Specialized has extended its Tarmac SL9 road bike range with the introduction of a new S-Level tier – bikes with top-level groupsets fitted to a frame that’s slightly more affordable than the existing S-Works version – and more models starting at £3,999.
When Specialized launched the S-Works Tarmac SL9 at the end of June, it wasn’t exactly aiming low. The brand boldly called it “the fastest road bike ever made”, with a claimed 687g frame, complete bikes weighing as little as 6.5kg and, of course, an eye-watering £11,999 price tag.
> “The fastest road bike ever made”: Specialized unveils the S-Works Tarmac SL9
Now, a couple of months later, the range is getting bigger and more attainable (it’s all relative; we realise that we’re still talking about a lot of money).
The headline news is the arrival of a brand-new S-Level tier (which we first saw on the updated Crux gravel platform in May). Think of it as a halfway house between the top-level S-Works and the Expert models: you still get a flagship SRAM Red AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, but fitted to a slightly less exotic carbon frame. At the same time, Specialized has added Expert and Comp models, bringing the Tarmac SL9’s starting price down to £3,999.
What has changed?
The original S-Works bikes are built around Specialized’s top-end FACT 12r carbon frame. The new S-Level, Expert and Comp models all use a FACT 10r frame instead.
The difference isn’t in the tube shaping or geometry – those stay the same – but the carbon lay-up. FACT 12r uses more high-modulus carbon fibres to shave weight, while FACT 10r relies more on intermediate-modulus fibres, making it a little heavier but also considerably cheaper to produce.
According to Specialized, “Both levels share the same shape, geometry, and handling targets. They only differ in the material selection and layup, with the S-Works frame utilising the most premium material and layup techniques available. As a result, the S-Works 12r frame is just about 135g lighter than the 10r frame.”
In other words, you’re getting a similar bike, just with a few extra grams.
What exactly is S-Level?
If you’ve bought a premium Specialized road bike before, you’ll probably know the hierarchy: S-Works, Pro, Expert, Comp…
Now there’s a new rung on the ladder.
S-Level sits directly beneath S-Works, and Specialized is wasting no time with the marketing, calling the Tarmac S-Level “the second fastest bike ever made.” Naturally, it reckons that the S-Works version is the fastest road bike ever.
The Tarmac S-Level uses the same frame shape, geometry and aero design as the S-Works Tarmac. It even shares the FACT 12r fork. It’s the FACT 10r frame that’s different.
Specialized says, “Using our FACT 10r carbon recipe, Tarmac SL9 S‑Level delivers a level of performance unmatched by any competitor aero bike. The S‑Level frame weighs just 822g, lighter than most of the other aero frames on the market, and uses the same FACT 12r carbon fork as the S-Works Tarmac SL9. Complete builds come in at just 7.13kg. Only the S‑Works Tarmac SL9 is lighter.”
For comparison, an S-Works Tarmac SL9 frame weighs a claimed 687g, with complete bikes as light as 6.5kg.
In terms of componentry, S-Level has some high standards. You still get your choice of SRAM Red AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, plus Specialized’s one-piece Rapide cockpit.
The savings come elsewhere.
Instead of Roval Rapide CLX III wheels, you get Rapide CL IIIs, while the saddle drops from an S-Works Power with Mirror to a Power Pro with Mirror. We’re still talking about high-quality equipment here.
When it comes to price, the S-Level undercuts the S-Works by a healthy margin. Both SRAM Red and Shimano Dura-Ace versions cost £8,749, compared with £11,999 for the S-Works.
The same aero story, just a different carbon recipe
Because the FACT 10r frame comes from the same mould as the S-Works, all of Specialized’s aerodynamic claims still apply.
Every tube has been reshaped compared with the SL8. The distinctive Speed Sniffer head tube remains from the SL8, but it’s now 4mm narrower, something Specialized says cuts frontal area by 10%.
Specialized has also dropped the down tube to work aerodynamically with the head tube and fork.
“By reducing the gap between the fork, head tube, front tyre, and the leading edge of the down tube, airflow moves more naturally through this high‑pressure zone,” says Specialized. “Closing that gap prevents the disturbed air from spilling into the frame, reducing drag and improving the efficiency of the entire front‑end system.”
The Tarmac SL9 also features Specialized’s new Win Fin. What’s that?
“By studying riders in real races, we identified behaviours that fundamentally shift aerodynamic performance,” Specialized says. “One example is that riders in most breakaways carry only one bottle, not two. This significantly changes airflow around the seat tube and rear triangle compared to traditional setups that assume two bottles and two cages. We redesigned the entire rear of the bike around this real‑race configuration. The result? Say hello to the Win Fin. Tuned for the aero reality of winning moves, saving 0.5 watts [at 45km/h].
It’s not exactly the sort of number that’ll have you cancelling your next threshold session, but marginal gains and all that.
The seatpost has also been redesigned, becoming thinner and deeper than before in an effort to improve airflow without sacrificing comfort.
When launching the S-Works version of the Tarmac SL9, Specialized said its new Time to Finish modelling suggested the bike would have saved Demi Vollering 14 seconds during an 80km breakaway in the 2024 Tour de France Femmes—a race she ultimately lost by just four seconds.
Those calculations were based on a 6.8kg race bike, so the S-Level won’t produce the same numbers with claimed weights starting at 7.13kg. Still, we’re talking about an extra 313g in a rider-and-bike system weighing roughly 65kg, so the difference is hardly dramatic.
Race-bike geometry stays the same
No surprises here. The Tarmac SL9 is a race bike so its geometry is performance-orientated.
“The Tarmac SL9 uses the same trusted race fit and handling geometry as the Tarmac SL8,” says Specialized. “The only exception is size 54cm, where we made a small adjustment to increase toe clearance with the front wheel. To achieve this, we increased the fork offset and updated the head‑tube angle while keeping trail identical to the Tarmac SL8. This ensures the same precise handling and ride characteristics the Tarmac is known for.”
There is 35mm of stack adjustment on the Tarmac SL9 via spacers that can be installed and removed without having to redo cable routing.
And what about the lower-priced models?
The S-Level might be the headline act, but it’s not the only new arrival. Other models share the FACT 10r frame with the S-Level, and come with a FACT 10r fork rather than the 12r version found on both the S-Works and S-Level.
First up, there’s the Tarmac SL9 Expert at £5,999. Here you have the choice of a SRAM Force AXS or a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset.
You get Roval C38 wheels, a Roval Rapide stem and alloy bars (rather than the Rapide Cockpit found on S-Works and S-Level bikes) and Specialized claims a weight of 7.55kg for the SRAM version.
Then comes the Tarmac SL9 Comp at £3,999.
Here the choice is between SRAM Rival AXS and Shimano 105 Di2, with DT Swiss R470 Disc wheels replacing the Rovals. Claimed weights are 8.14kg for the SRAM bike and 8.21kg for the Shimano one.
The Tarmac SL9 is compatible only with electronic drivetrains. It uses a 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket, comes fitted with 700x30mm tyres, and has room for measured 32mm rubber while maintaining 4mm of clearance.
Across the range, the Tarmac SL9 is compatible only with electronic drivetrains. All models use a 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket and ship with 700x30mm tyres, although there’s space to fit 32mm (measured) with 4mm of clearance.
