Faster than I was as a World Tour Pro 

I’m going to do a video addressing this, much like the review vid earlier in the year. This seems to have struck a chord with a small proportion of watchers which becomes a large proportion in the comments whereby there’s a lot of negativity and some downright rudeness which I’d imagine wouldn’t be conveyed across in real life. Here’s the thing, and I’ll always openly state this: I’m not an aerodynamicist, I’m not an engineer either. I didn’t go to Uni though I’d like to think I’m not stupid. I am an ex pro cyclist who’s spent the better part of two decades riding the best bikes various manufacturers had to offer and being contractually bound to say they are the best outwardly to the public. Across TT, Track and Road I’ve likely been on more than 50 different bikes (+ 1 gravel bike 🤪). What I don’t have is technical know how on the why’s and wherefore’s in carbon layup, the why around BB stiffness, threaded or press fit, historical recalls on every brands bikes etc and I’m don’t feel it’s right to pretend like I do in the vids. I also don’t want to comment on anything aero without testing. What I do have though is feeling. When Canyon put the new Aeroad under me in the Tour de Suisse in 2015 it was noticeably faster, I clocked 118kph that day, loved it. Then with the Factor One I noticed an improvement in stiffness and responsiveness to the bike, I liked it so much I actually won a road race on it (shock). Then the Ostro was made and that was a step up again, that is a great bike. Roll on 2023 and I’m in a privileged position that most brands would give me a bike or two to ride, heck some even offered to pay me as well. But I wanted to ride a Specialized. I approached them to work together when you might remember they were going through a huge public culling of their ambassador programme globally. Why’d I go to Specialized? I rode a Shiv to a top 10 at Worlds in what was a *wildly* mediocre physiological performance by me in 2020, and any of the riders from Quickstep and Bora that I spoke to were all very impressed with the bike. I’m yet to met a pro who speaks badly of the Specialized bikes, but I’ve met plenty who will happily tell you the minor faults of a few of the others. It was the one bike I wished throughout my career, especially the latter part of it, that I had as a team bike. Specialized do not pay me, I’m lucky enough to get some very nice bikes which I don’t own. I think that’s important to state, because some people feel like I’m being paid to sell you something. I’ve been riding around on an Aethos which is 2cm too big for me and has handlebars half a mile wide but I really enjoy riding it, is it fast on the flat roads of Essex? No, but I love riding it, and so it’s tough to convey the why around it, it feels lively and responsive. The SL7 expert was also a great bike, not as lively as the Aethos but was more than good enough for some solid race performances. The SL8 did hit different though, noticeably. It’s felt like the Aethos plus some speed. These are all small but noticeable differences, which is why there were 8 different bike brands in the top 15 of the men’s World Road Race Champs. If the differences weren’t small we’d be watching F1 where one car dominates, which is why my review earlier in the year seemed to upset some for it’s lack of (I think) unnecessary controversy, but I stand by what I said, there is not much to choose between Giant, Trek and Pinarello’s best. I like challenging points of opinion, I respect other people’s opinions, ultimately who you choose to listen to on here is entirely up to you. There’s engineers, aero specialists, club riders. We’re probably not all going to agree on what makes a bike best and that’s ok. I’ve never put my name to something I wouldn’t buy myself and that extends to the bike brand I’m working with. Sorry this is long, like I said I want to do a video covering this but I hope attaching this comment gives you some context, I read the comments, the mean ones do get to me despite everyone saying to ignore it. I try my best to create content I enjoy creating and hope people enjoy watching, which I think the majority do. Thanks, Alex.

Great advertisement Alex! 😅 I will now go and make my bike faster by pedalling harder.

If tour pro cant even distinguish SL6 vs SL7 then SL7 vs SL8 will be indistinguishable 😬

Shame, I was hoping you'd remain impartial to bike brands etc. I guess it's just economics. RU-vid is totally filled with glorified ad channels. It's the last thing the cycling community needs. I'll stick to Peak Torque and similar sources for any technical discussion.

