Whoa. About time we got a better look. Pretty striking. The green especially, though I’m normally partial to red. What source?
Hmmm… that green is sick but I think I like the SL6 more.
I’m a fan, looks fantastic.
I like it, but sceptical on these pictures.
The gap between the rear wheel and the seat tube looks out of proportion.
If this really is the new Tarmac, I’m not sure the differences are big enough to justify an “upgrade” from the SL6.
Just going off the pictures, the biggest upgrades look like they would be aero from the integrated front end and aero drop bars.
Bike looks great but the lack of tubeless tires almost deal breaking to me. Do you think a bike shop would let you swap out wheels for a comparable tubeless option?
I’m on an SL6, and have been really looking forward to the release of the new SL7. But I gotta say, I think Trek really outdid Specialized this year. The Emonda is available right now vs not even an official announcement from Spesh until next month it’s looking like. The new Roval wheels being non-tubeless is a big talking point, especially since seemingly everything these days are tubeless and disc. While the new Bontrager wheels are pretty sweet at a similar weight (1,250g vs 1,325g) and tubeless ready. Trek created an brand new integrated bar/stem combo specifically for the Emonda at 293g in the 42/110 size, compared to Specialized who seemingly thought, eh, just throw the Venge stem and Aerofly bars on, why make something new, giving you an extra 150g compared to the Emonda cockpit. Then you have the weird seat post junction blob on the Tarmac, which is just a looks thing but it doesn’t look good. I’m a little underwhelmed by the new Tarmac, and don’t see myself upgrading. And if anything, may consider the Emonda instead.
That said, you never know what Specialized is going to do. Maybe the cockpit has been slightly tweaked to lose weight compared to the Venge stem. Maybe they have a secret integrated bar to release. I guess wee’ll see.
I’m with you. Big disappointment that the new Specialized wheels aren’t tubeless ready. Bontrager seems to have it going right with their tubeless system.
There’s a big gap for sure. Makes me wonder how big of tires it will support with that much clearance.
I’m not one who justifies upgrades year after year, but I guess the question for someone like me is Tarmac SL7 (when it comes out) vs. Emonda SLR7 vs. SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Di2 Ultegra… All seem like great bikes with little practical difference, and I love my current SuperSix ('09). Decisions, decisions…
pick your favorite color and frame shape
Which is interesting because awhile back Specialized released some tubeless tires that were supposed to “revolutionize” the tubeless game. What happened to that? Why not include that on a new bike model?
Kinda what it comes down to, yeah? I have a shop right down the street where I can test both the Émonda and the SuperSix, so I might just lazy my way out of the Spesh anyway.
Every time I would go with the option that has the best warranty, and if possible supports a good bike store (local or not).
I’m currently in the very first stage of finding out how the UK Cannondale distributers deal with a warranty issue. A bike store who didn’t supply the bike (but are a Cannondale dealer) are supposed to be working it through for me. They get it right they may get the next bike purchase even if Cannondale don’t back the claim.
Big brand doesn’t mean great product in my experience, likewise big store doesn’t mean rear service.
In real life there isn’t a lot to separate bikes on performance. There is on comfort and less so potentially handling, although these are more important IMHO.
My lessons in buying bikes says if you want easy ownership buy carefully. Unless you have zero issues it’s far safer to buy a supportive brand with a very broad warranty from a retailer who is small enough to care and big enough to afford to support you.
Good thoughts, esp about warranty. Given the LBS is a Trek store, but they carry Cannondale, it might make a difference. My experience (fit, durability, performance) with my SuperSix has been fantastic for 11 years, so I lean to Cannondale again, but maybe I’d get better service, etc. on a Trek from the LBS. There doesn’t appear to be much difference with Stack and Reach between the three, so something will fit…
You might reconsider switching from a sl6 to a new emonda.
You are not getting anything out of it other than a cleaner cockpit.
Even though I have upgraded bikes over the past couple years, getting the SL6 last year I love it. I don’t see myself upgrading until it’s at least the 10. Awesome that people have the means to update the high-end S works bike every year, but this was quite the investment. I don’t believe I would truly notice a difference, and this model is already a very fast bike which came with just about everything needed.
I can share some good information with you. I got the information that the Tarmac will be released at 20th of july. So just 1 month to wait.
Think I read somewhere that they can make the rims lighter if not tubeless resulting in an overall lighter complete wheel