Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force AXS vs Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 8

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 Pro - SRAM Force 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 Pro - SRAM Force AXS

73% for a typical rider

£7,249 at Brand website

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Trek

Madone SLR 7 Gen 8

71% for a typical rider

£7,250 at Brand website

✓ Checked

What actually separates them

Price: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force AXS is £1 cheaper — £7,249 against £7,250.
Weight: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force AXS is 0.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Climbing gear: The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force AXS has the easier bottom gear (29 gear inches against 32), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.

Side by side

Spec	Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force AXS	Madone SLR 7 Gen 8
Price	£7,249	£7,250
Weight	7.3 kg	7.5 kg
Frame	carbon	carbon
Groupset	SRAM Force AXS E1 2x12 electronic	Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach	1.43	1.44
Tyre clearance	32 mm	32 mm
Lowest gear	29 in	32 in
Mudguard mounts	No	No
Comfort	37	40
Speed	84	79
Climbing	79	67
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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