Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 vs Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - Shimano Ultegra 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 Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 comes out ahead (76% against 72%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Giant

TCR Advanced SL 1

76% for a typical rider

£6,999 at Brand website

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Specialized

Tarmac SL8 Pro - Shimano Ultegra Di2

72% for a typical rider

£7,249 at Brand website

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What actually separates them

Price: The Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 is £250 cheaper — £6,999 against £7,249.
Weight: The Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 is 0.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Climbing gear: The Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 has the easier bottom gear (29 gear inches against 32), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	TCR Advanced SL 1	Tarmac SL8 Pro - Shimano Ultegra Di2
Price	£6,999	£7,249
Weight	7.0 kg	7.3 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed	Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach	1.43	1.43
Tyre clearance	33 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	29 in	32 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	44	37
Speed	84	84
Climbing	83	71
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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