Nice to see them upgrade and include the items like the new carbon bar/stem and also give the rider a 3d printed saddle , but I wish they would have kept the price the same from last years model
Finally got my hands on a Merida Scultura 8000 in Burgundy red for approx $4000 USD with Ultregra Di2 etc, it's hard to justify spending more for the same
You get your money's worth, though. I mean, don't buy this bike to look at it. After a few years and 10k or 20k miles, I think you'll be glad you didn't spend that time on a cheap bike.
@@user-cx2bk6pm2f What a stupid comment...makes no fkn differace if you spend 4k or 10k...you really think spending more makes the bike THAT much better?
Glad I got my discounted 2024 SL8 Pro Force before my size was sold out. The cockpit and saddle are nice but I’d rather order those upgrades myself to specify sizing
So glad I got mine last year. Much nicer colour in the Pine Green Metallic, cheaper price and I would have had to spend even more changing a one piece bar to a width that suits me. Surprised they stuck with the narrow tyres. 30s are going on mine as soon as the OEM ones are worn out.
I always appreciate your reviews. You've informed your audience that you're a Specialized fanboy but you're always giving love and respect to the other brands like Trek, etc. We appreciate that. But I test rode this 2025 Tarmac yesterday (gloss black color). It was the SRAM version. The $500 price increase for the seat and handlebar is not only a performance upgrade, but it improves aesthetics. It's a gorgeous bike for sure. That said, I would love your feedback...I bought the new Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 8, Ultegra version ($8999). I upgraded to 32 mm tires. It's the best bike I've ever ridden. Smooth like butter, agile, nimble, comfortable. When I test rode this 2025 Tarmac, it had a different feeling. It felt stiffer, stronger, more compact. The controls felt stronger also. Keeping it mind, it was a 5 minute test ride around an empty parking lot. I'm looking for a second bike. Is the Madone and Tarmac similar in performance? Would I be basically buying the same type bike but from a different company? Should I go with something less expensive? I'm considering a second bike for training, the other bike for performance. I suppose I can always find a used bike. I can't help but feel like this Tarmac would be as equally badass as my Madone. Thanks in advance, and as always, great review!
Thanks again for this review. Your reviews are always amazing. I purchased this bike yesterday, despite the fact that I already own the new Trek Madone SLR7 Gen 8. I got the gloss black, SRAM Force version. I wanted the best of both worlds with the Trek and Specialized. I haven't taken it out for a real ride yet, only around my neighborhood. But initial feel is that it feels nearly identical to my Madone. However, the cockpit feels more aggressive, stiffer, more slammed, and bike bike itself felt stiffer. It still handled smooth like butter. It's difficult to describe the feeling of being on both. But the Madone felt lighter, more nimble, agile, and responsive. The Tarmac felt stronger, more aggressive, more rigid, and their new seat was more comfortable than the Madone's seat. I'm excited to take the Tarmac out on a real ride this weekend. But I selected the 2025 Tarmac over the 2024 because of the new seat and cockpit. Your review helped, thank you.
Mid-tier group set for 9 grand? Meanwhile, Van Rysel is selling a bike for 7G mid-tier (sram force) just with the cockpit being the main diff but sure, say an equivalent diff of -$1500. Now before folks go off about being a second tier brand (and that's true) Van Rysel bikes have won 7 World Tour races this year [due to AG2R]. They are quickly establishing significant street cred for their value brand so one has to wonder what your getting besides the Specialized name.. (btw, I own a specialized).
Do perforations in a seat actually do anything? I mean do the small holes actually increase ventilation? Dirt gets into those holes and it's hard to clean. For ease of cleaning, I like unperforated seats.
great, enthusiastic vid as ever; I agree the price should be lower however. For some unknown reason, the SL8 just doesn't do it for me (neither the newer Madones).
Are there any issues with the front wheel being off-centered with the front fork for the SL8 Tarmac? I have heard that some SL8 S-WORKS have this problem.
