Canyon Ultimate 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
These two score within 0 points of each other for a typical all-round rider, so there is no single winner — the right one depends entirely on which of the differences below you care about.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS is £300 cheaper — £5,699 against £5,999.
- Weight
- The Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS is 0.4kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- 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 | Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS | Tarmac SL9 Expert - SRAM Force AXS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,699 | £5,999 |
| Weight | 7.2 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 | 33 mm | 32 mm |
| Lowest gear | 30 in | 26 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | No |
| Comfort | 37 | 44 |
| Speed | 85 | 77 |
| Climbing | 77 | 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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