Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS vs Specialized Tarmac SL9 Expert - SRAM Force 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 Expert - SRAM Force AXS comes out ahead (73% against 71%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Canyon

Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS

71% for a typical rider

£5,699 at Brand website

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Specialized

Tarmac SL9 Expert - SRAM Force AXS

73% for a typical rider

£5,999 at Brand website

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What actually separates them

Price: The Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS is £300 cheaper — £5,699 against £5,999.
Climbing gear: The Specialized Tarmac SL9 Expert - SRAM Force AXS has the easier bottom gear (26 gear inches against 30), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS	Tarmac SL9 Expert - SRAM Force AXS
Price	£5,699	£5,999
Weight	7.5 kg	7.5 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	SRAM Force AXS E1 12-speed	SRAM Force AXS E1 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach	1.42	1.43
Tyre clearance	32 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	30 in	26 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	37	44
Speed	81	77
Climbing	72	81
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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