Specialized Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2 vs Cannondale CAAD14 2

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 SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2 comes out ahead (74% against 64%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Specialized

Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2

74% for a typical rider

£3,599 at Brand website

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Cannondale

CAAD14 2

64% for a typical rider

£3,700 at Brand website

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What actually separates them

Price: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2 is £101 cheaper — £3,599 against £3,700.
Weight: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2 is 1.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Climbing gear: The Cannondale CAAD14 2 has the easier bottom gear (26 gear inches against 29), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	Tarmac SL8 Comp - Shimano 105 Di2	CAAD14 2
Price	£3,599	£3,700
Weight	7.7 kg	9.0 kg
Frame	carbon	alloy
Groupset	Shimano 105 Di2 R7170 2x12 electronic	SRAM Rival AXS
Stack / reach	1.43	1.43
Tyre clearance	32 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	29 in	26 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	30	33
Speed	81	63
Climbing	74	62
Value	25	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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