Canyon Ultimate CF 7 AXS vs Specialized Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2

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

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Canyon Ultimate CF 7 AXS comes out ahead (78% against 74%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Canyon

Ultimate CF 7 AXS

78% for a typical rider

£3,349 at Brand website

✓ Checked

Specialized

Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2

74% for a typical rider

£3,599 at Brand website

✓ Checked

What actually separates them

Price: The Canyon Ultimate CF 7 AXS is £250 cheaper — £3,349 against £3,599.
Climbing gear: The Canyon Ultimate CF 7 AXS has the easier bottom gear (26 gear inches against 29), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	Ultimate CF 7 AXS	Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2
Price	£3,349	£3,599
Weight	7.6 kg	7.7 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	SRAM Rival AXS E1 12-speed	Shimano 105 Di2 R7170 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach	1.42	1.43
Tyre clearance	33 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	26 in	29 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	37	30
Speed	80	81
Climbing	80	74
Value	32	25

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.

Find my bike