Specialized road bikes: A comprehensive range overview

Specialized has a wide range of road bikes and gravel bikes to cater for all users, as well as the Creo 2 electric road/gravel bike. With its size, it can invest in designs that push the boundaries of road bike technology and it has its own wind tunnel to try and test new design concepts. 

We consistently rank its bikes among the best road bikes, best gravel bikes, and best aero road bikes that we've reviewed. 

Specialized also sponsors a range of top pro teams, with Bora-Hansgrohe, SD-Worx, Soudal-QuickStep and TotalEnergies all riding principally the Tarmac SL8. Its team sponsorships allow the brand to test out new bike designs at the top level before they are launched to the general public. It's also meant that Specialized has continued to garner numerous pro wins, including World Championships, one-day races and grand tours.

Scroll down to see Cyclingnews’ roundup of the Specialized road bike and gravel bike range. There's even a time trial and drop bar e-bike or two. We'll cover all the Specialized bike models and the spec levels available for each, but first, here's a quick explainer of the range. There's a bit more on and Specialized at the bottom of the page.

Quick guide to Specialized's road and gravel bike range

Here is a quick summary of the Specialized road and gravel bike models.

Tarmac SL8

The lightweight race platform that gains plaudits in all aspects of road cycling. Popular among all sorts of cyclists from pros to criterium racers to endurance riders and cafe goers alike. 

Aethos

The bike that ignores the data and is built simply to celebrate the joy of riding. The super low weight results in an extremely positive ride feel, and the geometry mimics that of the Tarmac to retain comfortable yet responsive handling prowess. 

Roubaix SL8

The endurance bike that's capable of being ridden over the rough stuff. With slightly relaxed geometry compared to the others in the range, wider tyre clearance, and shock-absorbing technology. 

Allez

The most budget-friendly option in the range, based around an aluminium frame. The standard Allez offers an all-around platform for all-day riding, while the Allez Sprint is more aggressive for racing and crit use. 

Shiv

The dedicated time trial bike in the range, is available as a frameset module only.

Crux

Specialized's top-end gravel bike. It's lightweight and geared to gravel racers.

Diverge

The Diverge is Specialized's mainstream gravel bike and is available in a wide range of specs from alloy models through to S-Works carbon. 

Diverge STR

The Diverge STR adds a rear suspension system to the standard Diverge's front-end bounce, for added capability on trickier terrain. 

Creo 2

The drop bar electric bike from Specialized. It's had a makeover so that it's more powerful, capable and gravel-focused.  

Specialized road bikes

The latest generation of the Tarmac, the SL8, is claimed by Specialized to be the lightest bike in the WorldTour peloton, just skimming the UCI 6.8kg weight limit once you add pedals and bottle cages. The front end is designed to be more aero than the Tarmac SL7, while the rear builds on the brand's Aethos lightweight bike, being skinnier, lighter and more comfortable than the SL7, Specialized claims. There's clearance for 32mm tyres.

We reckon that Specialized has sharpened up the already impressive handling of the SL7. The Tarmac SL8 is a bike that feels stiff and fast both aerodynamically and when accelerating.

Although still expensive, the top-spec S-Works bike was actually cheaper at launch than the previous generation S-Works Tarmac SL7. There are only five specs available and the cheapest is still priced at over $6,000/£6,000 though.

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 review

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 SRAM Red eTap AXS
• Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Ultegra Di2
• Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro SRAM Force eTap AXS 
• Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert (SRAM Rival AXS)
• Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 frameset
• Specialized Tarmac SL8 frameset

While the Specialized Tarmac is a race-ready machine, the Aethos looks to provide a lightweight bike with a high-quality ride that's not bounded by the constraints of top-tier racing.

The Aethos is all about the pure joy of riding a bike. It takes things back to basics, with its round tubes and traditional frame shape, but integrates modern technologies to create a 6.1kg superbike that's confident, nimble and downright fun to ride. 

It's available as a range-topping S-Works model layered with FACT 12r carbon, or the slightly less expensive FACT 10r layup standard model. 

