Which Road Bike Reigns Supreme: Tarmac SL8 or SL7? 5000 Mile Test

Рет қаралды 16,941

Күн бұрын

After 5,000+ miles on the Tarmac SL8 and nearly 15,000 miles on the Tarmac SL7, I can't help but ask myself which one is the champion. After all, they're nearly indistinguishable and one (the SL7) can now be purchased for nearly half the price of the SL8.
Instagram: @outdoorbros_
Gear I’m Riding and Into (updated 5/2024) ↓↓↓
Tires- Continental GP5000 S TR: geni.us/AY6XacE
Sealant- Orange Sealed: amzn.to/44U9XDx
Drink Mix: geni.us/4v6bx
Recovery Drink: geni.us/PhAN
Road Bike- Tarmac SL8: geni.us/dD4d
Road Bike- Tarmac SL7: geni.us/3YZ7Ll
Gravel Bike- Crux: geni.us/eYvO
MTB Bike- Epic Evo: geni.us/2rmFy
All-Around Helmet- Prevail 3: geni.us/MY7W
Road Helmet- Evade 3: geni.us/ReXn7
Road Shoes, SW7 Lace: geni.us/rBAzM
Gravel Shoes, Recon Lace: geni.us/tzba
Road Wheels- Enve 4.5: geni.us/yy3ao
Gravel Wheels- Reserve 40|44: geni.us/1iKt6Z
Wheels- Fillmore Valves: geni.us/uQQTZ6
Computer- Wahoo ELMNT Bolt: amzn.to/45VERgm
Pro Stealth Saddle: amzn.to/3sVd9S7
*Some of these are affiliate links
0:00 Intro
0:28 SL7 vs SL8: 5,000 Miles Later
0:52 Main Questions
1:23 Weight
1:47 Aerodynamics
2:01 Ride Quality
2:35 Budget and Value
3:16 Operator is Greater than Machine
3:30 Should You Upgrade from the SL7?
4:09 More Questions? Drop them Below

Пікірлер: 66

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Maybe we peaked at the last gen Venge🔪🔪🔪

@edjack1993 Ай бұрын

As the happy owner of a final gen Venge with an *amazing* jade paint job, I wholeheartedly agree 😀

@mmurmurjohnson2368 Ай бұрын

Peaked at the Vias disk, still the fastest in the lab I think, slap that integrated cock pit on it and it's still the fastest today, for those who love speed and don't care about compliance

@JonathanLee7 Ай бұрын

This sort of succinct, practical, and still detailed video is exactly what we need more of. Chapeau! 👏👏👏

@DanaBlack Ай бұрын

My buddy went ->S-Works SL6 -> SL7 Pro -> S-Works SL8 and ended up selling the SL8 this winter after only a few months. Said he really regretted buying it and still loved and missed his SL7. Currently he's riding a Crux with 2 wheelsets since he only has room for 1 bike. I bought a used S-Works SL7 a few months ago because it ended up being a few thousand cheaper than a SL8 Pro with better components and a set of Princeton CarbonWorks wheels.

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Can’t go wrong with either- excellent bikes.

@littlemrdrummer Ай бұрын

This. Is truth spoken by a mate that could care less of having the latest model and keeping it honest.

@TheCyclingCardio Ай бұрын

As an SL7 owner, an SL8 upgrade only justified when age has finally caught up with the old frame…the SL7 is already everything we could ever need..light, aero, comfortable, looks great…the SL7 is the benchmark…I come from the Giant TCR SL, so SL7 is plenty comfortable for me

@marcustan5868 Ай бұрын

How does the tcr advanced sl compares to the sl 8?❤

@jesseladd6864 Ай бұрын

Great video. Still not sure how you don’t have hundreds of thousands of subs and more attention to your channel. Love the work bro

@carlosb555 Ай бұрын

This came at the perfect time for me. Was considering the upgrade but will have to take a step back now. Also, love the analogy at 4:05. I know you’ve said it in other ways before and appreciate you taking the feedback to use this version of the analogy instead. Keep up the content my guy!!!

