That frame looks brilliant with DA on it. Nice job!
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Moderator: robbosmans

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Thank you for sharing this is good to know for anyone using or considering the Essential8.jayjay wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2024 11:31 amHad the Essental8 for a short time. The 6mm bit got stuck in the axle after tightening. Needed to use a plier at home to get it out. Since this has never happened with any other multitool before I sold the Essental8 a week later.OtterSpace wrote: ↑Sat Aug 17, 2024 5:05 amThe Essential 8 is likely the best light option at 33g claimed just be careful not to store the (Hex 2 / Hex 2.5) bit improperly or lose any of the bits both of which are surprisingly easy to do when focusing on repairing a flat.
That semi failure case could be fairly common given the application and would leave you without a way of fixing a flat on the other axle when it happens.
The tool has a small magnetic (steel) bit of better than average quality (They no longer use PBSwiss which is top tier) while the axle is typically comparatively less strong from being Al to save weight.
The Al axle 6mm receptacle can change from tool use and it typically gets worse the lower quality the tool is and the less deep the tool is engaged. The risk of this also rises the more force is being applied to the bolt. The axle sees the largest torque of any bolt to remove, other than pedals & chainset stuff, so is the most likely to damage. When the slight bolt damage happens the force to remove the tool increases. Also the machining of the axle is likely more variable than good bits to begin with.
With Essental8 the 6mm hex is only retained with a magnet that is weaker than other magnetic options. Why is is weaker? Because they machined it out, or recessed it, to store the 3mm bit. This can leave you with a stuck 6mm bit that has a lower force to remove from the tool than the axle. Basically what you are describing is a design problem of their tool and a reasonable reason to not use it along with the risk of loosing bits & getting the smaller bit stuck in the tool until you have access to more tools. For me its worth it but I can see why it isn't for everyone.
Heavier folable keys on rail style multitools typically use mid quality machined tools but are far less likely to stay stuck given they maintain a much larger lever and cant come off from the tool body from normal use. These typically start at around 50g. Alternatively a 5mm hex with a magnetic 5mm to 1/4 bit attachement & 6mm bit is similar weight to a full 6mm hex and gives you the ability to scale to other tool bits. The magnet on this style is solid and stronger but can suffer a similar failure if the axle yeilds too much to the very high quality PBSwiss bit. Some axles are slowly moving to T25 to help mittigate the risk of bolt damage which is much also lighter as a full size steel L key. If I went with a full 6mm hex I would go Ti to save about 2/5 of the weight of a steel hex. Given this 6mm hex will basically only be used to remove Al axles, which are also softer than Ti, it is more than sufficient for the job but I wouldnt use it at home or on any steel bolts.
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Beautiful! Are those the "Team" wheels?
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The fancy Bora and Quickstep colorways just dropped off the USA website. With respect to SW bikes and not frames, it leaves two SRAM red colorways and just one for Di2. Think we'll see more any more SW colorways for '25?Sander7721 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 20, 2024 8:56 amAll the new 2025 colour frames have dropped globally today. And a nice little price hike and well no stock/sizes lol
Daily Driver: Specialized
HT MTB: Scale 29 Pro w/Eagle AXS (8.9kg/19.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict SL w/eTap + Quarq (5.8kg/12.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict R1 w/Red11 + PowerTap (lowest was 5.6kg/12.3lbs)
Retired (RIP): Trek Madone 5.2 USPS
HT MTB: Scale 29 Pro w/Eagle AXS (8.9kg/19.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict SL w/eTap + Quarq (5.8kg/12.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict R1 w/Red11 + PowerTap (lowest was 5.6kg/12.3lbs)
Retired (RIP): Trek Madone 5.2 USPS
Honestly this website has the best "side by side" roundup of the 2025 S-works colors, as Specialized's website is hit or miss depending on country...
https://www.velodrom.cc/products/specia ... k-metallic
Similarly, Not sure we'll get this colorway in the US, but a really nice option for non S-works... If either this frameset or the Silver of the SL8 Pro popped up I'd be all over it. As much of a Specialized fanboy as I am, I'm really offput by any of the frames that have a downtube logo, and then two additional logos, on both the fork and the chainstay... Especially so on S-works versions.

https://www.velodrom.cc/products/specia ... k-metallic
Similarly, Not sure we'll get this colorway in the US, but a really nice option for non S-works... If either this frameset or the Silver of the SL8 Pro popped up I'd be all over it. As much of a Specialized fanboy as I am, I'm really offput by any of the frames that have a downtube logo, and then two additional logos, on both the fork and the chainstay... Especially so on S-works versions.

