Riding the Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level Aero Road Bike

Specialized updated its lineup with the Tarmac SL9, offering an aero road bike built for speed and high performance. The S-Level model is positioned just below the S-Works in the top tier of carbon road bikes. The $10,500 S-Level comes with a top-of-the-line SRAM Red groupset and integrated cockpit. Although it uses a slightly heavier carbon frame than the S-Works model, Specialized notes that it maintains the same stiffness and comfort characteristics. Testing the bike over nearly 1,000 miles across various terrains, reviewers found its acceleration and aerodynamic design make high-speed riding remarkably rewarding.