So it's fun, fast, lightweight, nimble and painfully beautiful. The only downside to joining the Aethos gang is the entry fee, with prices starting at around $5,000 / £5,000 for a complete bike, and rising well over $10,000 / £10,000 for the S-Works Aethos, equipped with top spec SRAM or Shimano drivetrain. 

There's even a limited edition Campagnolo Super Record-equipped bike that pushes the price up to yet more extravagant levels.

Specialized S-Works Aethos review

Model range 

• Specialized S-Works Aethos Campagnolo LTD
• Specialized S-Works Aethos Dura-Ace Di2
• Specialized S-Works Aethos SRAM Red eTap AXS
• Specialized Aethos Pro Shimano Ultegra Di2
• Specialized Aethos Expert Ultegra Di2
• Specialized Aethos Expert SRAM Rival AXS
• Specialized Aethos Comp Shimano 105 Di2
• Specialized S-Works Aethos frameset

Named after the famous cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix race, the Specialized Roubaix SL8 has been engineered to ride faster over bumpier terrain than ever before. The latest Roubaix boats increased 40mm tyre clearance, lower weight, better aerodynamics - and mudguard mounts, which were absent from the previous model, as well as additional bag and bottle cage mounts.

There's an upgrade to the Future Shock front end, which provides 20mm of suspension which is tuneable in higher spec bikes. It's matched with a new Pavé seatpost, which is clamped lower for balanced compliance front and rear.

As with Specialized's other models, the top-end S-Works Roubaix overtops the $10,000/£10,000 mark and other models are correspondingly expensive. The entry-level Tiagra-equipped bike remains surprisingly affordable though, being priced below $3,000/£3,000.

Specialized Roubaix SL8 Expert review

Model range 

• Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8
• Specialized Roubaix SL8 Pro
• Specialized Roubaix SL8 Expert
• Specialized Roubaix SL8 Comp
• Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport Apex
• Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105
• Specialize Roubaix SL8 (Shimano Tiagra)
• Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8 frameset

The Specialized Allez Sprint has an alloy frameset with tube profiles and geometry that are similar to the Tarmac. It may not be a top-end carbon race machine but that’s not to say it isn’t any good. It's long been a favourite for crit and road racing. 

The downtube and bottom bracket are formed as one piece and the joins at the head tube are also moved further along the top tube and down tube, both of which Specialized says results in a stiffer frame. 

We found that stiffness, paired with the 26mm tyres resulted in a rattly ride, but there's room to fit 32mm tyres, which would help alleviate this. Handling is great though, as befits a bike popular for crit use.

Specialized Allez Sprint review

Model range

• Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
• Specialized Allez Sprint frameset

An upgrade in 2023 saw the venerable Allez abandon rim brakes in favour of discs and get a clearance update to 35mm, bringing the beginner's favourite up to date.

While the old Allez was reasonably priced and available in a range of specs, the update has been accompanied by a price increase, with the Allez now available only as the base model and the Allez Sport, which sports hydraulic brakes in place of cable-operated.

The handling is precise, stable and confident, but we reckon a wheel upgrade is in order. 

Specialized Allez Sport review

Model range

• Specialized Allez Sport
• Specialized Allez 

Specialized time trial bike

Specialized now sells the Shiv as a time trial-legal module only. It claims to have reduced the weight from the previous model, to make the Shiv more competent on technical courses. 

It's also adjusted the geometry and made it easier to get the right fit for more riders. It says that the one-piece bar and stem are not only lighter but help balance the ride characteristics. 

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Shiv TT Disc Module

Specialized gravel bikes

The Specialized Crux has morphed from an all-in cyclocross bike to a premium gravel bike with a sideline in cross. As with the Tarmac SL8, it's a bike that borrows from the engineering of the Aethos, with the result that in the S-Works guide it tips the scales at just 7.25kg while offering space for 47mm tyres.

Specialized has also tweaked the geometry from the previous Crux, for better stability for longer off-road excursions than a one-hour cyclocross race. It's not gone down the integrated cable route though, with a two-piece bar and stem offering adjustability.

