I was lucky enough to ride this bike for a couple of months before my ambassador bike was delivered, here’s what I thought.
How do I go about starting a review on the Specialized Women’s S-WORKS Tarmac SL6?
This bike is INSANE. Capital letters are needed.
The background: Shared Geometry.
The Tarmac SL6 platform falls into Specialized’s ‘Shared Geometry’ programme, which in essence means that there is no difference between the build and geometry of the men’s and women’s frames. The only things that differs out of the box are the contact points on the women’s bike, ie. shorter crank length, women’s specific saddle and narrower handle bars. Based on thousands of sets of Retul bike fit data and feedback from men’s and women’s pro teams Specialized found that there were no gender differences when it came to wanting the ultimate performance bike.
The look:
I’ve had my chance to ride a few good bikes in my time and with a cyclist for a dad I’ve grown up knowing a ‘good looking’ bike when I see one. The women’s S-WORKS Tarmac has a ‘Brad Pitt in Fight Club’ kinda look about it.
Slick, edgy and matt black with a subtle colour pop. What more could you ask for from a speed machine? I have dotingly called it ‘The Bat Mobile’. The photos do the bike no justice.
My Experience: Hills. Road. Descending. It is a straight 10/10 all-rounder.
Hills. Road. Descending. It is a straight 10/10 all-rounder.
The Tarmac has a history of winning (Grand Tours + World Championships just for a start…) and the newly designed frame (such as the D shaped seat-post + tube, and the dropped seat stays) brings it up to the aerodynamic capability of the original Specialized Venge. The FACT 12r Carbon is layered up specifically for the size of the frame, ensuring that weight is saved throughout, but the bike still retains it’s stiffness and handling qualities. The weight is quite frankly ridiculous, complete with the Roval CLX 50 wheels it is still well under 6.5kg.
Every single time I’ve ridden this bike, I’ve laughed out loud at just how quick it is, I genuinely smile each time I ride it, it makes me feel alive! Throw two pedal turns of power down and it just flies away beneath you. The Dura Ace Di2 surrenders easily, almost at just the thought of changing gears; shifting effortlessly, giving you that extra edge out of corners or on the foot slopes of climbs. The rolling of the carbon wheels is frictionless, fitted with a 29mm tyre which take the road surface confidently (and comfortably) in their stride. But the proof is in the pudding, right? Since testing this bike I’ve received an ego-boosting, endless stream of ‘Strava gratification’ clearing up on QOM’s, Segments and setting PB’s for every loop I know!
How does it fair in a peloton? I’ve recently joined a new cycling group, and of course, went through all the first pre-ride jitters, “am I fast enough, good enough” and scared of being “that girl, the chopper”. But as soon as I got in the saddle those feeling disappeared and the bike did all the hard work for me. It handles fabulously in a chain gang, and is so responsive when I need an extra boost of power to bridge a gap or take a turn on the front. The handling of the bike gives you the confidence to take corners tighter than you ever have before; and matched with the new S-WORKS 7 shoes you feel like you’re not losing any power at any point through the pedal turn.
I have flown up (and down) Yorkshire hills and even smashed it up the guided busway and around surrounding villages in pancake flat Cambridgeshire…I can quite honestly say I have loved every minute.
Conclusion:
This bike has been super lightweight, slick and responsive on all of the roads I challenged it with. It is without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden.
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