The Specialized Tarmac SL8 is one of the best road bikes that you can buy in 2026. It’s used in pro cycling and has many positive bike reviews. However, are the tides changing and are you better off building you own dream build bike rather than buying stock?
In this video I reveal my dream bike build made almost exclusively with direct to consumer parts from China and the Far East. A Seka Spear RDC road bike frame, N0.6 Racing Works Wheels, Magene power meter, Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and Ryet carbon fibre saddle.
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Presented by: Jamie Williams
Videographer/Editor: Edward Westrop
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32 Comments
I dont care about brands but this is one ugly ass bike!
The biggest downside is resale value.
You didn't give an exact price comparison to the SWorks bicycle. How are we suppose to know what amount "cheaper" is.
Let’s talk a few years down the road and see how your Seka is doing warranty for your frame or wheels, remind me who do I contact, where do I take it? A few dollars less in the short term and nightmare in the long run You get what you pay for in everything you buy
Loved it! I'm tired of the overpriced bikes, I would really like to build one like this or a Winspace one.
Have you used wheeltop eds tx. It is to me as good if not better than my di2 equipped bikes. I can tune individual gears for perfect tuning. Shifts just as fast as my ultegra di2.
no6 wheels are so nice, got my first set a few months ago
Love the spear but those decals on the wheels no thanks
Due to my unusual body proportions (only ~4 to 7% of people have similar torso to arm/leg length), no bike off the rack fits me so I have to always change the stock spec's. So for me I have to custom build up a frame anyway. And would look at an Asian frame as don't have unlimited cash. My bikes a few year old now and not aero at all, so I think I'd go for a lightweight do it all as well. Because I'm light (and weak lol) an aero bike would be a bit wasted on me I think.
The white bartape on the Seka looks like ass.
I'd look at a direct hanger mount. I find it helps with the shifting a lot on some Chinese frames. Seka is probably bang on, but if you get into changing cranks, it can really help.
I'd also look at some of the flair bar tapes from ciclovation. It's black, and then fades to one of the colours on your bike. If you take another 1-1.5cm off each side you'll get a watt or two with less tape as well.
This bike is sick, just my thoughts being a bike nerd too. Those No6 wheels are one of the coolest paint schemes I've ever seen. They look so cool on the bike.
Interesting how mainstream cycling media are now talking favourably about Chinese frames.
I got a Seka Spear RDC on 20k kms now, it’s a damn bloody amazing bike and climbs exceptionally at 6.2kgs, never found it wanting for anything.
You still need to trick yours out with some titanium gear 🙂
In my opinion, the evolve Cima looks even more desirable than the Seka Spear. Don’t know about the aerodynamics though.
The type of Video we have all been waiting for
Another economic approach is to buy a complete bike, then upgrade targeted parts. I recently did this with the specialized crux comp grx. Converted it to 2x mechanical, changed the wheels, cranks, bars.
I’m starting to think that carbon frames are more of the same in terms of performance aspect. If one looks cool, that’s enough reason to pick one over others.
(Wheels do matter though!!)
Nobody with deep pockets buys a Chinese noname bike. And if you don't have deep pockets, you never were S-Works target audience anyway 🙂
Can you compare winspace slc5 vs SL8?
"A rear hange that moves", I'd concider that a build error.
Best looking bike currently " Seka" colour is stunning too.
Weak points of SL8 – god awful front end, looks incredibly ugly, doesn't have better aerodynamics than the SL7 (only difference is that SL8 comes with one piece handlebar), price. And there are at least handful of better bikes, such as SuperSix Evo gen 4, Dogma F, etc.
I've built and documented my custom AliExpress road bike (TFSA JH33) and it was one of the most fun and fulfilling projects I've ever done. I've ridden it over 4000km now and for less than 2k USD all in, I think it's a very very good deal!
That Bike build is 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 and kudos on the 53/39 rings everyone keep saying they can’t turn anythinc bigger than a 50/34🤷🏾♂️ I run 55/42 and 53/39 on my bikes, I’m not a pro nor a “ gym rat “ and find that it’s no harder than a 50 or a 52!!
With a custom build you will have a one of one unique to you bike ☝🏾
2:32 you can see oliie from GCN the background 😅
What’s the price difference ?
Lovely bike, only the wheel decals detract from that beautiful frame.
The very best the sl8 is crap !!
I ride an SL7 SWorks with Ninevelo wheels, a Cybrei crank, and Di2, among other mixed parts. It's a GREAT bike. I love the way it's set up.
Seka and Winspace are the premium Chinese brand bikes. They're relatively affordable compared to established brands but they are not cheap.
Building a custom Quick Pro ER:One right now with SRAM Force E1, EXS Aerover bars, DFS wheelset (1300g for the set), Ryet Aircode saddle. Even in a size large set up tubeless on 32mm tires, should be a 7.5kg ish rocket. That Seka has always drawn my eye though.