While aerodynamics were paramount to the Tarmac’s development, weight was also in focus on this optimal race bike journey. With the S-Works Tarmac SL7 frameset, the design philosophy was to keep it at, or below, the UCI weight limit out of the box as a complete build, with no sacrifices to aerodynamics. Tools like isotopic FEA analysis and the tube shape library enabled Specialized to deliver a frame that weighs 920 grams, consistently across sizes, without giving up a gram of aero, stiffness or ride quality while allowing for 700x32 tires. The Expert's frame is a bit heavier as the the primary ingredient in all this has been FACT 10r Carbon (versus the lighter 12r of the S-Works), developed in-house to provide a more cost effective combination of build properties that are the foundation of the lay-up schedule, delivering the tubeset and junctions that make the SL7 design unique at all levels.

Finishing off the Tarmac SL7 frameset, the designers drew off their experience and proven systems of the Venge to apply simple integration to create a clean, fast cockpit that’s easy to live with. A BSC threaded bottom bracket system was integrated and found to test as well or better than other systems for stiffness and power transfer. The frame features a 12/142mm rear thru-axle and flat mount disc standard, which matches the SL7 FACT Carbon Fork, albeit with a 12/100mm set-up. The lightweight, upper-section compliant S-Works FACT Carbon Tarmac Seatpost is included, as is the Tarmac integrated stem, 6-degree, with detailed spec determined by frame size.

The groupset is the aforementioned updated Di2 12-speed Shimano Ultegra R8170/8150/8100 set-up. You get true road bike gearing with a 52-36 crankset and 11-30 cassette. and the amazing shifting of Di2, with its new wireless shifters, and all controls and the charging port now found on the rear derailleur. The internal seatpost battery uses thinner, lighter e-Tube wires directly to each of the derailleurs. The battery delivers around 1200 miles of use depending on shifts. The shifters themselves use a secure wireless protocol to communicate and require little power, so these feature CR1632 coin cell batteries that offer about 2 years of use. Without wires back from the shifters to the battery, today's integrated cockpit assemblies are much easier to adjust for rider fit and travel.

Shimano's mineral oil based hydraulic braking is even easier to service, and the Servo Wave lever action improves feel and pad response. Specialized equipped the brake system with 160mm front and 140mm rear Center Lock disc rotors that shed even more heat and resist warping. The rotors sit on the DT370 hubs used by the Roval Rapide C 38 carbon wheelset, which carry the venerable S-Works Turbo clincher tires in the 700x26 size with Turbo Ultralight tubes.

In the cockpit, the S-Works Tarmac Carbon Seatpost carries their Ti-rail Power Expert Saddle, while the Specialized Expert Shallow Drop alloy handlebar with it's 125mm drop / 75mm reach mounts to the integrated -6 degree Tarmac stem. Supacaz Super Sticky Kush tape finishes off the build. Bar, stem, post and crank lengths are equipped by bike size, as is saddle width (see details below).