Tarmac SL8 Pro Review - The BEST Bike I Have EVER Ridden

Frame: Tarmac SL8 Pro 56
Wheels: Craft Racing Wheels CS5060
Groupset: Sram Force eTap D2 1x
Handlebars: Prime Bike Components
Power Meter: Quarq Spider
Tires: Continental GP5000 28c
Saddle: S-Works Power 143
Pedals: Look Keo Blade Ceramic Gen 2
Bartape: Supacaz
Frame Decals: Speedy Decals
3D-Printed Headset Cover: Raceware

0:00 Intro
1:03 Editor’s Note
2:18 Bike Details
5:00 Groupset
8:08 Craft Racing Wheels
10:52 Ride Dynamics

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Craft Racing Works Wheels

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Strava & Instagram:

#specialized

Camera Gear:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, GoPro HERO9 Black, Insta 360 GO 2
Lenses:
Canon 35L, 85L, 100mm Macro, 70-200 L 2.8 II

[PatrickLino]

I mentioned in a previous video how the Craft Racing Works CS5060 wheels were a bit unstable in the crosswind. Particularly the front wheel because of how light it is. This was an issue on both my Giant Propel and Tavelo Attack framesets. However, this has not been an issue on SL8. Perhaps the SL8 has in fact been engineered in a wind tunnel to account for this, or just maybe my bike position/geometry offers more stability. Who knows. But the wheel stability is much better on the SL8 than my other frames. Contact Panda Podium to order a set for yourself.

[ramonoslen]

Thanks for letting me take a block spin on this bike, 100% agree with you, this bike rides like I was rubbing my hands against finest silk...keep up the great work!!

[ks-vqer]

Thanks for the introduction of Speedy Decal! I just got my same Tarmac SL8 pro with this matte blue and I was just looking for a good decal as I wanted white logo. This was perfect timing! I just purchased white color decals

[benjaminwolf]

The Specialized Tarmac is truly the benchmark all bikes are compared to and for good reason.

[rudyelizondo]

I own the 2014 Cervelo R3 and it is fast and light and I’m still riding it about 7, 000 miles later. Best bike even with rim brakes

[PatrickLino]

Future weight weenie ideas: 1. Swap the current saddle for my 97g AliExpress fully carbon saddle 2. Change the Rival cassette to Sram Force 3. Upgrade the cockpit to an EXS Aerover system. That's about a 200 gram net savings. However, I just don't expect performance to change by doing any of this.

[thegoodwheel]

Nice job Patrick. What I like about your channel. Is the range of products you've tested and the different price points in the market.
You have done a tremendous amount of legwork to catalogue this information.
Everyone may not have or want to spend for western brands. The performance they can get from lesser known brands is "good enough". 👍🏾

[mrbinc]

I watched your other vid where you bought the sl8 and now I’m looking to get my own. I was not that convinced about that blue frame though. The decals were a very nice touch! The more I look at the beauty you built the more I like it

[wandafool]

So glad you got a bike you really love! Been watching a few of your bang for buck build videos. Enjoy yourself sir!

[TheBassallyear]

beautiful build! been patiently waiting for this after seeing your pics on weight weenies!

[sbellidog]

I have the exact frame (mine is the stock build from Specialized with Ultegra and Roval wheels) and what you say about speed is absolutely true. In my previous bike I only engaged the maximum gear available in certain situations... with this one I find myself looking for a smaller cog very often as the bike gets and maintains speed very easily. Great bike indeed.

[bike_somm]

Awesome insight and depth in your vid! Very entertaining and informative. Been absolutely loving my Tarmac SL8, first road bike since my 2017 Giant TCR and it’s astronomically better in all roadie ways.. Climbs, Flats, Descents, Corners.. All the things! Good stuff and new Sub over here 😎🤌🏼

[logojones]

First review to make me want this bike for real !

[Theb]

Amazing review! I have the s works model and I've got to say the same thing: best bike I've ever ridden . There is just a minor aspect that I feel strange: do the wheel gets centered at the front fork? Mine is 1 mm closer to the DS and it looks It was by design. Does it happens the same at yours? Thanks and keep your amazing content!

[nationsnumberchump]

a white SL7 for 3 grand with shimano 105. Intriguing. Tour magazine shows it just as fast as the sl8 if you add zipp wheelset. :D

[RideWithGerben]

Your eye for detail is on point. Getting decals from Italy to match the originals. Nice!

[taxi]

Decals look great! Wow….have to keep this in mind for next bike. Just riding an sworks sl6….can imagine to switch to your sl8 frame. Sl6 is for me also the best road bike I have had until now….comfort and speed

[luisex]

Didn’t like the Matte color on the bike but those decals that u put on their just made me fall in love with the bike. i was leaning towards the black one but i think ima re consider. Beautiful bike 💪🏽

[Hamsterlovers]

Lovely video. Please consider having a video comparing SL8 vs Giant Propel. It will be interesting topic!

[oghbmvx]

Great vid, thx. Exactly the config I’m going for 😎. SL8 in deep purple, SRAM Force 1by, but with an 48 tooth ring (hope that the carbon-ti ring fits the 1-by, another few grams for you 😉) and an EXS cockpit. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪.