2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review advantages, defects and problems of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Build quality
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 has a high cost to be made in large series, but it is very well made, no criticisms can be made, even if you pay a lot for everything, but the quality is still high.
Indeed, the availability of colors has increased compared to the past, but they are limited to two.
The price remains high, around 9 thousand euros, for a bike weighing around 7.2kg, but today the market offers this and for many the charm of a Specialized racing bike is priceless.
Ultimately, an expensive but well-made racing bike.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Frame
It has been a safety feature for years, a cornerstone of Specialized.
The new Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 evolves without being distorted, as it should be.
The availability of sizes remains unchanged, which are valid and allow many people to find the right size without many changes.
Too bad that the frame is not compatible with mechanical groupsets and that the prices are generally high.
You pay for a lot of quality and direct competitors are aligned.
In the end it is a good product, expensive, but valid.
There is no shortage of alternatives but those who want a Specialized will find a good compromise between cost and performance in this model.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Assemblies
The assembly of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 is valid and good in relation to the list price.
It remains an expensive bicycle, but within the Specialized catalog there are other cheaper models.
Overall it is a good compromise because in the end it doesn't weigh much more than the more expensive S-Works, but it costs significantly less.
No notes to report, a nice racing bike.
But if passion tells us that it is a valid choice, reason reminds us that other competitors can offer racing bikes with a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset at the same price...
Everyone chooses according to their own standards.
A beautiful racing bike, but it is not superior to other similar models in terms of price and assembly.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Comfort
Decent, nothing new, but better than S-Works.
Yes, the substantial difference is that the different carbon makes the bike heavier, but also more comfortable, less tiring on long journeys.
It's not a huge difference, but still perceptible.
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 is not the Specialized bicycle created to be comfortable, but in this version it ensures valid comfort.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Guide
The main difference between the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 and the Tarmac SL8 Pro is precisely in the ease of driving.
The different carbon does not distort the frame, but makes the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro even more balanced, easier to ride, safer and less nervous than the more expensive and lighter S-Works.
At high speeds. again compared to the S-WOrks, it is easier to drive, especially downhill and on uneven terrain, perhaps slightly less manageable and slower on guided and narrow routes, but easier and safer to drive.
The performance on plains and hills is very valid and good, where there are no obvious differences with the S-Works.
The uphill performance is valid, the only point where the S-Works really takes advantage, but it still has valid and competitive performance in its price range.
The slightly heavier frame and the different carbon lead to very good stability at high speeds and reduced sensitivity to side winds.
The brakes are more than valid, nothing to add.
An easy and safe racing bike to ride for an amateur, perhaps even more manageable than the S-Works, easier to ride, safer, less tiring.
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Performance
The new Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 is a very competitive racing bike on any type of route.
It doesn't have a real weak point, it's always competitive on any type of route.
Clearly you need legs to take advantage of its frame, but it is an all-round competitive racing bike on any type of route.
Compared to the past, the new Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 does not have much better performance, but in any case, with the same assembly, there is a clear general improvement.
How much? Not so high that you rush to buy the new model, but it is clear that progress continues and the new Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 is superior to the previous Specialized tarmac SL7 Pro.
A completely negligible difference for the "Sunday cyclist", but in any case not to be despised by those who compete, even at an amateur level.
On a 120km granfondo, the advantage of the new Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 is not small, it's certainly not 10 minutes, but you can certainly ride a minute, between better aerodynamics, greater ride comfort, greater frame rigidity , slightly lighter weight.
It all depends on how you experience the racing bike... a minute, but even just 30 seconds, can be important, or not...
2024 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 road test review Pros and cons
The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 proves to be an excellent racing bike, a valid evolution of the previous version.
The price is its only real flaw, but otherwise it is a very good racing bike, both in absolute terms and in its price range.
Within the Tarmac SL8 range it is the one that for us has the best price/performance ratio.
It costs less than the S-Works and weighs a little more, rides just as fast and only loses ground on the most difficult climbs.
An acceptable sacrifice in the end.
The fact remains that 9 thousand euros for a racing bike that is not top of the range is madness, but now we have also exceeded 16 thousand euros and are approaching 20 thousand.
In the end, the 9 thousand euros of this Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2 2024 are almost a bargain...
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NDR: the photo does not refer to the specific bike being tested