New Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level, Expert and Comp from €4,499: builds, weights and prices

The Specialized Tarmac SL9 now has a complete range. After presenting the exclusive S-Works Tarmac SL9 just before the Tour de France, featuring a FACT 12r frame weighing 687 grams and priced at €13,999, Specialized is now extending its new competition platform to the S-Level, Expert, and Comp levels, all built around a new FACT 10r carbon frame with prices starting at €4,499.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r: same platform, a much wider range

When Specialized introduced the new S-Works Tarmac SL9, it explained that its development started from a different concept than usual. Instead of simply trying to create the lightest or most aerodynamic bike, the brand used its Time To Finish metric, which aims to reduce the total time needed to complete a real course.

To calculate this, it uses the so-called Equation of Speed, a model that takes into account the cyclist's power and mass, the weight of the bike, the aerodynamics of the cyclist-bike combination, rolling resistance, transmission efficiency, slope, terrain, wind, and even the conditions under which a race takes place.

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From this process, the Tarmac SL9 was born, along with many of its technical solutions, such as a narrower head tube, the Offset Steerer, a lowered down tube, the new Flow Fork, and the unique Win Fin on the rear area. Specialized also claims that the SL9 reduces 4 watts of aerodynamic drag compared to the Tarmac SL8 at 45 km/h, while maintaining the stiffness and vibration absorption goals of its predecessor.

Until now, however, all this technology was reserved for the S-Works models. With the arrival of the FACT 10r frame, Specialized is bringing practically the same platform to significantly more affordable bikes.

The FACT 10r retains the main solutions of the S-Works

The big news in this range expansion is in the frame. The new Tarmac SL9 S-Level, Expert, and Comp use FACT 10r carbon, compared to the FACT 12r reserved for the S-Works.

The important thing is that we are not looking at a different Tarmac in concept. The frame maintains the architecture of the SL9, the Rider First Engineered philosophy, the aerodynamic development carried out in the Win Tunnel, and many of the solutions debuted in the higher model.

It also retains important elements such as the BSA threaded bottom bracket, 12x142 mm thru-axle, Flat Mount brake, and UDH derailleur hanger. Additionally, all these versions use the same FACT 12r fork from the higher Tarmac SL9 models, with a 12x100 mm thru-axle.

Specialized offers the frame in seven sizes, from 44 to 61, and maintains identical geometry across all setups. For example, a size 56 has a stack of 565 mm, a reach of 395 mm, chainstays of 410 mm, and a wheelbase of 991 mm.

The fundamental difference lies in the layup. The S-Works FACT 12r frame claims 687 grams, while Specialized places the new FACT 10r S-Level at 822 grams according to the brand.

The difference would be just 140 grams compared to the S-Works frame, allowing the S-Level setup to weigh 7.1 kg.

The S-Level range debuts as the tier immediately below S-Works

The brand positions the S-Level range immediately below S-Works and defines it as the option that incorporates the technologies developed for its most exclusive bikes, but using materials and components that significantly reduce the price.

In the Tarmac SL9, the difference is especially clear. The S-Level replaces the FACT 12r frame with the FACT 10r, but retains the FACT 12r fork and receives a practically top-level setup: integrated Roval Rapide handlebar, Roval Rapide CL III wheels, Power Pro Mirror saddle, and SRAM RED AXS or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.

The result is a bike weighing 7.1 kg in size 56, just half a kilo above the 6.6 kg claimed by the complete S-Works, but with a price of €10,499 compared to €13,999 for the higher model.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level SRAM RED AXS - €10,499 - 7.1 kg

The SRAM version features the complete RED AXS E1 group, including a Quarq power meter, and Roval Rapide CL III carbon wheels. The front wheel has a 51 mm profile and the rear 48.5 mm, both with 21 mm internal width and DT Swiss 350 hubs.

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: SRAM RED AXS E1 12v
• Crankset: SRAM RED AXS E1 with Quarq power meter, 50/37
• Cassette: SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 10-36
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68
• Wheels: Roval Rapide CL III, carbon, tubeless
• Tires: Cotton TLR 700x30
• Cockpit: Integrated Roval Rapide
• Saddle: Power Pro Mirror with hollow titanium rails
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon, 15 mm setback
• Weight: 7.1 kg in size 56
• Price: €10,499

It is offered in Gloss White / Majesty Blue Metallic / Black and Satin Carbon / Silver Dust.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 - €10,499 - 7.1 kg

The Shimano alternative maintains exactly the same level of frame, wheels, cockpit, and saddle, but uses Dura-Ace Di2 transmission. Specialized mounts Dura-Ace FC-R9200 52/36 cranks with a 4iiii Precision Pro dual-sided power meter.

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12v
• Crankset: Dura-Ace FC-R9200 52/36 with 4iiii Precision Pro power meter
• Cassette: Dura-Ace 11-34
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA threaded
• Wheels: Roval Rapide CL III
• Tires: Cotton TLR 700x30
• Cockpit: Integrated Roval Rapide
• Saddle: Power Pro Mirror
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon
• Weight: 7.1 kg in size 56
• Price: €10,499

It is available in Gloss White Silver Metallic / Tarmac Black.