1. You sold out. Nothing wrong with that, but expect the ridicule that comes with that, in particular when you want to appear as truthful and objective which you cannot be given your partnership. 2. Even Specialized's own marketing makes very minor claims about performance improvements that no human can truly feel. 3. If you want to see how sponsorship can work, watch Cameron from RCA, I don't actually really follow him tbh but from what I have seen from his videos the way he does it with BMC is miles better than how you did it. It all started with your video talking about pro-bikes and this deep insight and all it basically was, was faff concluding with "all pros think Specialized has the edge". Cue a week later and turns out you are being paid by Specialized. You blew your credibility then and there. RU-vid does work on clickbait, but given what I've written, entitling a video as "Faster than I was as a World Tour Pro" (as if a minor bike upgrade will make your current form exceed that when you were pro, that is just straight up laughable) what can you expect other than more ridicule? You need to change your approach. Not for me. Or anyone else, but for your own sake.

If the bike industry and the hobby of cycling want's to survive we need to stop championing these "elitist" bikes. They have no place in the hobby. How is a bike that costs the same amount as a car a worthwhile purchase. How will normal people and especially younger people ever be encouraged to take up cycling? What happened to good quality, lightweight fast bikes for a grand?

Videos like this will kill your reputation + opinion alex, just saying

Hmm £12,000 on a bicycle. I think I’ll hold on to my cash, unless I get given one like you did Alex.

Ive ridden every tarmac since 2003 and these disc brake versions are sluggish garbage lol. IYKYK. Even Contador joked about throwing his off a cliff back when Specialized asked him to use one in Tenerife.

Nice to hear an ex pro giving feedback on his former team bikes.

If anything it was the “Pogi tuft” that made you faster

Keep them sponsers happy eh!

Damn, here I was thinking Alex Dowsett would make unbiased reviews since he isn't restricted by sponsors anymore.😂😢

I thought the “speed sniffer” looked a bit wonky from initial photos, but seeing it in your video, it really isn’t bad, looks fine I think. The SystemSix has a similar front profile (front lump).

Agree about two bolt clamps. My first bike had a SR post that was a Nuovo Record copy, and I liked that you could set an arbitrary angle depending on what your bum prefered. You can't do that with toothed curve style posts.

specialized s-works tarmac SL6 was my first bike I purchased, at 62 yrs old never bike before . I chose this bike for is lightweight and fit. I did know nothing about biking , Got a coach and did power watts training It has been already 5 years. I absolutely love my bike the handling is amazing light and fast. I also try other Brands but I am definitely for Specialized. I am thinking to get the SL8 , I would love to have this one. Nicole

You can hype it all you want, I still don't get the concept of a $14,000 road bike, I mean who buys that? If you have that much money to spare, you probably work a lot and are at best a weekend warrior. Please don't tell me that people at this level, pushing maybe 3 w/kg would notice any performance boost, compared to a $4,000 bike.

All the speed gains comes from the Roval handlebar alone lmao. Peak Torque already did the computation.

2023 bike. Just better. Cause. 2023. better. And is. Wicked. Durian rider going mental AF watching this. Think he’s gone totally livid. Better. 2023. Definitely. Quicker.

why on earth is the top model SL7 £1000 more expensive than the new top model SL8 on the specialized website

Christ, some shit gets talked about bikes doesn’t it?

Everyone riding a specialized bike with no pins clothing - seems far more like some sort of sponsorship move, then a real video. By the way, you lost me when you mocked the guy with the SL 6.

Is it better and faster then Factor Ostro Vam, Alex?

💯💯💯NOTICEABLY VERY EXPENSIVE 💯💯💯

oh god... is he sponsored by specialized now? the company is like the master of gimmicky marketing. i wonder what his thoughts were during his time on factor now that he's no longer with them

Couldn't agree more on the saddle clamp: those half-moon clamps had to be tightened at 4x specced torque to avoid slippage on rough roads (only happened in races when you didn't want it to happen).

That Trek!😍

Noticeably fast 😂😂 love it

Changing the stem will cost you £700 or so and a day of work.

nice to see the c*ke snorter in the wild

What a surprise it's faster...well you would say that when they give you a bike and give money to your charity, well you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you!

Lovely looking bike, I have the same 2 bikes, the SL8 looks great in the Pearlescent White 👌

I'd take the trek all day long

If you have to choose between the SL8 and Aethos, which one would it be?

is that alan murchison? from inversneck?

Here is the thing.....Does the average Joe need a £12k bike? Does a Cat 1 even need it? If you train right and are race fit, the minimal gains are barely noticed.. SL8 still heavier than an SL6 rim brake version.

dont worry that sl6 will just think youre riding a sl7 with good color combo and less spacer the sl8 have potential to look good

Just interested to know what size you choose and what height and inseam you are ? Thanks

Don't worry, Remco's recon ride blew the cover ;)

Not faster than a rim brake frame though!

