Cycling Specialist

The all-new Specialized Tarmac SL9: redefining performance for road bikes. Published: July 06, 2026 Updated: July 21, 2026 For nearly two decades, the Specialized Tarmac has been the undisputed benchmark for high-performance road bikes. With the release of the highly anticipated S-Works Tarmac SL9, Specialized isn't just updating a classic; they are changing how Bicycle Warehouse measure speed entirely. As your premier local dealer for Specialized road bikes, Bicycle Warehouse has poured over the newly released Tarmac SL9 white paper. Here is everything you need to know about why this bike is set to dominate group rides, local crits, and the World Tour. Moving beyond the wind tunnel: "Time to Finish" Historically, manufacturers of top-tier road bikes have engaged in a relentless arms race over two isolated metrics: aerodynamic drag and raw frame weight. With the SL9, Specialized introduces a new physics-based framework called the "Equation of Speed." Instead of chasing isolated numbers, the engineering team optimized the bike for one undeniable metric: Time to Finish. By simulating full race stages using hyper-accurate real-world data, they designed a system that balances aerodynamics, mass, rolling resistance, and mechanical efficiency. The results speak for themselves. According to Specialized's simulations, if Demi Vollering had ridden the SL9 during the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes, she would have been 14 seconds faster - a margin that would have comfortably secured her the general classification. The aero advantage: 4 watts faster. The previous generation was already a marvel of aerodynamics, but the Specialized Tarmac SL9 manages to shave off an additional 4 watts at 45 km/h (28 mph). This was achieved through meticulous reshaping of the leading and trailing edges: * The Speed Sniffer 2.0: The nose cone of the head tube has been narrowed by 4mm, reducing the frontal area by a staggering 10%. * The Flow Fork: Rather than simply using deeper blades, engineers twisted the fork blades slightly outward. This channels turbulent air cleanly past the down tube, keeping it attached to the frame longer. * Dropped Down Tube & Win Fin: The down tube sits lower to work seamlessly with the new fork, while a rear "Win Fin" manages airflow as it exits the bike, enhancing breakaway aerodynamics. * Razor-Thin Seatpost: Slicing through the air requires a minimal footprint. The SL9 features the thinnest seatpost section Specialized has ever produced. Flow State Design: A 687-gram masterpiece. When discussing premium Specialized road bikes, weight is always a central talking point. Achieving world-class aerodynamics usually requires adding carbon material, which adds weight. Specialized tackled this using their "Flow State Design" philosophy - a supercomputer-driven process first pioneered on the ultralight Aethos. By running complex simulations, engineers optimized the carbon tube shapes to carry structural loads more efficiently without requiring extra layers of material. The result? The FACT 12r carbon frame weighs an astonishing 687 grams. It matches the legendary stiffness-to-weight ratio of its predecessor while remaining robust enough to handle the most punishing sprints. Geometry and handling: refined for the modern rider. A fast bike is only as good as its handling. The Specialized Tarmac SL9 retains the race-proven, telepathic geometry that riders love, but with calculated tweaks for real-world usability: * Eliminated Toe Overlap: The 54cm frame size features an increased fork offset and a slightly slackened head tube angle, completely resolving the toe overlap issues some riders encountered on previous models. * Modern Cockpit Ergonomics: Out of the box, the new Roval Rapide integrated cockpits lean into modern aerodynamic positioning. Featuring narrower hoods (e.g., a 38cm bar measuring ~35cm at the hoods) with flared drops, the setup allows riders to adopt a naturally aero posture without needing expensive aftermarket upgrades. Experience the pinnacle of road bikes. The S-Works Tarmac SL9 proves that when you treat the rider and the bike as a single cohesive system, you can push the boundaries of what is possible on two wheels. It isn't just an aero bike, and it isn't just a climbing bike - it is unequivocally the fastest race bike by the only metric that matters. Ready to see how the newest addition to the Specialized road bikes family rides? Visit its shop to consult with its fit experts, explore build options, and experience the Tarmac SL9 firsthand. Featured Specialized Tarmac. Got questions? Bicycle Warehouse'd love to chat! Reach Bicycle Warehouse Monday-Saturday 9-6 PST

