S-WORKS Tarmac SL8

[pdlpsher1]

What kind of rotors are those? They look like floating rotors.

[justinfoxphotos]

What kind of rotors are those? They look like floating rotors.

Build specs here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDC4fD7TLv1/

[justinfoxphotos]

I took advantage of the Black Friday Sales and bought some Absolute Black gear + Specialized bottle cages. Really unsure about the OSPW, but it’s the new version and I do think it looks kinky AF (reminds me of flesh tunnels in ears).


AB OSPW in titanium finish.


AB graphen pads.


AB lockrings.




Love the one on my Allez. So easy to get bottles in and out of it. Went for matte finish this time to better suit the bike.

[OtterSpace]

Really unsure about the OSPW, but it’s the new version and I do think it looks kinky AF (reminds me of flesh tunnels in ears).

Hambini roasted them awhile back so expect a lot of arm chair engineer mud flinging half recalled Hambini talking points when you post elsewhere. Drives up engagement at least but know this is the most contraversial OSPW on the market.

I'll keep this brief but in my mind OSPW has 0 real advantages over standard for non clutched systems as the chain bounces around way too much from reduced chain tension likely negating the largest marginal watt savings of OSPW. On SRAM red I think their fluid clutch is way under rated for mittigating chain bounce of the lower portion of the chain which should help. We are even seeing SRAM slowly move up their tooth count for less chain articulation (the second marginal watt saving of OSPW) and SRAM have been using ceramic bearings (the third marginal watt saving of OSPW) for awhile now in red. Unfortunately there is little public non marketing data on clutch or OSPW performance though tons of bro science even in my post.

The best way to talk down the anti OSPW gang is to say you got it for aesthetics.

[justinfoxphotos]

Hambini roasted them awhile back so expect a lot of arm chair engineer mud flinging half recalled Hambini talking points when you post elsewhere. Drives up engagement at least but know this is the most contraversial OSPW on the market.

I'll keep this brief but in my mind OSPW has 0 real advantages over standard for non clutched systems as the chain bounces around way too much from reduced chain tension likely negating the largest marginal watt savings of OSPW. On SRAM red I think their fluid clutch is way under rated for mittigating chain bounce of the lower portion of the chain which should help. We are even seeing SRAM slowly move up their tooth count for less chain articulation (the second marginal watt saving of OSPW) and SRAM have been using ceramic bearings (the third marginal watt saving of OSPW) for awhile now in red. Unfortunately there is little public non marketing data on clutch or OSPW performance though tons of bro science even in my post.

The best way to talk down the anti OSPW gang is to say you got it for aesthetics.

Yeah definitely not expecting any watt gains but I do think it's the best looking OSPW out there, and am well aware of Hambini roasting the earlier version of this OSPW in a video (not that I put any value into what that guys says).

I've watched videos and read reviews from a fair few sources that have reported 15db less drivetrain noise and that's a plus (SRAM Red is definitey not LOUD but you can hear it).

What I'm more concerned about is whether it'll make the shifting worse, and I'm definitely not a fan of adding weight to the bike (I'm sure it'll be heavier than the original SRAM unit and I have to add extra chain links too).

I bought 2 of them, and super keen to get one on the Allez Sprint as I think it will visually suit that bike a lot, but may hold off on installing it on the SL8 until I test it out on the Allez first.

[justinfoxphotos]

Bike is here!


MagCAD computer mount.



Nervousness, paranoia, anxiety, buyers remorse, just some of the things I've been feeling the past few days, but really happy to say that my SL8 got to me earlier today without issues!

The shop (PedalHeads in QLD) and delivery people were so awesome, giving me updates along the way. The delivery people didn't even want to be mentioned as they're apparently too busy as it is and are not at all looking for more work!

A sticker on the bike suggests the bike was born on the 8th of May 2024 (nice!). The paint is amazing in real life (it's well known that Specialized never seem to capture their paint jobs in their press photos). So much detail up close, and even more when it's under the sun.

The bike came with a Roval computer mount (I have one on my Allez, it's a solid unit). I didn't know it was going to come with one and had ordered a 3D printed MagCAD computer mount. The Roval mount weighs in at 52g, and the MagCAD weighs in at 18g so I've decided to remove the Roval and install the MagCAD one.

Owning and dialling in the fit on my SL6 (also a size 52) was a blessing as it's made setting up the SL8 a breeze. The SL8 came with a 15mm offset seatpost which I've replaced with an S-Works 0 offset seatpost and the bike setup is now pretty close to my SL6 (5mm longer reach as the Roval cockpit on my SL8 has a 115mm stem).

