Dozens of leaked files suggest new bike is near but American brand is not forthcoming with details
(Image credit: Specialized)
According to leaked documents online, the new Specialized Tarmac will reportedly be known as the SL8, will be "the world's fastest race bike", will be lighter and faster, and will boast an increase in stiffness to weight when compared to the outgoing SL7.
But, you didn't really need leaked documents to tell you any of that. Specialized's Tarmac has gained an additional SL in each updated iteration for well in excess of a decade, with the SL7 replacing the SL6 in 2020, which replaced the SL5 before it, and so on. Plus, lighter, faster and stiffer have been the industry's favourite buzzwords in the past half-decade – perhaps alongside 'vertically compliant' and 'integrated' – so it would be unsurprising to see those terms used on a brand's flagship race bike, and no brand markets a bike more vigorously than Specialized.
As reported by Road CC in an article which has since been taken down, a hoard of leaked documents were published to the Weight Weenies forum recently. The documents were PDFs, hosted on a Specialized web domain, and included what are apparently sell sheets that reveal images and details of the various build options. Within them, weights, geometries, and the latest round of marketing claims from Specialized were included, but the documents have since been blocked, presumably by Specialized in a bid to stop the leak.
"We don't comment on the accuracy or authenticity of any information not released officially by Specialized," the brand's Global PR and Media Relations Leader, Kelly Henningsen told Cyclingnews in a statement.
Indeed, the source of these leaks is unverified, so although the documents appeared legitimate and are widely considered to be genuine, we cannot rule out that this isn't a very well-compiled list of fakes in a complex and thorough hoax.
The remainder of Henningsen's statement was concise, well-considered, and gave very little away. "We're gratified there is such excitement and energy among riders around potential new products from Specialized, but any product information will be communicated through our official channels."
This never before seen model was spotted at a Soudal-QuickStep training camp recently (Image credit: Weight Weenies: Jz91)
If the documents are indeed genuine, they would suggest that the bike's launch isn't far off, especially following the recent leak of a new race bike in Soudal-QuickStep colours.
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Naturally, with its unwillingness to verify the accuracy of the leaked documents, Specialized is also currently unwilling to divulge further information about the launch date of the next Tarmac, or indeed any upcoming product launches.
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
