I love a good Zone 2 ride. There’s nothing like getting on the bike, settling into the rhythm, and letting the miles (and hours) pass. But sometimes when I got on the Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level, Zone 2 became a pace ride. It was like having a little imp (the stereotypical red-clad one with a pitchfork) on my left shoulder whispering in my ear, “Go fast. This bike was built to go fast. The speed is good. You can do a Zone 2 ride tomorrow.” Normally, I would count on the good imp (the guy with the harp and wings) on my right shoulder to contain these impulses. But the Tarmac is so seductive that he would simply shrug and say “he’s right.” And in a moment of weakness, I would drop the hammer and crash into the red, simply because the SL9 makes it so rewarding.
The Tarmac SL9 is Specialized’s aero road bike, with the S-Level just below the S-Works in Specialized’s top tier of carbon aero road bikes, where it replaced the Tarmac SL8 Pro. After it was updated this year, I spent several weeks using it and putting almost 1,000 miles on it.
Specialized offers the Tarmac SL9 in four models, all available with SRAM and Shimano drivetrains (Ars tested the SRAM version). Notably, you don’t have to buy the top-of-the-line bike to get the top-of-the-line groupset. Here’s the breakdown of the Tarmac SL9 line (note that the Shimano versions of the Expert are 20g lighter and the Comp is 70g heavier than the SRAM versions):
| Transmission and price | Declared weight (56cm SRAM build) | wheelset | Saddle | Cockpit | Frame and fork | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-Work | RED AXES: $13,999.99 Dura-Ace Di2: $13,499.99 |
6.60 kilograms | Roval Rapide CLX III carbon | S-Works Power with mirror | Roval Rapide integrated handlebar/stem | FACT 12r / FACT 12r |
| S Level | RED AXES: $10,499.99 Dura-Ace Di2: $9,999.99 |
7.10 kilograms | Roval Rapide CL III carbon | Power Pro Mirror; hollow titanium rails | Roval Rapide integrated handlebar/stem | FACT 10r / FACT 12r |
| Expert | AXS Force: $6,999.99 Ultegra Di2: $6,499.99 |
7.55 kilos | Roval C38 carbon | Body Geometry Power Expert; hollow titanium rails | Specialized Expert Shallow Drop Alloy Handlebar; Roval Rapide Alloy Stem | FACT 10r / FACT 12r |
| compensation | Rival AXS: $4,499.99 105 Di2: $4,199.99 |
8.14 kilos | DT Swiss R470 alloy wheels; Specialized centers | Body geometry power compensation; chrome alloy rails | Specialized Shallow Drop 6061 Alloy Handlebar; Roval Rapide Alloy Stem | FACT 10r / FACT 12r |
The $10,500 S-Level offers the top-of-the-line SRAM Red groupset and an integrated cockpit, as does the $14,000 S-Works. But the frame, wheelset and saddle differ. The main difference is the frame: the S-Level has the same FACT 10r carbon fiber frame as the Expert and Comp. At 822g for a 56cm frame, the FACT 10r is 135g heavier than the FACT 12r used in the S-Works. Despite the weight difference, Specialized says the FACT 10r offers the same stiffness and comfort characteristics as its lighter sibling. Along with the frame, different wheelsets and saddles make the S-Level 500g heavier than the S-Works. With bottle cages, a Garmin mount, and my favorite Shimano XTR XC PD-M9200 MTB pedals, the S-Level I tested weighed 7.98kg. For comparison, my own road bike, a Gen 8 Trek Madone, weighs 7.71kg.