Sadly the 0mm offset seatpost is pretty porky at 173g (the 15mm setback post was 141g). I'll most likely look into either a Hylix, or Darimo, or Alpitude seatpost at some point down the line, but for now this 0 setback seatpost is doing it's job.

The S-Works Power with Mirror saddle looks super wide and it's heavy at 203g. I've got to at least test it out though, who knows? It may kill me with comfort.

Also moved my Galfer rotors off the Allez. Replaced the rear SRAM Red 160mm with the Galfer 140mm and also installed Absolute Black Graphen Pads (same weight as the SRAM pads at 20g/pair).

Issues: I've read of a lot of owners with a gap between the headset dust cover and frame, and yup, mine has it. I've also read of people complaining about the top cap bolt not fitting flush, and yup, mine has that too, but worst of all I've read of SL8 owners noticing that their front wheel isn't dead centre, and happy to say I do not have this issue.

Locked in to go for a ride tomorrow morning. Can't wait!

SPECS:

2025 S-Works Tarmac SL8 (Size 52)
Gloss Dove Grey / Silver Dust Blurred Impasto / Black Pearl

Brake Rotors: Galfer E1 160mm/140mm (97g/79g)
Brake Pads: Absolute Black Graphen (40g)
Shift Levers: SRAM RED E1
Derailleurs: SRAM RED E1
Cassette: SRAM RED 10-33t
Chain: SRAM RED E1
Crankset: SRAM RED E1 with Power Meter 165mm
Chainrings: SRAM Red E1 48/35
Pedals: Xpedo Thrust SL Titanium (165g)
Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68
Front Wheel: Roval Rapide CLX II 51mm
Rear Wheel: Roval Rapide CLX II 60mm
Tyres: S-works Turbo Rapidair 2BR 700x26mm
Inner Tubes: Specialized Turbo Ultralight 60mm Front, 80mm Rear
Lockrings: Absolute Black (10g)
Stem: Roval Rapide Cockpit 380mm/115mm
Tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
Saddle: Specialized S-Works Power with Mirror (203g)
Seatpost: S-Works 0mm offset (173g)
Computer Mount: MagCAD (18g)
Bottle Cage: S-Works Carbon Rib Cage III (24g)

WEIGHT: 6.75kg

[stevec1975]

Looks great Justin, you must be super happy! Now for the fun of riding and tweaking to suit your needs (and the inevitable descent into sub 6kg territory)

[GaBa]

Sick paintjob!

[justinfoxphotos]

Looks great Justin, you must be super happy! Now for the fun of riding and tweaking to suit your needs (and the inevitable descent into sub 6kg territory)

Definitely happy, and right now I'm trying my best to not go full weight weenie on it

Sick paintjob!

In real life it's amazing, but damn it's hard to capture the paint in photos (washes out in bright shots and just ends up looking more like a plain white bike).

OK, just reporting in with initial thoughts from a 1.5hr shakedown ride.

Fit & Feel: My SL6 fit is so dialled in that it feels more like an endurance bike than a race bike. I have the stem slammed on the SL8 (15mm spacer on the SL6) and the reach is 5mm longer and I can feel the difference (feels more like a race bike, slightly more pressure on hands too). That said stem angle is -12 on the SL6, and -6 on the SL8 and my hoods aren't turned in at all on the SL8 and I feel they're a little low on the bars too.

The bar tape job isn't the best, so I'll book in with Sam at CCACHE who did the bar tape on my Allez (literally perfection) and at the same time I'll move my levers up a little and angle them in too.

The S-Works Power with Mirror saddle is so damn comfy it feels odd. My position is racey, but the saddle feels like a comfy lounge chair. It's damn grippy too which is something I'm not used to. IE: Every time I sat back down after being out of saddle I had to micro adjust.

The gear shifting is so damn smooth it's kinda mindblowing and now I'm convinced that it's because of the closer gear ratio cassette (same SRAM Red E1 on my Allez but with a 10-36 making for some larger jumps).

The Roval Rapide CLX II hubs are so silent I literally couldn't hear them at all unless I pedalled backwards! Towards the end of my ride I started to hear them a little. I just assume they're really packed with grease? It's always windy at the park and all that I've read about these wheels handling crosswinds well is true.

All in all I'm happy with the bike, but is it $10K+ better than the SL6 and Allez Sprint? *f##k* no! No way (and hey I'm OK with that!).

[justinfoxphotos]

https://youtube.com/shorts/yVOe0oAMupI? ... zdpzy1NaBW

2nd ride. Ripped the bad tape job off and adjusted my hoods inwards (essentially 360 at the hoods). Bike feels awesome. Today I rode with a mate who's 6ft+ tall and has won a few local crit races. At one stage he went for a sprint expecting to leave me and another mate behind but I stuck on his wheel and when he turned around at the end of his sprint to find me right next to him he was quite literally surprised!

