Roubaix or Tarmac????

thechangingman

I have been riding 'properly' for just over a year now and it's time to move up from my Specialized Secteur to a carbon frame.
I have LOVED the Secteur and its brought me to a new level of fitness and speed.
Now I have the dilemma as to whether to go up to the Roubaix for more of the same with higher spec and lighter weight or to go all out for speed on the Tarmac????
Is there REALLY that much difference? Does a 'relaxed' geometry deliver all the benefits it claims?
I want to be able to ride sportives quickly and to train hard and fast.
I guess that I am just a little bit apprehensive as to whether the Tarmac is a bit more bike than I need or can handle!!!

Any help, insights or advice will be gratefully received...

Thank you.

northpole

If you have a good supple back, your post strongly signals Tarmac or similar racing orientated geometry. (I have a roubaix and a rubbish back!).

Peter

fleshtuxedo

I'd get the tarmac - it's got a plenty long head tube as it is, so it's hardly got all out racing geometry.

Plus, the Roubaix is fugly and has those gimmicky Zertz inserts that do nothing.

LazyLoki

Have a look at the geometry charts for the two bikes on the Specialized website. The only measurements you really need to worry about are the length of the head tube and top tube.

In fact, give me a sec.....

Right, main difference between the two is that the Roubaix has about 20mm taller head tube than the Tarmac (for size 56). The Secteur has the same Geo as the Roubaix so - are you comfortable in the drops on the secteur? Do you feel like you could drop another 20mm and stay comfortable?

How many spacers do you have between the headset and the stem on your secteur? To try out the lower position you could remove some and see how you feel.

Other than the geometry the other big difference between the two is that the tarmac will feel stiffer and maybe a little less forgiving on the bumps (although its by no means harsh). Both are excellent bikes and to be honest the best thing you could do would be to try them side by side.

Casbar

The Roubaix is the higher end version of the Secteur. So if you are happy with your current bike and just want a lighter better spec version go for the Roubaix.

If you want a stiffer , faster bike and dont mind the race setup go for the Tarmac

Also it depends a bit on how old you are . |The Roubaix is more forgiving for an older riders. Im 50 and ride a Roubaix....but I had a Tarmac last summer for 2 weeks and absolutely loved it...its was more responsive and very nippy

Either way you cant go wrong

Btw the frame stiffness and quality goes up on the higher spec models on both bikes , so keep that in mind

Finaly are you thinking of selling the Secteur ?

salsarider79

If you have a bike shop near you, try both bikes. Sounds obvious, but its the best thing you can do.

I've had both bikes, and prefer the Roubaix, just because I like riding for a good distance in comfort. I have a bad back and a very bad shoulder (motorbike crash last year). I did enjoy having my Tarmac, and enjoyed riding the bike as fast as possible. The Tarmac felt like it came alive at speed (Hampered by rubbish 52/12 top gear, which wasn't my choice, it was a custom build on a budget). The Roubaix I have now is happy at 5mph uphill, 25mph flat and 52mph downhill (As I managed once).
If you like comfort, go for the Roubaix. If you want speed, go Tarmac. If you can try them both.

P.S. The zertz do work BTW.

fleshtuxedo

salsarider79 wrote:

P.S. The zertz do work BTW.

How do you know the Zertz work?

izza

Having my SL3 tarmac frame built up with wheels, etc. today/Monday. One of the options I went for is the Roubaix seat post with zertz bit. Should be best of both worlds with suspension for rear end/back yet sharper handling.

Mr. Maverick

Cant go wrong either way you go to be honest

softlad

salsarider79 wrote:

(Hampered by rubbish 52/12 top gear

how were you 'hampered' by 52/12..??

sonny73

I have a dodgey back (upper and lower, which I do look after exercise, strengthen and stretch) and a tarmac, which I find very comfortable and on long rides too. Personally I would go with the tarmac (I would say that) and as posted above the tarmac does have a plenty tall enough head tube.

chriskempton

softlad wrote:

salsarider79 wrote:

(Hampered by rubbish 52/12 top gear

how were you 'hampered' by 52/12..??

140rpm in that gear is only 48mph, so what use is that to anyone?

thechangingman

Hello again...

Thanks for all of the sound advice.

Yes, I have a local dealer where I can ride both 'side by side' but I was nonetheless interested in what other riders have experienced.

They both seem excellent bikes to me and the natural progression from my current one (which yes, I will be putting on sale once I am ready to buy the next one...)

It's always harder IMHO to buy an item once you know something about the subject. Last year, with rather more limited knowledge of cycles and cycling the choice of a Secteur was largely left to the salesman at the shop. This year, I feel a little bit overwhelmed with options and stats and measurements and therefore rather stultified in my decision-making AND the overriding fear that I'll somehow buy the 'wrong bike'...

For now, you've all given me just a little more grist for the mill - so, thank you...