Nice! I just built up an S-WORKS SL6, final weight is 5.46kg's (with pedals). I also have an Allez Sprint, both great bikes, but what I really want is an S-WORKS SL8. As soon as one pops up for sale on FB Marketplace I'll pounce on it (might be a while though!).
Those SL6's were awesome for light builds, 5.46kg is fantastic! I also have an allez sprint that I've put a ton of miles on and like quite a bit but this SL8 is great. Good luck with your search for one!
Sweet setup. What matters most is that you love it. The Alpinist with wider tires makes sense for training and long days in the saddle if you don’t mind the hassle to switching wheelsets for races.
Sorry if I missed it in the vid, but what size frame do you ride? That is super light. I'm getting my SL8 standard frame up built next week. I do agree with you that shallow wheels look better on the SL8 than deep. The smaller tubes just flow with the smaller rim profile. Although I still opted for 50mm deep light bicycle build. I'm hoping to be sub 16 lbs. as well.
Nice! Mine is a 56cm frameset and I was surprised by the weight. The new red groupset is light and helps and the CLX 1 wheels with tubolito tubes is 150 grams lighter than the tubeless CLX II wheels so that helps too + light tires.
Thanks! A lot of the more endurance focused bikes will be more comfortable, the Aethos is more comfortable, but coming from a background of primarily owning stiff race bikes this one is superbly comfortable. And outro music is pretty fun right? It's by Adam MacDougall on youtube audio.
I got an Aethos in 2021, and just got an SL8 last spring. Both SRAM, my SL8 has the new gen Red. The Tarmac is every bit as light as the Aethos, just as comfortable if not more so (thinner aero' seatpost on the Tarmac seems more compliant) and feels a bit quicker, may just be perception - it does carry momentum better in corners and of course the deeper wheelset holds momentum on the flats better. I run 28mm tubeless because our roads here are full of thorns, glass and sharp chipseal. The SL8 handles amazingly, climbs just as well or better than the Aethos, descends on rails, and I even ride it on the local country gravel secondaries and MUT paths here in Boulder, Colorado. The reason I replaced my Aethos is that I recently got a CruX, and between the new generation CruX and the Aethos, there's a bit too much crossover (not enough differential) between the two. The Tarmac made better sense as a dedicated fast road bike, the CruX is my cross and gravel racer.
@ yea. The new s works sl8 is so good at everything now it’s just hard to call it a climbing bike and hard to call It an aero bike lol bc it is so stinking capable now.
Yes, there's an aspect of that, it's the new shiny upgraded version but certain generations stick out as better all-arounders-- for me the SL4 was a better overall experience than the next couple and this SL8 felt like a bigger overall improvement than the 6 to 7.
Don't care about the components or how it performs because I can't take my eyes off the bulbous head tube that makes the bike look like it has a mild form of Downs.
@@TeamFeralCatz Yea, but you know it's there! I think, aesthetically, they peaked at SL7 and now have nowhere to go but to meddle. Anyway nice video and have a great weekend!
Also this comes from someone who doesn’t ever climb less than 1200 ft of very per ride no matter how short. I’m in a hilly area with lots of climbing everywhere I go.
Sweet build. You’re probably the only person beside me that has 36t cassette on a race bike (I have 11 speed 11-36 though). What cranks are those and what chainring combo do you use? Thanks!
I just built an SL8 Sworks. I put Ultegra, Farsports EVOs wheels, and I did the SL7 Stem with Zipp SL70 Aerobars. It's sub 15. Rides amazing.
Fantastic! I think I'm going to switch to Zipp bars actually, I like the feel of those.
As an aethos owner on the verge of switching
I’m excited for the next video
Hold tight, coming very soon! It’s been veeerrrry cold.
Dope. One day I might own a bike anywhere near to this 😅
I believe in you.
These builds always amaze me!
Nice review! Exited to see v. Aethos 🙌🏽
Thank you! Coming soon!
Nice! I just built up an S-WORKS SL6, final weight is 5.46kg's (with pedals). I also have an Allez Sprint, both great bikes, but what I really want is an S-WORKS SL8. As soon as one pops up for sale on FB Marketplace I'll pounce on it (might be a while though!).
Those SL6's were awesome for light builds, 5.46kg is fantastic! I also have an allez sprint that I've put a ton of miles on and like quite a bit but this SL8 is great. Good luck with your search for one!
Thanks for this review!
My pleasure!
Sweet setup. What matters most is that you love it. The Alpinist with wider tires makes sense for training and long days in the saddle if you don’t mind the hassle to switching wheelsets for races.
Thanks! And it's true. Luckily wheelset swaps are pretty easy!
Super nice bike ❤
Thanks! I really do like it.
I am riding SL7. Considering upgrading a groupset and wheelsets. Another option is to get the SL8 and selling the sl7.