Below the expensive flagship S-Works spec, Specialized offers the Crux with lower-grade carbon fibre, which brings the Crux down into more affordable territory.

Specialized S-Work Crux review

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Crux
• Specialized Crux Pro 
• Specialized Crux Expert
• Specialized Crux Comp
• Specialized S-Works Crux frameset

Specialized's latest Diverge is the third generation and brings with it some interesting modifications to make it an even more capable gravel and adventure machine.

Geometry has been tweaked, inspired by the Epic cross-country mountain bike. By going longer, lower and slacker, Specialized has enhanced the Diverge's composure over rough terrain. A new fork has an increased offset for steady handling at high speeds without the steering going floppy and difficult on slow, technical sections.

Like the Roubaix, it features a Future Shock headset. With 20mm of progressive travel, the system uses a hydraulic dampener to absorb rough surfaces. If the gravel smooths out or there is a section of tarmac, on-the-fly adjustment lets you tune your ride from near-rigid to fully open.

The Diverge foregoes a dropped chainstay and instead uses a narrow solid beam of carbon to create tyre clearance. This makes space for ample amounts of rubber with more than enough clearance for 47mm on a 700c wheel and 2.1in on a 650B. 

The line-up comprises a combination of carbon and aluminium models and there’s even a dropper post available on the range-topping S-Works model. Some mid-range bikes are available with multiple build specs, so there are a lot of options available.

Specialized S-Works Diverge review

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Diverge
• Specialized Diverge Pro Carbon
• Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon
• Specialized Diverge Comp Carbon
• Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon
• Specialized Diverge Comp E5
• Specialized Diverge Elite E5
• Specialized Diverge E5 
• Specialized S-Works Diverge frameset

The Diverge STR adds a rear Future Shock suspension system to the Diverge's front-end Future Shock, without too much additional weight or complexity and without bounce when pedalling.

There's seat tube flex that provides 30mm of hydraulically damped, adjustable travel at the saddle. Specialized doesn't provide mudguard bolts though.

The rear suspension makes for a more confident ride experience with greater comfort and control. That's not at the expense of power transfer though. We rode the Expert spec but felt that it offered the performance of the standard S-Works Diverge. The rear suspension does make the Diverge STR a more expensive proposition than the standard bike though.

Specialized Diverge STR Expert review

Model range

• Specialized S-Works Diverge STR
• Specialized Diverge STR Pro
• Specialized Diverge STR Expert

Specialized e-bikes

The second generation of the Creo electric bike looks to focus more on gravel use than the original, relaxing the geometry, fitting burlier 47mm tyres and a dropper post and adding the Future Shock 3.0 front suspension system. 

The bike also loses frame weight and gains a new SL 1.2 motor system with extra power and torque on tap, at 320 watts and 50Nm. There's a narrower Q Factor and quieter demeanour as well. US riders can power up to 28mph. There's a 320Wh internal battery, with an optional range extender available for your longer rides.

Specialized claims a sub-13kg headline weight for the top-spec, top-dollar S-Works Creo 2, but offers two more affordable specs as well.

Model Range

• Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo 2
• Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Expert
• Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp

Specialized explained

Specialized road bike and gravel bike range explained

Specialized’s range of road and gravel bikes differs in geometry, material and function. As such, the model line-up covers a range of prices and caters for a diverse cycling demographic including men and women, professionals and amateurs, as well as adventure and gravel riders.

Models include geometries specific to aero, endurance, climbing, time trial and gravel grinding.

While some brands still offer women's specific geometry, Specialized has moved away from this. Through data from its proprietary bike fitting company Retul, Specialized discovered that there is just as much chance of a difference in leg and torso length between two men, as there is between a man and a woman. 

Almost all Specialized bikes come in a range of specs, which are ranked from entry-level via one or more of Sport, Comp, Expert and Pro through to range-topping S-Works, in ascending level of spec quality, with the higher spec bikes often using higher grade carbon fibre for their frames, which can make them lighter.