Specialized Tarmac SL7 (2 years later)

[@Tex735]

Just put in my order for a 2023. Can't freaking wait!!! Very good review! It's nice to hear from someone who's been around a few blocks on the bike.

[@cyclingunboxed]

You will enjoy so much! It’s a brilliant bike!

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

A few months ago i upgraded from a 2021 sl7 chameleon green to a new 2022 laguna blue candy striped sl7 tarmac sworks frame...still in love with the performance.

[@cyclingunboxed]

Such a great handling bike! The best I have ever used.

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

Maaaan, your absolutely right ✅️...this bike is so fast, light, nimble, etc...I have a 2021 sworks sl7 tarmac with the 12speed di2 drive train, 3d mirror saddle, enve bars, gp5000 tires and roval wheels..the bike is amazing and feels so light weight and quick..people have to ride it to really understand what we're talking about..I ride a 61cm, weigh 220lbs and the bike is still fast..I road my cervelo caledonia 5 which is suppose to be an endurance road bike and I use to get pain in my lower back..i can ride my Sl7 s-works tarmac for over 6hours and surprisingly I feel no pain. We love the performance from specialized bikes but we hate the price tag...lol

[@cyclingunboxed]

Unbelievable bikes but yes, you certainly pay for the r and d!

[@littlevo9]

Simply the best bike ! And the best looking bike in 58size (xl)

[@cyclingunboxed]

I do think specialized have nailed their sizing here. Too many 58 bikes start to look a bit strange

[@Ismailwumbei]

Your height?

[@Junottv_]

Loving my Sworks sl7. ❤ it’s a amazing bike

[@cyclingunboxed]

I’m glad. Easily the best bike I have ridden 🙌🏼

[@yannpierrejoly]

Thank you for your good and complete review

[@cyclingunboxed]

I’m glad it could help

[@jamesbull9879]

Great video! One thing with the wheels, I’m 65kg and I do get blown a bit. Nothing compared do other wheels, but can knock me!

[@cyclingunboxed]

I guess I am 15kg heavier than you so that will make a big difference won’t it. But yea, catches you way less on the wind. I still don’t think other brands have got anywhere near close.

[@jamesbull9879]

@@cyclingunboxed absolutely. Been lucky enough to ride quite a few and I am well happy with them! Top video!

[@darrenbarlow5759]

I ride a Factor Ostro Vam now, but nothing beats the get up and go of my SL7

[@cyclingunboxed]

A bike I really want to get my hands on. I like the way it looks and I’m not sure why, I have an assumption it rides like the sl7. But from what you say, sl7 still seems better

[@darrenbarlow5759]

@cyclingunboxed the Ostro is a phenomenal bike and does ride just like the SL7...maybe more comfortable but yeah my recollection was the SL7 just had a tiny bit more get up and go. I'd love for see you review one. You can't go wrong with either bike

[@Jarek.]

I'm on SL7 for last 6 months and enjoying it a lot. One comment on 8:58 - isn't this stress on the triceps because of too short stem? I have the same on my old endurance bike. With Tarmac this unpleasant sensation is much smaller and yes, Tarmac is almost 2cm longer. Many thanks for posting this video 👍

[@cyclingunboxed]

I think you are right, that could definitely be the cause. Although for me I would rather be comfortable in my normal position 90% of the time than have a bit less work on my triceps for 10% of the time. And to buy a new stem is like £140! Too much just to maybe keep it I think.

[@Jarek.]

@@cyclingunboxed Price of Specialized S-Works stem is just a robbery... 👎

[@FanaticQuattro]

I really enjoyed this video, thank you! I'm looking to get my first road bike but feel this will be out of my price point. What did Laura have before her new Canyon?

[@cyclingunboxed]

She had a specialized roubaix 2014 model which she bought second hand from the cycle exchange in Kingston.

[@sweatnosweat]

hello, thank you for the video. have you tried the same bike, one size up? if you have, what differences have you found in handleling and responsiveness?

[@cyclingunboxed]

Only ever ridden 58s as they fit me so well so unfortunately haven’t tried the size up. But I do know that with the specialized geometry set up it should feel exactly the same as they spend a lot of R and D to make sure it’s the same. This bike is so confident and easy at cornering so I doubt the size up would be any worse.

