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 race bike, and with the integration of disc brakes, this has been achieved.
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 shed nearly 200 grams. That's right, a 20% reduction in frame weight - the perfect recipe for your next hill climb PR.
Rider-First Engineered™ technology was also improved 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. The geometry was also updated, basing it on countless Retül data points and professional rider input. This aided the development of a Performance Road Geometry that perfects the combination of a responsive front end and short wheelbase, which delivers instantaneous response and optimal power transfer.
For an optimal ride quality, Specialized 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.
Disc brakes were selected as they offer superior braking power and modulation, work exceptionally well in wet weather, and provide a very, very minor weight addition. All this means that you have more control and can go faster with more confidence.
Aerodynamic improvements are the most important thing to make you faster, and even the Bora-Hansgrohe and Team Quick-Step Floors Pro Tour riders are demanding them on every bike. With this, the aero goal was to discover where they could essentially "add aero for free," by not taking anything away from the hallmarks of the Tarmac design. 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 is a bike that's approximately 45 seconds faster over 40km compared to other lightweight bikes in the same category.
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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.
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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.
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With its high-modulus construction, the S-Works FACT carbon Tarmac seatpost provides impeccable power transfer, while still allowing for ample compliance for long days in the saddle.