Last Updated on April 29, 2023
Are you looking for a durable, long-lasting, and comfortable road bike that will take you anywhere from the grocery store down the road to the Eiffel Tower? You have plenty of options at massively diverse prices. From materials like aluminium and carbon to geometry like “sportive” or “endurance”, choosing the perfect road bike has so many factors and it can feel overwhelming. This is why it’s best to narrow it down to one brand and choose accordingly. For our list, we will be taking a look at Specialized and their wide range of impressive road bikes from the most expensive to the least expensive!
Go straight to the bikes:
- Specialized Aethos S-Works Di2 2022
- Specialized Tarmac SL7 S-Works Etap 2022
- Specialized S-Works Aethos Red ETAP AXS 2021
- Specialized Roubaix Pro 2022
- Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert 2022
- Specialized Aethos Comp Rival ETap AXS 2022
- Specialized Allez E5 2021
What Are Specialized Road Bikes?
Specialized is one of the oldest and most famous bicycle companies in America. The company was founded all the way back in 1974, but it wasn’t until 1981 that they started making their own bikes and they have been making them ever since. They have a whole bunch of bikes available at different levels, so you can choose whichever bike suits your skillset and expertise.
Specialized bikes are quite durable and reliable, so you can’t go wrong with one of their models. As a rider, you can find whatever it is you’re looking for from mountain bikes to road bikes to e-bikes. If you want it, you will find it. Most importantly, these bikes are STRONG and could last you decades (some reported thirty years), with proper care and attention.
Not only does Specialized make bikes, it also makes very high-quality components like tyres, seats, stems, and more. So, if you purchase a Specialized bike, you won’t have to look too hard to find parts that will fit like a glove.
The Best Specialized Bikes
These are our recommendations for your first (or next) Specialized bikes. To make it easier, the top are the most expensive and the bottom are the least expensive. The prices were correct at time of publishing but we all know prices change. Click the links to get the latest prices.
Specialized Aethos S-Works Di2 2022
- PRICE – £13,200
- GROUPSET – Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250
- WEIGHT – 6.1kg (54cm frame)
- BRAKES – hydraulic disc brakes
At an absolute hefty price tag, this bike comes with everything you could possibly need in a road bike. It’s carbon, lightweight, and packing Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, Roval Alpinist wheels, and an Aethos frame.
This bike was made to be all-inclusive for all kinds of roads and cycling, from ascension, desending, hyper-speed, and all. The lightweight carbon frame is the exact kind of frame you could dream of, being made of 12r Carbon, with threaded BB, electronic cable routing, thru-axle, and a flat mounting disc. The Aethos frame has actually reengineered and reshaped the road shape on bikes, to maximize balance without sacrificing weight or strength This means that you can go on any ride on any kind of road without the bike being all wobbly or unbalanced. The lighter-weight frame is also a marvel of bike engineering, coming in at only 585 grams.
The frame is also quite stiff at both the front and rear, which adds extra comfort and smoothness when pedalling. This bike is all about durability, being made of the highest quality materials and options such as resin platform pedals, Shimano 12-speed chainset, Roval alpinist CLX rims, and Turbo cotton tyres.
Get the latest price for this bike…
Specialized Tarmac SL7 S-Works Etap 2022
- PRICE – £12,600
- GROUPSET – SRAM RED
- WEIGHT – 6.8kg (54cm frame)
- BRAKES – SRAM RED eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc
Another road bike on the ultra-expensive side, this one will also give you pretty much all you need. This bike is all about aerodynamics and being super lightweight. Combing both elements is actually no easy task since you usually have to compromise with more weight with less drag, but not with this bike. Specialized prides itself on completely revolutionizing the field with this racing bike, with a new Rider-First Engineered™ frame and FreeFoil Shape Library. This bike is FAST, like, really fast. If you’re in the habit or sport of racing, then this one is definitely for you. Do I hear the sounds of the Tour De France calling?
Same as the Aethos S-works, the Tarmac Etap is also 12-speed, with Roval CLX wheels and SRAM’s RED eTap AXS. It’s obviously carbon, and the lightweight is mind-boggling, with the entire bike being only 6.8 kgs. This means that you will be cruising through the roads like The Flash (Or Quicksilver, if you prefer Marvel), and you won’t even struggle with weight. Specialized claims that this version of the Tarmac is 45 seconds faster over 40km than the previous model, the SL6.
Specialized has basically improved all it can with this model, aiming at maximizing comfort and balance with the extreme speeds with advancing elements such as mechanical shifting, round bars, and more. If you have got the dough and the need, the need for speed, then go for it!
