I have ridden various models from Giant, Trek and Cannondale previously, and I found that the ride feeling of a Tarmac is very unique to me. It feels extremely solid, like I am always in control. Funny enough I found the exactly the same feeling of a SL7 from a SL3 (10 years old bike) and the same feeling was never found on another brand and model.
I really enjoy the channel. I have been riding the Trek Madone since 2008. First was the Madone 5.7 and then several project one Madones running di2 since 2011. It is a wonderful bike. In 2021 my current Modone was requiring some serious servicing after a heavy crit racing history. I still love and own it. I start to look at all options to replace or upgrade, not wanting to believe all that you read from each manufacturer. January 2022 was able to purchase a SL7 frame and build it up with 12 speed Ultegra di2, CLX wheels. What can I stay after riding it for a month, well it is the best bike I have owned. Your review is 100% on the money. Great ride quality, fast and direct. Climbs and descends well. Love it!
I’ve ridden 5,000 miles on the S-works SL7 with ENVE 3.4AR 28mm and can easily confirm that it is very fast above 20 mph plus it is very comfortable bc it is has a high degree of vertical compliance. No question about stiffness with great compliance. Weight wise, the frame (size 52) comes in at 680 grams plus 280 for the fork. That’s pretty good, but overall weight with disc setup will add more that rim brake setup.
@@outdoorbros_ Rim brake frames handle differently. The fork must be redesigned for disc brakes. The disc brake Tarmacs handle way better because of how they built back specific compliance to compensate for the additional rigidity required for the disc brakes.
I've cycled through many different bikes over the years from Bianchi, Orbea, BH, Argon 18, Look, BMC to S-Works and the Tarmac is one I keep going back to. I've had 4 of them since the SL2 (also owned the SL3, SL5, and SL6) and the Tarmac is just the bike that fits me best and feels the best while riding. It's light, responsive, and goes fast without me even trying. Maybe I am but it just feels faster than my other bikes for less work. I didn't want to be another Specialized on the road but the Tarmac is a hard bike to beat in terms of its ride quality. It's one I keep in my collection.
Great channel Chris! Gotta agree with your review as I’ve logged about 7500 miles on my SWorks SL7 Tarmac since purchasing in September of 2020. I thought my SL5 Tarmac was good, but the SL7 feels like you just strap it on and so compliant on bad roads! I am riding 28’s and that was a huge difference as well.
I love my 2017 Tarmac with Shimano's Di2 shifting. I bought it for around 3K and it performs flawlessly. My typical road rides are 2-4 hour hammer fests and it's the perfect bike for those types of rides.
I have been riding SL7 entry model for almost 1 and half year,even I am a super amateur rider,I can say that the acceleration on SL7 is super fast and fun! Changing the 28mm tubeless tires on Roval C38, it’s very comfy and stable.
I love my SL7 with Enve Tubeless wheels and this coming from S-Works Venge that I use to own! It handles great and LOOKS amazing! Definitely my fav bike in my collection!
I’ve gotta say, I have both the S-Works SL6 and S-Works Venge. Hands down the Venge is the fastest bike in the market. Venge will be coming back. Both purchased used
I have about 800 miles on my SL7 and I-Love-It! Much more comfortable than my S5, granted the wider disk brake wheels probably help, but I can ride longer, and faster now.
Thanks for the great review I managed to pick up an SL7 Expert on sale at the LBS 30% discount 😎 the test ride I knew instantly it was oh yeah here we go 😄 What road bars did you use pls 👍
@@outdoorbros_ After riding about 500km SL7. I’m seeing lil quirks with the bike. The frame feels a bit soft at times the discs rub when I put the power down. Perhaps the frame and forks are flexing? I feel a bit disheartened with the whole bike industry. It’s hard to find a decent quality bike that isn’t way overpriced. The bike is not worth the original $10,300 price. Wheels are sub standard and bars 400mm too big on a size 52cm and not even aero wtf.
I haven't ridden a ton of other bikes, but my SL7 is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately I've crashed it in races a few times, but it's come away with only a scratch or two. I'll ride this bike into the ground before I think of replacing it. Most I've done in 1 day is 143 miles, and I agree, the bike is plenty comfortable as long as it fits you.
Still the number one for me. Spookily my mileage is currently 6084 😉. First Spech was an sworks SL6 and before that one had TCR, Addict, S5, Foil. It beats them all, even the Aethos which I also currently have. 2nd hand market will be much more restrictive in UK because of numbers of sales so they’re hard to come by, and nobody’s getting mine any time soon 😎
Thank you! Hold onto it as long as you can- such a killer one. Numbers are a bit limited here as well, but they're out there... especially if you're willing to have a bike shipped across the country :)
The problem with the SL7 is just that it does everything so damn well, but it’s not the king of anything in particular, Which is a pity. Still, not changing my sl7 anytime soon haha
I've been riding tubeless for a few years now and can't imagine going back. I can count on one hand the number of flats I've had since switching to tubeless. My SL7 has the previous gen Roval CLX 64's (tubeless compatible) with 32mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 tubeless tires. If your wheels are compatible, I think it's the way to go.
