money, I wouldn't expect to have to pay a bike shop to do finishing work before they build it. It looks like a lot of bottom bracket area strength/durability has been sacrificed for that weight saving. I think I maybe sticking with rim brakes for a little bit longer when you can buy good quality second hand rim brake bikes at that overall weight for about 20% of that frame cost😮😂👍

[@andypendred8973]

Yep Mapdec should advise the customer to return the frame for a correctly faced one

[@WTC999]

Whene Specialized stoped making the Venge i stoped liking them. The tarmac frame just looks a bit Meh to me. i loved the venge. even the Vias although it was a bit heavy

[@TINq8n]

Can you recommend a great ebike for 60% Town and 40% trails

[@Mapdec]

I would ask your retailer for advice. Sorry.

[@sylvainbernaers]

a 600 dollar chinese bullshit frame