Specialized Venge VS. Tarmac (Head to Head Review)

In this video, I review the all-new Specialized S-Works Venge and compare it to the Tarmac S-Works SL6. While the Tarmac SL6 that I test rode was the Specialized S-Works rim brake version, outside of braking performance and some very slight geometry changes, the Tarmac Rim VS. Disc bikes are almost identical.

The five main aspects I will drill into to delineate the Venge from the Tarmac are: Speed & handing / Weight / Aesthetics / Comfort / Compatibility. I describe technical features while blending in my own personal riding experiences on both these race performance machines from Specialized.

Interestingly, I weighed this 54cm Specialized Venge down at a Specialized dealer Hampton Cycles and it was 7.47 kgs, complete bike. While I was there, there was also a Tarmac SL5 with Roval 32s and SRAM ETAP DISC. And that was 7.38 kg. Incredible to think the Venge is almost the same weight as the older Tarmac S-Works, yet it has Roval 64 wheels.

But Stock 56cms without pedals, cages etc:

S-Works Venge comes in at 7.1kg with deep, 64mm Roval Carbon Wheels.

S-Works Tarmac comes in at 6.65kg with mid size5 0mm Roval Carbon Wheels

Outside of Venge VS Tarmac weight, I spend most of my time in this video on speed and handling, outlining some of the technologies Specialized have used to create the new Venge, which they now describe as “free Foil library tube shapes “ enabling them to actually improved the speed of the new Venge over the VIAS by 8 seconds over 40 km.

Lastly, I conclude with which bike I'd personally prefer to take home. The Venge or the Tarmac....?

[arcangel]

Easily the best review of these two beauties anywhere on the internet. Clear - just enough info - no bull. Thanks for posting.
(I built up a Tarmac in the end. So far... blown away!)
Keep doing these... you're a natural. Good luck.

[markchan]

Great review! That’s why I went for d SL6 as I m doing long distances and plenty of climbing! Thanks! Cheers mate!

[MrFornicater]

The Venge would write cheques my legs couldn't cash.

[gearhigher]

Well Done!...Based on being a former 2011 Tarmac owner, now 2019 Venge DI2 Ultegra Disc owner I have to say once I got the bike dialed in it was a no brainer switching to the Venge. Note due to the stack height being minimal I found it necessary to switch the handlebars to Spez Vias Bars, this raised the bars 25mm while still providing aero benefits. Other then that the video provided my thoughts exactly. For those concerned about the Venge's ability to climb, don't worry all I have around me is hills...it goes up fast as well.

[matthiaskettner]

Thanks for the review Cam. Ended up having a tarmac, the perfect bike for my hilly region here. Never sat on a better bike, incredible every ride.

[RonnRider]

Mate, I am somebody who watches a lot of reviews and even do a few myself and that is one of the most professional and concise reviews I’ve seen to date. Really well done and you’ve gained a subscriber here. Oh, an love the Beach rd and Olivers footage...hopefully we’ll see you on the road one day👍🏾

[richardfansler]

Have ordered the new 2019 Venge and am looking forward to its arrival in November! For me the Venge is the best bike on the planet!
Thanks for your enlightenment and excellent presentation and in service oratory!🚴🏽

[TheBarts]

Hi Cam, Thanks for this great review. I own a Tarmac S-works SL6 (Etap) and I love it (I love to ride my S-works Tarmac SL4 for 6 years). This week I also pulled the trigger on a Tarmac Pro disc with Sram Etap AXS (The Ultegra Di2 was sold out in the Netherlands). I could choose the Venge and it crossed my mind but I went for the Tarmac. I feel great on the Tarmac and I am not 30 anymore so I like the comfort and the fact that the HT Lenght is longer on the Tarmac so that I need less spacers. Owning two Tarmacs for every kind of weather and roads feels like a good decision, but the Venge is still in the back of my mind. The Tarmac is more versatile, comfy and suited for lower wheels and still looking good, so I bought the Tarmac disc.
Greetings from the Netherlands
Bart

[roel-janmouw]

Great review, and solid conclusions. I’m lucky to have both S-Works Tarmac and Venge (both 2019 Disc). They feel the same, and at same time different. Love my Tarmac in Mountains and even bike packing (just took it from Netherlands to Swiss on 1.000km/10.000vertical meter ride) and Venge in Netherlands on the flat lands and for ‘racing’. Done over 4.000km on combined bikes, and would also choose Tarmac if I could only have one. But wow the Venge is so awesome to ride and far more comfortable vs what people expect. What I love most is the geometry of my bikes as they are close to the same. whilst I can choose a bike for the ride I plan to do, my position is the same making handling and comfort great at any given time. Also due to fact I put a power saddle on the Tarmac. Ps I first got the Tarmac and later the Venge. Would not want to miss either one:-)

[antilleangrackle]

The best head to head bike video I’ve seen. I ended up with the 2020 Venge Pro. The comment on the Venge in a neutral or tailwind is 100% true, actually, you could add ‘draft’ into that comment. It’s just feels assisted. With a good fitting, the Venge is more comfortable than my Roubaix. Easily the most amazing road bike I’ve ever owned.

[arthurchoi]

It's been a while since new tarmac and venge came out. Never seen any video covered better than this one! This is the best video comparing two bikes in terms of weight, aesthetics, compliance and overall! Great video!

[Muler]

I don't know where this channel has come from, but it's drastically better than any of the huge channels doing reviews. Brilliant review, very informative and agrees almost entirely with my view on these two bikes. Glad I have my Tarmac, but the 'bling factor of the Venge is very inviting..

[Crackedblade]

I really enjoyed this, great work! Thank you. Searching for a new bike makes reviews like yours mandatory to watch.

[FATTYDH]

Great Vid Cam . Comprehensive review really well presented . Best yet .

[barnabyannan]

Many many thanks! My heart says Venge, my head says Tarmac. In any build I would be looking at the CLX 50s and Aerofly cockpit. I just can’t get over the looks of the Venge. To me, it’s the most attractive bike I’ve ever seen. But reluctantly, the extra comfort and responsiveness of the Tarmac probably means that it is a more all round bike which is what I’m looking for.

[lorispomazan]

just purchased new Tarmac sl6, I love that tube-simplicity and stiffness, ...more suitable for my hilly area where I live. Great review. Keep up the good work.

[BigBadBri]

Great review matey.
I live in a hilly area but still am drawn towards the Venge, saying that I already have a Roubaix so i think I'm covered for the comfort endurance ride.
Keep up the good work - subbed.

[waynosfotos]

Great conclusion! Buy a bike that feels comfy, and feels like it fits, if you are a serious rider you will be doing lots of clicks, I have had aero bikes, and to me they only feel faster with a tailwind and I do think this mostly has a lot to do with the wheels.
Aero bikes are also a pain to fit accessories and you will need special mounts and adaptors, plus you can’t try different aftermarket bits as they are proprietary.
I do believe manufacturers overstate aero gains, drag is mostly only from the front components and this is minimally different between bikes. Aero seat posts and aero tubing in the rear is doing very little. I also think they calculate gains without a rider, which will make figures look better. Buy the venge if it is the wow factor, or your number one race machine, but in real racing aero seems to not decide the winner.

[robbieflub]

This is a highly relevant, very watchable review mate, thank you.

[Defyreactz]

Ordered the Venge Sagan Edition, looking forward to picking it up in October.