So, like, are you some kind of Specialized marketing guy masquerading as a 'regular dude'? All Speche, all the time? I mean, sure, the SL7 is a good race bike. Not much to argue with there... But, like, just saying it's "sooo fast" when essentially as far as I can tell your data set is three, maybe four bikes, over several years doesn't count for much? Even for the layman? Even if you're not going to science it up on your channel, some minimum of comparison is probably warranted? What about the slew of comparable steeds out there that are also probably "so fast"? And probably just as much cash? I dunno... Maybe borrow a CAAD13 and put in a few hundred kms and talk about the differences? Cheap(er) alloy banger versus goofy expensive carbon? Anyway, the videos are nicely made, you are a clear communicator; a polished presentation.
What's up, Shawn? This RU-vid thing is just a side project, talking about the bikes/products I have or have owned in the past and mixing in some travel and van stuff. No Specialized ambassador here- I pay the same price for bikes and products as everyone else, just use them a bunch and enjoy the dialogue about them. If I had access to a CAAD 13, Pinarello Dogma, Felt AR, Giant TCR, etc., I would gladly do a comparison. I'm not Cycling Tips, Bike Radar or anyone who brands reach out to get their opinion on bikes. My last few videos have been 10+ minutes and wanted to do something shorter on this one. For reference, my previous bikes have been a Venge, Cervelo S5, Venge Vias, first gen Venge, Trek Madone, Specialized Roubaix, Cervelo P5, Giant TCR and Schwinn LeTour. Anyways, thanks for the compliment. If you're in Southern California, let's go for a spin.
@@outdoorbros_ Sounds good. I am in LA occasionally for work... Personally, I appreciated much more your dialogue around the Crux, the type of bike it is and what it represents as the 'one bike to kill 'em all' perhaps... Esp. as a 2X set up. I seem to have collected a few bikes over the years and the one bike solution would certainly look a lot like a Crux. Only probably with a steel frame...
Hey Pat- Yes, it's a friend's custom painted SL7. I'll post some photos of it on Instagram- it's wild, looks like two totally different bikes from each side.
What's up, Vuxi? Thank you. That was one of the faster descents I've had on the SL7. I hit 60 mph on that descent- corners come very quickly at that speed :)
@@outdoorbros_ Woah sounds incredible! Maybe safa should feature you instead.. 🎦 😅 Well whats up is I recently got an sl6 pro and I can't wait to do the same as you when the sun comes out here mate 😁
Hehehe. For a moment, I did believe that you are a common rider rather than a marketing agent for Specailized until the past two videos. I admit that you are a very good presenter. Adding a bit of comparative data or experience to Specailized bikes can come in handy even if you work for them:). Once aethos is great and fast, another sl7 is the greatest and then shoes…:)) the reality is that the aethos is too soft of a bike and does not hold the speed at all. The sl7 is very rough and the bb is so stiff that the bike feels like a rock when you put the power on. There are many great bikes out there that are sometimes cheaper and more responsive.
Thanks for the compliment. As mentioned in reply to Shawn Walsh's comment below, I'm not affiliated with Specialized. If I were to ride Trek, Colnago or Cervelo, I'd made videos about those bikes. I'm not Bike Radar, Cycling Tips, or Cycling Weekly- no one is sending me bikes to review so I'm limited to what I own or have owned in the past. Sounds like you've ridden both the Aethos and the SL7 extensively and we simply disagree. I think they're both great bikes. It looks like my Tarmac will be sold soon, so I wanted to do another video about it while I still had it. It's a bike that I have used for 18 months and love- you can appreciate that, right? Anyways, if you're ever in Southern California, let's go for a spin!
Mohamad, I am a bit disappointed with the way the communication is done over this comment. There may be other fantastic bikes, but these are some of the best, and they receive almost unanimous praise. If you can't hold speed on an Aethos, your form is poor.
@@ultimatist we all entitled to our opinions as consumers and I am sharing my experience. Everything is relative, including performance. I am comparing my performance on the aethos to other bikes I have ridden. You can defend a brand name as much as you please, just do that from your perspective. Again, am a consumer and am upset from all of the media efforts from Specailized to build a dream image of a bike rather than working on designing the perfect product as they claim.
@@outdoorbros_ I like your reviews. Sharing experience on the bike helps consumers. It is just my latest purchase of the aethos has been disappointing. Please continue to review products and tell us what we should consider from a riders perspective. Again, you are very good presenter. Thank you
@@mohamadjamil3164 thank you. Sorry to hear about the Aethos. I do have to say that I’ve been on the fence between the SL7 and Aethos recently. The snap and stiffness of the SL7 is 10/10.
The Pros Closet is expensive, no doubt. I’d prefer to buy from a friend or a shop that has a demo bike- something that can be trusted and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg (hard to find in 2022).
