With the launch of the new Tarmac, Specialized brings its road-race bikes full circle. When Specialized got into pro racing, there was one kind of road race bike and it was as stiff and light as possible. Then came aero bikes. Now the two trends are converging. That’s the goal of the new Specialized Tarmac SL7, which replaces the superb Tarmac SL6 as the company’s premier race bike—a no-compromise race bike that’s as fast as an aero bike and as light as a climbing bike. Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips hits the road on the new Tarmac SL7 Pro to break down how it rides.
