SPECIALIZED TARMAC SL6 EXPERT
Accelerative, agile and stable with amazing grip and compliance
The comparatively bargain-priced Tarmac has endlessly accessible performance, amazing grip and compliance
Even though these five bikes are separated by £1310, it’s clear that more cash doesn’t necessarily always equate to a better ride. But brand loyalty, aesthetics, component choice, marketing and availability can influence buying decisions just as much as verified performance.
Although rim-braked bikes still win most pro races, our Pinarello Prince FX under-performed here, offering a lower spec and a less than comfortable ride, despite its great looks. BMC’s new SLR02 Disc ONE has a brilliant wireless groupset and classy frameset with perfect manners and great potential, but could use a wheel upgrade to fully realise it.
Canyon’s Aeroad Disc is by far the cheapest bike on test, and one of the lightest, plus it has an amazing groupset and wheel specification. If you crave looks and undeniable speed on mainly flat or rolling terrain, the Aeroad is a tough act to follow.
That leaves the Specialized Tarmac and brand new Cannondale as our top two. Trying to separate them is like choosing a favourite child. The comparatively bargain-priced Tarmac has endlessly accessible performance, amazing grip and compliance that allows you to safely exploit its extensive limits. With its excellent Roval wheelset and great tyres, the Tarmac is accelerative, agile and stable.
Cannondale’s new Evo took us a couple of rides to appreciate, but when it clicked, everything made sense. The new position feels faster and seems to breed speed, and ride quality has improved. SRAM’s Force AXS gives clean lines and space-age shifting, but isn’t without its quirks and, although mechanically sound, that GPS mount could be better aesthetically.
In performance terms, they’re impossible to split, and comparing specification to value makes it a virtual dead heat. But as stunning as the new Evo is, the lower price and weight of the Tarmac shades it for us.