- Specialized is touting the new S-Works Tarmac SL9 as "the fastest road bike ever made".
- The claimed frame weight for the S-Works SL9 is just 687 grams, with complete builds of 6.2-6.5kg possible depending on wheels and cockpits.
- Specialized claims that the SL9 would be 14 seconds faster than the SL8 over the last 80km of the final stage of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes.
- Specialized claims the SL9 is four watts faster than its Tarmac SL8 at 45km/h (28mph).
- SRAM Red AXS-equipped bikes start at £11,999 / $14,000 / €13,999.
- The design of the SL9 includes a 10 percent reduction in frontal area due to its slimmer, hourglass shape.
- Time to Finish is a physics-based simulation output that predicts total elapsed race time over a specific real-world course.
- Specialized claims that the SL9 is more aerodynamically efficient than the existing SL8.
Specialized has unveiled the S-Works Tarmac SL9, claiming it to be 'the fastest road bike ever made.' With a frame weight of just 687 grams, the SL9 is designed to be four watts faster than its predecessor, the SL8, at a speed of 45km/h (28mph).123468
The company utilized a physics-based simulation to substantiate its claims, predicting that the SL9 would allow riders to finish 14 seconds faster over the last 80km of the final stage of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. This simulation considered various factors, including aerodynamics and rider power, to estimate real-world performance.
The SL9 features a slimmer, hourglass shape that reduces its frontal area by 10 percent, contributing to its aerodynamic efficiency. Specialized claims that the bike's design adjustments save an additional 0.5 watts at 45km/h. The bike is also equipped with 30mm Turbo Cotton Tubeless tyres for enhanced performance.
Pricing for the flagship model starts at £11,999 / $14,000 / €13,999, which is approximately £500 more than the outgoing SL8. Specialized asserts that the SL9's Time to Finish is the lowest of any road bike tested, further solidifying its position in the competitive cycling market.7
In summary, the S-Works Tarmac SL9 is positioned as a game-changer in road cycling, promising significant performance improvements for competitive cyclists.
“Specialized has launched the S-Works Tarmac SL9, asserting it is the fastest road bike ever made. The bike features a claimed frame weight of 687g and improved aerodynamics over its predecessor, the SL8.”
Cycling Weekly
Cyclingnews
