Specialized AllezvsTarmac
The Allez has spent decades trying to be a Tarmac for the masses, but this latest generation finally finds its own voice as a versatile endurance workhorse. Deciding between them is no longer just a debate over frame material; it is a fundamental choice between a stable, go-anywhere tool and a high-strung racing weapon that treats every group ride like a world-tour stage.
Overview
Specialized effectively ended the Tarmac-lite era for the Allez with the 2023 update, shifting the alloy frame away from aggressive criterium geometry and toward the endurance-focused Roubaix. This pivot prioritizes stability and utility, allowing for rack mounts, full fenders, and massive 35mm tire clearance. While the Allez has become the practical choice for commuters and weekend warriors who value comfort, the Tarmac SL8 remains a pure speed obsessive. The Tarmac SL8 is the culmination of a 'one bike to rule them all' philosophy, merging the Venge’s aerodynamic efficiency with the Aethos’s lightweight structural design. It exists solely to win races, carrying a price tag that can exceed $13,000 in S-Works trim. The Allez is designed for the reality of daily life—heavy wheels, simple maintenance, and all-weather capability—whereas the Tarmac is a finely tuned instrument that demands high-end parts and high-wattage efforts.
Ride and handling
Riding the Allez feels like putting on a pair of reliable, comfortable boots. The handling is 'middle of the road' in the best sense, providing a surefooted feel that doesn't get rattled by mid-corner potholes or greasy road surfaces. It’s predictable and flattering for beginners, though reviewers often find the stock Axis wheels and Roadsport tires feel 'dead' or 'lifeless,' masking the quality of the E5 aluminum frame. Swap the rubber for something more supple and the bike wakes up, but it never possesses the nervous energy of its carbon sibling. The Tarmac SL8 offers what riders describe as 'telepathic immediacy' in its steering. It’s whippy and responsive, particularly when you stand up to attack a steep gradient. Specialized used Aethos engineering to make the rear end surprisingly compliant, so it doesn't beat you up on rough tarmac as much as the old SL7 did, but it still maintains the 'shark-like' front end that racers demand. It dances uphill with an urgency that the heavier Allez simply cannot match. On technical descents, the Allez relies on its 998mm wheelbase to stay composed, whereas the Tarmac uses a shorter 978mm wheelbase to flick through corners with aggressive precision. One bike keeps you out of trouble; the other encourages you to find its limits. If you are a novice, the Allez provides the confidence to brake later and lean harder. For an experienced racer, the Tarmac’s lack of flex and 5-star handling make it the undisputed benchmark for high-speed stability and descending manners.
Specifications
The equipment gap is vast, but the most consequential differences are the ones used to save money on the lower tiers. On the Allez, you are often looking at Shimano Claris or Tiagra groupsets mixed with Sunrace cassettes and KMC chains. The mechanical disc brakes on the entry-level Allez builds 'leave a lot to be desired' and lack the power and modulation of the hydraulic units found on the Allez Sport and the entire Tarmac range. If you buy the base Allez, you are getting a reliable workhorse, but you are also dealing with some obvious cost-cutting in the drivetrain. Tarmac builds start where the Allez ends, moving into electronic Di2 and AXS territory. Even the Expert and Pro builds use the same frame shapes as the S-Works, merely swapping the FACT 12r carbon for a slightly heavier 10r layout. It is worth noting that even on the $13,499 S-Works, the stock 26mm tires are frequently criticized as being 'naff' and too narrow for real-world comfort. Both bikes suffer from mediocre stock rubber, but the Allez's heavier Axis wheels are far more of a performance anchor than the Tarmac's Roval carbon sets. Maintenance complexity is a major divide. The high-end Tarmacs use the Roval Rapide integrated cockpit, which looks sleek but is difficult to adjust or replace if you need a different fit. The Allez sticks to a traditional two-piece alloy setup, making it significantly simpler and cheaper to maintain or swap stems. For a bike that will see daily use and commute duty, the Allez’s simplicity is a massive long-term win over the Tarmac’s aero integration.