@@ks-vq5er its not lol. if you would sell old saddle and handlebar no way new one costs 500 dollars more. all who buy specialized w/o heavy discount are just getting scammed
@@cupidstunt1975 really? I have 2024 SL8 pro and I upgraded by myself to the same saddle and handle bar but it cost more than this price raise. How could I get these cheaper than 500USD?
cool to see you get the rapids cockpit with the price bump, but $9k for ultra is wild. Also wish they'd start offering more colours for the sram force pro build. I guess the equivalent madone with the 1-piece cockpit is $9500 so thats where were at
Hey bro, ive been enjoying your great videos. I am currently in dilemma 1. S-works sram red vs 2. Pro sram froce with an upgrade to CLX team wheels. Money sums up close. What would you recommend??
Thanks for putting the noisemaker at the end, Grant, still prefer silence but that's just me. And thanks for this look at the new model Specialized. I'd buy one if I had the buck buck bucks. 😀
I can't tell by looking but presumably they have not upgraded to UDH? Probably they don't want to do anything that requires a new mold on a minor same-generation upgrade.
I'm convinced Specialized has lost their minds with this kind of pricing. $9k for Ultegra? Ultegra is damn good stuff obviously but this is Dura-Ace/Red money already.
@GC performance: hi will this also come to Europe market? Is the silver a bit glossy or not at all and fully mat colour? TIA from Belgium. Kind regards
The genius marketing folks at Specialized just figured out how to suck an additional $500 out of you for the Pro, yet they still can't seem to figure out how to fully integrate the hydraulic lines that run under the stem. Keep buying Specialized fanboys and girls!
Can you please make a review of the alugear double aero chainring made to work with shimano? I've heard they aren't stiff enough to tackle sprints and therefore causing chaindrop.
@@GCPerformance18I don’t know… Somehow the tube shapes make it look a bit chubby or sth… I do believe it’s fast and everything, maybe its just a feeling haha.
Best rush out and get a 2024 model while they're still available. $500 bucks more and you get stuck with a roval cockpit that won't fit 80% of riders, thanks to specialized's size-ologists spec'ing bar widths from 20 years ago. add $600 for another roval cockpit - one that actually fits you, and now it's only $1100 more than last year's model. oh... and by the way, good luck finding someone to buy that too-wide, too-short roval cockpit you had to replace... what a sham!
For me the usual specialized bar sizes are better, more stable and more comfortable (tall and bad at balance). Fraction less aero is fashionable, but your body position on the bike is way more important. These discussions are like the grandpa on a sworks (yes, they do exist) , or the fat guy looking at lightweight bikes (many many guys…). In the tdf the pro’s seem to have there own preferences. When i got my sl7 years ago, the lbs replaced the saddle for free, just a matter of time they’ll do the bars also (i hope). Everybody happy, but maybe there will be some new trend..
I think the industry has no choice but to flip flop between lightweight and aero, mix in the comeback of rim brakes plus special brake surfaces will become a norm
The rimbrake brigrade enters the chat. Rimbrakes won’t return as long as they make wider tyres and rims, and bikes weigh around uci limits. No need to.
@@Stevenafoe when the industry run out of ideas, which it will, it will flip flop between things it has promoted in the past, that include braking systems. And don't forget, if they can make rimbrake calipers that can accommodate 28s, what would stop them from making ones that accommodate 30s and up
@@kristofferguerra569 you’ll have to proove the bike industry will run out of idea’s when you claim it will certainly run out of idea’s. Unless you can predict the future, this is Something you can’t do. I don’t think that will happen, nor the flip-flip-idea, especially not old idea’s that have been surpassed by better idea’s. Bigger calipers will make the bikes very ugly, and you’ll need to adapt to a size to accomodate 35mm tyres or more (up to 50mm or more for gravel / mtb ) or buy new ones when using bigger rims / tyres. They will also become way heavier. You also still have the all the wires external. Again very ugly. Rimbrakes will also rub into rims over time, as thats how they work. Carbon rims will delaminate. You also can’t use tpu inners as they might break due to heat from the rimbrakes. With more weigth , less aero and less performance there’s no need to use rimbrakes at all. If it’s ugly with huge calipers that is up to personal taste ofcourse. When i image my mtb’s old magura hs33’s on my racebike … no. Never. Bigger rimes/ tyres fashion ? => less chance on rimbrakes returning ever. The only reason to bring rimbrakes bikes back is because of the demand by certain group of riders, aka the rimbrake brigade. When the industry can make money, they’ll do it. Therefore new colnago rimbrake. Will you ever see that in races? Nope. So bike industry run out of idea’s? Proove it. When?? Put a date on it please. How can they find the special brake surfaces you spoke of if there aren’t new idea’s in the future? There’s a contradiction. Bike Industry Follow the money? Obviously yes. If they can make more money making only steel frames and rim brakes they’ll do it.
