Beautiful Bicycle: Specialized Tarmac SL8
Few teams in professional cycling are as instantly recognizable—or as consistently successful—as Soudal Quick-Step. For more than two decades, the Belgium-based squad has built its reputation on an unrelenting commitment to winning, with a particular knack for dominating Spring Classics, collecting sprint victories, and excelling in time trials, made possible by legendary riders such as Tom Boonen, Remco Evenepoel, Julian Alaphilippe, and Mark Cavendish (ever so briefly).
Central to that success is a long-standing partnership with Specialized, and more specifically, the Tarmac. While race bikes have evolved dramatically over the years, the Tarmac has remained the cornerstone of Soudall Quick-Step’s success—a single platform capable of handling everything from punchy one-day races to rolling terrain, mountain stages, and high-speed finales. It’s not a niche tool or a situational choice; it’s the bike the team relies on when adaptability and outright performance matter most.
Our latest Beautiful Bicycle pays homage to this storied partnership, with a team edition S-Works Tarmac SL8 taking center stage, replete in blue and white and unmistakably linked to Soudall Quick-Step.
Ready to jump in? Let's do it.
The Frame: A Proven Race Platform
At the heart of this build is a team-issue S-Works Tarmac SL8 frameset, finished in Soudal Quick-Step’s unmistakable white and navy blue. A speckled gradient bridges the two tones, adding texture and depth without distracting from the bike’s sharp, purposeful lines. It’s understated, clean, and unmistakably pro.
More importantly, the SL8 is engineered as a true all-around race bike. Lightweight, aerodynamic, and exceptionally stiff, it’s designed to excel across the full spectrum of professional racing.
Drivetrain: Precision Without Compromise
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 anchors the drivetrain with flawless shifting and race-proven reliability. Power data comes via an SRM Origin carbon crankset—still the gold standard for accuracy—while CeramicSpeed upgrades throughout, including a UFO-optimized chain, OSPW RS Alpha oversized pulley system, and bottom bracket, reinforce the build’s “no weak links” ethos. Every detail here is focused on efficiency, consistency, and marginal gains.
Wheels & Tires: Speed, Balanced
Rolling stock plays a defining role in how this bike rides. ENVE SES 4.5 PRO wheels strike an ideal balance between aerodynamic efficiency and real-world usability, making them perfectly matched to the Tarmac’s do-it-all nature. Rolling on 30mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tires, the setup delivers speed with confidence—on pristine pavement or less-than-perfect roads.
Cockpit & Contact Points: Clean, Cohesive, Race-Ready
Up front, the Specialized Roval Rapide one-piece carbon cockpit keeps the front end sleek and aerodynamic, while maintaining the stiffness and precision expected at the WorldTour level. An S-Works carbon seatpost and ENVE x Selle Italia Boost SLR saddle round out the contact points, blending lightweight performance with long-ride comfort. Every touchpoint feels intentional, cohesive, and fast.
Learn More
Interested in building a race bike like this—or something uniquely your own? We'd love to help. Reach out any time via one of the options below.
📍 Visit: our Salt Lake City or Park City locations
📞 Call: 801-364-0344
📧 Email: info@contenderbicycles.com
The Build
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Frame | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Team Frameset | Soudal Quick-Step |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
| Crankset | SRM Origin Road Carbon Powermeter |
| Gearing | 11–34t cassette |
| Brakes | Shimano Dura-Ace |
| Wheels | ENVE SES 4.5 PRO |
| Tires | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 700×30 |
| Cockpit | Specialized Roval Rapide Carbon | 400mm × 100mm |
| Bar Tape | Ciclovation Advanced Leather Touch |
| Seatpost | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon |
| Saddle | ENVE × Selle Italia Boost SLR | Carbon Rails |
| Extras | CeramicSpeed UFO Chain | OSPW RS Alpha | BSA Bottom Bracket |
