Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert - Shimano Ultegra Di2 vs Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 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 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS comes out ahead (73% against 71%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Specialized

Tarmac SL8 Expert - Shimano Ultegra Di2

71% for a typical rider

£5,499 at Brand website

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Canyon

Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS

73% for a typical rider

£5,699 at Brand website

✓ Checked

What actually separates them

Price: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Expert - Shimano Ultegra Di2 is £200 cheaper — £5,499 against £5,699.
Climbing gear: The Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS has the easier bottom gear (30 gear inches against 32), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	Tarmac SL8 Expert - Shimano Ultegra Di2	Ultimate CF SLX 8 AXS
Price	£5,499	£5,699
Weight	7.2 kg	7.2 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 2x12 electronic	SRAM Force AXS E1 12-speed
Stack / reach	1.43	1.42
Tyre clearance	32 mm	33 mm
Lowest gear	32 in	30 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	30	37
Speed	87	85
Climbing	72	77
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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