First Road Bike - Specialized Tarmac or Roubaix ??

garysan

Hi,

Am a little phased as to which to go for. I've been riding hardtail MTB for past 3 years (mostly on road - between 0 - 50 miles per week depending on weather/workload/etc) but would like to have a proper road bike and keep the MTB for proper off road

Had pretty much set my sights on the Tarmac Comp but while chatting at LBS one of the guys mentioned the Roubaix and it got me thinking have a missed a trick not including this in my thought process?

I anticipate just riding for recreation and don't intend entering any race or sportive events - just riding on my own or with a couple of mates - prolly no more than 30-40 miles at a go. I do find I'm a bit competitive whilst out riding (even on my own) if that helps.

I'm very interested to hear peoples thoughts about this

softlad

it may come down to measurements - the roubaix has a hugely tall headtube, which might or might not suit - while the tarmac has more conventional geometry....

If you're spending that much, then try both and decide...

Mr Dog

Thats a lot of cash your about to spend my friend. Have you considered any other bikes? :?:

garysan

I've looked at a few alu bikes including Lapierre and Scott but the Tarmac Comp was the one that really caught my eye - I'm a total whore as far as looks go I'm afraid and any ideas of sub £1,000 budget went out the window...

It was whilst pouring over that, that the guy at LBS pointed me at the Roubaix and suggested it. They don't actually have a (2010 model) Tarmac Comp available but they offered me a 2011 one at £200 off instead...

nferrar

The Tarmac will be a bit less comfy than the Roubaix but it will be a bit more efficient in terms of less flex and probably handles better to. I have a Roubaix and whilst it's a really nice bike it's a very neutral ride and not exactly exciting to ride but that's not always a bad thing. I'd def demo them both and see which feels better for you, tbh though up to 40 miles even the Tarmac should be fine comfort-wise (it did finish 1st and 2nd in the Tour after all). If you can't demo them I'd personally play safe and get the Roubaix.

softlad

comfort has more to do with how the bike is set up - there's no reason why you should not be able to ride as far on the tarmac as on the roubaix...

garysan

Stanley222 wrote:

They are pretty serious bike for a starter bike!

Have you ever owned a road bike? It's a lot of cash to spend on something that you might not like!!!

Yes but only as a kid (I'm 38 now). The MTB I ride is a hardtail and I've done about 2,000 miles on it, mostly on road. Its good (has a lock out fork) but I feel because I do so much riding on the road, I'd be better having a proper road bike plus it seems a more social experience - riding in a group rather than on your own or with perhaps 1 or 2 mates off-road.

I'm very confident that I'll like riding it It's been on the backburner for about two years but a couple of friends have recently bought road bikes to complement their MTB's and now I'd have people I can easily ride with, makes more of an incentive to get it bought. One in particular has been banging on about how it's the best money he's spent in years and that he loves riding his.

brin

Both are very good bikes, but obviously with different geometry, you mention you don't anticipate racing or doing sportives? chances are once you feel the buzz that comes with the new bike and become more competent/comfortable with it, you will be itching to give either of these disciplines a bash, whether it be a 50mile sportive, or a 10mile time trial.
something to take into consideration when choosing which model to buy, good luck and enjoy whichever you go with.

northpole

I have a roubaix pro and a pretty weak lower back! The roubaix geometry makes you sit more upright than you would on the tarmac. As a previous post, I suspect that the tarmac would have a livelier handling characteristic. May look better too! A work colleague of a similar age to yourself bought the tarmac comp and has recently mentioned several times that he is convinced he should have gone for the roubaix. So much so that I suspect he will have changed frames before the year is out.

You may come to a different conclusion but I suspect the roubaix would be the safer bet for you. Please do get a ride on both if this can be arranged with your dealer as safer isn't always best!

Peter

nferrar

@softlad - true in the sense that if the bike isn't a good fit it doesn't matter much about the frame design/technology it's always going to be uncomfortable but the Roubaix is definitely a more forgiving ride than the Tarmac (why else do most of the Spesh-sponsored pros switch to it for Paris-Roubaix)? From my admittedly limited riding experience in Spain and France it's easy to see why people would question the need for something like a Roubaix over there (other than the geometry changes) but with the amount of shite roads we have over a bit of extra damping and vertical compliance can make a noticeable difference.

dgstewart

I feel for once I'm qualified to give a sound opinion on a subject! I have both of these bikes:

1) Roubaix Comp 2009 (although frame has just been replaced with 2010 version, but exactly the same frame). Now winter/wet weather bike.
2) Tarmac Pro 2009. Best bike - will hopefully grow up not knowing what rain is!

