Women's S-Works Tarmac SL6 Frameset

The Women's S-Works Tarmac Frameset was built to do it all, sitting at the top of the women's race bike tree in all aspects of performance, handling, quality and tech. It's a dream for any competitor and it's now available to build up with whatever spec you like.

For 2018 we slashed weight off the frame bringing it down to under 800 grams by using advanced aerospace composite optimisation software to completely rethink the layup and construction of our FACT 12r carbon fibre. It's the most advanced material and schedule we've ever made, resulting in a huge 20% lower weight.

We've also squeezed more out of our Rider-First Engineered technology, so this Tarmac is compliant in all the right places but stiff too where you need it. We updated the frame's geometry thanks to input from pro riders and countless data points from our Retl fitting system. It means we've been able to perfect our performance road geometry with a short wheelbase and responsive front end for optimal power transfer and precise handling.

That stiffness doesn't tell the whole story however, as we've managed to build in a little more compliance for an optimal ride quality.

We've designed a seat post with compliance built into the upper 120mm so you get a little bit of give without compromising the security of your ride position. We also altered the seat tube shape and increased the tyre clearance to 30mm. Bigger tyres mean you can run lower pressures for increased comfort and traction, while also decreasing rolling resistance.

All in all, it means this Tarmac can take the worst out of road imperfections something you'll be glad of on your next long ride but retain the soul of a true racer's machine.

Of course, riding in comfort is great, but we all know the best way a bike can make you faster is to get more aero with our Boels-Dolmans Pro Tour riders seeking more aero bikes every year. With this in mind, we stepped up our efforts and came up with some smart new features.

We spent six months working on how we could find aero advantages for free', without taking away what makes the Tarmac what it is. In that process we identified three areas, meaning we've brought through a new fork shape, dropped seat stays with aero tubes, and a D-shaped seat post and seat tube. Put together, these tweaks'll give you 45 seconds over 40km ahead of its lightweight competitors in the same class. That's a speed saving you're sure to feel when you're launching off the front of the bunch or chasing down a move.