10,000 Miles on the Tarmac SL8… Then I Sold It

I rode this Specialized Tarmac SL8 for over 10,000 miles. Three LOTOJAs. A crash in the first week. Wheel swaps, tire experiments, group miles, and my fastest 200-mile race finish ever. And last week, I sold it. This isn’t a breakup video. It’s a long-term reflection on what the SL8 actually is after real mileage- not just first impressions. In this video I talk about: • The controversial design and how I feel about it now • The setup evolution (SRAM Red, Red E1, Enve, Zipp, Cadex, Reserve) • Why the GP5000 S TR kept winning • Why the Tarmac feels like a 9.5/10 across the board • And why I ultimately let it go After 10,000 miles, I think I finally understand this bike. If you’ve owned an SL8 — or you’re considering one — I’d love to hear your experience below. For older build videos and future projects, check out the channel. A new gravel build is coming soon. — 💬 Drop your questions in the comments or DM me on Instagram 🌐 Website: https://outdoorbros.com 📬 Contact: chris@outdoorbros.com ---- 00:00 I Crashed My Tarmac SL8 00:30 Project Black: Why I Bought It 01:17 The Build (SRAM Red, ENVE, GP5000) 02:14 The “Magic” of the Tarmac 02:48 10,000 Miles Later… 03:16 Why It Was Time 03:31 Bikes Aren’t Just Bikes 04:08 Long Live the SL8