@@Stevenafoe sorry I can't put a date on it, no one can; in the same way that no one can tell you the date of your death, but that doesn't mean it's not gonna happen right?
@@marcinstyle85 Every time I go to the bike shop my wife tells me... you're sick! My answer is that's why I have bikes and ride them, for my mental stability. 😆🤪😆
Is it me or does this bike cost more than the sum of its parts? RRP is 9k EUR. Meanwhile you can buy the frameset for 4k and an R8170 groupset for 1.3k. Wheels retail for 2k but you can get a similar spec from somewhere like Lightbicycle for half that. Even with the branded wheels you're looking at 8k plus labour for buying all the parts yourself, at likely way higher prices than a bike shop will pay.
You forgot the handlebars. A shop building everything from parts would charge you 400 or thereabouts - or less, if you order parts through them. 4k frameset, 1k3 wheels, 1k5 groupset, 300 nice handlebars and saddle, 100 tires and tpus = 7k2 plus labour. And everything would be to your liking at that.
I mean this was the price but we are now seeing companies like trek and cannondale price ultegra bikes for 5500 and 6500 it needs to be matched or at least closer in my opinion
@@GCPerformance18 i saw gloss black in a store last week and it just doesn't do anything for me. they could have at least put a bit of shimmer in it! Matte black would be nicer imo. If i do decide to get one of these for now it will have to be the silver 😆
The cycling industry for higher end bikes has basically made our sport unattainable for the “middle class”. So what they are doing now is going all in and catering ONLY to the folks who make money. If you have $8500 for a bike you have $9000. If you have $2000 for a bike…good luck. Bike companies have limited customer base now. They are going for low volume and huge margins.
yea right now used bike market is insane, you can get deals on bikes only 2 years old for literally half price
4 หลายเดือนก่อน
That big S in the front increases the price 3K with no benefit except the fitting on the trend, my 2022 Rose Xlite06 in size 59 has the same features except the integrated handlebar is equal in aero and has the same weigh, are you sure specialized is not pranking customers?
Who else has noticed that out of 10 bike reviews at least 4/6 are about these bikes 🧐.., 8k,10k,12k,14k right up to mad silly money & your getting what exactly 🤔 as my custom build Merida Reacto 6000 full carbon frame set that came with all carbon components such as the (440mm Vision 5D handle bars, & 380mm 15 degree aero seat post) Ultegra Di2 12 speed 8150 full groupset & Prime's 50mm carbon Black Edition rims wrapped up in continental Gp5000s 28mm tires set with Tpu tubes ( tubeless ready ) & last but not least Specialized S-Works Romin II carbon 3D printed saddle & Ultegra clipless peddles all in for 6.2k...!!
Así no se pesa la bicicleta sino la bascula te dará mas peso de lo que verdaderamente pesa, tienes que coger el peso desde arriba del gancho y vuelvela a pesar, ya verás que pesa menos la bici
I don't know what normal people see in this. It may be light and sufficiently comfortable and efficient. But holy cow that side profile looks so ugly and disproportionate to me. The SL7 was nice to look at, but this looks like a Chinese car from the 2000s.
Nice!! Time to sell the 2024 SL8 and get the 2025 model!! I race on a venge but i train and ride the SL8 just because its so comfortable, but i think the venge is faster!!
@@GCPerformance18 early 2023. When I worked for Specialized the SL7 Pro -SRAM Force eTap AXS in either carbon/smoke/metallic white silver or chameleon silver green tint over white/snake eye originally retailed MSRP $9000 between January 2022 until early 2023, when MSRP bumped to $9300 before going on sale (and subsequently dropping MSRP back to $9000). I think last it was available it was on sale for $7200, and should still be on Specialized's website/cache
@@GCPerformance18 it launched in the crbn/smk/mtwhtslv and cmlnslvgrntntwht/snkeye for $9000 and it got an msrp bump to $9300 in 2023 before going on sale for $7200
How dumb that Specialized raised the price. The bike market will crash soon with the economy. Over priced and not worth the money. Way over price. I have 10K but I will not buy a bike for 10K and keep my existing Aethos.