How is a SL7 with the new cockpit compare to the SL8...that to me is the key question. Good video but many on the net see this as a curious thing. Am a fan.

If the SL 8 is a “noticeably faster” bike than its predecessor, then I’m afraid the SL7 was a slow bike. Maybe you should have ridden the Venge, Alex, to offer a real comparison between a true aero bike and an all ‘rounder. Sorry, Specialized fan boys, I still wouldn’t pay $14k to ride that ugly thing. Specialized is so bomb diggity fast and light, up hills and through corners, it’s best finish at the Elite Men’s World Championships was 22nd. By none other than Patrick Gamper, who rides for Bora Hansgrohe-who knew? It finished behind: 4 Treks 3 Cervelos 3 Scott’s 3 Cannondales 2 Canyons-MvdP being the winner 2 Lapierres A Colnago, Giant, Dare, and a Factor. Maybe they should have ridden the SL7🤔🤨🫢 Cash that check, Alex. That’s a hard pass for me.

Bike looks awesome but it’d look even better racing the 10M TT on the National 10 practice run this coming Sunday 😉

Fanboy haha ghetto testing at it's finest

“This bike should be better because it’s 2023…” . I think this logic doesn't apply one bit in the bike industry which is full of incompetent engineers and idiots. Just look at the leaked photos and the bullsh.. marketing material from Specialized and you know that this is not a better bike. It’s like a bit of SL7 with an Aethos rear end and an unsightly nose. In which world does this yield in a better bike?

I prefer the Trek next to it 😂

The keyword here is "its a fun bike to ride" I fully agree on this statement. Not about the aero or the weight... the bike just feels "fun" everytime you saddle up... isn't that what you cycle for?

How does it compare with Ostro VAM vs Canyon Aeroad 🤷🏻‍♂️?

bros meat riding s works if he says the sl8 is notably faster.

Sweet. Makes the Doper bike it's parked next to look like a museum relic.

Sounds like a great bike, you should get spesh to sponsor you.

“I think I’ve got a crossy headwindy thing” As someone who struggles to recognise mild wind direction, this is very relatable.

Awful looking thing , looks like something from 2012, the lack of innovation …. Dull dull dull… if this was campagnolo and not the “ you tubers darling brand due to marketing budgets” it would be getting hammered. The new Bianchi would run rings round that ….

Great video Alex,didn’t realise Specialized help with Little Bleeders,will have to make my next bike a Specialized as my oldest son has Severe A Haemophilia. See you at the Blue Egg one day!

And all the aerogains come from the handlebar 😂

I think the best part is the end of the video... 36.7kph average speed, 283watts NP... calculated from the IF, 360W FTP ???... Why nobody is talking about this ??? And this is your easy coffee ride ??? 🤣This is just amazing and refreshing! One day a pro, always a pro. I think these bikes will actually do well for you guys. Actually it's the first time I feel that these bikes do have some real world value to real customers. If one can ride at that speed for a coffee ride, I think whatever the cost, it can be justified. The fitness is what we guys are lacking for not the gears... Unfortunately it seems that this is just ignored in the comment section. Everyone is talking about the gears like experts. Nobody talks about how fast they can actually ride. I just don't know how many of them can actually hold avg 30kph in real world road for some extended period of time. I think with your fitness level every bike will be... well, quick. These days I always wonder if it's my bike slowing me down (avg 30-something KPH is the goal). However with your data I know that's just power. I'm far from 280w NP for 1.5 hr... Not to say "easy ride". So no wonder I can't avg near 35 for even shorter period of time in realwolrd ride. Just so jealous of you! It should feel like a killer if you can commute with such speed. It will just render a car completely useless. Nice video. Like your honesty!

What helmet is that please?

So they've fixed it so the steerer tube wont snap on this one then?, funny you didnt mention that Alex;-)

That's definitely an "Essex Spec" cassette 😂

Can you direct comparison of the SL8 vs the Factor Ostro?

