The Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Specialized Roubaix are two high-performance road bikes designed for different types of riding.
The Tarmac SL7 is a purebred race machine designed for speed and performance, while the Roubaix is designed for endurance and long-distance riding, focusing on comfort and stability. Both bikes feature advanced carbon fiber frames, cutting-edge components, and innovative design features that make them top choices for serious road cyclists.
This article compares and contrasts the Specialized Tarmac SL7 and the Specialized Roubaix, highlighting their key features and differences to help you choose the best bike for your riding style and needs.
Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix models
Specialized has simplified the naming convention for the Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix as follows;
- S-Works
- Pro
- Expert
- Comp
The S-Works is the top-of-the-range and lightest model with all the best components from Specialized. The branding on the downtube is S-Works instead of Specialized to differentiate the models clearly.
The Pro, Expert and Comp models are next in line and have Specialized branding on the downtube. The main differences between the Pro, Expert and Comp are the type of components used.
More reading : Specialized Tarmac SL7 vs Roubaix vs Aethos
Specialized Tarmac SL7
Designed to provide a perfect blend of aerodynamics, lightweight, and ride quality, the Specialized Tarmac SL7 is optimized for speed with a 45 seconds faster over 40km frame than the previous model.
The cockpit is user-friendly, designed for simple integration, and improved routing to make it easy to work on and travel with. With its superior performance and handling, the Tarmac SL7 is a pure-bred race machine that can handle any situation, whether it be crit racing, group rides, or setting a personal best.
Specialized Roubaix
Designed for long-distance and endurance riding, the Specialized Roubaix is a high-performance road bike named after the grueling Paris-Roubaix race.
The bike offers a smooth ride on rough terrain, thanks to the Future Shock suspension system that helps absorb shocks and vibrations. Its more relaxed geometry, with a taller head tube and shorter top tube, provides a comfortable and upright riding position compared to a traditional racing bike.
The next sections will go into detail about the differences between these components.
Frameset and fork materials
Specialized’s FACT carbon is a proprietary carbon fiber material used in their high-performance bicycles. The number after FACT (10r, 11r, or 12r) indicates the carbon fiber’s stiffness and weight level.
- FACT 10r is the mid-level carbon used in many Specialized road bikes. It offers a good balance between stiffness and weight, making it a popular choice for riders who want a high-performance bike without sacrificing too much comfort.
- FACT 11r is a higher-grade carbon fiber used in some of Specialized’s top-end road bikes. It has a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than FACT 10r, making it a good choice for riders who demand the highest level of performance and are willing to sacrifice some comfort for speed.
- FACT 12r is the highest grade of carbon fiber used in the S-Works models. It offers the highest level of stiffness and the lightest weight, making it a popular choice for professional riders who need the best possible performance from their bikes. However, it is also the least forgiving in ride comfort, making it less suitable for long-distance riding.
The S-Works Tarmac SL7 uses Specialized’s most advanced and lightest carbon fiber, the FACT 12r. On the contrary, the S-Works Roubaix uses the FACT 11r carbon fiber instead of FACT 12r carbon, although it’s a top-of-the-range model.
All the Pro, Expert, and Comp use a lower grade and slightly heavier carbon fiber, the FACT 10r used in the older Tarmac models (Tarmac SL6, Tarmac SL5).
| Model | Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Specialized Roubaix |
|---|---|---|
| S-Works | FACT 12r | FACT 11r |
| Pro | FACT 10r | FACT 10r |
| Expert | FACT 10r | FACT 10r |
| Comp | FACT 10r | FACT 10r |
Each frameset is Rider First Engineered™, Specialized’s way of weaving the carbon fiber layup differently according to the frame size. This technology has been around since the Specialized Tarmac SL in 2014.
The concept behind Rider First Engineered™ is that every rider has a unique combination of body geometry, weight distribution, and riding style. A bike optimized for one rider may not be ideal for another.
To address this issue, Specialized uses a combination of computer modeling and real-world testing to create a unique frame design for each size of bike they produce. This means that the geometry and layup of the carbon fiber are tailored to the specific demands of riders of different sizes, resulting in a bike that performs optimally for each rider.
Frame sizes
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix are available in seven frameset sizes; 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 61. The frame sizes would cater to cyclists between 4’8” to 6’5” (142 to 196cm).
