Specialized’s S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance road racing bicycle designed for speed, efficiency, and handling. It is the top-of-the-line model in Specialized’s Tarmac series, and it is used by many professional cyclists in races around the world.
The S-Works Tarmac is made from Specialized’s FACT 12r carbon fiber, which is both lightweight and stiff. The frame is designed to be aerodynamic, with a sleek profile and hidden cable routing. The bike also features a number of high-end components, including Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting, Roval CLX 50 carbon fiber wheels, and a S-Works Power saddle. These components work together to create a bike that is both fast and comfortable to ride.
The S-Works Tarmac has been praised by critics for its performance and handling. It has been called “the best all-around road bike” by Bicycling magazine, and it has won numerous awards from other publications. The bike is also popular with professional cyclists, who have used it to win some of the biggest races in the world, including the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.
1. Lightweight
The S-Works Tarmac’s lightweight frame is a major contributor to its performance. A lighter bike is easier to accelerate, climb hills, and handle, making it ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
- Stiffness-to-weight ratio: FACT 12r carbon fiber has a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio, which means that it is very stiff for its weight. This makes the S-Works Tarmac very efficient at transferring power from the rider to the pedals, resulting in faster acceleration and climbing.
- Reduced weight: The S-Works Tarmac’s lightweight frame also reduces fatigue on long rides. A lighter bike is easier to handle and maneuver, making it less tiring to ride for extended periods of time.
- Improved handling: A lighter bike is also more agile and easier to handle, making it ideal for technical riding and racing. The S-Works Tarmac’s lightweight frame gives it a very responsive feel, making it easy to change direction and maneuver through tight corners.
Overall, the S-Works Tarmac’s lightweight frame is a key factor in its performance and handling. It makes the bike faster, more efficient, and easier to handle, making it ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
2. Aerodynamic
The aerodynamic design of the S-Works Tarmac is a key factor in its performance, especially at high speeds. An aerodynamic bike is more efficient at overcoming air resistance, which means that it requires less energy to maintain a given speed. This can be a significant advantage in races, where even a small reduction in drag can lead to a significant improvement in performance.
- Reduced drag: The S-Works Tarmac’s sleek profile and hidden cable routing reduce drag by minimizing the amount of surface area that is exposed to the wind. This makes the bike more efficient at overcoming air resistance, resulting in faster speeds with the same amount of effort.
- Improved efficiency: An aerodynamic bike is more efficient at converting the rider’s energy into forward motion. This means that the rider can maintain a given speed with less effort, which can be a significant advantage on long rides or in races.
- Enhanced speed: The S-Works Tarmac’s aerodynamic design helps it to achieve higher speeds, especially at high speeds. This is due to the reduced drag, which allows the bike to overcome air resistance more easily.
Overall, the aerodynamic design of the S-Works Tarmac is a key factor in its performance. It makes the bike more efficient, faster, and easier to ride, making it ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
3. Stiff
The stiffness of the S-Works Tarmac is a key factor in its performance, especially in terms of power transfer and handling. A stiff bike is able to transfer power from the rider to the pedals more efficiently, resulting in faster acceleration and climbing. It also provides more precise handling, making the bike more responsive and easier to control, especially at high speeds or in technical terrain.
- Efficient power transfer: The stiffness of the S-Works Tarmac allows it to transfer power from the rider to the pedals more efficiently. This is because a stiffer frame is less likely to flex or deflect under load, which means that more of the rider’s energy is transferred to the drivetrain and ultimately to the rear wheel. This results in faster acceleration and climbing, making the S-Works Tarmac ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
- Precise handling: The stiffness of the S-Works Tarmac also contributes to its precise handling. A stiffer frame is more responsive to rider input, making the bike more agile and easier to control. This is especially important at high speeds or in technical terrain, where precise handling is essential for safety and performance.
Overall, the stiffness of the S-Works Tarmac is a key factor in its performance. It provides efficient power transfer and precise handling, making the bike ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
4. Comfortable
The S-Works Tarmac is known for its stiffness and performance, but it is also surprisingly comfortable to ride. This is due in part to its compliant seatstays, which absorb road vibrations and reduce fatigue on long rides. The S-Works Power saddle is also designed to be comfortable, with a wide shape and supportive padding.
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Facet 1: Compliant seatstays
The S-Works Tarmac’s seatstays are designed to be compliant, which means that they flex slightly to absorb road vibrations. This helps to reduce fatigue on long rides, and it also makes the bike more comfortable to ride on rough roads. The seatstays are made from carbon fiber, which is a lightweight and stiff material that is also able to absorb vibrations.
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Facet 2: S-Works Power saddle
The S-Works Power saddle is designed to be comfortable and supportive. It has a wide shape that provides plenty of support for the rider’s sit bones, and it is also padded with a layer of foam that helps to absorb road vibrations. The saddle is also adjustable, so that the rider can find the perfect position for their individual needs.
Together, the compliant seatstays and the S-Works Power saddle make the S-Works Tarmac a very comfortable bike to ride, even on long rides or on rough roads. This is a key factor in the bike’s popularity among professional and amateur cyclists alike.
5. Versatile
The S-Works Tarmac is a versatile bike that can be used for a variety of purposes, including racing, training, and long rides. This is due to its combination of performance, comfort, and durability.
