£4,000 vs £12,000 Road Bike - Specialized vs Challenger
BikeRadar
March 14, 2024
There is an £8,000 difference between the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 and the Elves Vanyar Pro Disc. But what does this gulf in price equate to in terms of bike tech, components and performance?
Liam Cahill tests the two bikes, comparing them on the flat and in the hills. But which bike do you think is better? Let us know in the comments.
#racebike #cycling #value
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:00 Climbing
02:18 Aero
04:14 Build
06:30 Value
07:16 Is The Superbike Worth It?
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Parts Mentioned
Elves Vanyar Pro
Summer ready / Winter ready sale
FrameElves Vanyar Pro
Created: May 06, 2026The reviewer compares the Elves Vanyar Pro disc to the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8, noting that while the Elves is slightly heavier and slower in climbing and aero tests, it offers excellent value for recreational riders. The Elves features a full carbon frame, Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, Orome Valor TH30 wheels, a one-piece cockpit, and a 3D-printed saddle with carbon rails. The reviewer praises its custom paint option and significantly lower price of around £4,000, concluding that the performance difference does not justify the £8,000 premium of the Specialized.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Much better value for money at around £4,000
- Custom paint available for free
- 3D-printed saddle with carbon base and rails, costing only £137
- Full carbon frame and fork, integrated front end, electronic groupset, hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless-ready wheels
- Only slightly slower than the top-tier Specialized in climbing and aero tests
Cons
- Heavier than the Specialized, resulting in 9 seconds slower on a 1.5 km climb
- No wind tunnel or CFD simulation used in design, leading to slightly worse aerodynamics (2 seconds slower over 2 km)
- Noisy freehub
- Chunky stem on the one-piece cockpit looks less elegant
Where to Buy
UCI Approved, ELVES Vanyar Pro Disc Road Framesets, Superlight Full Carbon Disc Road Frame