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2024 Specialized Aethos Comp vs 2026 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano

The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano size closest to your 54 is the 54. Compare the 54 instead

What changes on the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano

Compared with the Specialized Aethos Comp in 54, the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano in 49 places the top of the head tube 30 mm lower and 9 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 5 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−30 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−9 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−5 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
n/a
One of the bikes has no number for this
Chainstays
±0 mm
About the same

The two frames

2024 Specialized Aethos Comp (54)The Specialized Aethos Comp frame drawn to scale.J 978

Only the Specialized Aethos Comp is drawn. The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano numbers we have for size 49 are missing the head angle.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Aethos Comp 54Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano 49Difference
Reach384mm375−9 mm
Stack544mm514−30 mm
Head tube angle73°not listed
Seat tube angle74°75.5+1.5°
Chainstay length410mm410±0 mm
Wheelbase978mm973−5 mm
BB drop72mmnot listed
BB height268mmnot listed
Standover748mmnot listed
Seat tube length481mmnot listed
Fork length369mmnot listed
Head tube length137mm109−28 mm

Differences are the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano minus the Specialized Aethos Comp. Full charts: 2024 Specialized Aethos Comp, 2026 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Aethos CompSpecialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other road bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartSpecialized Aethos CompCompSpecialized Tarmac SL8 Pro ShimanoPro - Shimano Ultegra Di2
FrameSpecialized AethosSpecialized Tarmac SL8
ForkSpecialized FACTSpecialized FACT 10r
ShifterShimano 105 R7170Shimano Ultegra R8170
DerailleurShimano 105 R7150 Di2Shimano Ultegra R8150 Di2
CassetteShimano 105Shimano Ultegra
ChainShimano SLX M7100Shimano XT M8100
CranksetShimano 105 R7100Shimano Ultegra R81000
Bottom bracketShimano Threaded BSA BBShimano Threaded BSA
WheelsetDT Swiss R470Roval Rapide CL III
TireTurbo ProSpecialized S-Works Turbo
BrakeShimano 105, Shimano 105 R7170Shimano Ultegra R8170
HandlebarSpecialized Shallow DropRoval Rapide Cockpit
StemSpecialized Pro SLRoval Rapide Cockpit
Bar tapeSpecialized Roubaix S-WrapSupacaz Super Sticky Kush
SeatpostRoval AlpinistSpecialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
SaddleSpecialized Power SportSpecialized Power Pro
Rotornot listedShimano Ultegra R8170

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