Specialized Tarmac SL6 Expert Women’s

The Specialized Women's Tarmac SL6 Expert is a sound investment for anyone looking to buy a high quality bike that will perform in all areas. While the groupset and wheels keep the price below Specialized's top of the range bikes, the frameset itself is absolutely outstanding. It will satisfy any budding amateur racer, avid sportive rider or those who simply value and enjoy riding a really decent bike.

• Pros: Lovely looks, great ride, strong wheels
• Cons: Washing requirements... and only one colour choice

While the idea of women-specific geometry has been around for several years, it's interesting that Specialized is presenting its women's 2018 Tarmacs with frame geometry that is actually no different to that of the men's.

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Specialized's Retul data source suggested that the only things that needed to be different for women were the handlebar, saddle and crank length. Makes sense really... if you're looking to buy a car you move the seat and steering wheel to suit you; if it still doesn't suit, you look at another model. There are no female-specific cars out there.

The Ride

I felt instantaneously transported back to my race days when I first got on the Tarmac. Eight weeks later and the novelty still hasn't worn off, and I will be fiercely reluctant to return it. That said, for someone who doggedly rides an aluminium, full-mudguard bike in winter, the Tarmac could be nothing but 'exciting' to ride.

Without wishing to sound clichéd, it just felt right. Some bikes I raced on took time to get used to, requiring micro-adjustments from my normal setup to 'feel right'. Once I'd set the saddle height, set back and bar height on the Tarmac I was away – no tampering or minor adjustments, just spot on.

The Tarmac is an exceptionally comfortable, smooth ride. A degree of flex in the seatpost and 26mm tyres provide sufficient comfort for longer rides, and there is clearance for up to 30mm if this isn't smooth enough for you. The excellent Oura saddle made for further comfort; a great shape with a decent sized cut-away, and sufficient padding to feel soft but not too soft to sacrifice the racing profile and build.

The bike handles well on climbs, both in and out of the saddle, not surprisingly nimble thanks to its weight, or lack thereof. It feels remarkably stable and secure on descents and while cornering. As mentioned, my setup was easy to achieve, so this sense of security is simply a direct consequence. I took it across a five-mile stretch of cobbles, impacted gravel and stones, and the vibrations were far from unbearable.

Geometry & frame

If you are not in the market for a pure race bike, stop reading now. Specialized has worked hard to develop a pure racing frame with the optimal balance of stiffness, light weight and aerodynamics. I honestly think it has achieved this.

The geometry of the Tarmac is a direct consequence of statistics from the Retul database. Based on analysis of this data, Specialized concluded that there was no statistical difference for stack/reach and grip positioning between genders. There was, however, a need to accommodate for handlebar width, crank length and saddle preference. So with a 54, women get a 400mm handlebar, while men get a 420mm. I've always ridden with a 400, so maybe there's something in this Retul data thing.

However, look closely on the Specialized website at the dimensions for a Women's SL6 Expert 54 and compare them to a Man's SL6 Expert 54, and they are different. This doesn't tally with Specialized's 'no statistical difference' statement. Surely the reach on a men's 54 should be the same as on a women's 54, not 3mm more? Rather confused by this, I contacted Specialized and was swiftly informed it was a typo. Great to get a prompt response, but...

I was also surprised to find that the bike came with 170mm cranks, as the website states 172.5mm. Another typo, apparently.

That aside, as I said above, I was thoroughly impressed with how quick and easy it was to get the correct dimensions on my setup. I used to dread getting a new team bike and fighting to achieve a millimetre-correct position; the geometries just never quite lent themselves to hitting perfection and there was always some compromise, followed by a period of adjustment to a slightly different position on the bike for the season. It was novel to have a bike that only required a single spacer to be moved at the headset, and the saddle height and set-back to be put right. No change in stem was necessary.

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best Shimano Ultegra-equipped road  bikes

As soon as I rode the Tarmac everything felt right, simply because there had been no compromise in my setup. So the dimensions of a 54 truly are tailored to the average person riding that sized bike; thanks Retul. Each frame size has been individually tailored for a rider of its related size, so a 52 is not just a 'down-scaled' 54. You can read more about all of this in Dave's article here.

The dropped seatstays are a distinguishing feature on the SL6. They look great and they serve a purpose. Two purposes, actually. The first being a lower seat tube, which in turn allows greater flex of the seatpost. I can't compare it to the SL5, but it's a noticeable improvement on all the other bikes I ride, though I think it's on the limit of what is desirable.