Nice to see them upgrade and include the items like the new carbon bar/stem and also give the rider a 3d printed saddle , but I wish they would have kept the price the same from last years model
Finally got my hands on a Merida Scultura 8000 in Burgundy red for approx $4000 USD with Ultregra Di2 etc, it's hard to justify spending more for the same
Yeah. Price. Always a topic. It's a flex, though. Impress your friends with how much you paid for a bike. I do 😀👍
You get your money's worth, though. I mean, don't buy this bike to look at it. After a few years and 10k or 20k miles, I think you'll be glad you didn't spend that time on a cheap bike.
@@user-cx2bk6pm2f What a stupid comment...makes no fkn differace if you spend 4k or 10k...you really think spending more makes the bike THAT much better?
they're not really giving those then 🤑
"Glad to see an affordable SL8"- No man ever
A financed Mazda3 and a financed SL8 pro. Living that American dream🎉
a maxda 3 in my country (Singapore) is $150,000 and every new car is only valid for 10 years. sad
the “license” to just own a car in Singapore for 10years is about 70-75k USD. God bless Singaporeans
Just 9 grand for a car🤯 that’s awesome
The "Venge 2019" model remains Specialized's coolest and most beautiful model followed by the Tarmac SL7
I have the SL6 disc and SL8. I still think the SL6 is just as good for everyday riding.
Glad I got my discounted 2024 SL8 Pro Force before my size was sold out. The cockpit and saddle are nice but I’d rather order those upgrades myself to specify sizing
I just love this channel. No BS at all. Good stuff. Thanks man!
So glad I got mine last year. Much nicer colour in the Pine Green Metallic, cheaper price and I would have had to spend even more changing a one piece bar to a width that suits me. Surprised they stuck with the narrow tyres. 30s are going on mine as soon as the OEM ones are worn out.
I always appreciate your reviews. You've informed your audience that you're a Specialized fanboy but you're always giving love and respect to the other brands like Trek, etc. We appreciate that. But I test rode this 2025 Tarmac yesterday (gloss black color). It was the SRAM version. The $500 price increase for the seat and handlebar is not only a performance upgrade, but it improves aesthetics. It's a gorgeous bike for sure. That said, I would love your feedback...I bought the new Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 8, Ultegra version ($8999). I upgraded to 32 mm tires. It's the best bike I've ever ridden. Smooth like butter, agile, nimble, comfortable. When I test rode this 2025 Tarmac, it had a different feeling. It felt stiffer, stronger, more compact. The controls felt stronger also. Keeping it mind, it was a 5 minute test ride around an empty parking lot. I'm looking for a second bike. Is the Madone and Tarmac similar in performance? Would I be basically buying the same type bike but from a different company? Should I go with something less expensive? I'm considering a second bike for training, the other bike for performance. I suppose I can always find a used bike. I can't help but feel like this Tarmac would be as equally badass as my Madone. Thanks in advance, and as always, great review!
Thanks again for this review. Your reviews are always amazing. I purchased this bike yesterday, despite the fact that I already own the new Trek Madone SLR7 Gen 8. I got the gloss black, SRAM Force version. I wanted the best of both worlds with the Trek and Specialized. I haven't taken it out for a real ride yet, only around my neighborhood. But initial feel is that it feels nearly identical to my Madone. However, the cockpit feels more aggressive, stiffer, more slammed, and bike bike itself felt stiffer. It still handled smooth like butter. It's difficult to describe the feeling of being on both. But the Madone felt lighter, more nimble, agile, and responsive. The Tarmac felt stronger, more aggressive, more rigid, and their new seat was more comfortable than the Madone's seat. I'm excited to take the Tarmac out on a real ride this weekend. But I selected the 2025 Tarmac over the 2024 because of the new seat and cockpit. Your review helped, thank you.
I prefer the new SL8 Expert -Ultegra Di2 in gloss deep lake metallic. I'm waiting to know the price here in France
Does it have a UDH? Going forward, it’d be nice to indicate if the bikes have UDH or not.