It’s important to consider your height and your inseam measurements to determine the right frame size. Specialized provides a size chart that lists the recommended frame size based on these measurements.
You can also visit a local Specialized dealer and get a professional bike fit to ensure the right frame size.
More reading : Specialized Bike Size vs Height Guide
Frame geometry
The frame geometry is the biggest difference between the Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix.
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 is a purebred race machine with a frame geometry optimized for performance and aerodynamics. The bike is responsive and agile, with quick acceleration and sharp handling, making it a popular choice for competitive road racing.
Compared to the Specialized Roubaix, the Specialized Tarmac SL7 has;
- Longer reach and lower stack put the rider in a lower for better aerodynamics. However, this position is less comfortable and puts much stress on the back.
- Steeper head tube angle shifts the weight distribution towards the front wheel, making it easier to initiate turns and change direction quickly.
- Shorter chainstay results in a bike that is more responsive and agile, with quicker acceleration and sharper handling.
The Specialized Roubaix has a more relaxed geometry that provides a comfortable and upright riding position.
Here’s an example of a comparison for size 54, the most popular frameset size.
| Measurements | Specialized Tarmac SL7 (mm) | Specialized Roubaix (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | 387 | 376 |
| Stack | 534 | 585 |
| Top Tube (effective) | 541 | 545 |
| Seat Tube C-T | 475 | 465 |
| Head Angle | 73° | 72.75° |
| Seat Angle | 74° | 74° |
| Head Tube | 131 | 125 |
| Chainstay | 410 | 415 |
| Wheelbase | 978 | 988 |
| Front Centre | 579 | 585 |
| Standover | 768 | 762 |
| BB Drop | 72 | 76 |
| BB Height | 268 | 266 |
| Fork Rake / Offset | 44 | 44 |
| Trail | 58 | 61 |
| Fork Length | 366 | 370 |
Groupset and drivetrain
All Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix models come with the latest 12-speed electronic shifting and disc-brake groupset by Shimano and SRAM.
The S-Works Tarmac SL7 is available in Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) and SRAM Red eTap AXS. On the contrary, the S-Works Roubaix is only available in Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200).
| Model | Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Specialized Roubaix |
|---|---|---|
| S-Works | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) SRAM Red eTap AXS | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) |
| Pro | SRAM Force eTAP AXS | SRAM Force eTAP AXS |
| Expert | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) |
| Comp | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | SRAM Rival eTap AXS |
More reading : Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) vs SRAM Red eTap AXS Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) vs SRAM Force eTap AXS
Stem and handlebars
The S-Works and Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro models use a two-piece handlebar (Roval Rapide handlebars) and carbon stem design that hides the brake hoses. The aero-shaped carbon handlebars have a 125mm drop and 75mm reach.
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert and Comp use an alloy handlebar with slightly exposed brake hoses.
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 model | Handlebar model | Material |
|---|---|---|
| S-Works | Roval Rapide | Carbon |
| Pro | Roval Rapide | Carbon |
| Expert | Specialized Expert | Alloy |
| Comp | Specialized Comp | Alloy |
Compared to the Tarmac SL7, all S-Works and Specialized Roubaix models have non-integrated stems and handlebars. Hence, the disc brake hoses are exposed at the front end.
The Hover handlebars have a 15mm rise for additional comfort as an endurance road bike. The S-Works and Specialized Roubaix Pro models use carbon handlebars vs. alloy for the Expert and Comp models. The handlebars have a 125mm drop and 75mm reach.
| Specialized Roubaix model | Handlebar model | Material |
|---|---|---|
| S-Works | S-Works Hover | Carbon |
| Pro | S-Works Hover | Carbon |
| Expert | Specialized Hover Expert | Alloy |
| Comp | Specialized Comp Expert | Alloy |
The stem and handlebars are sized accordingly to the frame size.
More reading : How to Measure Handlebar Width How to Measure Stem Length
Seatposts
All Specialized Tarmac SL7 models come with the S-Works Tarmac carbon seatpost with a 20mm offset. There is an option for a 0mm offset seatpost, but it has to be purchased separately for $250.
Depending on the frame size, the seatpost length can be either 300mm (44, 49, 52) or 380mm (54, 56, 58, 61).
