Specialized and Getty Images
Tarmac SL2 Road Bike
Who made it? Specialized
Who's using it at the Olympics? Paolo Bettini (Italy)
When can I get it? Now
How much will it cost? $8,500
This road bike, ridden by cycling gold-medal contender Paolo Bettini, is made of a carbon frame, with the chain and elements of the brake provided by bike-parts powerhouse Sram. The bike weighs 100 grams less than Specialized's previous iteration, the Tarmac SL—and in a sport where lightness means speed, even that small weight can make a noticeable difference. The company's design team worked to stiffen the bike's crank—the part that channels the power from the rider's legs to the chain—allowing for more rider efficiency.