@ShannonCampbell604 Ай бұрын

Excited for part 2 of the Fray Build! I should have my Salt 56cm next week!

@andrewwalsh4662 Ай бұрын

The non s-works SL8 frameset in way more worth it than an s-works SL7. The s-works SL8 is if you want to splurge, but the non s-works SL8 frameset is a gem for the value. If you know, you know. Currently I have mine built up to 15.01lbs or 6.8kg. Only a Cat2 racer but I'm satisfied.

@dhalbrook Ай бұрын

I couldn't agree more. I did pretty much exactly the same thing.

@DanaBlack Ай бұрын

You can find a barely used S-Works 12r SL7 frameset for like $1000 less than a 10r SL8 not to mention no sales tax buying used, speaking from experience.

@kellenhassell Ай бұрын

Great vid. 🎯

@nicholastopley7611 Ай бұрын

I have both, and they feel different (although that could be Dura Ace vs RED), performace as you say exactly the same. I ride the Venge as well and that remains a brilliant bike that surprises me how great it is every time I get it out. As you say its the operator that determines performance.

@garygbur3992 9 күн бұрын

How would you compare the SL7 with 32mm tires to a Roubaix for 10 hour days in the saddle? Any experience or differences in your opinion? Thanks

@joshschrader4732 Ай бұрын

Let’s be honest here - most SWorks buyers won’t bat an eye about paying a few extra grand for some marginal gains - yeah, the SL7 is the value play BUT the SL8 is a better bike- full stop

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Where do you feel it’s significantly better? Outside the typical marketing points…

@joshschrader4732 Ай бұрын

@@outdoorbros_ I didn’t say significantly better, just better - if nothing else it’s lighter - it also feels a tad stiffer in the front - otherwise I can’t give you any objective data - it’s down to feel for me and the 8 feels that little bit better to me

@ramsden35 Ай бұрын

They’re both just stunning dream bikes 90% of us can’t afford. Dreaming is still allowed!

@simonwarmer8777 Ай бұрын

I’ve crashed my SW SL6, waiting for the insurance I’ve built a SW SL7 DA with new Enve 4.5 wheels coming under 7.0 kg’s with pedals computermount and bottlecages for less than halve the price of a new SL8 speedsniffer. Rides like a dream.

@gustavomiguens8142 Ай бұрын

Thanks these videos are always welcome. No one says something direct about buying SL8 if you DO NOT have the SL7. For instance I have an SL6 with carbon wheels and aero carbon handlebar and I am going to buy the SL8, is that the right move? My take, it seems, here in Argentina the full build of the SL7 sworks is around 12.5usd and the sworks SL8 is 14k... so if Sl8 is the SL7 but a bit better why not right?

@gustavomiguens8142 Ай бұрын

it is still a question jajaja because I do want the SL8 but the option to search for a use SL7 is tempting

@MasteringGrappling 9 күн бұрын

Hello. I enjoy your channel. Have you ever considered doing a test on a Chinese frame like a Tavelo or Elves? Just curious. I figured since you always ride top end bikes you could give a good perspective on the differences between the Chinese brands and the western brands.

@osp1999 Ай бұрын

As a former Sworks sl7 owner, the sl8 Sworks was a worthy upgrade. Comfy like an aethos and quick like a race bike. If you hunt around , able to pickup used sl8 for really good prices. My Sworks sl8 cost me $8k

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Dang, that’s a steal!

@rg807 Ай бұрын

I just built up an SL7, coming from a Colnago C60. If you ride crappy roads, then the SL8 is what you want. The SL7 is tolerable on crappy roads, but no one would call it comfortable, and comfort matters.

@departurexx1520 Ай бұрын

A high end steel bikes is all you need.

@dennislaponder2846 Ай бұрын

I also currently have a C60. For you, is there a big difference with the SL7, in comfort and performance?

@rg807 Ай бұрын

@dennislaponder2846 The SL7 is more "jittery" especially on rough roads. I'm running 28s on it and you still feel the bumps. That said, it's not uncomfortable. From a performance perspective, it's WAY faster. It jumps out of corners, and over 25 mph is much faster. If I was riding 100 miles and I knew the road conditions to be good, I'd take the SL7. But, if there were potholes everywhere, broken pavement, the C60 for sure. Note- I don't race anymore, I'm just a reasonably fast recreational rider.