I hope this color comes in frameset!Upcountry wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 2:34 pmHonestly this website has the best "side by side" roundup of the 2025 S-works colors, as Specialized's website is hit or miss depending on country...
https://www.velodrom.cc/products/specia ... k-metallic
Similarly, Not sure we'll get this colorway in the US, but a really nice option for non S-works... If either this frameset or the Silver of the SL8 Pro popped up I'd be all over it. As much of a Specialized fanboy as I am, I'm really offput by any of the frames that have a downtube logo, and then two additional logos, on both the fork and the chainstay... Especially so on S-works versions.
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Interesting site - thanks for sharing: https://www.velodrom.cc
I'm hopeful for another (nearly) all-black RTP with "quiet" decals
I'm hopeful for another (nearly) all-black RTP with "quiet" decals
Daily Driver: Specialized
HT MTB: Scale 29 Pro w/Eagle AXS (8.9kg/19.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict SL w/eTap + Quarq (5.8kg/12.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict R1 w/Red11 + PowerTap (lowest was 5.6kg/12.3lbs)
Retired (RIP): Trek Madone 5.2 USPS
HT MTB: Scale 29 Pro w/Eagle AXS (8.9kg/19.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict SL w/eTap + Quarq (5.8kg/12.8lbs)
Retired (RIP): Addict R1 w/Red11 + PowerTap (lowest was 5.6kg/12.3lbs)
Retired (RIP): Trek Madone 5.2 USPS
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Didn’t see if you mentioned this anywhere but what is the name of this colorway? Looks amazing.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo gen 4
Specialized Crux
Specialized Epic 8
Specialized Crux
Specialized Epic 8
Probably has already been answered here, but I tried the SL8 yesterday and was very surprised by how round the tubes were, especially the down tube.
How can the SL8 test so well aero wise versus bikes that have more classic truncated-airfoil shape like the Aeroad?
How can the SL8 test so well aero wise versus bikes that have more classic truncated-airfoil shape like the Aeroad?
Related to this, has someone mounted 32mm gp5000 STR on this wheelset or any wheelset with ID 25mm? How much tire clearance will there be? TIA!mikehhhhhhh wrote: ↑Sat May 18, 2024 3:45 pmThey are indeed hookless.nonamed wrote: ↑Sat May 18, 2024 3:28 pmHookless right? How about the fitment? How do they clear frame with 700x30 gp5000 ?mikehhhhhhh wrote:Yeah, I am! I think they are absolutely perfect as an all day comfort/climbing/do it all wheel.
Setup with 30mm STRs they are super comfortable.
When I have an event where speed is more important than comfort like a TT or big flat sportive, I chuck my Rapides on and they feel fast and special and a bit harsh in comparison tbf.
My only criticism is the freehub sound is massively disappointing for a freehub junky, especially coming from a DT 54t ratchet.
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Bundles of room to the frame.
This is the best comment ever.

Every time I look down at my SL8 when riding I think it's the 90's again, the only reasons I know it's not is down to the comfort of the wide tyres and the great integrated Roval bars.

Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg
S-Works SL8 Dune White SRAM Red AXS Craft CS5060 wheels Roval Rapide bars 6.6kg
S-Works SL8 Dune White SRAM Red AXS Craft CS5060 wheels Roval Rapide bars 6.6kg
Didn't mean it in a bad way. I find it aesthetically pleasing (much more than the overall super sloped geometry to be honest) but the difference is pretty striking in terms of tubes cross section compared to something like the Aeroad. Given the very good aeroness ratings in the SL8, that surprised me
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I think it has to do with the width of the front wheel.Yoln wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 4:01 amDidn't mean it in a bad way. I find it aesthetically pleasing (much more than the overall super sloped geometry to be honest) but the difference is pretty striking in terms of tubes cross section compared to something like the Aeroad. Given the very good aeroness ratings in the SL8, that surprised me
Yoln wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 4:01 amDidn't mean it in a bad way. I find it aesthetically pleasing (much more than the overall super sloped geometry to be honest) but the difference is pretty striking in terms of tubes cross section compared to something like the Aeroad. Given the very good aeroness ratings in the SL8, that surprised me

I ride the SL8 day in day out (600km in August) and am constantly impressed by how fast and how light it is, as well as the brilliant comfort. Then I look down at the top tube and downtube and it amazes me they are just classic round. Unbelievable, considering what we have all been fed by the industry about kamtail tube shapes.
Now we find the SL8 is the fastest bike with a rider on it....even more unbelievable and bizarre.

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