The Specialized Roubaix models come with the S-Works Pave carbon seatpost with a 20mm offset. Depending on the frame size, the seatpost length can be either 380mm (44, 49, 52, 54, 56) or 450mm (58, 61). There is also an option to purchase the 0mm version separately for $225.
Saddles
Specialized’s most popular saddle, the Power, is used on all Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix models.
It’s designed with a short, wide shape and a large cutout in the center to help reduce pressure on the soft tissue areas. The Power saddle also allows for more aggressive riding positions, making it popular among road cyclists who prefer a more aerodynamic riding posture.
These are five Specialized Power saddle variants, with the differences being the shell materials (carbon vs carbon reinforced) and saddle rails (carbon vs titanium vs steel).
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Saddle model | Saddle shell | Saddle rail |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | S-Works Power | Carbon | Carbon |
| Pro | Specialized Power Pro | Carbon | Titanium |
| Expert | Specialized Power Expert | Carbon reinforced | Titanium |
| Comp | Specialized Power Sport | Carbon reinforced | Steel |
| Specialized Roubaix | Saddle model | Saddle shell | Saddle rail |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | S-Works Power | Carbon | Carbon |
| Pro | Specialized Power Pro | Carbon | Titanium |
| Expert | Specialized Power Expert | Carbon reinforced | Titanium |
| Comp | Specialized Power Comp | Carbon reinforced | Steel |
Depending on the frame size, either 155mm (frame size 44, 49, 52) or 143mm (frame size 54, 56, 68, 61) are used.
Wheelsets
All Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix models, except the Comp models, use Specialized’s in-house wheel brand Roval. The Comp models use the alloy wheelset from DT Swiss.
Roval Rapide CL, CLX, C38
The Rapide wheelsets are optimized for aerodynamics, weight, and stiffness. The Rapide wheelsets feature carbon fiber rims engineered for low drag and high stability in crosswinds.
The rims have a wide profile, which allows for lower tire pressure and improved traction while also increasing the air volume within the tire, resulting in a smoother ride.
The Rapide wheelsets come in various models, including the CLX, CL, and C models, with each model having a different rim depth and weight and different hub and spoke configurations. The higher-end models are typically lighter and more aerodynamic, while the more affordable models offer a good balance between performance and value.
Roval Alpinist CLX, CL, C38
The Roval Alpinist wheelsets are lightweight, high-performance bike wheels designed for road cycling.
The Alpinist wheelsets feature a full-carbon rim construction engineered for low weight and high stiffness.
More reading : The Best Wheelset Brands for Road Bikes
Tires
All Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix models use Specialized’s in-house tires. Only the S-Works Tarmac SL7 comes with tubeless tires, while the rest of the Tarmac SL7 and all of Specialized Roubaix come with clincher tires.
As an endurance bike, the Specialized Roubaix models come with wider tires (28 or 30mm) vs the Tarmac SL7 (26mm).
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Tire model | Tire width | Tire type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | S-Works Turbo Rapidair | 26mm | Tubeless |
| Pro | S-Works Turbo | 26mm | Clincher |
| Expert | S-Works Turbo | 26mm | Clincher |
| Comp | Specialized Turbo Pro | 26mm | Clincher |
| Specialized Roubaix | Tire model | Tire width | Tire type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | Specialized Turbo Cotton | 28mm | Clincher |
| Pro | Specialized Turbo Pro | 30mm | Clincher |
| Expert | Specialized Turbo Pro | 30mm | Clincher |
| Comp | Specialized Turbo Pro | 30mm | Clincher |
Retail price and where to buy
The Specialized Tarmac SL7 and Roubaix are available at all local Specialized retailers. Find your local Specialized retailer here.
| Specialized Tarmac SL7 | Tarmac SL7 (USD) | Tarmac SL7 (Euro) | Tarmac SL7 (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | $14,000 | €14,500 | £13,950 |
| Pro | $9,000 | €9,200 | £8,500 |
| Expert | $8,300 | €7,000 | £7,250 |
| Comp | $5,500 | €5,600 | £5,500 |
| Specialized Roubaix | Roubaix (USD) | Roubaix (Euro) | Roubaix (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Works | $14,250 | €14,500 | £13,000 |
| Pro | $8,700 | €9,200 | £8,400 |
| Expert | $8,000 | €7,000 | £7,250 |
| Comp | $5,200 | €5,600 | £5,500 |