@dennislaponder2846 Ай бұрын

@@rg807 Thanks! Appreciated🙏

@christianemeiners9224 Ай бұрын

Never owned a Specialized before my SL8; I was a Canyon fan girl. The SL8 is a phenomenal bike which I would never trade in for anything else. I suppose it really comes down to budget, ambition, and motivation.

@chriscawley18 Ай бұрын

just traded an SL7 for an SL8 bc I wanted different crank length, bar/stem dimensions, and wheels. HAven't recieved it yet.

@Jonas-bh3li Ай бұрын

My question would be: should I spend 2k more on the Sworks-Frame compared to the regular SL8 frame? I think with regards to weight and stiffness it is not a huge upgrade but resell value could be much higher.

@Silidons91 Ай бұрын

You're fooling yourself if you think bikes hold decent resale value...you'd lose more money on the S-works...

@Jonas-bh3li Ай бұрын

@@Silidons91 possibly :D but when I compare SL7 to Sworks SL7, the price for the Sworks model is still 2-3k higher

@DaM.1 Ай бұрын

S-Works model have higher depreciation

@Silidons91 Ай бұрын

@@Jonas-bh3li comparing where, on a professional bike re-selling website, or what they're actually selling for on facebook and ebay?

@hugoatibaiaaaa Ай бұрын

I'm loving sl8.. It's is insanely fast and getting prs compared to sl7

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Nice!

@xgymratx83 Ай бұрын

Need more content on allied Alfa

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Wish I still had it! It’s been sent back to Bentonville.

@pe3117 Ай бұрын

As a SL7 owner I don’t see to much difference right now to do the change…maybe in the future

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Fair!

@edjack1993 Ай бұрын

Sensible video. The marketing claims about performance gains between generations of high end bikes are comical. 😂 And new bikes are so expensive these days, that a well cared for example of a recent generation is going to give you a massive cost saving. That said, lots of LBS here have sales on (due to market conditions), so I guess that could bridge the gap a bit.

@Millicente Ай бұрын

Where are these s works sl7 frames for less than $2750 you speak of?

@TheCyclingCardio Ай бұрын

Second hand market..it’s everywhere here in my country

@DanaBlack Ай бұрын

Facebook Marketplace, there's a good S-Works for sale group and plenty of others on there. Also PinkBike.

@invisiblescout6335 23 күн бұрын

the sl8 frame in a downgrade from the sl7 aerodynamically. All the claimed aero gains in the sl8 come from the integrated cockpit

@andy4g63 Ай бұрын

SL8 ,no doubt… The whole frame is better, not about aero or weight. FRAMESET is superb

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

How so?

@dainiusvysniauskas2049 Ай бұрын

SL7 all day long

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Why’s that?

@dainiusvysniauskas2049 Ай бұрын

@@outdoorbros_ SL8 just doesn't have what it takes to overtake the SL7, not to mention the ugly as sin Buttsniffer on the SL8.

@OGillo2001 10 күн бұрын

They're all the same. Want to go faster? Train more. Climb better? Train more. Ride further? Train more (longer). Easy, and cheaper x

@saphireg8094 2 күн бұрын

Save money and get a better looking bike, sl7 all the way. The sl8 looks like am Aethos, clearly one is on the chopping block now

@gestell Ай бұрын

Colnago...every time!

@invisiblescout6335 23 күн бұрын

crap bikes

@liquidSpin Ай бұрын

I'd rather be on a Scott Addict RC

@outdoorbros_ Ай бұрын

Haven’t ridden it. Pretty good?

@evdb7246 Ай бұрын

How does this video have 1.7k views? How does this guy have 13.7k followers? Ugh.

@davidg2731 2 күн бұрын

He provides useful information from an actual owners viewpoint!

@XPCTECH Ай бұрын

The ride quality claims are absolutely subjective bullshit full of marketing terms that don't mean shit.