Thanks for the informative channel.
Agreed, UDH or GTFO
On the newer CLXii & CLii wheels they come w the 36t ratchet..the C38 wheels w the 370LN hub come with the 18t ratchet
Mid-tier group set for 9 grand? Meanwhile, Van Rysel is selling a bike for 7G mid-tier (sram force) just with the cockpit being the main diff but sure, say an equivalent diff of -$1500. Now before folks go off about being a second tier brand (and that's true) Van Rysel bikes have won 7 World Tour races this year [due to AG2R]. They are quickly establishing significant street cred for their value brand so one has to wonder what your getting besides the Specialized name.. (btw, I own a specialized).
That's how Pro model should be specced from the start :)
Do perforations in a seat actually do anything? I mean do the small holes actually increase ventilation? Dirt gets into those holes and it's hard to clean. For ease of cleaning, I like unperforated seats.
great, enthusiastic vid as ever; I agree the price should be lower however. For some unknown reason, the SL8 just doesn't do it for me (neither the newer Madones).
I’m all for a lovely bike but pushing 10k for a bike that isn’t even top tier is insane.
Grant would you please post a photo/video of the new pink frame they came out with if you ever get them in stock
if I get one for sure
Now that's a working man's bike.What a bargain for a bicycle!
Are there any issues with the front wheel being off-centered with the front fork for the SL8 Tarmac? I have heard that some SL8 S-WORKS have this problem.
They raised the price? 😂 I guess milk it as long as they can. That price is a joke.
But considering the upgrade of the handle bar and the 3D printed seat, price is really acceptable
@@ks-vq5er NO IT IS NOT!
@@ks-vq5er its not lol. if you would sell old saddle and handlebar no way new one costs 500 dollars more. all who buy specialized w/o heavy discount are just getting scammed
@@ks-vq5er No, it REALLY isnt.
@@cupidstunt1975 really? I have 2024 SL8 pro and I upgraded by myself to the same saddle and handle bar but it cost more than this price raise. How could I get these cheaper than 500USD?
What about the front fork? Is the wheel perfectly centered?
$9K for an Ultegra build. Stop right there.
cool to see you get the rapids cockpit with the price bump, but $9k for ultra is wild. Also wish they'd start offering more colours for the sram force pro build. I guess the equivalent madone with the 1-piece cockpit is $9500 so thats where were at
Hey bro, ive been enjoying your great videos. I am currently in dilemma 1. S-works sram red vs 2. Pro sram froce with an upgrade to CLX team wheels. Money sums up close. What would you recommend??
S-works SRAM Red, sell the stock wheels and buy Craft Racing, Lun Hyper etc and have better wheels for less money.
Prices for brand names are stagnant despite new entrants into the carbon market. We need more competition to force big brands to lower prices.
Thanks for putting the noisemaker at the end, Grant, still prefer silence but that's just me. And thanks for this look at the new model Specialized. I'd buy one if I had the buck buck bucks. 😀
I can't tell by looking but presumably they have not upgraded to UDH? Probably they don't want to do anything that requires a new mold on a minor same-generation upgrade.
yesterday "is this Lab 71 better than the SL8?" today "oh look, we've got a crack n' fail rider over there" love it! lol
Got one 35% off due to a warranty claim. Made the price way more palatable.
Great video 👍🏻👍🏻….could you take a video of the Gloss Carbon / Metallic White Silver variant?
If I get one in my store
I'm convinced Specialized has lost their minds with this kind of pricing. $9k for Ultegra? Ultegra is damn good stuff obviously but this is Dura-Ace/Red money already.
Rear hub 36T (I did that upgrade to my Roval C38, best carbon wheel upgrade)!
@GC performance: hi will this also come to Europe market? Is the silver a bit glossy or not at all and fully mat colour? TIA from Belgium. Kind regards
I do not know color but this bike level will
The genius marketing folks at Specialized just figured out how to suck an additional $500 out of you for the Pro, yet they still can't seem to figure out how to fully integrate the hydraulic lines that run under the stem. Keep buying Specialized fanboys and girls!
I really do not like a ful internal handlebar, this makes it so much easier to adjust and lower stem and also help with builds for feeding
Can you please make a review of the alugear double aero chainring made to work with shimano?
