Tarmac SL8 Review | What is it like to ride?

I have managed to get my hands on a Tarmac SL8 and in this video we go over how it rides in various categories below.
And also is it any better than the SL7

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Context
01:05 - Handling
02:44 - Wind stability
03:18 - Climbing feel
04:48 - Sprint feel
05:27 - Flats/ Rolling
06:27 - Comfort
08:30 - Weight
09:30 - Fun factor
10:10 - Shop window
11:26 - Price
12:21 - Extras/ Conclusions
13:31 - Final scores

[Bellerophon]

I'm enjoying this series a lot. Your direct comparisons of the bike you're reviewing to the bikes you've already ridden is something that big YT channels/magazine hint at, but don't deliver on. Great stuff.

[oliverjames]

Great video Jason! Will you cover the new Aeroad CF SLX // CFR and the Dogma F anytime soon? This comparison series is one of the my favourites on youtube ! best wishes from Canada

[danielmiles]

Great review, looking to upgrade my venge disc for one soon. Should be at least 5-600g difference which will be nice. Agree with you on the paint, will be getting a custom job done 👌🏻

[TheBassallyear]

it might seem like hyperbole but this review is pretty on point. i have both a Madone SLR Gen 6 and a Tarmac SL8 and i'll concur with essentially each finding, particularly the handling. I had been on the Madone for so long that i was it was almost an odd feeling to be able to adjust line on the SL8 when really attacking corners. There is a sensation difference in straight line rolling speed - the Madone "feels" faster but speed / power numbers don't indicate a shift. It's almost like how tires that are over inflated "feel" faster despite the opposite being true on most road surfaces. The SL8 is WAY less susceptible to being blown around in crosswinds, that may be a factor in the straight line feeling by not having to consciously correct the bike?

[hamedizzy]

Would LOVE to see a comparison with a Factor Ostro can 2.0

[kmaswood]

Love your reviews! Every time I watch them.. wanna go for a ride :) Can you please review Trek Madone SLR Gen 8?

[nicholastopley]

I have S-Works SL7 Dura Ace and S-Works SL8 new SRAM RED. I’ve done 200km on the SL8 and 10, 000km on the SL7. They are very different but too early to say one is better. Both fabulous though. SL7 more Venge-like, SL8 more nimble. Review to follow!

[littlevo]

J’ai eu le choix en 2023 soit un sl8 sworks ou un sl7 sworks dura ace 12 s.
J’ai pris le sl7 car c’est juste un vélo plus beau que le sl8, surtout en taille 58! Le miens a la potence claqué il est absolument magnifique, je lui ai mis un pédalier et plateaux cybrei full carbone, 6, 9kg complet avec support compteur, porte bouteille, pedales (look carbon ceramic).
C’est un vélo absolument génial qui a changé ma façon de rouler et le petit plus du sl8 ne me fera pas passer sur son design que je trouve mauvais.

[Millicente]

I'd love to see how this bike compares to the aethos since both are only about 200g apart in terms of total bike weight. You can get an aethos for far cheaper on the used market than you can an sl8 though

[EddyCat]

Great review. I have just ordered an SL7 SW’s at a good price. In terms of the SL8 having an ‘Aethos like’ rear triangle and BB I think this might be an issue for some riders coming off the SL7 and going to the SL8. I own an Aethos and an out going Emonda SLR and I would say the Emonda accelerates more quickly up a climb compared to the Aethos. I put this down to some flex in the rear of the Aethos (btw, I ran both bikes with the same Bontrager Aeolus RSL37 climbing wheels). The Aethos has other benefits tho. Anyway, I guess I’ll find out once my SL7 is up and running and then ride my mates SL8 which he has on order as a comparison….

[Gufolicious]

100% agree. Sl8 only looks good slammed.

[DanTuber]

i wonder if you'd notice much difference in the non s-works versions. I also gotta wonder what they're going to do with the SL9. It's already light enough.

[HeyWattsUpCycling]

your mentioning the bb being "stiff" but I have heard that it is NOT stiff when putting down the power and has quite some flex. Us taller guys always have more flexy bikes than the manlets riding 54s and smaller due to the size of the triangles so if a reviewer is on a small saying its stiff that will not automatically translate to an adults size bike lol. Obviously I havent ridden one yet so cant comment but thats the thing im the most picky about, were riding road bikes here not full suspension mtb, there gonna buzz and vibrate a bit but the last thing I wanna do is ride a flexy bb/rearstays regardless how compliant it is.

[jardetquentin]

superbe vidéo !

You should try the new aeroad and make a vidéo about how it feel !

Thx :)

[vtm]

Like Doug DeMuro for bikes. Subscribed.

[samgiamarelos]

The head tube bulge rectifies the recall on the sl7

[adsali]

Have you done a review on the Scott foil RC?

[DDai-qduk]

Hey man, can I ask how tall you are and which size you decided on?

[charliecook]

Nice video as always, honest review 👌im not a fan of these bulgy head tubes also, iv got a 3t strada and the new one is like the tarmac, horrible bulgy head tube definitely not a good look

[taxi]

Rubbing of breaks….think it improved with Shimano 12x. Not sure, it is the fork. Would you switch from SL6 to SL8?