Get the latest price for this bike…
Specialized S-Works Aethos Red ETAP AXS 2021
- PRICE – £9,999
- GROUPSET – SRAM RED
- WEIGHT – 6kg (56cm frame)
- BRAKES – SRAM RED eTAP AXS, hydraulic disc
If you are into racing, then this bike is not really for you. Specialized has created this bike specifically for smoothness, comfort, and simply having a beautiful ride. This does not sacrifice performance in the slightest, but it does add some flair and style to the bike. Even the design is quite distinct, with beautiful chameleon red and yellow lining on the wheels. To put it simply, this is the Rolls Royce of bikes. It’s not as fast as a Ferrari, but it’s elegant and stylish.
Get the latest price for this bike…
Specialized Roubaix Expert 2022
- PRICE – £6,850
- GROUPSET – Shimano Ultegra R8150
- WEIGHT – unknown
- BRAKES – Shimano Ultegra R8170, hydraulic disc
Other than Specialized main models, the Tarmac and Aethos, the Roubaix Pro definitely deserves a spot on the list. It’s called Roubaix due to the fact that it has 7 wins at the Paris-Roubaix. The Roubaix Pro is also made for smoothness and slick rides, integrating new technology such as Future Shock 2.0 for better control, a balanced Pavé seatpost, and quite a lightweight frame. Specialized went all-in on performance for this one, with FACT 10r Carbon, compliance, FreeFoil shape library, and even better aerodynamics than the Tarmac SL6 (Why is everything dunking on the SL6?)
For extra compliance, Specialized has added more flex and a drop-clamp design. This creates a good mix of compliance with balance, so you never have to struggle on rough terrain. This bike is both comfortable and functional, providing you with the best of both worlds with options such as SRAM Force chainset, Body Geometry Power Pro saddle, S-works pave, Turbo pro tyres, and Rider-First engineered frame.
Specialized Tarmac SL7 Expert 2022
- PRICE – £6,850
- GROUPSET – Shimano Ultegra R8150
- WEIGHT – unknown
- BRAKES – Shimano Ultegra R8170, hydraulic disc
Another Tarmac model, but this one is significantly cheaper than the S-works. Still, the Tarmac is a Tarmac and it is built to be fast. So, it’s obviously not as fancy as the S-Works, but it still rocks a lightweight aerodynamic carbon frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra groupset, and Roval C38 wheels. While the S-Works was 45 seconds faster over 40 minutes than the SL6, this one is 33 seconds faster. If you ask me, the difference is not massive for the lower price. Again, using the FreeFoil shape library, with the help of isotopic FEA analysis and more advances in engineering, Specialized has created a lightweight wonder at only 980 grams for the frame.
Other options of the SL7 expert include resin platform pedals, Tarmac integrated stem, and a FACT carbon fork.
Specialized Aethos Comp Rival ETap AXS 2022
- PRICE – £5,000
- GROUPSET – SRAM Rival
- WEIGHT – 7.8kg (54cm)
- BRAKES – SRAM Rival, hydraulic disc
Now let’s go a good bit down in price, for a more affordable model of the Aethos line. This bike perfects balancing several options of any bike, such as style, comfort, performance, and lightweight. With hydraulic disc brakes, 700c wheels, and 2×12 electronic drivetrain, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. It’s actually faster than other bikes in similar specifications or the same price range, especially at steep hills or descending. It’s not the absolute lightest bike or the best when it comes to aerodynamics in the world, but it does not need to be. It will get the job done, and reviewers were absolutely fascinated by the quality for the price.
Specialized Allez E5 2021
- PRICE – £799
- GROUPSET – Shimano Claris
- WEIGHT – 9.2kg (54cm)
- BRAKES – Tektro, alloy, dual-pivot
Now we come to the absolute cheapest option we have on the list at only approximately £700+. This is going to be your beginner bike, the only you have to put through the ropes and scuff your knee with a couple of times, but just because it’s a beginner’s bike, does not mean you need to sacrifice quality. The aluminium frame is still quite light, but the fork is still FACT carbon fibre. It’s obviously not as fast as others, with only a speed of 16.
Specialized set out to create an entry-level bike that is still reliable and accessible. You get quite a performance with Shimano Claris shifting, Axis Sport alloy wheels, and Body Geometry bridge saddle. For an entry-level bike, you will get good handling and a lighter weight of 9.2 kgs. Specialized hooked this bike up with all the necessary goods such as an integrated rack, fender mounts, Nylon pedals, Espoir Sport tyres, Axis sport rims, and Tektro brakes. If you’re starting out, this is definitely the bike for you.
Takeaway
Specialized has changed the game when it comes to both carbon and aluminium bikes, while simplifying the purchasing process with a limited number of main lines that you then choose the different models of to your liking. If you’re looking at something as expensive as over £10,000 or as cheap as £700, you will definitely find what you are looking for.
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