One for the ego for sure, but above all it's confirmation that all this riding I've been doing the past 5+ months is starting to pay off!

PS: The Specialized S-Works Power with Mirror saddle is just SO comfy it's ridiculous. I hate how it looks. I hate how grippy it is. I especially hate that it weighs 203g... but damn. It's SO comfy I'm not sure I'm ready to replace it with a Berk, yet.

[warthog101]

Looks great and very light! Enjoy

[justinfoxphotos]

Looks great and very light! Enjoy

TY and will do!

PedalHeads in QLD (the shop I got the SL8 from) did an amazing job with building up my SL8, but the bar tape wrap job wasn’t perfect, and I needed that Sam Mingle perfection so I dropped in to see Sam at CCACHE today. Turns out it was good timing as they just got some CCACHE x NSTRMO Burgh Bar tape in stock. Love the Burgh bar tape on my Allez, so more than happy to stick with the brand, and of-course Sam absolutely killed it. I’ll never do my own bar tape ever again!


SL8 at CCACHE.


CCACHE x NSTRMO Burgh Bar tape.


Sam, the man.


Reverse wrap (just like on my Allez). Chef's Kiss.

[gurk700]

That color didn't impress me at first but grew on me big time. Lovin' the photos.
As much as I love pure white, it's been hell to keep clean and some spots under the fork darkened for good / uncleanable.
I don't mind a well used look on a bike at all but my next tarmac will definitely be a wilder and darker color or a pattern that won't show dirt as much

[justinfoxphotos]

That color didn't impress me at first but grew on me big time. Lovin' the photos.
As much as I love pure white, it's been hell to keep clean and some spots under the fork darkened for good / uncleanable.
I don't mind a well used look on a bike at all but my next tarmac will definitely be a wilder and darker color or a pattern that won't show dirt as much

Ah damn dude! That's sad to hear that the frame stains?! I LOVE white cars with black wheels, and I love white bikes too. When I think of the SL8 I think of a white bike, but there weren't any white size 52's available. I could have gotten a red one, but red is just not my jam, and I missed out on a size 52 frame with that wild ice like colour that Jen has (I actually think she bought the size 52 that was on the Specialized site as it was up there for some time) but I didn't like the gold logos on it (Jen actually covered them with white stickers and man her bike looks AMAZING in real life).

In the end all that was available was this colour in a size 52 with Dura-Ace. I was willing to settle on the colour and I'm really glad it's glossy not matte. I was also willing to settle on the groupset, but I put the money down when the shop that had it in stock were willing to swap out the SRAM Red E1 from a red SL8 to this bike for me.

Side by side my Allez (even though it's just gloss black) takes my attention every time. I like the marble like paint on the SL8, but I like the wild paint job on Jen's bike even more.

[gurk700]

That color didn't impress me at first but grew on me big time. Lovin' the photos.
As much as I love pure white, it's been hell to keep clean and some spots under the fork darkened for good / uncleanable.
I don't mind a well used look on a bike at all but my next tarmac will definitely be a wilder and darker color or a pattern that won't show dirt as much

Ah damn dude! That's sad to hear that the frame stains?! I LOVE white cars with black wheels, and I love white bikes too. When I think of the SL8 I think of a white bike, but there weren't any white size 52's available. I could have gotten a red one, but red is just not my jam, and I missed out on a size 52 frame with that wild ice like colour that Jen has (I actually think she bought the size 52 that was on the Specialized site as it was up there for some time) but I didn't like the gold logos on it (Jen actually covered them with white stickers and man her bike looks AMAZING in real life).

In the end all that was available was this colour in a size 52 with Dura-Ace. I was willing to settle on the colour and I'm really glad it's glossy not matte. I was also willing to settle on the groupset, but I put the money down when the shop that had it in stock were willing to swap out the SRAM Red E1 from a red SL8 to this bike for me.

Side by side my Allez (even though it's just gloss black) takes my attention every time. I like the marble like paint on the SL8, but I like the wild paint job on Jen's bike even more.

Yeah not sure if it's just unlucky or if white Tarmacs eventually do that. It's not on a visible part so I don't mind much. Maybe when SL9 comes along I'll get that and do some crazy repaint with this one
I do love a white + black everything on bikes, motos, cars etc as well. Really nice looking combo. The moment I saw a white S-works with black rovals here on a shop window I knew it was game over for me and had to have it lol.

Jen's is indeed very cool. I kinda wanna go for a wild color like that for the next tarmac. For the SL8, I really like that radiant purple one as well though I'm partial to lighter color ones like you.