Specialized Tarmac Comp vs Expert vs Pro vs S-Works: Every Trim from SL7 to SL9

Within one generation, every Tarmac has the same geometry, and everything from Expert up shares the same FACT 10r frame. Only the S-Works gets the lighter FACT 12r frame (SL9: 687 g vs 822 g for the 10r, according to Specialized). Between Comp and S-Level, the extra money mostly buys wheels, cockpit, power meter and groupset, and on the used market most of that premium disappears: on buycycle, stepping up from an SL8 Expert to a Pro costs about €1,300 used, against €2,500 new. A used S-Works SL8 typically sells for about €6,200, a Pro for about €4,900 and an Expert for about €3,600.

As of 3 November 2026. Used prices: based on more than 13,000 Specialized Tarmac listings (SL6 to SL8) on buycycle, Europe's largest marketplace for used bikes. New prices are European list prices at launch. Which generation is which? See our Tarmac SL9 vs SL8 guide; this post is about the trim levels.

What do Sport, Comp, Expert, Pro, S-Level and S-Works mean?

They are Specialized's spec levels, from cheapest to most expensive: Sport, Comp, Expert, Pro, S-Works. On the SL9, "Pro" has been replaced by "S-Level", so there is no SL9 Pro.

Specialized describes the S-Level as the closest experience to the S-Works. The SL9 S-Level costs €10,499 and sits between the Expert (€6,999) and the S-Works (€13,999).

Is the frame the same on every Tarmac?

Almost. Within one generation the geometry and the 32 mm tire clearance are identical across all trims. The frame grade is the only real difference: FACT 12r on the S-Works, FACT 10r below it.

On the SL8 and SL9, Specialized says the 10r frame matches the 12r in stiffness and, on the SL9, has the same tube shapes and so the same aerodynamics, just with more weight (BikeRadar, as reported from the launch). That is the manufacturer's claim, not an independent measurement. The SL9 10r trims also get the 12r fork.

The frame is the one thing you cannot upgrade later. Wheels, handlebars, saddle and groupset can all be swapped. Our Tarmac SL9 vs SL8 guide covers frame weights, geometry and the aero gains between generations.

Tarmac SL9 trims compared (model year 2027)

On the SL9, the Comp and Expert have no power meter. Only the S-Level and S-Works include one.

All SL9 trims ship with 30 mm tires. Sources: Specialized product pages and the launch coverage by BikeRadar, TOUR and road.cc (30 June and 25 August 2026). Weights are manufacturer claims, size 56.

Tarmac SL8 trims compared (model years 2024 to 2026)

The SL8 launched in 2023 with three levels (Expert, Pro, S-Works) and no Comp; all launch models had a power meter. The Comp and the Ultegra Di2 Expert came later.

Specs and prices as at launch (Rennrad-News, updated September 2024; Cyclist; The Cycling Meister). The Comp came later (retailer list price €4,199 for model year 2025). Specialized changed some details in later years, for example the Pro's wheels and power meter, so the listing's model year and photos decide, not just the trim name.

Two details trip people up in listings. First, the Pro's cockpit: at launch it had a two-piece Roval Rapide carbon bar with a Tarmac stem. The one-piece Rapide cockpit was reserved for the S-Works. Second, the Expert's power meter: the Rival version has a single-sided one, the Ultegra Di2 version has none listed (TOUR, September 2026).

Tarmac SL7 (and SL6) trims compared

The SL7 (2021 to 2026) was the only recent Tarmac with mechanical groupsets, and its Comp and Sport trims were sold for years after the Pro, Expert and S-Works were replaced.

Frame grades and wheels from Specialized and 99spokes spec sheets for individual model years; the SL7 Comp and Sport changed over time. New prices are the medians of the original prices stated in buycycle listings.

Watch out for the generation. A "2021 Tarmac Comp" or "Tarmac Sport" is often an SL6, and the SL6 was sold in the same five trims at much lower used prices (an SL6 S-Works sells for about €2,600). Details are in the model year table of our SL9 vs SL8 guide.

Comp vs Expert: is the carbon wheel upgrade worth it?

Yes, if you can find it used: the main difference between Comp and Expert is the wheels (alloy DT Swiss R470 vs carbon Roval C38), and on the SL7 the gap used is only about €250.

Same frame grade on the SL8 and SL9 (FACT 10r), same geometry, so the bike rides the same. The Expert adds carbon wheels and a better groupset (Ultegra Di2 or Force AXS instead of 105 Di2 or Rival AXS). New, that is €2,500 more on the SL9 (€6,999 vs €4,499). Used, an SL7 Expert sells for about €3,000 and an SL7 Comp for about €2,750. The SL8 Comp is rare: only 12 have sold so far, at about €2,900, so treat that as a rough guide.

Fast buyer's check: look at the wheel photos. Deep carbon rims with decals mean Expert or higher; a shallow alloy rim means Comp or Sport.

Expert vs Pro: what the extra €2,500 buys

Deeper aero wheels (Rapide CL, 51 mm instead of 38 mm), an aero carbon handlebar and, on most builds, a power meter. The frame is the same.

