The Tarmac SL8 is the world's fastest race bike, achieving an unprecedented combination of aerodynamics, lightweight design, and ride quality.
After eight generations and over two decades of development, the Tarmac SL8 is made even faster with the aero paradigm-shifting performance of the all-new Roval Rapide CLX III wheels. Speed requires an uncompromising combination of aerodynamics, lightweight, stiffness, and compliance. Through race simulations using real-world data, the Ride Science team knows the Tarmac SL8 is the fastest race bike ever made on the routes that matter—16.6 seconds faster over 40km, 128 seconds faster over Milan San Remo, and 20 seconds faster over the legendary Tourmalet climb.
The Tarmac SL8 incorporates learnings from the Aethos to be easily built at the UCI minimum with a full aero setup. The frame is a mind-bending, scale-tickling 685 grams—15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than anything else on the World Tour. By applying lessons from Aethos, lightweight was made a top priority in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike. The frame’s shape carries load so efficiently that extra carbon stiffness layers become redundant.
Engineers put aerodynamics where it matters—the leading edge—not just where it looks good. The result is the most aerodynamic road bike ever, even more aero than the Venge. Clean air is optimized for maximum advantage with the Tarmac’s new nose cone, the ‘Speed Sniffer.’ By moving the steer tube back, the leading edge of the head tube can be much sharper, delivering a much lower drag shape. Utilizing new UCI rules, the Tarmac SL8 has the narrowest, most aero seat post ever made, ensuring fast-moving, dirty air around the legs can flow back more cleanly.
The Tarmac SL8 delivers a massive 33% improvement in stiffness-to-weight versus the SL7, taking legendary handling, aggressive responsiveness, and World Championship proven geometry to the next level. The bike is stiffer at the pedals and more precise at the bars, combining this with a compliant ride in the saddle that sets a new benchmark for race bike comfort. Thanks to Rider-First Engineering, every rider, regardless of size, gets the same unprecedented ride quality and handling. In the saddle, the Tarmac SL8 delivers 6% more compliance, floating over rough roads with a supple feel unique in the high-strung world of race bikes. The Tarmac’s proven geometry and 32mm tire clearance are identical to the SL7, ensuring easy adaptation and the versatility to run higher volume tires when needed.
Features:
- Deeper front rims on the new Rapide wheels put the aero advantage where it counts, while a shallower rear rim shaves grams for explosive acceleration.
- FlatStop Bead Hooks require 39% more force to flat, providing best-in-class protection for the fastest race wheels.
- The S-Works Tarmac SL8 is specified with a full Shimano Dura-Ace 9200 series Di2 groupset with a dual-sided power meter.
- All S-Works Tarmac SL8 models ship with a Roval Rapide cockpit to save weight and provide the fastest possible leading edge.
- 'Apple Find My' technology is now integrated in all S-Works and Pro 4iiii power meters, allowing riders to know the exact location of their bikes.