BikeRadarExpert review
5.5/10
Video review calls SL9 'brilliant but underwhelming'; claims 4W aero gain and 6.5kg, questions enormous price.
Read the review2027 Specialized Tarmac SL9
Hover to zoomPhotos from Strictly Bicycles
Visit the Strictly Bicycles store
2027 Specialized Tarmac SL9
Est. tax $324.00 for 43215 (US average) · Shipping set by Strictly Bicycles at checkout · 8 listings at 11 stores
What these specs mean
Shimano road groupsets
- Claris
- Sora
- Tiagra
- 105Also offered
- Ultegra
- Dura-AceAlso offered
11 or 12-speed, mechanical or Di2. The sweet spot for most riders
A groupset is the shifters, derailleurs, brakes, crankset and cassette. Higher tiers are lighter, shift more crisply and have more gears; most riders stop noticing a difference above 105.
SRAM road groupsets
- Apex
- Rival AXSThis one
- Force AXSAlso offered
- Red AXSAlso offered
12-speed wireless. Comparable to Shimano 105 Di2
SRAM’s road groups, lowest to highest. AXS means wireless electronic shifting.
- Di2
- Shimano’s electronic shifting: a small motor moves the chain at the press of a button. Crisper shifts and no cable stretch; you charge it every few hundred miles, and it usually adds several hundred dollars.
- AXS
- SRAM’s wireless electronic shifting. No cables to adjust; each part has a battery you charge.
About this item
- Specialized Tarmac SL9 Comp SRAM Rival AXS
- One Bike To Rule Them All
- The Tarmac SL9 was born from the fastest road bike ever made.
- Not just because it’s the lightest.
- Not just because it’s our most aero.
- Not because it handles better than anything else on the road.
Why it scores 6.0: Mixed, from 5 sources. Early estimate: more sources will firm it up. See the breakdown
Every store selling it
8 listings at 11 stores, lowest first. Shipping is set by each store at checkout.
| Store | Option | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bike Mart Lowest new | Shimano 105 Di2 Comp | $4,200.00 | View |
| Orange County Cyclery | Shimano 105 Di2 Comp · preowned | $4,499.00 | View |
| Strictly Bicycles Viewing | SRAM Rival AXS Comp | $4,499.99 | This one |
| swannyscycles | SRAM Force AXS Expert | $6,999.99 | View |
| Incycle Bicycles | SRAM Force AXS Expert | $6,999.99 | View |
| Bike Mart | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | $9,999.99 | View |
| swannyscycles | SRAM Red AXS · Red | $10,499.99 | View |
| Cycle Sport | SRAM Red AXS | $13,999.99 | View |
How it scores
Mixed · likely 4.9 to 7.0 · low confidence
From 4 expert reviews, 1 owner report.
Your score
What matters to you? Tap to weight the score. Tap again for more weight.
Quick picks:
By what matters
Ride comfortnot enough reviews yet–
Speed & weightnot enough reviews yet–
Componentsnot enough reviews yet–
Tire room & versatilitynot enough reviews yet–
Reliabilitynot enough reviews yet–
Value for moneyprice against similar products6.6
By source
Video reviews4 sources · 71% of the score5.9
Community discussion1% of the score6.0
Problems owners mention
- early impressions only, full review pending
Out of 10. Each source is weighted by how reliable it is, how much data it has and how recent it is; sponsored videos count half, and the brand’s own videos don’t count. How the score works
Reviews and videos
Cycling WeeklyExpert reviewSponsored by the brand
6.5/10
Asks if SL9 is enough to be among best race bikes; looks very similar to SL8 but review seems positive.
Read the reviewroad.ccExpert reviewSponsored by the brand
6.0/10
Compares SL9 with SL8 to judge whether it's worth buying; includes ride impressions and weight.
Read the reviewDavid Arthur - Just Ride BikesExpert reviewSponsored by the brand
6.0/10
Early ride impressions comparing SL9 to SL8 with design changes and pricing; no strong verdict in description.
Read the reviewOwner
Author has ridden SL9 build for real miles and rates it 9/10 in early impressions; full review pending.
early impressions only, full review pending
outdoorbrosSources we checked
- Shopify Global Catalogchecked, nothing yet
- Hacker Newschecked, nothing yet
- Redditnot connected yet
- YouTube reviews6 found
- Xnot connected yet
- Expert reviews (web)not connected yet
- Browsing agent (computer use)not connected yet
Compare with similar items
| This item2027 Specialized Tarmac SL9 |  AD9 |  XDS X-LAB RT9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer rating | |||
| Price | $4,499.99 Lowest price | $7,999.00 | $9,150.00 |
| Doorprice Score | 6.0Doorprice Score | 7.5Doorprice Score Best score | 6.1Doorprice Score |
| Sold by | Strictly Bicycles | X-LAB | Contender Bicycles |
| See details | See details | See details |
Product description
Specialized Tarmac SL9 Comp SRAM Rival AXS One Bike To Rule Them All The Tarmac SL9 was born from the fastest road bike ever made. Not just because it’s the lightest. Not just because it’s our most aero. Not because it handles better than anything else on the road. But because it delivers the lowest real-world Time to Finish of any road bike ever made. Tarmac SL9 turns more of your effort into pure speed—validated for real race courses, real terrain, real riders. When the goal is to cross the line first, no road bike gets you there faster. At a Glance Use: Road Racing Frame: FACT 10r Carbon Wheels: DT R470 Disc Cockpit: Rapide Stem/Alloy Bar Drivetrain: SRAM Rival AXS Weight: 8.14 kg S-Works Tarmac SL9: Best Bike in the World One Bike To Rule Them All - Proven! The Specialized Science Club Presents Time to Finish The Only Metric that Matters Tarmac SL9 was proven through the most comprehensive road race simulations ever created. The result? Tarmac SL9 would have made Demi Vollering 14 seconds faster in the final stage of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes. The difference between heartbreak and history. Aero Where it Matters 4 Watts Faster The Tarmac SL9 is the most aerodynamic r
From the seller’s listing.