Tough choice! Depending on what you’ve got on your sl7 I could go either way. My dad just upgraded his group set on his sl7 though
Sorry if I missed it in the vid, but what size frame do you ride? That is super light. I'm getting my SL8 standard frame up built next week. I do agree with you that shallow wheels look better on the SL8 than deep. The smaller tubes just flow with the smaller rim profile. Although I still opted for 50mm deep light bicycle build. I'm hoping to be sub 16 lbs. as well.
Nice! Mine is a 56cm frameset and I was surprised by the weight. The new red groupset is light and helps and the CLX 1 wheels with tubolito tubes is 150 grams lighter than the tubeless CLX II wheels so that helps too + light tires.
Good stuff. What bikes would you say are more comfortable than this?
Also what's the outro music?
Thanks! A lot of the more endurance focused bikes will be more comfortable, the Aethos is more comfortable, but coming from a background of primarily owning stiff race bikes this one is superbly comfortable. And outro music is pretty fun right? It's by Adam MacDougall on youtube audio.
@@TeamFeralCatz Cheers, really appreciate it.
Thanks… Now I need a new bike! 🤔
😅😅 I know the pain
I'm ready to know how much "better" you think the SL8 is when compared to your AERthos, or vice-versa. Thanks dude!
Check back in a couple weeks because I’m eager to share my comparison video and what I like about each! Both great bikes.
@@TeamFeralCatzwhen’s it coming out the comparison ?!?
Could you please elaborate on your Rotor chainring setup please ?
Yeah, it's the Rotor InSpider Aldhu carbon power meter with 50/36 rotor chainrings.
If the Aethos is up for sale, pls let me know!
Still TBD! 👀
I’d be curious to know how the comfort compares to the aethos
I got an Aethos in 2021, and just got an SL8 last spring. Both SRAM, my SL8 has the new gen Red. The Tarmac is every bit as light as the Aethos, just as comfortable if not more so (thinner aero' seatpost on the Tarmac seems more compliant) and feels a bit quicker, may just be perception - it does carry momentum better in corners and of course the deeper wheelset holds momentum on the flats better. I run 28mm tubeless because our roads here are full of thorns, glass and sharp chipseal. The SL8 handles amazingly, climbs just as well or better than the Aethos, descends on rails, and I even ride it on the local country gravel secondaries and MUT paths here in Boulder, Colorado. The reason I replaced my Aethos is that I recently got a CruX, and between the new generation CruX and the Aethos, there's a bit too much crossover (not enough differential) between the two. The Tarmac made better sense as a dedicated fast road bike, the CruX is my cross and gravel racer.
@ thank you!
dirty mike on a bike
👴🏼😏🚲
Nice! Is it as comfortable as the aethos?
No, it is not as comfortable- not that it’s uncomfortable though, it’s still more comfortable than my previous generations of tarmac.
Greetings! What is the frame size? What is your saddle size?
56cm frame and running a 143mm saddle.
@ What is the height of the saddle?
30mm sram crank axle is not good idea on tight BSA threadded bottom bracket.
what size your bike is?
56cm 👍🏼
Is that a z1 kc?
Yes it is! It’s my favorite lazer helmet yet.
@@TeamFeralCatz looks really good!
You should sell it and get a baby blue Aethos
👀👀
Can it really be called an aero bike is as light as an Atheos? This is a climbers bike
I mean, if it’s more aero than last gen “aero” bikes then why not?
@ yea. The new s works sl8 is so good at everything now it’s just hard to call it a climbing bike and hard to call
It an aero bike lol bc it is so stinking capable now.
SL8 is more aero but only in wind tunnel at tight yaw angles
@@Pablo_Coach yea, is lighter, stiffer, more aero, and faster all the way around on the hills and the flats
@@thepatternforms859 I think that TCR will be faster in real world conditions and amateur speeds (avg 35-40kmph)
The Tarmac SL6 is irrelevant these days. The SL7 all but forgotten. The SL8 will be the same in a few years.
Yes, there's an aspect of that, it's the new shiny upgraded version but certain generations stick out as better all-arounders-- for me the SL4 was a better overall experience than the next couple and this SL8 felt like a bigger overall improvement than the 6 to 7.
Ok, now hurry up and move on so that I can buy this one from you
haha well, I need to build back up the aethos and decide
Don't care about the components or how it performs because I can't take my eyes off the bulbous head tube that makes the bike look like it has a mild form of Downs.
haha that nose is a bit awkward looking-- I never said it was the best looking tarmac 😅 but hey, you can't see it when you're riding it.
@@TeamFeralCatz Yea, but you know it's there! I think, aesthetically, they peaked at SL7 and now have nowhere to go but to meddle. Anyway nice video and have a great weekend!
Mugs
10-36 cassate .... To much
Don’t knock it til you try it. I’m a spinner and I friggin love it.
Also this comes from someone who doesn’t ever climb less than 1200 ft of very per ride no matter how short. I’m in a hilly area with lots of climbing everywhere I go.
Sweet build. You’re probably the only person beside me that has 36t cassette on a race bike (I have 11 speed 11-36 though). What cranks are those and what chainring combo do you use? Thanks!
Semi-aero sure