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Facet 1: Performance
The S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance bike that is designed for speed and efficiency. It is made from lightweight materials and has a stiff frame, which makes it ideal for racing and other performance-oriented riding.
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Facet 2: Comfort
Despite its performance orientation, the S-Works Tarmac is also surprisingly comfortable to ride. This is due to its compliant seatstays and S-Works Power saddle, which absorb road vibrations and reduce fatigue on long rides.
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Facet 3: Durability
The S-Works Tarmac is also very durable, which makes it a good choice for training and long rides. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to last, even under heavy use.
Overall, the S-Works Tarmac is a versatile bike that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is a good choice for racing, training, and long rides, and it is built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Specialized S-Works Tarmac
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance road racing bicycle that is designed for speed, efficiency, and handling. It is the top-of-the-line model in Specialized’s Tarmac series, and it is used by many professional cyclists in races around the world.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the S-Works Tarmac:
Question 1: What is the S-Works Tarmac made of?
The S-Works Tarmac is made from Specialized’s FACT 12r carbon fiber, which is both lightweight and stiff. The frame is designed to be aerodynamic, with a sleek profile and hidden cable routing.
Question 2: How much does the S-Works Tarmac weigh?
The S-Works Tarmac weighs 6.9 kilograms (15.2 pounds) in a size 56cm.
Question 3: What is the geometry of the S-Works Tarmac?
The geometry of the S-Works Tarmac is designed for racing, with a low bottom bracket, a short wheelbase, and a steep head angle. This geometry provides the rider with a more aggressive riding position, which is ideal for racing.
Question 4: What components come with the S-Works Tarmac?
The S-Works Tarmac comes with a number of high-end components, including Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting, Roval CLX 50 carbon fiber wheels, and a S-Works Power saddle.
Question 5: How much does the S-Works Tarmac cost?
The S-Works Tarmac has a suggested retail price of $12,500.
Question 6: Where can I buy the S-Works Tarmac?
The S-Works Tarmac can be purchased from Specialized dealers around the world.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the Specialized S-Works Tarmac. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact your local Specialized dealer.
Summary of key takeaways:
- The S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance road racing bicycle that is designed for speed, efficiency, and handling.
- The S-Works Tarmac is made from Specialized’s FACT 12r carbon fiber, which is both lightweight and stiff.
- The S-Works Tarmac has a suggested retail price of $12,500.
Transition to the next article section:
Now that you know more about the Specialized S-Works Tarmac, you can decide if it is the right bike for you. If you are looking for a high-performance road racing bicycle, the S-Works Tarmac is a great option.
Tips for getting the most out of your S-Works Tarmac
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance road racing bicycle that is designed for speed, efficiency, and handling. It is a great choice for cyclists who are looking for a bike that can help them to improve their performance.
Here are five tips for getting the most out of your S-Works Tarmac:
- Get a professional bike fit. A professional bike fit can help you to ensure that your S-Works Tarmac is properly adjusted to your body. This can improve your comfort, efficiency, and power output.
- Use the right tires for your riding conditions. The S-Works Tarmac can be fitted with a variety of tires, depending on your riding conditions. For racing, you will want to use tires that are narrow and have a high thread count. For training or riding on rough roads, you may want to use tires that are wider and have a lower thread count.
- Keep your bike clean and well-maintained. A clean and well-maintained bike will perform better and last longer. Be sure to clean your S-Works Tarmac regularly, and lubricate the moving parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Upgrade your components. As you become more experienced with cycling, you may want to upgrade some of the components on your S-Works Tarmac. This can include upgrading the wheels, the drivetrain, or the brakes. Upgrading your components can improve the performance and durability of your bike.
- Ride your bike regularly. The best way to get the most out of your S-Works Tarmac is to ride it regularly. Riding your bike will help you to improve your fitness and your cycling skills. It will also help you to get to know your bike better and to identify any areas where you can improve.
Summary of key takeaways:
- Getting a professional bike fit can help you to improve your comfort, efficiency, and power output.
- Using the right tires for your riding conditions can improve your performance and safety.
- Keeping your bike clean and well-maintained will help it to perform better and last longer.
- Upgrading your components can improve the performance and durability of your bike.
- Riding your bike regularly will help you to improve your fitness and your cycling skills.
Transition to the article’s conclusion:
By following these tips, you can get the most out of your Specialized S-Works Tarmac. This bike is a great choice for cyclists who are looking for a high-performance road racing bicycle that can help them to improve their performance.
Conclusion
The Specialized S-Works Tarmac is a high-performance road racing bicycle that is designed for speed, efficiency, and handling. It is a great choice for cyclists who are looking for a bike that can help them to improve their performance.
In this article, we have explored the key features of the S-Works Tarmac, including its lightweight frame, aerodynamic design, stiff construction, comfortable ride, and versatility. We have also provided tips for getting the most out of your S-Works Tarmac, including getting a professional bike fit, using the right tires for your riding conditions, keeping your bike clean and well-maintained, upgrading your components, and riding your bike regularly.
By following these tips, you can get the most out of your Specialized S-Works Tarmac and improve your performance on the road.