[@rafacycle]

I am currently using s-works aethos custom build with my ultegra 11 as well and zipp 353 nsw wheels… do you think it is worth to think about switching for sl7? I never tried sl7 and absolutely love aethos but look and internal cables would be awesome.

[@cyclingunboxed]

Hey! Luckily I have had the chance to ride an aethos. The sl7 definitely feels more switched on. It also holds its speed a lot better. If you are predominately doing big mountains then I think stick with the aethos. As it’s super responsive up hill. But for literally anything else, sl7. I am biased because I have it but it’s an epic bike. So fast, brilliant handling, also significantly lighter than most aero frames. If you wait a month or two though you may find an sl8 being released.

[@rafacycle]

@@cyclingunboxed thanks I will wait to see sl8, aethos has a little bit better geometry for comfort but still I would love a chance to try the sl7 first 😊 thanks a lot

[@cyclingunboxed]

Maybe if you wait and do like the sl7 it will be on a nice sale too because of the sl8!

[@magnusschroeder]

What are your thoughts about your tarmac vs laura’s new canyon?

[@cyclingunboxed]

I still think the Tarmac is a better all round bike to be honest but most bikes are so similar now days I think it’s more of a matter of style preference. (Don’t tell Laura)

[@Jarek.]

@@cyclingunboxed I cannot agree more - it's the personal preference mostly. The main differentiator would be the price - when I was on the marked Canyon was 20-30% cheaper and I would go for it but I was so tired of waiting and decided it's better to ride a months in 2022 rather than waiting for availability in the stock and (another) price increase. So now I'm a happy user of Tarmac 12s Ultegra; I think I'd be equally happy of the new Canyon ☺

[@justinbergmans36]

Actually the sl7 does support tubeless. Mine is being fitted with them.

[@cyclingunboxed]

I do believe the newer versions of the sl7 are coming fitted with the rival rapids clx 2 which are tubless. The clx 1 which came with the original sl7 when released, I.e my one, the first gen wheels aren’t tubless. The new wheels came out after I made the video

[@genefowler1035]

Could I ask how tall you are and what your inseam is riding the 58cm? Thanks

[@cyclingunboxed]

192cm tall and 95cm inseam. I hope that helps!

[@UUche]

Hey there, cool vid, just wondering how much it cost for you custom paint job?

[@cyclingunboxed]

It was £1200 all in. This included the strip down of the components back to frame only. £200 of the cost was to design and apply the stripes on the seat tube as they are quite tricky.

[@UUche]

@@cyclingunboxed Not bad…pro job as well.👍🏾

[@lamdejan]

Nice rewiew👍 I have the same bike, but for now I like it in red colour. Till now I had no issues with punctures. On your opinion, on which tyres you feel more grip and confidence in fast cornering and on wet and slippery roads?? T. Cotton or GP5000?

[@cyclingunboxed]

I must say, I feel very confident with both. Both great for cornering and feel like they have an equal grip and road feel round the corner. I think I prefer the wider 28mm gp5000 as it’s a wider tyre. I feel like I can lean on it a little harder. But if it was the 25mm gp5 compared to turbo cotton I would say very similar

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

I prefer the gp5000 over the cottons

[@didiersnake8474]

What size are you? I am 185cm and I hesitate between a 56 and 58. Great video ✌️

[@cyclingunboxed]

I’m 192cm tall with the 58 frame. The 58 fits me perfectly. If you can go try one on in a store try the 56. I always think if you can, go for the smaller size. Or measure your current bike geometry and see which frame it fits into best.

[@Jarek.]

I'm 185 on Tarmac 58, 110 mm (standard) stem. Handlebar replaced at the bike shop (during purchase) 44->42 cm. So I'd say for you 58 will be perfectc.

[@garygbur3992]

What tire width can the frame accommodate? 32mm?

[@cyclingunboxed]

Comfortably 34s I run 28s which size up to 30mm on the roval wheels. There is spades of space still.

[@studywithjosh5109]

If I am sprinting out of the saddle how close should my knee come to my bar?

[@cyclingunboxed]

I can’t say that mine ever has on this bike. But it could depend on your either your position/ how far forward you are out the saddle or maybe you could do with a slightly longer stem. What do you think?