Tarmac SL9 Expert: FACT 10r and carbon wheels for €6,999

One tier below is the Tarmac SL9 Expert, probably one of the most interesting points of the new range for maintaining the FACT 10r frame and FACT 12r fork while reducing the price to €6,999.

Here, Specialized replaces the Rapide CL III with Roval C38 carbon wheels, tubeless ready and with 21 mm internal width. The integrated handlebar is also replaced with a two-piece setup consisting of an aluminum Roval Rapide stem and Specialized Expert Shallow Drop handlebar.

The SRAM version weighs 7.55 kg, while the Shimano comes in slightly lighter at 7.53 kg, both in size 56.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 Expert SRAM Force AXS - €6,999 - 7.55 kg

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: SRAM Force AXS E1 12v
• Crankset: SRAM Force E1 48/35
• Cassette: SRAM Force XG-1270 E1 10-36
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68
• Wheels: Roval C38 carbon
• Tires: S-Works Turbo 700x30
• Stem: Roval Rapide aluminum, -6°
• Handlebar: Specialized Expert Shallow Drop aluminum
• Saddle: Body Geometry Power Expert, hollow titanium rails
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon
• Weight: 7.55 kg
• Price: €6,999

Colors: Gloss Silver Dust / Powder Lime and Satin Warm Smoke Metallic / Silver Dust.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 Expert Shimano Ultegra Di2 - €6,999 - 7.53 kg

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 12v
• Crankset: Shimano Ultegra R8100 52/36
• Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 11-34
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA threaded
• Wheels: Roval C38 carbon
• Tires: S-Works Turbo 700x30
• Stem: Roval Rapide aluminum
• Handlebar: Specialized Expert Shallow Drop
• Saddle: Body Geometry Power Expert
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon
• Weight: 7.53 kg
• Price: €6,999

It will be available in Gloss Black / Silver Dust and Gloss Pacific Blue Metallic / White.

Tarmac SL9 Comp: access to the new frame drops to €4,499

The Tarmac SL9 Comp becomes the entry point to the new generation, and probably, here lies one of the main news of this catalog expansion. For €4,499, Specialized maintains both the FACT 10r frame and the FACT 12r fork.

The changes mainly come in the setup. The carbon wheels are replaced with DT Swiss R470, with 20 mm internal width and tubeless compatibility, while the cockpit returns to aluminum.

Still, Specialized retains the S-Works Turbo 30 mm tires, the Roval Rapide stem, and especially, the same S-Works Tarmac SL8 carbon seatpost used in the Expert and S-Level.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 Comp SRAM Rival AXS - €4,499 - 8.14 kg

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: SRAM Rival AXS E1 12v
• Crankset: SRAM Rival E1 48/35
• Cassette: SRAM Rival XG-1250 10-36
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA 68
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470 Disc, tubeless ready
• Tires: S-Works Turbo 700x30
• Stem: Roval Rapide aluminum
• Handlebar: Specialized Shallow Drop 6061
• Saddle: Body Geometry Power Comp
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon
• Weight: 8.14 kg
• Price: €4,499

Colors: Gloss Charcoal Tint / Dolomite Metallic and Gloss Vivid Red / White.

Specialized Tarmac SL9 Comp Shimano 105 Di2 - €4,499 - 8.21 kg

The Shimano option is the heaviest setup of the new family, although it maintains exactly the same price.

• Frame: Tarmac SL9 FACT 10r Carbon
• Fork: FACT 12r Carbon
• Group: Shimano 105 Di2 12v
• Crankset: Shimano 105 FC-R7100 52/36
• Cassette: Shimano 105 11-34
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA threaded
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470 Disc, tubeless ready
• Tires: S-Works Turbo 700x30
• Stem: Roval Rapide aluminum
• Handlebar: Specialized Shallow Drop 6061
• Saddle: Body Geometry Power Comp
• Seatpost: S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT Carbon
• Weight: 8.21 kg
• Price: €4,499

It is available in Gloss Charcoal Tint / Dolomite Metallic and Gloss Dolomite Metallic / Cayenne Metallic.

This is how the Specialized Tarmac SL9 2027 range looks

With these new models, Specialized moves from a range initially reserved for S-Works setups at €13,999 to offering the same SL9 platform in a much wider array.

• S-Works Tarmac SL9 SRAM RED AXS: €13,999 - 6.6 kg
• S-Works Tarmac SL9 Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: €13,999 - 6.6 kg
• Tarmac SL9 S-Level SRAM RED AXS: €10,499 - 7.1 kg
• Tarmac SL9 S-Level Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: €10,499 - 7.1 kg
• Tarmac SL9 Expert SRAM Force AXS: €6,999 - 7.55 kg
• Tarmac SL9 Expert Shimano Ultegra Di2: €6,999 - 7.53 kg
• Tarmac SL9 Comp SRAM Rival AXS: €4,499 - 8.14 kg
• Tarmac SL9 Comp Shimano 105 Di2: €4,499 - 8.21 kg

The difference between them is not in the concept of the bike but in the carbon layup and the level of components. The S-Works remains the ultimate expression of the SL9 thanks to the FACT 12r frame weighing 687 grams and the lightest equipment, but the arrival of the FACT 10r allows access to the geometry, aerodynamics, and many of the technical solutions of the new generation starting from €4,499.