I would disagree on the madone. It is an out and out aero bike. its 7.5kg+ in full race mode.
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Yeah but those differences especially the Aero gains are so small that you probably can’t even tell by comparing rides, because a bit of wind or just taking a drink one more time will throw that result completely of… The 1kg will be more measurable on proper climbs, still if it’s worth upgrading your bike if the old one is not on it’s last legs is questionable, but that goes for nearly all new bikes released.
If you get joy out of the upgrade go for it, in the end it’s about having fun on the bike and what makes someone motivated to ride 
I’d argue that out of those the new propel is probably the closest to a Tarmac, they went from pure aero to more all-round aero, The new Madone like the old ones are pure Aero bikes.
In the end get the bike that fits you the best, there is no point in obsessing over 2-5W differences at 45kph if the bike just doesn’t fit properly or you don’t like how it feels. Also go with the bike that has the narrowest handle bars if it’s about aero all the savings on the Frame will not help if it is specced with a 42-44cm bar…
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I have a feeling they do this because it’s literally an SL7 with a new name and some marketing shenanigans. It’s a nice bike but I think the market is having a hard time placing it.
Kinda like every new iPhone, new name but 97% same as last year.
Would’ve made sense to call it SL7S or something 
Thinking about buying the Tarmac. The thing is, i can now save about 1500 dollars(eur) on the SL7. So that i think makes it a bargain to drop the SL8, what do you think?
1 thing is tho, the SL7 is with the Sram… i would prefer the sl8 ultegra?
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100%, go for it! And then get the Rapide Cockpit if you wish.
SL8 ultegra> SL7 sram red.
SL7 Ultegra>SL8 Sram red.
i dont like sram
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If the SL7 and SL8 are the ‘one bike to rule them all’ with no Venge then the Tarmac should be compared to the Madone and Propel as well as the TCR and Ultimate. My understanding having not yet ridden a SL7 or SL8 yet (my Pro is still in the box) or any of the aforementioned, the Propel is positioned more closely, as an all round racer, lightweight with aero like the Tarmac now, would also like to hear Super Six comparisons.
I don’t know if Canada will get an Ultegra spec of the Propel this year but the Force spec (Advanced Pro 0) is significantly cheaper than the Tarmac Pro (I got an ambassador discount and the Giant is still cheaper at retail than my discounted Tarmac lol), with the Madone SL 7 its closer but still ~$650 cheaper than what I paid for my discounted SL8 Pro. I expect the SL8 is lighter than both on paper, I wonder how they compare in ride quality though, handling, compliance, etc I like that that the SL8 can clear 32s and has a threaded BB, which are pluses over the Propel in my opinion.
I’m not looking for comparisons that will make me regret my choice, hopefully (especially once I build it and start riding it) I will be content with my bike for a few years but as someone who hasn’t ridden a lot of different bikes its nice to understand how different models compare.
So you have a choice if you want to compare side by side. Save $1500, but then spend on the new bars and lose a bit in resale value (because it’s an older model) and use the group set you don’t prefer. Or, spend the $1500 and get everything you want immediately. Only you can make that decision.
Once my SL8 arrives I can compare it to my Aeroad and Emonda SLR. Although, I don’t expect much of a difference.
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Oh come on man! You will save 3 watts over 60 minutes at 30mph!
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Yup…you are right. Got it mixed up with the Emonda.
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Haha… I assume the Aeroad is more aerodynamic and the Emonda SLR rides pretty damn good so the SL8 has its work cut out.
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Does anyone have a feedback coming from a SL6? I have a SW SL6 rim brakes mech and I’m looking for something more aero with disc and Di2. I am currently torn between a SL8 Pro and an Aeroad!
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Everyone is going to argue this - but it doesn’t get anymore “aero” then rim brakes, and the rim brake bikes are lighter.
The only downfall with them at this point in time is tire clearance, bad weather braking and long mountain descent braking/rim wear.
I have had a slurry of bikes the last 4 years, SL6 rim brake to SL7 to Ridley Kanzo back to a SL6 disc brake. My fastest times and segments are on the SL6 rim brake due to my fitness being slightly better then.
