Just when we start to think the 13-year-old Tarmac platform can’t improve, Specialized makes it better. The newest version is simply one of the best and most pure expressions of a complete road-race bike we’ve ever ridden.
Men and women testers raved about the sure but quick handling, the new aerodynamic design, and the light weight. The words most often used in test notes were “speed” and “fast.” Rarely do we say that a bike can raise your riding level, but this is one such machine. It wants to go fast; you’ll want to go fast on it. And you will.