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2025 Specialized Aethos FACT 12r Carbon 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 FACT 12r Carbon 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

2025 Specialized Aethos FACT 12r Carbon (54)The Specialized Aethos FACT 12r Carbon frame drawn to scale.J 978

Only the Specialized Aethos FACT 12r Carbon 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 FACT 12r Carbon 54Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano 49Difference
Reach384mm375−9 mm
Stack544mm514−30 mm
Head tube angle73°not listed
Seat tube angle74°75.5+1.5°
Effective top tube540mmnot listed
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 FACT 12r Carbon. Full charts: 2025 Specialized Aethos FACT 12r Carbon, 2026 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Aethos FACT 12r CarbonSpecialized 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 FACT 12r CarbonS-Works FACT 12r CarbonSpecialized Tarmac SL8 Pro ShimanoPro - Shimano Ultegra Di2
FrameSpecialized S-Works Aethos FACTSpecialized Tarmac SL8
SeatpostRoval AlpinistSpecialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Forknot listedSpecialized FACT 10r
Shifternot listedShimano Ultegra R8170
Derailleurnot listedShimano Ultegra R8150 Di2
Cassettenot listedShimano Ultegra
Chainnot listedShimano XT M8100
Cranksetnot listedShimano Ultegra R81000
Bottom bracketnot listedShimano Threaded BSA
Wheelsetnot listedRoval Rapide CL III
Tirenot listedSpecialized S-Works Turbo
Brakenot listedShimano Ultegra R8170
Rotornot listedShimano Ultegra R8170
Handlebarnot listedRoval Rapide Cockpit
Stemnot listedRoval Rapide Cockpit
Bar tapenot listedSupacaz Super Sticky Kush
Saddlenot listedSpecialized Power Pro

Know what is on every bike.

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Explore the app
A Transition Relay build sheet: frame, fork, shock and drivetrainThe Relay’s ride photo galleryThe Relay’s ride spectrum and 2D frame geometryThe garage: five bikes and 99 recorded partsA Specialized Tarmac SL8 road build sheet