This motor could be the future of e-bikes. A new generation of motor gearboxes coming in 2027 promise seamless shifting without derailleurs or cassettes. by Thomas Ricker Jun 30, 2026, 3:30 AM PDT Image: Avinox, The Verge Thomas Ricker is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He's been a tech journalist for 20 years. Imagine an e-bike motor that lets you select your preferred pedaling cadence and then automatically adjusts the gears to keep your legs spinning at that exact speed, no matter how steep the hill gets - all without a fragile derailleur or heavy multi-speed cassette to maintain. Prefer manual control? No problem, you can have as many gears as you like in whatever ratio makes you feel most connected to the terrain. That's the e-bike motor announced last week at the big Eurobike trade show in Frankfurt, by not just one company, but two. Pictured above is the MG Concept. It's a Motor Gearbox Unit, or MGU, from Avinox, the DJI spinoff that's upending electric mountain bikes. Avinox burst onto the scene two years ago with the launch of its impressive M1 drive system that packed unprecedented power inside a mid-drive motor that's smaller, lighter, and cheaper than anything provided by competitors like Bosch or Specialized - and Avinox just launched the upgraded M2-series two months ago. The MG Concept takes things a step further by combining an electric motor with an automatic gearing system inside a single, compact housing that lets bike makers do away with derailleurs and cassettes. Avinox wasn't alone, either. The MG concept debuted alongside the very similar X-series MGUs also announced last week by newcomer Gobao. These next-generation motors could fundamentally alter how standard e-bikes are built, despite both getting their start in cutting-edge electric mountain bikes that can easily cost $10,000 or more. Image: Gobao Like Formula 1, eMTBs are a tech proving ground for manufacturers whose customers are willing to pay top dollar for a measurable performance advantage. Advances in eMTBs eventually trickle down to the rest of the bicycle market, as we've recently seen with the new Amflow TL "eSUV" built around a traditional Avinox M2 motor, derailleur, and cassette. Existing MGUs, like those made by Pinion, already integrate the gearbox inside the motor housing, but they still rely on a finite number of fixed, discrete gear ratios. The innovation behind both Avinox's MG Concept and Gobao's X-series motors is an integrated eCVT (Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission) that adds a layer of computerized precision to eliminate the stepped nature of mechanical shifting. Both of these new motor gearbox units with integrated eCVTs feature infinite gear ratios that adjust continuously and seamlessly, meaning there are no fixed steps between gears (unless you want them). You can define as many virtual gears as you like with your preferred gear ratios. The system constantly evaluates your speed, pedal pressure, and the terrain in real time. The motors also feature an auto mode that keeps your legs pedaling at a constant cadence, delivering a ride similar to the "stepless" shifting experience I enjoyed in 2023, when I first reviewed a bike fitted with Enviolo's mechanical CVT. E-bikes built around these new motor gearboxes should benefit from a more durable transmission that requires far less maintenance, gears that can quickly shift under heavy load or at a standstill, and improved handling by moving the transmission mass from the rear wheel to the bike's center. The Avinox MG was developed in partnership with Canyon, Commencal, Forbidden, and Mondraker, who all had prototype eMTBs on display at Eurobike - three with chains, and one with a belt drive. Gobao used a self-branded e-bike at the show to demonstrate pre-production prototypes of its motor. First ride reports found both MGUs to be very impressive, and better and quieter than existing Pinion MGUs. And while targeting electric mountain bikes for now, if this new breed of MGUs prove reliable and affordable, expect the motors to migrate to commuter, cargo, and family e-bikes over the next few years. Gobao says it'll begin mass production of the X1 (120Nm of torque / 1200W max power) and X1P (150Nm / 1500W) in February 2027, according to Bikebiz, and is targeting eMTBs and categories spanning "urban, trekking, cargo, and SUVs." Avinox is offering fewer specifics, committing to a launch sometime in 2027. Its production MG motor is expected to produce about the same max torque and power as Gobao, and be "easily adapted to eMTB, eTrekking, eSUV, eGravel and other bike models." I personally can not wait. I'm so done with snapping and bending derailleurs on rocks and urban bike racks and digging mud and grit out of cassette cogs. It's time for a simplified drivetrain for people who need to climb hills or carry a heavy load, even if it's only to bring the kids to school up a paved road instead of a double-black trail. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. * Thomas Ricker The Verge daily. A free daily digest of the news that matters most.

Specialized recalls allegedly defective Turbo Como SL electric bicycles due to risk of serious injury or death. June 9, 2026 UNITED STATES - Specialized Bicycle Components has announced a recall of certain Turbo Como SL electric bicycles after safety officials warned that the bikes may pose a dangerous fall hazard to riders. According to the recall notice, the bicycles' fork steerer tubes may develop small fatigue cracks over time, which may lead to progressive fork failure. Officials stated the defect can increase the risk of a crash, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. The recall involves bicycle forks installed on all Specialized Como SL electric bicycles, regardless of model. The words "Como SL" are printed on the seat tube or top tube of the bicycles. Affected models were sold in several colors, including Cast Umber, Dove Grey, and Raspberry for the Como SL 4.0, and Smoke, Brassy Yellow, and Brushed Silver for the Como SL 5.0. Contact The Ammons Law Firm for legal help involving defective products. Electric bicycle riders rely on their bikes to remain stable and responsive through turns, uneven pavement, sudden stops, and everyday roadway conditions. That trust extends to critical components like the fork, which helps support steering, balance, and control during a ride. When a fork allegedly develops fatigue cracks and fails during use, a rider can lose control in seconds, potentially leading to devastating crashes and serious injuries. Falls from bicycles can result in head trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, and other long-term physical harm, especially when riders are thrown unexpectedly onto pavement or into traffic. A defect involving a critical bicycle component raises important questions about how the product was designed, tested, and why it was not built to withstand the conditions riders regularly encounter. Call The Ammons Law Firm, LLP if you have suffered injuries caused by a defective product. Contact The Ammons Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.