Specialized Tarmac Sport SL6

What if you could blast around your favorite mountain pass on a race bike without mortgaging your entire salary? Stay tuned: in the following paragraphs, you'll discover why the Specialized Tarmac Sport SL6 remains, in 2025, the most sensible gateway to pure road performance.

Quick summary for the impatient

• Weight: 8.3 kg ready to ride (size 58) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• Frame: FACT 9r Carbon with Rider-First Engineered™ design :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Group: Shimano 105 R7000 mechanical + hydraulic brakes :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470 Disc, 24mm internal rims :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• PVP 2025: US$3,499 ≈ €3,450 (catalog price) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Who is the Tarmac Sport SL6 for?

It's designed for riders looking for speed, lightness, and competitive handling without entering the SL7/SL8's price range. It's ideal if:

• You're coming from an aluminum bike and want to make the jump to real carbon.
• You're attracted by the racing aesthetic and rigidity of a race frame, but you don't need electronic shifting.
• You participate in long-distance rides or amateur criteriums and value the reliability of the 105 groupset.

FACT 9r frame: balanced aerodynamics and stiffness

Specialized uses the same aerospace-grade optimization software as the Pro and Expert versions, but with more earthbound FACT 9r layups. The result is a frame weighing less than 1 kg (painted, size 56) that maintains the Tarmac's renowned responsiveness and allows for 27.2 mm round seatposts to filter out vibrations. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Shimano 105 R7000 transmission: reliable and easy to maintain

The current 105 shares ergonomics with Ultegra and Dura-Ace, but remains mechanical to simplify adjustments and reduce replacement costs. Its BR-R7070 brake calipers offer sufficient power even on alpine descents, and the pads are easy to find.

DT R470 Disc wheels: a canvas for future improvements

The aluminum rims are tubeless-ready and weigh 1,790g per set. They're not the lightest, but they handle urban bumps and accept 25–30mm tires. When you want to take things up a notch, a carbon set like the Roval C38 Disc from our shop will fit the bill perfectly.

Actual weight and road behavior

With pedals and a bottle cage, the bike weighs around 8.0–8.4 kg depending on size and accessories, a competitive figure for its range :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. On the road, it stands out for its lively feel when sprinting and a solidity that encourages you to descend hard without any surprises.

Performance-focused geometry (size 54)

• Reach: 384 mm
• Stack: 544 mm
• Steering angle: 73 °
• Pods: 410 mm

The figures seek a balance between explosiveness and stability: low position to cut the wind, but without reaching uncomfortable extremes for 4-5 hour runs :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

Advantages and points to improve

The best

• Lightweight, race-tested frame.
• Hydraulic disc brakes with solid feel.
• PVP contained within the racing segment.

To improve

• Robust but somewhat heavy standard wheels.
• Partial external routing: less “clean look” than the SL7.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it weigh in size 54 with pedals?

Around 8.1 kg with Shimano 105 pedals and aluminum bottle cage.

Does it support 32mm tires?

Yes, but Specialized recommends a maximum of 30 mm to avoid friction during heavy braking.

Can electronic shifting be installed?

The frame has internal routing compatible with Di2 or eTap, so upgrading is easy.

Conclusion

The Specialized Tarmac Sport SL6 remains the benchmark for those seeking a pure, reliable, and affordable race bike . Its FACT 9r frame and Tarmac platform allow you to grow with the bike: simply swap wheels or add an electronic groupset to get closer to higher-end performance.

What to read or buy now?

• Next guide: “How to choose your first aero carbon wheels” .
• Products at CaranvaSports: Specialized Tarmac SL6 Comp , Roval C38 Disc Tubeless and Shimano R03A pad kit for your 105 brakes.
• Recommended article: “Tarmac SL6 vs. SL7: Is the difference worth it?”