The second relates to aerodynamics. Apparently their lower position helps maintain uninterrupted airflow over the back of the bike. Specialized tells us that 'the seat stays on the Tarmac were also designed with co-optimized truncated airfoils and an optimized junction with the seat tube, which allows them to add additional aero benefit without any extra weight or loss in stiffness'.

Also noticeable is the narrower and less curvy tubing and fork. Personally, I think it looks great – slightly retro. Specialized claims that it adds to the comfort of the ride. The fork on the 54 is the V2, the middle of three different sized ones used on the Tarmac.

Tech aside, this bike flies down hills, and I am sure that I haven't put weight on. It's not just the effortless speeds it achieves but the smoothness with which it does it that impresses. You will be surprised that you are riding at the speed you are, it is so efficient.

Although I cannot compare it to the geometry of any previous Tarmac, the SL6 enables a super race position without sacrificing comfort during long hours in the saddle. It has the right balance of flex in the seatpost with rigidity and responsiveness in the front end.

Build & equipment

Unless you are lining up to race against the best in the world, Shimano Ultegra is well up to the job. So it's marginally heavier than Dura-Ace, but it performs perfectly well. Gear changing is smooth, and the mechanisms are all comparable to Dura-Ace. I had absolutely no problems with the groupset during testing.

Specialized says it has built the SL6 with a 'stiffer, more reliable derailleur hanger' to offer 'increased shifting precision because the hanger stays precisely in place when a wheel is installed/removed' and 'is less prone to bending.'

My personal preference would be for an 11-28 cassette rather than the 11-30 that it comes with; it feels a bit patronising that the men's comes with an 11-28 – especially as it isn't stated as one of the differences. Gearing is personal preference, though; no doubt some women will be happy with the 11-30.

The SL6 uses direct-mount brakes. The obvious benefit is the lower fork crown, which should improve aerodynamics. Having never used direct-mount before, I have been thoroughly impressed. I suspect this is the ceiling of rim pad performance; it certainly far outshines single bridge mounted brakes for smoothness and effectiveness. Braking is noticeably crisp and even at the levers.

Wheels & tyres

The Roval SLX wheels aren't the lightest out there, but they are a perfect compromise between performance and durability. They handled some very rough surfaces and cobbles exceptionally well. They lend themselves well to being run on lower pressures thanks to the 20mm internal rim width; many other wheels in the same weight category are marginally narrower here.

It's great to get a set of wheels that you know can comfortably take wider tyres and lower pressures, be it for comfort on the road or the need to push it on cobbles.

Despite the battering the bike has been through, the wheels are rolling as true as they were when I got it. They are strong and up to the miles that might be thrown at them. If you wanted to reduce the bike's overall weight, this would be the obvious place, but it's likely if you are racing you have a decent set of wheels for that purpose anyway; lighter wheels would only push the price up.

The tyres are Specialized's S-Works Turbo in a 26mm width, with 120 TPI (threads per inch) construction and BlackBelt puncture protection. A little bit of research suggests that they aren't the best in terms of rolling resistance, but I didn't puncture once during the two months of testing, which seems incredible given some of our roads and recent conditions.

They are certainly a smooth running tyre and offered some decent cushioning on rough terrain. Traction was above average in all conditions. Although I haven't punctured, I wouldn't want to push them through very many more miles as they have worn quickly; they look more like they have done a full winter rather than two months.

Paintwork

The paint job is flawless, but although I like the satin finish it is an absolute nightmare to clean. Dirt and oil that would easily wipe off a gloss finish smear on the satin finish to a cloudy patch, though certain cleaning products worked better than others.

Personally, I prefer the men's Tarmac Pro iridescent paint job. Sadly, unlike with the men's Tarmac Expert, which is available in two different colour options, there's only one choice for women. A bit annoying; you're screwed if you don't like it.

Conclusion

The Tarmac offers everything that you would expect when forking out £3,500: a beautiful looking frameset, a smooth functioning and reliable groupset, internally routed cables, an above average, tidy looking wheelset, and a flipping decent saddle. It really is the best bike I have had the fortune to ride and I would urge you to take a look if you're in the market for a fast bike, racing or not.

Verdict

As good to ride as it is to look at – if you've the money to spare, consider spending it on this (and some decent bike cleaner)