Specialized Tarmac SL6 Expert Disc 2019 Review
Words by Kathryn Dickinson
on 13/09/2018 10:27:09
Article written by #TeamRutland Ambassador Josh Holman. Find out more about Josh >
Josh, an Ironman Triathlete representing Great Britain at the Age Group level, has spent the last few months putting the Specialized Tarmac SL6 Expert Disc through its paces
First Impressions:
When I first laid eyes on this bike, I knew it was going to be something special. The incredible black/grey camouflage paint job combined with the orange Specialized lettering really makes this bike stand out from the crowd! All of the cabling has been neatly secured inside the frame making it even more aesthetic. This bike is definitely a head-turner.
How It Rides:
The frame is constructed from Specialized FACT 10r carbon fibre which makes it extremely light to ride, yet stiff and durable. This means going around sharp corners, or if like me you live in the countryside, then avoiding potholes is very easy. With the addition of the 38mm light weight Carbon hoops, it is even more impressive to ride. If you're like me and you like to go out hunting for KOM's then this is the bike for you. It's super easy to jump out of the saddle and inject bursts of speed when your in those final moments of a big climb! Specialized have really put the work in when it comes to aerodynamics on the Tarmac, claiming a 45 second saving over 40 kilometres.
The Spec:
The bike also comes with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and so shifting feels very smooth and crisp which you would expect from a bike of this calibre. If you were worried about the stopping capabilities then fear not, the Specialized Tarmac comes sporting the brands RS505 hydraulic disc brakes. In both dry and wet conditions you can feel safe knowing that you have excellent stopping power at your finger tips, trust me I've tested it and lived to tell the tail! The disc brake version of the Specialized Tarmac Expert weighs a mere 6.65kg, only 290g more than the rim version. This minor increase is definitely worth it for the stopping ability.
Specialized 2019 Tarmac SL6 Expert Disc Carbon Road Bike
The frame is constructed from lightweight, stiff and compliant, FACT Carbon. Specialized have implemented their Rider-First Engineered� technology, this uses size-specific tubes and layups and allows the Tarmac to feature the same ride characteristics across every size in the range.
- FACT 10r Carbon Frame
- Roval C38 Disc carbon wheelset
- Shimano Ultegra 22-speed drivetrain
Shop Now > Comfort On The Bike:
Since owning this bike I've been out on some pretty epic rides including a 100 miler and I've got to say it's been totally faultless. The bike is comfortable to ride compared to other road bikes I have owned in the past (especially in the back side area). The stopping power of the hydraulic disc brakes are fantastic, even in the wet weather, and the shifting capability from the Ultegra groupset feels smooth and responsive. Specialized have given the Tarmac Expert the 'Rider-First Engineered' Treatment. This means any of the seven different sized bikes will have the same level of responsiveness and frame stiffness.
Final Thoughts:
Overall this is a fantastic bike. It is both aesthetically pleasing to look at and also extremely versatile in the way that you can ride it comfortably on your weekend coffee spin, but when you want to ride it more aggressively (and go for those Strava segments) you can be confident knowing that to have the right bike underneath you!
S-Works Tarmac Disc
One of the most complete race bikes out there, the S-Works Tarmac Disc brings Grand Tour performance to a disc brake platform.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 12r carbon fibre
- Fork - S-Works FACT full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9150 Electronic
- Brakes - Shimano Dura-Ace 9170 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - Roval CLX50 Disc carbon, tubeless ready
RRP: £9,249.99
Shop Now > Specialized Tarmac Disc Pro
Whether you're racing friends on the weekend, snagging a new KOM or PR, or mixing it up in a local road race, the Tarmac Disc Pro is purpose-built to do it with.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 10r carbon fibre
- Fork - FACT 10r full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Di2 Disc R8070 Electronic
- Brakes - Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - Roval CL50 Disc carbon, tubeless ready
RRP: £5,749.99
Shop Now > Specialized Tarmac Disc Expert
If you plan on racing a Grand Tour this summer, sure, go rock that S-Works. But if you're on the hunt for a glorious ride that can smash both a local crit and your friends on the weekends, you'll feel right at home on the Tarmac Disc Expert.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 10r carbon fibre
- Fork - FACT 10r full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Disc R8020
- Brakes - Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - Roval C38 Disc carbon, tubeless ready
RRP: £3,999.99
Shop Now > Specialized Women's Tarmac Disc Expert
The Women's Tarmac Disc Expert brings all the performance of the S-Works to a more rider friendly price point. Built around the same frame as the men's version, the women's model gets female specific components to make the ride even better. But if you're on the hunt for a glorious ride that can smash both a local crit and your friends on the weekends, you'll feel right at home on the Tarmac Disc Expert.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 10r carbon fibre
- Fork - FACT 10r full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Disc R8020
- Brakes - Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - Roval C38 Disc carbon, tubeless ready
RRP: £3,999.99
Shop Now > Specialized Tarmac Disc Comp
Ripping corners, sticking it to friends on the road, cruising down the highway - no matter how you ride, the Tarmac Disc Comp delivers in spades. It houses many of the features found in its S-Works siblings, so you'll have the ride of your life.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 9r carbon fibre
- Fork - FACT 10r full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Disc R8020
- Brakes - Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - DT R470 Disc
RRP: £2,749.99
Shop Now > Specialized Women's Tarmac Disc Comp
Optimised for female riders, the Women's Tarmac Disc Comp offers the same corner-railing handling and lightweight as the men's version. It houses many of the features found in its S-Works siblings, so you'll have the ride of your life.
- Frame - Specialized FACT 9r carbon fibre
- Fork - FACT 10r full carbon fibre
- Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Disc R8020
- Brakes - Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels - DT R470 Disc
RRP: £2,749.99
Shop Now > Josh Holman
Instagram: ironman.josh
Twitter: Ironman_Josh
I am an amateur triathlete and Team GB Age Grouper in Long Distance Triathlon. I first embarked on my triathlon journey back in July 2016 where I completed my first and only triathlon at the time, Ironman UK. Having totally fallen in love with the sport, I have not looked back since, completing a further two Long Distance triathlons and a number of Olympic Distance triathlons.
During this time I have represented my country at the European Long Distance Championships, taken part in a few crazy cycle rides, the most famous being the 'Cambridge Pork Pie Ride' to Melton Mowbray and back, and also a number of marathons, most recently the iconic London Marathon, all whilst trying to share my passion and inspire as many people as possible along the way.
My goal for this year is quite simple. Strive for progression every single day and enjoy the process! I have recently PB'd at the London Marathon in a time of 2:42:20 and my next race is the Grafman Middle Distance Triathlon on 20th May, followed by Challenge Samorin-Slovakia 70.3 on the 3rd June and then the ITU Fyn World Long Distance Championships in Denmark on the 14th July. I will then need to sit down with my coach and discuss what races I will do in the second half of the year, but for now, I am excited, motivated and looking forward to pushing myself to the limits.
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