Specialized reveals 'S-Level' Tarmac SL9, says it 'exceeds every competing race bike in its class'

If you wanted a Tarmac SL9 when Specialized announced the bike back in June, just ahead of the Tour de France, you’d have needed deep pockets. That’s because the Tarmac SL9 was only available in S-Works spec, built on Specialized’s premium FACT 12r carbon, with top-tier components to boot.

You can read a detailed breakdown of what’s new with the SL9 update and Specialized’s claimed four watts aero improvement in Josh's S-Works Tarmac SL9 launch story.

But if you're not looking to spend north of £10k/$10k on your next bike, you'll be pleased to know that the S-Works Tarmac SL9 has today been joined by less expensive Expert and Comp specs of the SL9, based on the FACT 10r carbon platform.

And for the first time, there’s an S-Level Tarmac too, which pairs the FACT 10r frameset with top-spec groupset components from SRAM and Shimano. There's not one equipped with the new Shimano Dura-Ace yet, though, despite the R9300 groupset leaking at the Vuelta.

S-Level is a concept that Specialized first introduced in May with the S-Level Crux gravel bike, and essentially bolts quality components and a top-of-range groupset onto the less premium frameset. You get a bike with similar performance to the S-Works model, just a little heavier and for a lot less cash. Complete S-Level build weights start from a claimed 7.13kg versus 6.5kg for the S-Works bike, for example.

Specialized says that it is a replacement for its previous Pro spec level and claims it “delivers the closest experience to S-Works performance and exceeds every competing race bike in its class."

A little more weight, a lot less cash

While the S-Works frameset has a 687g claimed weight, the FACT 10r frame weighs a claimed 882g. It’s paired with the same FACT 12r fork as used on the S-Works bike, but with stainless steel headset bearings in place of CeramicSpeed.

The complete S-Level frameset has a 1.64kg claimed weight and comes with a S-Works Tarmac SL8 seatpost carried over from the previous generation Tarmac, while the S-Works frameset weighs a claimed 1.39kg, including the new S-Works Rapide Post seatpost.

Spec-wise, the S-Level Tarmac SL9 has the same one-piece Roval Rapide Cockpit as the S-Works bike and is equipped either with a Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM Red AXS groupset. Both come with a dual-sided power meter, the in-series SRAM meter or 4iiii Precision Pro for Shimano.

The Roval CL III wheels are a tier down from the CLX III wheels fitted to the S-Works bike and the Power Pro Mirror saddle too is a step down from the S-Works Power saddle on the top spec bike.

But while the S-Works Tarmac SL9 retails for £11,999 / $14,000 / €13,999 / AU$21,500 with Red AXS, the S-Level bike costs £8,799 / $10,500 / €10,499 / AU$15,500 with the same groupset. Dura-Ace is a little cheaper in the US and Australia, the same price in Europe and the UK.

Expert and Comp Tarmac SL9 specs

In addition, there are Expert and Comp-level Tarmac SL9 specs announced, equipped with a two-piece alloy bar and stem.

The Expert spec comes with either a SRAM Force AXS groupset with 48/35t chainrings and a 10-36t cassette or Shimano Ultegra with a semi-compact. Neither include a power meter.

It’s fitted with Roval C38 carbon wheels and the S-Works Tarmac SL8 seatpost. Specialized claims a size 56 bike weighs 7.55kg.

The Tarmac SL9 Expert is priced at £5,999 / $7,000 / €6,999 / AU$10,200 with Force AXS, again with a slightly lower price for the Shimano spec in the US and Australia.

The Tarmac SL9 Comp is equipped either with a SRAM Rival AXS or Shimano 105 Di2 groupset. Also specced are DT Swiss R470 alloy rims on Specialized hubs and the S-Works Tarmac SL8 seatpost.

Specialized claims an 8.14kg weight for a size 56 bike in Rival AXS spec and 8.21kg with 105 Di2. The Comp is priced at £3,999 / $4,500 / €4,499 / AU$7,200 in both SRAM and Shimano specs.