I've heard they aren't stiff enough to tackle sprints and therefore causing chaindrop.
Sweet! DT Swiss 36t Star Ractch
Why is it so much easier than the advertised weight ? The previous pro in blue seemed lighter as well even without cockpit
18t because Specialized wanted to save ~$30 on the BOM cost.
lmao yup
It's actually 36
That price is nuts for a Pro model IMO!
This bike looks like its going back in time
really? the bike is badass
@@GCPerformance18I don’t know… Somehow the tube shapes make it look a bit chubby or sth… I do believe it’s fast and everything, maybe its just a feeling haha.
Best rush out and get a 2024 model while they're still available. $500 bucks more and you get stuck with a roval cockpit that won't fit 80% of riders, thanks to specialized's size-ologists spec'ing bar widths from 20 years ago. add $600 for another roval cockpit - one that actually fits you, and now it's only $1100 more than last year's model. oh... and by the way, good luck finding someone to buy that too-wide, too-short roval cockpit you had to replace... what a sham!
Haha no one is buying that cockpit
ive seen cockpits listed for over 8 months still unsold, you may as well throw it into the landfill
For me the usual specialized bar sizes are better, more stable and more comfortable (tall and bad at balance). Fraction less aero is fashionable, but your body position on the bike is way more important. These discussions are like the grandpa on a sworks (yes, they do exist) , or the fat guy looking at lightweight bikes (many many guys…). In the tdf the pro’s seem to have there own preferences. When i got my sl7 years ago, the lbs replaced the saddle for free, just a matter of time they’ll do the bars also (i hope). Everybody happy, but maybe there will be some new trend..
Is there only a 200g weight difference between the Expert and Pro models?
no I think it is more then that
I think the industry has no choice but to flip flop between lightweight and aero, mix in the comeback of rim brakes plus special brake surfaces will become a norm
yea they do it is selling points
The rimbrake brigrade enters the chat. Rimbrakes won’t return as long as they make wider tyres and rims, and bikes weigh around uci limits. No need to.
@@Stevenafoe when the industry run out of ideas, which it will, it will flip flop between things it has promoted in the past, that include braking systems. And don't forget, if they can make rimbrake calipers that can accommodate 28s, what would stop them from making ones that accommodate 30s and up
@@kristofferguerra569 you’ll have to proove the bike industry will run out of idea’s when you claim it will certainly run out of idea’s. Unless you can predict the future, this is Something you can’t do. I don’t think that will happen, nor the flip-flip-idea, especially not old idea’s that have been surpassed by better idea’s.
Bigger calipers will make the bikes very ugly, and you’ll need to adapt to a size to accomodate 35mm tyres or more (up to 50mm or more for gravel / mtb ) or buy new ones when using bigger rims / tyres. They will also become way heavier. You also still have the all the wires external. Again very ugly. Rimbrakes will also rub into rims over time, as thats how they work. Carbon rims will delaminate. You also can’t use tpu inners as they might break due to heat from the rimbrakes. With more weigth , less aero and less performance there’s no need to use rimbrakes at all. If it’s ugly with huge calipers that is up to personal taste ofcourse. When i image my mtb’s old magura hs33’s on my racebike … no. Never. Bigger rimes/ tyres fashion ? => less chance on rimbrakes returning ever.
The only reason to bring rimbrakes bikes back is because of the demand by certain group of riders, aka the rimbrake brigade. When the industry can make money, they’ll do it. Therefore new colnago rimbrake. Will you ever see that in races? Nope.
So bike industry run out of idea’s? Proove it. When?? Put a date on it please. How can they find the special brake surfaces you spoke of if there aren’t new idea’s in the future? There’s a contradiction.
Bike Industry Follow the money? Obviously yes. If they can make more money making only steel frames and rim brakes they’ll do it.
@@Stevenafoe sorry I can't put a date on it, no one can; in the same way that no one can tell you the date of your death, but that doesn't mean it's not gonna happen right?