IMO - my SL6 rim brake with a narrow aero 1-piece bar, deep wheels and wireless shifters (only (2) cables exposed then) probably would not have tested much slower than these hyper aero bikes. You can even get crazy with some aero rim brake calipers for even better results.
I cant remember what thread it was (i know it wasn’t on TR) but someone took a rim brake S5 to the wind tunnel and did the modern updates too it with aero rim calipers and the results I swear were faster than modern aero bikes.
Just my $.02 and I still run 28 measured tires in a poor surface area (which the SL6 rimmy should cover).
That said!!! A new SL8 or Aeroad would be a great bike if you just want to get something fresh and new and get on bored with modern items. There is nothing wrong with that, assuming finances allow it of course. In regards to a Aeroad vs a SL8 really comes down to what fits you better. That’s the most important thing out of all this. It doesn’t matter if you have the most advanced technology in the world, if it doesn’t fit its not going to be fun or as fast.
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In fact, there is nothing wrong with the SL6… I was debating investing in a groupset to get Di2 and keeping the bike for while or sell it right now as there is still some resale value. I guess, except for NBD feeling, I should not expect anything more from the SL8 than the SL6! 
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I have owned an S-Works Tarmac SL6 with DA Di2, disc brakes (and Roval CLX 50 wheels), and I currently have an Aeroad with Ultegra Di2 (and DT Swiss 62mm wheels). On a 100 km route (with 1,500 ascent meters) that I frequently ride, I have on several attempts failed to smash my PB which was set with the Tarmac (avg speed 34.5 km/h). It annoys me immensely that the Aeroad, which on paper should be a faster bike, is not able to give me a better time than the one I set with the Tarmac, but that may also support that Tarmacs are quite aero and fast too. Fitness and fortunate wind conditions may explain the majority of why I was faster on the Tarmac, but my qualitative conclusion is that both feel amazing to ride. Overall, the Tarmac is more fun because it feels snappy, comfortable and just has a better wow factor, and if I had to choose just one, then the Tarmac wins.
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I have heard that some ppl have had a hard time with warranty issues on Canyons. I personally would go with the SL8 because of warranty and actual stores vs. not having a store to go to for Canyon.
I will say I have an SL6 disc and I could have traded it back in (had it for 1 week prior to SL7 launch) for the SL7 and I didn’t. I regret that I didn’t. I like the SL6, but I could have spent $800 more for a bike I really liked, but I decided to keep my SL6…then they dropped the price from $4200 to $3500. So, it made it easier to swallow. I bought the aerofly II bars and put them on. Overall, it rides great and is a nice bike, but I definitely wish I bought the SL7.
Good luck-post pics with whatever you go with.
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Used my wife’s Instagram to find a couple pics of the vivid pink (non s-works) frameset. Supposedly should have availability in the next month or two:
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So…NBD
This is a 56 SATIN CARBON/BLACK TINT OVER CHAMELEON BLEND/SUPERNOVA. This looks much better in person as depending on the angle of the light you get a cool purple or green tint. Local shop also had the green non-sworks bike and that looks so much better in person than online that I would jump on that if you are going non-sworks. I considered the RTP but after looking into custom painting it was a huge PITA that I didn’t want to go through.
It weighed in at 15.4 lbs/6.9kg with pedals but no bottle cages.
1x setup running red cranks with quarg 40t/10-44 force cassette
Force xplr derailure/chain
Force shifters/brakes (wow these brake so much better than Rival)
Rapide bars 420/100
Zip 303 FC
Corsa NEXT 32s (love these for compliance and was what I had on my wheels. 32s fit with a lot of room to spare on the frame)
Ultegra Pedals
I was a bit unprepared as I didn’t expect the local shop to get this in so fast, so I had to mix and match a few things from my Crux, notably the crankset/pedals/cassette which, at some point when I see a good sale, I will switch out to probably a 1x 50t.
I got 100mi in on it this weekend and, what can I say? This bike is insanely fun to ride and exceeded my expectations in every way.
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