Specialized has developed a new Tarmac for 2015 so that all cyclists can enjoy their bike to the fullest. Say "goodbye" to the SL4 and welcome the Tarmac Rider-First Engineered™.

If you know Specialized and are a fan of road cycling, you're surely familiar with their racing beast: the Tarmac. The most popular bike in their performance road range, the Specialized Tarmac is the road bike that propelled the winners of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana in 2014. Unveiled in May 2014 , this model has earned a reputation for being a road bike that is fast, nimble, and impeccably designed. However, that wasn't enough for the Californian brand. The Specialized team
wanted to improve an already much-loved product, and, by all accounts, they've produced an even better 2015 Tarmac thanks to their new Rider-First Engineered™ platform.

Did you know you're riding a 56cm?

To understand how the new Tarmac differs from its predecessors, one must first understand how bikes are designed. Normally, companies produce prototypes in size X, often 56cm, and test them. Once the tests are done, they select the best-performing prototype and use its proportions to produce all the sizes they need. This variation in tube length results in bikes that tend to be too stiff and twitchy in smaller sizes and have slower handling in larger ones. That's why Specialized didn't produce just one new Tarmac , but seven, one for each available size.

We are not talking about geometry in the strict sense here, as it has not changed compared to the Tarmac SL4 , but rather about the frame stiffness, power transfer quality, and comfort on the bike. Specifically, this means Specialized has played with tube dimensions and shapes to achieve optimal stiffness and the best possible power transfer for each size. The results of such a method are felt through more precise handling, especially on high-speed descents, and explosive accelerations regardless of frame size.

In addition, the use of tubes with different shapes allows for greater comfort without compromising power transfer. In addition to these tube variations, a new integrated seat collar allowing a larger part of the seatpost to be exposed has been developed. This feature allows the seatpost to flex slightly, increasing the level of comfort when roads are not as smooth as desired. Which, incidentally, seems quite common in our beautiful province. This racing beast therefore promises greater confidence in turns and livelier accelerations, without breaking your back so you can be in top form for the rest of the weekend!