Canyon, Trek, Giant and Scott have bike well equipped for less than $6500.
which is already silly money , 9000$ for just ultegra who ever buy this have mental health problem 😆😂
@@marcinstyle85 Every time I go to the bike shop my wife tells me... you're sick! My answer is that's why I have bikes and ride them, for my mental stability. 😆🤪😆
Does the Tarmac SL8 ride as comfortable as the Roubaix SL8?
if only Specialized let you choose your barstem dimensions (and crank length, while we're dreaming)...
being able to customize the bike would kind of justify the price
Get yourself an Allez Sprint with a decent wheelset for a fraction of the price
yea those bikes and builds are os nice
Is it me or does this bike cost more than the sum of its parts? RRP is 9k EUR. Meanwhile you can buy the frameset for 4k and an R8170 groupset for 1.3k. Wheels retail for 2k but you can get a similar spec from somewhere like Lightbicycle for half that. Even with the branded wheels you're looking at 8k plus labour for buying all the parts yourself, at likely way higher prices than a bike shop will pay.
Yes agree building out my own . 👍😎
You forgot the handlebars. A shop building everything from parts would charge you 400 or thereabouts - or less, if you order parts through them.
4k frameset, 1k3 wheels, 1k5 groupset, 300 nice handlebars and saddle, 100 tires and tpus = 7k2 plus labour. And everything would be to your liking at that.
2k USD for the spec of those outdated wheels is hilarious. You could get waaaaaay nicer wheels for that amount of money.
plus you can probably get better wheels for a way better price.
Which Break Rotor size is Standard on the Rear?
36T in the newer CL
9Gs for an ultegra bike which is 7.2kg in a 52! lmao
Awesome bike but just too expensive when thinking about the new aeroad, trek madone, van rysel rcr or other bikes
yea there are a lot of other ocmpanies outt here right now with crazy competitve prices
What dose a 56 Pro frame weigh?????
Wheres the SL9????
Stop it hahaha
@@PatrickLino 😁
it's sl8ed for next year...
@@treyquattro nice 👌
With 13 speed!!!
Kinda matches a 100k pickup trick.
lmaO TRUE
That colour 🔥🔥🔥🔥
They made it even more expensive? 😳 9k for Ultegra is ridiculous tbh
I mean this was the price but we are now seeing companies like trek and cannondale price ultegra bikes for 5500 and 6500 it needs to be matched or at least closer in my opinion
@@GCPerformance18 yeah! I‘m on the fence between Specialized and Cannondale atm but I guess I’m going Super Six Evo this time.
Actually raised the price? In the current market? $9k for a non-S-Works frameset? Out of touch, Specialized.
yea I wish they at least kept it the same price
What we saying on the colourways here? Gloss black or liquid silver?
liquid silver
@@GCPerformance18 i saw gloss black in a store last week and it just doesn't do anything for me. they could have at least put a bit of shimmer in it! Matte black would be nicer imo. If i do decide to get one of these for now it will have to be the silver 😆
The cycling industry for higher end bikes has basically made our sport unattainable for the “middle class”. So what they are doing now is going all in and catering ONLY to the folks who make money. If you have $8500 for a bike you have $9000. If you have $2000 for a bike…good luck. Bike companies have limited customer base now. They are going for low volume and huge margins.
Middle class guy here, you nailed it
By the time it lands in Australia it’s too costly. I’ll wait until it goes on sale
meanwhile old school cannondale supersix second hand $1300 and 6.4kg lol
yea right now used bike market is insane, you can get deals on bikes only 2 years old for literally half price
That big S in the front increases the price 3K with no benefit except the fitting on the trend, my 2022 Rose Xlite06 in size 59 has the same features except the integrated handlebar is equal in aero and has the same weigh, are you sure specialized is not pranking customers?
Good looking bike, and I'm with you on the noncompetitive price point.
Bike should have the t line components. Over price. Canyon will kill them on price.
yes. in the end it is still a canyon. different engineerings
Thank you .😊
Who else has noticed that out of 10 bike reviews at least 4/6 are about these bikes 🧐.., 8k,10k,12k,14k right up to mad silly money & your getting what exactly 🤔 as my custom build Merida Reacto 6000 full carbon frame set that came with all carbon components such as the (440mm Vision 5D handle bars, & 380mm 15 degree aero seat post) Ultegra Di2 12 speed 8150 full groupset & Prime's 50mm carbon Black Edition rims wrapped up in continental Gp5000s 28mm tires set with Tpu tubes ( tubeless ready ) & last but not least Specialized S-Works Romin II carbon 3D printed saddle & Ultegra clipless peddles all in for 6.2k...!!