| Allez | Tarmac | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, flat mount disc, rack and fender eyelets, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle | Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon, Rider First Engineered™, Win Tunnel Engineered, Clean Routing, Threaded BB, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Fork | Specialized FACT full carbon, flat mount disc, 1-1/8" to 1-3/8" taper, fender eyelets, 12x100mm thru-axle | Tarmac SL8 FACT 10r Carbon, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed | SRAM Rival eTap AXS |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Claris, 8-speed, braze-on | SRAM Rival eTAP AXS, braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Claris, 8-speed | SRAM Rival eTap AXS, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SunRace, 8-speed, 11-32T | SRAM Rival, 12-speed, 10-36t |
| Chain | KMC X8 w/ Missing Link™ | SRAM Rival 12-speed |
| Crankset | Shimano Claris R200 - 50/34T | SRAM Rival with Power Meter |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano 68mm threaded | SRAM DUB BSA 68 |
| Front brake | Tektro MD-550 Mechanical Disc | SRAM Rival eTap AXS, hydraulic disc |
| Rear brake | Tektro MD-550 Mechanical Disc | SRAM Rival eTap AXS, hydraulic disc |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | Axis Sport Disc | Roval C38 (21mm internal width carbon rim) |
| Rear wheel | Axis Sport Disc | Roval C38 (21mm internal width carbon rim) |
| Front tire | Specialized Roadsport, 700x30c | S-Works Turbo, folding bead, 700x26mm |
| Rear tire | Specialized Roadsport, 700x30c | S-Works Turbo, folding bead, 700x26mm |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 7-degree rise | Tarmac integrated stem, 6-degree |
| Handlebars | Specialized Shallow Drop, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp | Specialized Expert Shallow Drop, alloy, 125mm drop x 75mm reach |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails | Body Geometry Power Expert |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seat post, FACT Carbon, 15mm offset |
| Grips/Tape | Specialized S-Wrap (bar tape) | Supacaz Super Sticky Kush |
Geometry and fit comparison
The fit numbers tell the story of two bikes moving in opposite directions. In a size 54, the Allez has a stack of 569mm—a full 25mm taller than the Tarmac. This puts you in a relaxed, heads-up posture that saves your back during long hours in the saddle. The Allez also has a significantly shorter reach (370mm vs 384mm), pulling the bars closer to the rider and further emphasizing the endurance feel inspired by the Roubaix. Handling geometry is equally distinct. The Allez uses a slacker 72-degree head tube angle and a long 61mm trail, which slows down the steering to keep the bike stable. The Tarmac tightens everything with a 73-degree head angle and a 58mm trail, making it much more reactive to small inputs. The Allez also has 15mm longer chainstays (425mm vs 410mm), which makes it feel more like an all-road cruiser than a criterium weapon. For riders with limited flexibility, the Allez geometry is a godsend. It's built for survival over long winter miles. The Tarmac's long and low profile is strictly for those who can tolerate an aggressive race position. If you cannot comfortably touch your toes, the Tarmac’s 544mm stack will feel like a torture rack after two hours of riding.
| FIT GEO | Allez | Tarmac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 519 | 501 | -18 |
| Reach | 356 | 366 | +10 |
| Top tube | 493 | 496 | +3 |
| Headtube length | 110 | 99 | -11 |
| Standover height | 715 | 723 | +8 |
| Seat tube length | 430 | 433 | +3 |
| HANDLING | Allez | Tarmac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 69.5 | 70.5 | +1 |
| Seat tube angle | 75.25 | 75.5 | +0.3 |
| BB height | 273 | 266 | -7 |
| BB drop | 77 | 74 | -3 |
| Trail | 74 | 71 | -3 |
| Offset | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| Front center | 576 | 572 | -4 |
| Wheelbase | 984 | 970 | -14 |
| Chainstay length | 420 | 410 | -10 |
Who each one is for
Specialized Allez
If you spend your Tuesday mornings commuting to work and your Saturday afternoons doing a century on backroads of questionable quality, the Allez is the right choice. It is for the pragmatist who needs one bike to do the work of three—fitting full fenders for winter training and a rack for panniers on the way to the office, while still being light enough for a spirited group ride. It rewards those who value durability and simplicity over aerodynamic marginal gains.
Specialized Tarmac
The Tarmac is for the rider who views every group ride as a race and every hill as a personal challenge. If you want a bike that feels 'electric' under power and offers telepathic handling through technical corners, this is the benchmark. It is for the person who doesn't mind a harsher ride if it means saving 16 seconds over 40km, and who wants the same equipment found in the professional peloton.
