Should I upgrade my S-Works Tarmac SL6 to the 2021 SL7?

We explore the financial feasibility of upgrading your current Specialized Tarmac SL6 to the newer, 2021 SL7 Tarmac model.

A rough overview is given of some of the *major* differences between the SL6 and SL7, including that of weight, aerodynamics, visual aesthetic and components. Both bikes explored are Di2 equipped models.

We then get to the elephant in the room - the cost. We weigh up if these upgrades are worth the hefty financial investment, and explore some potential alternatives.

[HarlanHodge]

Awesome video! This is hilarious. I own an SL6 and only considered the possibility for just a moment of upgrading to an SL7. This puts that thought to rest for sure. I would love a new husky, Pathfinder, mountain bike, jet ski, Oculus, drone, and GoPro instead. Thanks for a great video.

[spottyride]

Nice I’m thinking to get a base tarmac 😊

[rk]

Upgrade if you like the aesthetics of hidden cables and ease of threaded BB.
Don't upgrade if you're expecting a OMG SO FAST OMGOMGOMGM!!!111!1 kind of improvement.

It's essentially the same bike. I've owned an SL6 for over a year and rode it every day. Amazing bike. I just got the SL7 for aesthetic reasons. No difference. If anything SL7 is a little harsher cause of stiffer seatpost and rear triangle and aerofly ii. Performance gains are all in people's heads and egos.

[zaheerkader]

Got the sl6 and ridden the sl7 and was impressed because it felt exaclty like my sl6 . didnt go any faster on it but it felt like one of the best bikes out there at the moment. Personally im going to wait till the sl8 comes out and can pick up the sl7 up for a third of the price

[JamesGoodsell]

Jump to 12:11 for some financial options regarding the Tarmac SL6 and SL7

[rk]

ALSO, you can still mount di2 into the handle bar and use the cover that comes with the new seatpost to make it a regular seatpost without that chunky di2 holder. That's what I did.

[jaspreetsidhu]

Keep the SL6, best looking version of the taramc in my honest opinion. Buy the Pathfinder and make more memories with the pathfinder.

[mattkrivosudsky]

you're missing the rubber collar where the seatpost meets the top tube.

[michaelbaker]

What if you didn't own the SL6 but had the option of upgrading your frameset to an SL6 for 4500-5000AUD v the SL7 which is 8000-8700?

[indonesiaamerica]

Buy the bars and reroute the cables a bit and then don't worry about it. I plan on buying an SL7 but not to replace my SL6. I think the Pro model is the best value, by far, because the most important aspect of the SL7 is the new wheels. Specifically, the rims. If you don't care about new wheels get the Expert with an extra set of alloy wheels or just order a frame and build it up the way you want. The S-Works model isn't worth it unless you happen to want it built the way it's offered and you think it's a good deal. The frame price differential isn't worth it IMO.

[rkumar]

I have the SL6 now - I love this saddle bag you have. You mentioned Psychic Saddle bag - but I cannot find it by that name. Would you mind sharing a link to this product?

[mrluis]

Just wait till Next year when they offer the SL7 with 105 Groupset for around $2500/2700.

[MashiroRedo]

Stem and handle bar change and gum wall tires would make it hard to tel from SL7

[maruku]

I like your saddle bag. What brand is it?

[sworks]

Strip the bike for parts and just buy the frame. Sell the old frame.

[adolfrichtar]

I have SL6 and SL7 . SL6 is way BETTER.

[datrc]

The hype of SL7, Specialized spent lot of money on ad that make it sounds good. TDF results didn't agree. It is good, but not "One bike rules them all". Remember Specialized is the biggest bike mfg now, to make a good bike is not hard to do. It doesn't impress me.

[bhowellrun]

not that it matters... but california is the opposite of flat... fantastic video though

[davidravo]

This is purely an aesthetic desire, there is no discernible difference in the experience, get the dog and take your chick on a vacation

[rk]

You really gotta tidy up your cockpit though ;)