Only Disappointment with the Specialized S WORKS is the Garbage Frame Color Selection Alex . I ride a SL5 Expert highly pimped up . Aero 2 Carbon Bars . Power Saddle . Roval Rapide CLX 32mm climbing wheelset & 12 speed ultegra . Time Xpro 12 pedals. Also have a SL7 S-WORKS 54CM Dura Ace 12speed. Power Printed Saddle. FSA Metron Carbon Cockpit. Time Xpro 15 pedals. OSPW titanium from Australia. Roval Rapide CLX Aero Wheelset ( 1st edition 1400 gram clinchers. Not a fan of tubeless ) Could build myself a 6.5 kilo SL8 . Glad u r enjoying ur new ride . Wish l could put out ur Watts .

Awesome bike. I have the SL3.

The SL6 and calling it an SL7 is pretty interesting, certainly the highlight of the video.

Lol, I've always been well, maybe not shy but certainly not loud. So I'm not really keen on a loud rear hub sound. Having said that: after buying some new wheels (not super fancy), I realised I had never checked the rear hub sound... So... when Googling: "Wow, it is actually quite loud" 🤪I actually never realised this could be a thing for me..

frame looks really slick actually. Video makes it look much better than the original leaked pictures. Wish Specialized would make more colorful paintjobs tho.

Nice bike, Alex. Can't wait to get mine. Just a small correction, I know that you are new to Spz. The pretty "sl7" is an SL6 🤣

9:08 - dont like the messy weight distribution on the rear-wheel, hopping up-and-down like that ..

maybe people hate on the sl7 because of the death trap it was until recall and that it shouldn't have gone out in the real world with such a defective conception ?

Take it out on any hills? Is it more confident enthusing than aethos or SL7? How is it above 50mph? It looks great.

lol that bike at the cafe is an SL6, which goes to show, there isn't much in all of the disc Tarmacs...

Why 3 water bottle cage bolts on the down tube if we’re trying to save weight?

Slammed headset / Carbon Cockpit .

Alex ur Arse might enjoy the Specialized Power Printed Saddle. Have a Power Saddle on my SL5 Tarmac Disk 12 speed di2 upgraded everywhere . The SL7 with Printed Power Saddle is super comfy . Whats ur thoughts on tubeless please

“Stiffness in the bars, nowhere else.”

I thought you are Fernando Alonso on the bike

Great ad!

This is why world tour riders use specialized sl7-8s they know just how good a bike is....Some people squeeze there frames (DURIANRIDER) and say they are shyte and he knows more than world tour pro,s....He also said disc,s are absolutely the problem with cycling causing crashes slower times etc etc ....Now you hear just how good these specialized bikes are from a grand tour stage winner not a you tuber who criticizes anyone who rides discs or specialized bikes ...and i myself ride rim brakes but appreciate just how good these bikes are i just know i would trust Alex over a you tuber who cant find anything positive to say about modern cycling....

The white bike looks awesome, but im so glad i dont have a white bike anymore 😂

The birth of a new hashtag.... #bacw > #baaw

And I still use rim brakes bro 😢

Super cool bike!! I would like to try one out but since it’s sooooo expensive for us mortals I’ll just say enjoy the ride

I want that US Postal madone!

😂 love these marketing video. Anyway I preordered my SL8 frame a couple of weeks ago hoping to pick it up now it’s been release next week. The it’s off for custom paint job

Nice Lycra 😅😂🤣😂😅😂🤣

2023 = 8 = win = 2023. Fast.

Really nice bike...do you think the s-works worth the extra 5k compared to the SL8 Pro?

Yikes, balance that rear wheel!! Nice bike. You look Pro! 😂

Conclusion push hard hihi

The problem is, you don’t buy a bike and tell everyone is crap

Has durianrider seen this?

Thanks 👍🏻

Great looking bike. I love my mates raw carbon SL7. Such a clean lined bike. Likewise this is too

The Bottle nose dolphin

at least we know you don't rate their tt/tri offer as well because you ride a scott plasma tt/tri bike ? ( uci illegal one ? )

To be a pro or x pro. Nice! 14K in the USD.

Stats this "guy" is't joke. the two second difference may be due to measurement error.

So questions: being a heavy rider would I be better off getting the SL7 non sworks version? And how is the SL8 stiffer with thinner tube profiles?

Did you wax your chain or was it with factory grease?

Do you feel this closes the gap of comfort from what the SL7 is vs an Aethos?

I like that type of two bolt seatpost but my new Emonda has that one bolt ears design. Easier to micro adjust the tilt angle in the two bolt.