"No matter how fast the Venge was or how easy the SL6 handled in the mountains, we knew that choosing between the two meant the rider would have to compromise on race day, and that's where the SL7 came in. Compromise was no longer an option. [These are the words of Cameron Piper, product manager at Specialized. He explained to Cycling News that the intent of the 2021 Tarmac SL7 is to offer the best road bike on any terrain, giving racers "the one bike that rules them all."

Today, the American brand unveiled its bike.

Specialized announced the long-awaited launch of its new Tarmac SL7, saying the new bike is stiffer, better handling, and faster than ever; the S-Works Dura-Ace Di2 model weighs in at 6.7 kg and is 45 seconds faster than the previous Tarmac SL6

Tarmac SL6 is also faster.

To close the gap between the Tarmac SL6 and the Venge, the Tarmac SL7 has been given an aerodynamic overhaul and now features an integrated cockpit similar to that found on the Venge. the S-Works model is equipped with Roval's new Rapide CLX wheelset. S-Works models will be fitted with Roval's new Rapide CLX wheelset. Finally, Specialized did away with press-fits in favor of threaded bottom brackets.

In announcing the "one bike to rule them all," Specialized confirmed that the Venge will be discontinued, and while the frameset will continue to be sold in some regions, there will no longer be any advantage to choosing the Venge over the new Tarmac. In fact, the aerodynamic gap has narrowed to 2.5 watts at 40 km/h (9 seconds at 40 km/h), so the Venge could still win on short, straight, flat courses. However, in simulations on a number of course profiles (flat and undulating) that take into account cornering, acceleration, rider freshness, and, of course, elevation, Specialized wins the battle on tarmac.

Two levels will be available: the S-Works model will feature the brand's FACT 12r carbon, with a frame weight of 800 g (size 56 cm, painted). This weight is comparable to the current SL6 model. Unlike the SL6, however, there will be no "ultralight" model available.

The lower-spec Pro and Expert models have the same silhouette, but use FACT 10r carbon and have a frame weight of 960g.

The new Tarmac features an aerodynamic, integrated cockpit similar to that found on the Venge.

The Tarmac SL7 will have the same Aerofly II Internal Route handlebar as the Venge, but the "Venge stem" will be replaced by a "Tarmac stem." The "Tarmac Stem" follows the same design and uses the same cable routing guides on the underside, but is 45 g lighter and smaller.

All bikes will be equipped with a -6 degree stem, but an aftermarket -12 degree option is also available. Steerer tubes and handlebar clamps are industry-standard 1 ⅛ inch and 31.8 mm, respectively, and the bikes come with three headset covers. In fact, Julian Alaphilippe of Detunink Quickstep practices it.

The Tarmac SL7 is available with either mechanical or electronic groupset, but following the trajectory of Specialized's recent performance road range, disc brakes are the only option. Like the Venge and the Tarmac SL6 of the past year or so, the new frame uses a hydraulic disc stopper with a flat-mount disc brake standard.

All models will be fitted with 26c tires, but Specialized has set the tire clearance at 32c when fitted with 21mm rims, leaving 4mm of space on either side.

The geometry of the Tarmac SL7 is identical to that of the Venge and Tarmac SL6. Nevertheless, if you look closely, you will notice that the stack and reach values are different from those of a traditional Tarmac. This is because the stack and reach are measured at the center of the top of the head tube and offset by the headset cover. With the updated headset configuration, the stem position is at the same point in space when considering the required headset cover height.

Specialized has eliminated the press-fit bottom bracket in favor of a 68mm BSA threaded bottom bracket. This is because threaded bottom brackets generally require fewer tools for installation, are easier to maintain, have tighter tolerances, and are less likely to creak.

The entire frame's tube geometry was updated by employing Specialized's FreeFoil library and using a supercomputer to run CFD and FDA programs. This is evident in the seatstay junctions, which are similar to those on the Venge. The seat tube has also been updated to be deeper and more aerodynamic, and features a larger gap between the tire and the frame.

"Simply put, it's part of the balance," explains Cam Piper.

"The top of the seat tube/stay is optimized for aerodynamics.

This deeper seat tube introduces an all-new proprietary seat post that features integration with an electronic groupset junction box similar to that found in the Venge seat post. Also included is a blanking plate for SRAM eTap users.

But the improvements go beyond the frame. As we reported last month, Roval has introduced two new wheelsets, and Specialized has introduced the new Rapide CLX wheels, which are claimed to offer the best speed balance in real-world riding. Combining a 60mm-deep rear rim with a 51mm-deep, wider front rim, the new wheels are said to be less susceptible to crosswinds and better able to maintain speed.

The downside to these wheels is that they are not tubeless compatible. Therefore, tubeless advocates are likely to be disappointed that they will need to invest in an additional set of wheels when they purchase a new Tarmac.

S-Works Tarmac SRAM Red eTap AXSTarmac SL7 FACT 12r Carbon SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset Aero Fly II handlebar and Tarmac stem Roval Rapide CLX wheels SRAM Red AXS power meter 12,000 / £10,500 / €11,499 / AU$18,000

S-Works Tarmac Shimano Dura-Ace Di2Tarmac SL7 FACT 12r Carbon Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset Aero Fly II handlebar and Tarmac stem Roval Rapide CLX wheels Shimano Dura-Ace power meter 12,000 USD / 10,500 lbs / 11,499 EUR / 18,000 AUD

Specialized Tarmac Pro SRAM Force 1XTarmac SL7 FACT 10r Carbon SRAM Force eTap 1x Aero Fly II handlebar and Tarmac stem Roval Rapide CL wheels 7,000 USD / 6,500 lbs / 7,399 EUR / 10,500 AUD

Specialized Tarmac Pro UDi2Tarmac SL7 FACT 10r Carbon Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset Aero Fly II handlebar and Tarmac stem Roval Rapide CL wheels 7,000 USD / 6,250 lbs / 6,999 EUR / 10,500 AUD

Specialized Tarmac Expert UDi2Tarmac SL7 FACT 10r Carbon Shimano Ultegra Di2 Groupset Specialized Expert handlebar and Tarmac stem DT R470 wheels 5,000 USD / 4,750 lbs / 5,299 EUR / 7,500 AUD

Specialized Tarmac Expert Tarmac SL7 FACT 10r Carbon Shimano Ultegra Specialized Expert handlebar and Tarmac stem Roval C38 wheels N/A $ / N/A £ / €4,999 / AU $ / A

Specialized Tarmac Compa Tarmac SL6 FACT 9r Carbon Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupset Specialized handlebar, 3D forged alloy stem DT R470 wheels 3,500 USD / 3,200 lbs / 3,499 EUR / 5,000 AUD

Specialized Tarmac Sport Tarmac SL6 FACT 9r Carbon Shimano 105 mechanical groupset Specialized handlebar and 3D forged alloy stem DT R470 wheels 2,600 USD / 2,500 lbs / 2,699 EUR / 4,000 AUD

S-Works Tarmac FramesetTarmac SL7 FACT 12r Carbon Tarmac Seatpost Tarmac stem Front derailleur hanger $5,000 / £3,250 / €4,199 / AU$7,500