This article compares the Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Cervelo R5.
I’ll help you understand the bike model lineups, specifications, and suggested retail prices in USD. I’ll explain the carbon fiber technology (Specialized FACT and ) and innovative frameset technologies on each bike.
The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Cervelo R5.
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Cervelo R5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bike | Aero | Aero |
| Frame material | CFR CF SLX carbon | OCLV 800 carbon OCLV 500 carbon |
| Frame sizes | XXS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, 64 |
| Groupset | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Cabling | Internal | Internal |
| Price (USD) | $4,499 to $9,499 | $5,199 to $13,199 |
Specialized Tarmac SL7
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 is the complete race bike. It’s without a doubt the most popular model among all Specialized bikes.
Now in its seventh iteration (SL7), the Specialized Tarmac combines an aerodynamic, lightweight, and disc-only road bike for all terrains. Light enough to climb the steepest mountain passes in Tour de France, fast and aero for the sprints on Champs Elysees.
The S-Works frame uses the lighter and stiffer FACT 12r carbon, while all other Specialized frame uses the FACT 10r carbon. The difference lies in the choice of groupset, wheels, and components.
There are six models in the Specialized Tarmac SL7 lineup based on its groupset setup. All models are electronic shifting only. It’s also available in frameset only for Specialized and S-Works editions.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works Tarmac SL7 | FACT 12r carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | Roval Alpinist CLX | $14,250 |
| S-Works Tarmac SL7 | FACT 12r carbon | SRAM Red eTap AXS | Roval Alpinist CLX | $14,000 |
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro | FACT 10r carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Roval Rapide CL | $9,000 |
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert | FACT 10r carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Roval C38 | $8,300 |
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert | FACT 10r carbon | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Roval C38 | $6,500 |
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp | FACT 10r carbon | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7100) | DT Swiss R470 | $5,500 |
Specialized Tarmac SL7 vs others
Cervelo R5
The Cervélo R5 is an all-rounder road race bike. The Cervélo R5 sits at the top with the best components and is ridden by Jonas Vingegaard to win the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France.
Cervélo R5 and R-Series (discontinued in 2022) share the same carbon fiber material. Cervélo calls the carbon tubing design, the Squoval Max, a reference to the combination of Square and Oval tube shapes to achieve a balance between weight, stiffness, and aerodynamic benefits according to their CFD analysis.
The Cervélo R5 is disc-only with an integrated cockpit. It’s also available in a frameset only.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervelo R5 | Carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | Reserve 34/37 | $13,000 |
| Cervelo R5 | Carbon | SRAM Red eTap AXS | Reserve 34/37 | $13,000 |
| Cervelo R5 | Carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Reserve 34/37 | $9,000 |
| Cervelo R5 | Carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Reserve 34/37 | $9,000 |
Specialized vs Cervelo carbon fiber
Specialized FACT Carbon
Specialized FACT (Functional Advanced Composite Technology) is an advanced carbon fiber technology used in high-performance Specialized bicycles. It offers a lightweight yet strong frame construction with precise carbon layup, resulting in optimal strength-to-weight ratio and improved ride quality.
FACT carbon frames are engineered to efficiently transfer power, absorb road vibrations, and provide a comfortable riding experience. With continuous innovation and refinement, FACT Carbon demonstrates Specialized’s commitment to delivering top-notch performance and enhancing the overall cycling experience.
The carbon is available in three grades. The choice between FACT 12r, 11r, or 10r carbon depends on the bike model, your preferences, riding style, and budget.
- Specialized FACT 12r Carbon is the highest-grade carbon used by Specialized. Bikes (S-Works models) with frames made from FACT 12r carbon are the lightest and stiffest in the Specialized line-up. These frames are manufactured using the most advanced techniques and materials.
- Specialized FACT 11r Carbon used to be the highest-grade carbon until the S-Works Tarmac (SL5). Today, it’s the highest-grade carbon for the S-Works Roubaix.
- Specialized FACT 10r Carbon is two steps below 12r in the Specialized carbon hierarchy. While it doesn’t provide quite the same level of weight savings and stiffness as 12r, 10r frames are still very light and stiff, providing a high level of performance. FACT 10r carbon is used in all non S-Works models and is ideal for riders who want a balance of performance and value.
Cervelo Carbon
Cervelo doesn’t publicly release information about the types of carbon fiber used on their road bikes.
From my observation of the current Cervelo bikes lineups, there are at least two carbon fiber grades used.
- Highest grade. Cervelo R5 and S5 could be using the highest carbon fiber grade of all the models. These are pure race bikes used by the pros and would likely have the best carbon fiber available at Cervelo.
- Mid-grade. Cervelo Caledonia and Soloist could be using a mid-level carbon and heavier fiber grade of all the models. These are endurance bikes that prioritize comfort over stiffness. So it’s not a surprise to see a lower-grade carbon fiber being used here.
Frameset technologies and innovations
Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Cervelo R5 framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.
Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.
Specialized Tarmac SL7
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| FACT carbon | Functional Advanced Composite Technology (FACT). A carbon fiber construction method that balances lightweight, stiffness, and compliance in Specialized bike frames. Available in two carbon grades; FACT 12r and 10r. A higher number indicates a higher grade of carbon. S-Works models use the FACT 12r carbon and Specialized Pro and Expert models use the FACT 10r carbon. |
| Rider-First Engineered™ | Rider-First Engineered™ is a design philosophy used by Specialized that ensures every frame size delivers the same predictable and responsive ride characteristics. This concept was first introduced with the 2015 Tarmac, and the idea has been incorporated into all models since. Instead of simply scaling frame sizes, Specialized takes into account that riders of different sizes have different weights, which are distributed differently. This means that each frame size experiences different forces. Therefore, each frame size is engineered independently with different carbon layups and tube dimensions, ensuring the optimal balance of rigidity, weight, and responsiveness for each size. In short, no matter what the frame size is, the ride quality and performance remain consistently excellent. |
| Win Tunnel | Specialized utilizes advanced tools and technologies to pursue aerodynamic excellence, such as the Win Tunnel, FreeFoil Shape Library, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Data Acquisition (DAQ) system. The goal is to optimize aerodynamic performance by conducting wind tunnel tests, developing new airfoil shapes, simulating fluid flow, and collecting real-world data to improve rider position and enhance overall performance. |
Cervélo R5
Unlike other road bike brands, there is minimal information about the technologies used in the Cervélo R5 frameset. The most obvious, and talked-about feature is the Squoval tube shapes.
Squoval stands for square-oval tube shapes. They are a unique design feature that combines the benefits of both square and oval tubes to produce frames that are stiff, light, and aero.
According to Cervélo, the seat tube doesn’t undergo much stress compared to the down and top tubes. Hence, the Cervélo engineers designed a smaller, thinner, and lighter seat tube. On the other hand, the down and top tubes are beefed up to be stiff, and strong while using as little material as possible. This led to the square-oval design seen on the R5.
Where to buy
Specialized shops
- Specialized online shops. Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States
- Specialized retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Specialized retailers.
Cervelo retailers
- Cervelo retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Cervelo retailers.
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.