by Braxton Lee

Created on: October 25, 2007   Last Updated: November 04, 2010

If you want to splash out and get the best top of the line road bike new on the market in 2008 here is a bike that may interest you.

S-Work Tarmac SL2 2008 by Specialized

Specialized has been making bikes since 1974, they are a well known and reliable brand that you can trust. The S-Work Tarmac is a competitive road bike and Specialize claim it to be "the most efficient and best handling road bike on the market". It's good enough for Pro cyclists, in 2007 Pro Cycling teams Gerolsteiner and Quick-Step used the S-Work Tarmac. According to Specialized, the Tarmac SL2 was built specifically in response to requests from Boonen and teammate Paolo Bettini from Quick-Step. When making this bike Specialized seamlessly joint discrete carbon monocoque sections into a single chassis, creating a frame with unsurpassed strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio. Plus it looks racy with it's red and carbon color scheme.

Here are a few features of this amazing bike (www.specialized.com):
- S-Works FACT 11r carbon frame, FACT IS construction (new construction method used by specialized that blends monocoque and their Az1 wrapped-joint technology).
- S-Works FACT monocoque carbon fork; full carbon legs, crown and steerer, 1.5-inch crown bearing race
- Carbon bar/stem combo, adjustable stem angle, short reach drop
- SRAM Red, 10-speed Double Tap shifters and short cage rear derailleur
- S-Works FACT carbon crankset, integrated oversize design
- Roval Rapide SL carbon wheel set, mid-section full carbon clincher rim, carbon front hub body, alloy rear cassette hub, Roval Ti QR
- S-Works Mondo tires, 700x23c, dual-compound tread, aramid bead, 127TPI
- Body Geometry Toup Team saddle, super light foam, carbon reinforced base, hollow Ti rails, microfiber cover

The bike comes in six different sizes and the bike metrics can be found on the Specialized website, www.specialized.com. Size is one of the most important things when buying a bike so before you fork out the money head down to your local bike store and get measured up.

This is a bike that cyclists dream of and with that also comes a dreamy price. The suggested retail price is (US)$8500 but remember this is a top of the line racing bike. If you shop around on the internet you can find it a little cheaper. If you love the sound of this bike but can't come to terms with spending that much money look around for used 2007 models.

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