I bought the Roubaix first last year and it is very (very) comfortable to ride. I find it great for a general training ride, sportives, etc, and it is now my winter/wet bike. It is a little more upright than most bikes, but you can lower the bars by removing the spacers (20mm) if you feel the need.

I recently bought the Tarmac Pro (good deal in sale), having tested a Tarmac Comp 2010 the month. I was expecting the Tarmac Comp to be a much harsher ride and feel much lower at the front, however I was pleasantly surprised. It was still a very comfortable ride, maybe not quite as comfy as the Roubaix but still very good. It was noticably sharper in handling and felt better descending (more stable). As front the front end, I was surprised that it didn't feel as low as I was expecting, and I find it perfectly comfortable.

If I had to replace the Roubaix now, I might still go for another Roubaix on account of having both models, but if I could only have one of them I think I would go for the Tarmac.

However, as others have said - get out and test them. It's a lot of money to spend without a good demo ride.

Monty Dog

I'd test ride both - it depends on whether you can a good position on the Tarmac, particularly the need for a stack of spacers under the stem and likewise you can live with the slightly more direct handling and feel vs the more damped feeling and relaxed postion of the Roubaix. I know people who race on Roubaixs - for the huge majority of riders, its their legs that are the difference to performance, not their bike!

andy_wrx

softlad wrote:

the roubaix has a hugely tall headtube

Rot !
In size 56, the Tarmac has a headtube length of 170mm, the roubaix 190mm

When it originally came out, the Tarmac was much more hardcore, but over the years it has softened considerably - the 2006 Tarmac had a 155mm headtube on a 56.

Many people happily do sportives and centuries on Tarmacs, they are perfectly capable as fast long-ride bikes as well as race machines.

Yes, ride both, see which you prefer, see which you can get a better deal on, but they are like Cheddar and Double Gloucester, rather than chalk & cheese...

softlad

andy_wrx wrote:

softlad wrote:

the roubaix has a hugely tall headtube

Rot !
In size 56, the Tarmac has a headtube length of 170mm, the roubaix 190mm

that's 2cm difference, which is huge, IMO.....

andy_wrx

Bet that's what you tell your girlfriend

salsarider79

I've had both bikes (I still have my Roubaix at the mo, but I'm going itialian and steel ) and I would prefer the Roubaix.
I had the 06 Tarmac Pro (Is that the one down from S-Works?) in Grolsteiner colours, built with Dura Ace/Ultegra, Mavic Ksyimum SL's and the stem slammed right down on
-10 degrees. I couldn't ride it like that now, but it was a beautiful bike to ride, very, very fast. I did several 100mile rides on it an it was lovely. I prefer my Roubaix now as I like to see the countryside, and after a motorbike accident last year, I struggle riding for periods on the drops....Hence the highish front end on my Roubaix.

Yes, it is a ride both and see what you like...but I think you'd prefer the Tarmac from what you said.

sparkins1972

Just to muddy the waters further, what about the Spescialized Secteur Elite?

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/15192/Specialized-Secteur-Elite-.html

garysan

I didn't get the opportunity to test ride them before making a decision - my LBS knew they couldn't supply the Tarmac Comp as Spec. apparently didn't have any 2010 left in my size and although they gave a half-hearted attempt to sell me a 2011 Tarmac Comp at £200 off, they knew I had my heart set on the 2010 model because of the way it looked and so they also knew I'd be off out the door once I'd had a go on the two bikes. I didn't ask so they didn't have to respectfully decline - everyone saved face...

So I called CycleSurgery on Monday and asked if they had one in a 54cm - 'Only one left at warehouse' was the reply - 'none in stock at any of our stores' he continued. I ordered it and went to pick it up the following day

Only managed a quick couple/three miles on it on Thursday afternoon what with work and stuff, just to dial-in the seat height and clipless pedels/shoes, etc. Very quick and agile! Surprisingly comfortable. Look forward to putting in many hours over the next couple of months so I can annihilate my mates when I go riding with them!

Thanks to everyone's input - much appreciated.

datpat64

I love the Specialized but went for the expeert ! I'm pretty certian the Roubaix is moe of a Sportive bike as it has a much more upright set up....best advice has already been posted, try both and then decide because it's a few quid you're investing here.

Dave