BMC Teammachine R 01 THREE vs Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS

Both are race bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS comes out ahead (75% against 72%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

BMC

Teammachine R 01 THREE

72% for a typical rider

£7,699 at Brand website

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Specialized

Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS

75% for a typical rider

£8,749 at Brand website

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What actually separates them

Price: The BMC Teammachine R 01 THREE is £1,050 cheaper — £7,699 against £8,749.
Weight: The Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS is 0.4kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Tyre clearance: The Specialized Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS takes 32mm tyres against 30mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.

Side by side

Spec	Teammachine R 01 THREE	Tarmac SL9 S-Level - SRAM RED AXS
Price	£7,699	£8,749
Weight	7.5 kg	7.1 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	SRAM Force AXS 2x12 electronic	SRAM RED AXS E1 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach	1.43	1.43
Tyre clearance	30 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	26 in	28 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	38	44
Speed	80	83
Climbing	81	83
Value	0	0

Neither might be the right answer

This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.

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