Ive got a scoop on the SL9 pics. Just awaiting legal advice but they should be up on my channel in the next 7 days. The SL9 is CRAZY!!!!
Awaiting eagerly!!! 😂😂😂
Marvelous 😂
20 grand🤣🤣🤣
$40,000
You’ll buy them anyway, don’t you?
Así no se pesa la bicicleta sino la bascula te dará mas peso de lo que verdaderamente pesa, tienes que coger el peso desde arriba del gancho y vuelvela a pesar, ya verás que pesa menos la bici
Boring color. Btw, nothing really wrong w 26mm tires on those rims. The turbo cotton 26mm on those rims = 28mm jfyi. Thanks GCP!
Somebody gotta pay Remco’s bonuses 😅
Imagine spending 5k+ on an off-the-rack bike brand like Specialized, lmao.
I know I sound biased but specialized is one of the better brand bikes of the rack
Specialized claim on a 56 15lb 13oz in there website. So if that is a 52 definitely a 56 should be heavier
yup but thats why I have a channel to showcase weights
🚴♂️👍👍👍♥️👀 very informative video as always. Good looking bike
Gotta be 36 tooth rear hub
At 40cm those bars are still way too wide for that price point
2024 model was better color for SL8 pro. That green and matte blue, both were amazing! 2025 color does not look special…
I'd feel like a total fool if I spent $9K on bike!
great review as always, however Specialized still think we're in covid-19 and people still have "free" money ;-)
yea I know but I mean at least they added some more items
So pleased they upgraded the stem. The unmatched one on the last model made me sad
I don't know what normal people see in this. It may be light and sufficiently comfortable and efficient. But holy cow that side profile looks so ugly and disproportionate to me. The SL7 was nice to look at, but this looks like a Chinese car from the 2000s.
to be hoenst, the more i see this thbe mroe i love it, the sl7 now to me looks ugly compared to it and it looks like something is missing
This is the model the Pros ride. The s-works isn’t stiff enough.
Roval are top shelf wheels imo. HOOKED. Strong AF. Come with DTSwiss hubs and spokes. I bought a set at my LBS.
5yrs ago a friend bought a SL6 S-Works DA di2 for $9000 and that was considered outrages. Only a 100% moron would spend the money on a bike these days
Nice!! Time to sell the 2024 SL8 and get the 2025 model!! I race on a venge but i train and ride the SL8 just because its so comfortable, but i think the venge is faster!!
Who is buying these bikes at these prices?
11.500$ same spec in UK what a joke 😂😂😂
The fork is off center
Awesome build and Sliver frameset color,the price isn't to bad either at under 10K.💯👌🏻✌🏻🚴♂️
Thanks so mcuh
Absolutely overpreiced
9k with single sided power 😂
I can easily built same frame with DA and better wheels for less...
16 pound bike for 9K. With no major components.
Cannondale - crack and fail 😂
Buying any brand new bike is stupid af. Who is paying that much, not any serious competitive cyclist buys brand new bikes
Its a beautiful bike but a tough sell going against the Trek Madone.
I remember the SL7 Pro with Force AXS retailing for $9300 😂
when?? I remeber the sl7 pro axs for like 7000 when it came out
@@GCPerformance18 early 2023. When I worked for Specialized the SL7 Pro -SRAM Force eTap AXS in either carbon/smoke/metallic white silver or chameleon silver green tint over white/snake eye originally retailed MSRP $9000 between January 2022 until early 2023, when MSRP bumped to $9300 before going on sale (and subsequently dropping MSRP back to $9000). I think last it was available it was on sale for $7200, and should still be on Specialized's website/cache
@@GCPerformance18 it launched in the crbn/smk/mtwhtslv and cmlnslvgrntntwht/snkeye for $9000 and it got an msrp bump to $9300 in 2023 before going on sale for $7200
2023--launched at 9k, msrp boost to 9.3k, then last on sale for $7.2k
Its just too expensive for what you get.
How dumb that Specialized raised the price. The bike market will crash soon with the economy. Over priced and not worth the money. Way over price. I have 10K but I will not buy a bike for 10K and keep my existing Aethos.