On the SL8, the Pro costs €9,000 and the Expert €6,500 (Rival AXS) at launch, so the step is €2,500. You get:

1. Wheels: Roval Rapide CL II, 51 mm deep, instead of Roval C38 at 38 mm. Both have a 21 mm inner width.
2. Handlebar: the Pro has the Roval Rapide carbon bar, the Expert an alloy Shallow Drop bar.
3. Power meter: dual-sided on the Pro (4iiii or Quarq); single-sided on the Rival Expert, none listed on the Ultegra Di2 Expert.
4. Tires: S-Works Turbo Tubeless on the Pro, S-Works Turbo clincher on the Expert (Rennrad-News).

Weight differs less than you might expect: the SL8 Pro with Ultegra Di2 weighs 7.16 kg, the Expert with Ultegra Di2 7.2 kg, a difference of 40 g (Rennrad-News). Both are manufacturer claims.

If you find an Expert and want the Pro experience, the part that matters most for aero is the wheels. Used Roval Rapide wheels are the cheapest way to get them, and a used Roval Rapide handlebar covers the cockpit. The frame is already the same.

Pro/S-Level vs S-Works: is the FACT 12r frame worth it?

Only if weight matters to you: the S-Works frame saves about 135 g (SL9) and gets the best wheels and the one-piece cockpit on every generation. Aero and geometry are the same.

The S-Works adds the FACT 12r frame (SL9: 687 g vs 822 g), Roval Rapide CLX wheels (lighter than CL), Dura-Ace or Red, and on the SL9 CeramicSpeed bearings. For a climber or someone chasing the lowest possible weight, that is the one trim where the extra money buys something you cannot add later. For everyone else, the Pro (SL7, SL8) or S-Level (SL9) gives the same geometry, the same tube shapes and almost the same parts.

Used, the gap is small: an SL8 S-Works sells for about €1,300 more than an SL8 Pro (about €6,200 vs €4,900), against €4,500 new.

What does each Tarmac trim cost used?

An SL8 Expert typically sells for €3,580, a Pro for €4,890 and an S-Works for €6,200. The higher the trim, the more value it loses, so stepping up is cheap used.

Used Tarmac prices by trim (buycycle, 3 November 2026)

Typical selling price = median price of bikes actually sold. Value retained = selling price divided by the median new price stated in the listings. Generation and trim come from the listing titles, so mistakes are possible. The figures mix frame sizes, conditions and upgraded parts; treat them as a guide, not a price guarantee. Prices are from the European market. The SL9 is too new for reliable used prices.

What stepping up a trim costs new vs used

Three things stand out:

1. The S-Works is the most common trim, and loses the most value. About 7 in 10 SL8 listings with a trim in the title are S-Works, and it keeps only about 46 % of its new price. That makes it the best relative deal for buyers.
2. The fastest sellers are the cheaper trims: the SL7 Comp (9 days) and SL8 Expert (10 days).
3. Trim matters less than generation and condition. An SL7 S-Works (about €4,500) costs less than an SL8 Pro (about €4,890).

Same budget: new SL9 trim or used one level up?

The pattern repeats: the new Comp and Expert get you alloy or mid-range parts, while the same money used buys one or two trims higher, a generation back. The SL9 vs SL8 guide explains why a generation back costs you only about 4 watts at 45 km/h.

Which Tarmac should you buy?

When in doubt, read the listing title and look at the photos: wheel depth tells you Expert from Pro, a one-piece cockpit tells you S-Works or S-Level.

Choosing between models? See Aethos vs Tarmac and our post on the previous generations, Tarmac SL8 vs SL7. For the groupsets, read our Shimano Di2 guide.

FAQ

What does Comp mean on a Specialized?

Comp is the second-cheapest spec level, above Sport and below Expert, Pro and S-Works. On the Tarmac it means a carbon frame, alloy wheels, a 105 Di2 or Rival AXS groupset and no power meter.

Do the Tarmac Expert and S-Works have the same frame?

No. The S-Works uses the lighter FACT 12r carbon (SL9: 687 g), the Expert the FACT 10r (822 g). Geometry and tire clearance are the same, and Specialized says the 10r frame is as stiff and, on the SL9, as aero.

Is there a Tarmac SL9 Pro?

No. On the SL9, Specialized replaced the Pro with the S-Level (€10,499): Dura-Ace Di2 or Red AXS, Roval Rapide CL III wheels, one-piece cockpit and a dual-sided power meter.

Does the Tarmac Expert have a power meter?

It depends on the year. The SL8 Expert with Rival AXS has a single-sided one, the Ultegra Di2 version and the SL9 Expert have none. Pro, S-Level and S-Works include one.

What is the difference between the Tarmac Expert and Pro?

Mainly the wheels (Roval Rapide CL, 51 mm, instead of C38, 38 mm), the carbon handlebar and the dual-sided power meter. The frame is the same FACT 10r.

How much do used Tarmac trims cost?

On buycycle, an SL8 S-Works typically sells for about €6,200, an SL8 Pro for about €4,900 and an SL8 Expert for about €3,600 (November 2026).

Sources: Specialized (product pages, SL9 lineup; manufacturer figures as reported in the reviews listed); BikeRadar, "Specialized makes the Tarmac SL9 more affordable with three new models" (August 2026); TOUR, SL9 S-Level/Expert/Comp (August 2026) and SL8 Expert clearance-sale report (6 September 2026); Rennrad-News, SL8 launch (6 August 2023, updated 16 September 2024); Cyclist, "Tarmac SL8 vs SL7" (August 2023); The Cycling Meister, SL8 Expert first ride (December 2024); 99spokes, SL7 Expert vs Comp 2024. Used prices: based on more than 13,000 Tarmac listings on buycycle, November 2026.