[@studywithjosh5109]

@@cyclingunboxed How tall are you? I am 6 foot with a canyon ultimate size M and I'm trying to figure out if I should keep it due to sizing. I might just not be used to the racing geometry since in the past ive road a 54 and felt very comfortable.

[@cyclingunboxed]

I’m 192cm /6ft 4 and in canyon I ride a large. It does stretch you out a lot more on the race bikes doesn’t it

[@studywithjosh5109]

@@cyclingunboxed Yes. One of my main concerns is actually how close my knees get to the bars when sprinting. I feel like maybe on the medium the bars are too low for me but on a large the stem length would be too long since Ive never liked how 58cm bikes feel a ton

[@studywithjosh5109]

One more thing. I ride a Canyon Grail in M and the fit feel great -- never had an issue there. This is why I'm wondering if its just the race geometry im feeling and not a bike thats too small

[@entdmII]

Do you plan to upgrade to the SL8?

[@cyclingunboxed]

I don’t. I think it’s kind of like iPhones. If you upgrade each model then there isn’t much between them. But if you skip a generation then it’s more noticeable. I am thinking about upgrading the handle bars to the new ones though

[@robertgreiner4703]

what is your seat hight measured from bottom bracket?

[@cyclingunboxed]

Mine is 820mm

[@robertgreiner4703]

@@cyclingunboxed so you are also between 58 and 61

[@cyclingunboxed]

Yea but I have shorter body so the 58 fits me much better. I am also very flexible so the large drop to the bars i quite like. Are you inbetween the two sizes as well?

[@JavierRodriguez-qd8cm]

do you still have it? how would you rate it now?

[@cyclingunboxed]

Yes! Still ride the bike and still loving it! Everything I said on this video still holds. Going to test out the sl8 next month hopefully so see if it feels any different or better. I don’t care too much if it’s 5s faster over whatever distance. I have also ridden the new trek madone, canyon ultimate and aeroad and the sl7 still has far better handing, far more comfort and more stable in side winds

[@JavierRodriguez-qd8cm]

Awesome, thanks. I just got a SL7. I have not ridden it yet with this weather! Let us know how it goes with the sl8.

[@vitskr1]

what size is it? you look like very tall guy on 58 frame

[@cyclingunboxed]

It is a 58 frame!

[@psxdadz]

Mate you got a 58 how tall are you

[@cyclingunboxed]

192cm / 6ft 4 Very long leg and short body

[@Millicente]

I'm hoping you could answer this question but people say you can feel a lightweight bike because it accelerates fast and going uphill each pedal stroke you can feel that sudden push due to its stiffness. Can you feel aero? Like other than looking back on data and thinking that you averaged higher watts for the same effort, is there any feeling of something while riding? I ride for pleasure rather than sport so how fast i get around a route is way at the bottom of my priorities and I'm wondering if a lightweight bike will be better as my next purchase even though I live in a basically flat area.

[@cyclingunboxed]

Honestly. No, you can’t feel the aero. Some people say you can but you can’t. The only thing that is different is the numbers and maybe a slight bit of wind speed over your ears. Even on my TT bike I can’t say that I feel it. Just says higher numbers on your head unit. That being said, if you ride around flat 90% of the time then I would personally go aero bike. Most of the race bikes are so stiff now days anyway and are almost as light. Especially the tarmac sl7 lightweight and aero.

[@Millicente]

@@cyclingunboxed Yeah an sl7 or maybe an upcoming sl8 is on my short list along with a canyon ultimate. I just don't like the look of a total aero bike. Those fat tubes just don't do it for me for whatever reason.

[@cyclingunboxed]

Everyone seems keen for the sl8 to come out this year. Would be a quick turn around time for a new bike I think

[@Millicente]

@@cyclingunboxed Yeah I see it as possibly this year, definitely by next year. Part of it is just me hoping the sl7 goes on sale since I see some configurations sitting on the site and in some bike shops. Maybe the shortage will end soon and paying as much as a used car for a bike will end.

[@cyclingunboxed]

It is getting way too much. There are loads of bikes on sale for sure but i imagine the sl7 is still in high demand

[@zachbarker5354]

Do you shave your legs?

[@cyclingunboxed]

I do in summer