Quiver

2025 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano vs 2025 Specialized Aethos Pro

The Specialized Aethos Pro size closest to your 54 is the 54. Compare the 54 instead

What changes on the Specialized Aethos Pro

Compared with the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano in 54, the Specialized Aethos Pro 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
−1.3°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
±0 mm
About the same

The two frames

2025 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano (54) and 2025 Specialized Aethos Pro (49), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Specialized Aethos Pro is the colored outline on top.J 978

Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano, 54Specialized Aethos Pro, 49Drawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano 54Specialized Aethos Pro 49Difference
Reach384mm375mm−9 mm
Stack544mm514mm−30 mm
Head tube angle73°71.75°−1.3°
Seat tube angle74°75.5°+1.5°
Chainstay length410mm410mm±0 mm
Wheelbase978mm973mm−5 mm
BB drop72mm74mm+2 mm
BB height268mm266mm−2 mm
Standover768mm705mm−63 mm
Seat tube length473mm431mm−42 mm
Fork length370mm369mm−1 mm
Head tube length137mm109mm−28 mm
Effective top tubenot listed508mm

Differences are the Specialized Aethos Pro minus the Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano. Full charts: 2025 Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Shimano, 2025 Specialized Aethos Pro.

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro ShimanoSpecialized Aethos Pro

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 Tarmac SL8 Pro ShimanoPro - Shimano Ultegra Di2Specialized Aethos Pro
FrameSpecialized Tarmac SL8 FACTnot listed
ShifterShimano Ultegra R8170 Di2not listed
DerailleurShimano Ultegra R8150 Di2not listed
CassetteShimano Ultegranot listed
ChainShimano Ultegranot listed
CranksetShimano Ultegra R8100not listed
WheelsetRoval Rapide CL IInot listed
TireSpecialized S-Works Turbonot listed
BrakeShimano Ultegra R8170 Di2not listed
HandlebarRoval Rapide Cockpitnot listed
SeatpostSpecialized S-Works Tarmac SL8not listed
SaddleSpecialized Powernot listed

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