The new S-Works Tarmac Disc was not only designed to be fast everywhere, from long climbs to windy flats to Grand Tour stages and local fondos, it was built to be the most complete women's race bike which is further achieved by the integration of disc brakes.
Advanced aerospace composite optimisation software was utilised to revolutionise the construction and layup of the new FACT 12r carbon. It's the most advanced material, and schedule, Specialized have ever made and this allowed them to shed nearly 200 grams. That's right, a 20% reduction in frame weight - the perfect recipe for your next hill climb PR.
Improvements were also made with the Rider-First Engineered™ technology to ensure that the new Tarmac is stiff and compliant in exactly the right places, all while shedding some serious weight. From different layup schedules and materials, to visibly different forks, Specialized scrutinised every single aspect of the new Tarmac to ensure you're getting the perfect ride. With this revamp, the geometry was also updated, basing it on countless Retül data points and professional rider input. This enabled Specialized to develop a Performance Road Geometry that perfects the combination of a responsive front end and short wheelbase, which delivers instantaneous response and optimal power transfer.
While stiffness aids in the aforementioned, compliance must also be utilised for an optimal ride quality. That's why they designed a seatpost that builds compliance into the upper 120mm where clamping doesn't happen, dropped the seatstays, and altered the seat tube shape. Tyre clearance up to 30mm was also added, which translates to a 28mm Turbo Cotton on a Roval CLX 50 Disc wheel. This allows lower pressures for decreased rolling resistance, increased traction, and more comfort. Altogether, these additions still have the Tarmac riding like a true race-machine, but it also takes a bit of the sting out of road imperfections. You'll thank Specialized on your next long ride.
Why disc brakes? The real question is "why not?" They offer superior braking power and modulation, work exceptionally well in wet weather, and offer a very, very minor weight addition. All this means that you have more control and can go faster with more confidence.
Specialized also know too well that aerodynamic improvements are the most important thing they can do to make you faster. Their Boels-Dolmans riders, after all, are demanding aero improvements on every bike. With this, the aero goal was to discover where we could essentially "add aero for free," by not taking anything away from the hallmarks of the Tarmac design. During the six-month iterative process, three areas were discovered where this could be done - a new fork shape, dropped seatstays with aero tubes, and a D-shaped seatpost and seat tube. The result? A bike that's approximately 45 seconds faster over 40km compared to other lightweight bikes in the same category.
The lightest (440g/172.5mm) and most accurate power meter available was also included, because no matter your skill level or experience on the bike, there's no better way to enhance your training and racing performance than by riding with a power meter. Lucky for you, Specialized have combined their incredibly light and stiff carbon fibre S-Works road cranks with dual-sided power measurement.
This S-Works Tarmac comes ready to race with Shimano's new Dura-Ace 9170 Di2 groupset with disc brakes, light and aero Roval CLX 50 Disc wheels with 26mm Turbo Cotton tyres, and a host of women's-specific pieces at every touchpoint on the bike, like a superlative Oura Pro saddle.
- Featuring a Rider-First Engineered™ design that ensures every frame size has the same legendary climbing responsiveness and descending prowess you'd expect from a Tarmac. The S-Works FACT 12r frameset is Specialized's highest quality carbon frame, offering the ideal blend of light overall weight and targeted stiffness.
- S-Works full FACT carbon fork with a tapered construction provides incredible front end stiffness and steering response for instantaneous accelerations and high-speed descents.
- Specialized have combined their incredibly light and stiff, carbon fibre S-Works road cranks with dual-sided power measurement, making it the lightest (440g/172.5mm) and most accurate (+/- 1%) power meter available.