There’s no doubt about it; the new Tarmac SL7 is one heck of a bike. So fast, so aero, and so capable it only takes a few pedal strokes to know you’re on something special.

This particular emerald green machine is quite special to us - we ordered the S-Works SL7 Frame for a customer and built it up with some stellar parts!

Specialized’s phrase for the Tarmac SL7 is “One bike to rule them all”. This rings true. I had the honor of giving this bike its first ride per our customer’s wishes. It was so surreal and amazing (and terrifying - riding a very fancy bike that is not my own), I felt like I was in a dream.

If you’ve asked me (Kelly) about any of the new bikes from Specialized I’ve ridden over the years, I will usually give quite a positive response. And that positivity is truthful - I’m a big fan of Specialized and the work they do. But this bike… this bike beats them all.

The Tarmac SL7 is very responsive and FAST. All it took for me to greatly increase my speed on a downhill was to slightly lower my torso (no super tuck required, haha). And climbing, to “just spin on up” a hill, felt as easy as snapping my fingers. Even riding at a normal steady pace (I did not hit any climbs or try to test the limits of this bike), it was apparent that I was doing far less work on this bike compared to my own 2018 Tarmac SL5.

From building Tarmac SL6s, Venges, and Roubaixs, I’ve gotten to know how each of those models feel and what I like and dislike about them. The Tarmac SL6 felt responsive and was light, but didn’t have the tire clearance we like to have (we like that 32c tire clearance). The Roubaix is aero (slightly more aero than the Tarmac SL6), cleared 33c tires, and is SO smooth and quite a responsive ride. However, it isn’t as light as the Tarmac. The 2019 Venge - extremely aero, pretty light, cleared 32c tires, and very stiff (and it came in some AMAZING paint jobs). It was not around for long, but the creation of this model of Venge helped Specialized in generating the best frame tube shapes for any style of bike they are hoping to make.

I think all three of these bikes helped in the existence of the Tarmac SL7. It’s like the SL6 and the Venge had a baby, and now also matches the tire clearance of the Roubaix.

There’s no more compromises in looking for a bike that is stiff, aero, and light (for race legal weight). This bike, as you see it pictured, weighed in at 16.3lbs.

As for its ride feel, I guess you could say it’s like a race horse chomping at the bit to go faster. Stomp on the pedals on any terrain and it’s like the bike says, “keep it coming.” It’s just an absolute joy to ride.

I didn’t go screaming down any descents, but the longest one for my ride had some nice turns in it and the bike responded with the lightest touch. That’s not to say that it feels twitchy - it’s not twitchy at all. The Tarmac SL7 is confidently responsive - you know where it’s going, and you can change the course of direction quickly and easily if necessary.

I very much enjoyed and appreciated my time on this bike. Specialized really nailed it with this one.

S-Works Tarmac SL7 Custom Build Specs:

Frame - S-Works Tarmac SL7 FACT 12r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc

Wheels - ROVAL CL 50 Disc

Shifter/Brakes - SRAM Red AXS Hydraulic

Derailleurs - SRAM Red AXS

Cassette - SRAM Red AXS 10-33

Crankset - SRAM Red AXS 46/33

Handlebar - S-Works Aerofly

Pedals - Dura Ace

Cages - S-Works Carbon Rib Cage

Tires - Vittoria Corsa