Madone 4.7 to S-Works Tarmac SL3 - big difference?

Tidybeard

Hello,

I've been pretty happy with my Madone since buying it earlier this year. I've upgraded wheels, tyres, seat, post, bars and stem and it rides well. I've ridden a few centuries on it and some 100km rides and although I'm still a newish rider I'm improving. I still have the bars fairly high as my flexibility isn't great, although they are lower now than when I got the bike. Here's what it looks like at the moment with a -10 degree 100mm EA90 stem:



I'm not particularly looking to change, but I do like shiny new stuff . I have the chance to swap my frame for a new S-Works Tarmac SL3 frame (with full warranty) with a net cost to me of about £600. Both frames are size 58 and from what I can gather from online specs there is very little difference in the actual sizes of the frames (SL3 is about half an inch longer in the effective top tube but other measurements such as head/seat angle, head tube height, wheelbase and standover are more or less exactly the same - mine is an H2 fit).

I ride a couple of times a week, by myself, usually rides of 50 miles plus. I'm not looking to race but I'm trying to up my average speed (it's currently at around 16mph over 50-100 miles) and continue to improve my fitness - important as I have committed to riding the Etape next year.

I'm attracted to the S-Works partly because it's new and shiny and partly because I used to have a 2004 S-Works Enduro that I absolutely loved - it was so well thought out and rode beautifully. The SL3 is obviously very well reviewed.

Anyway, this is a one-off deal and I'll have to make my mind up quickly so:

- On the off chance, has anyone owned both and can talk about the differences?
- I'm expecting the SL3 to be a bit stiffer and a bit quicker - what else should I expect?
- This is a mid-range "race" frame against a high-end "pro race" frame - would a rider like me notice a difference for the better (given that all my components will be the same - Racing 3 wheels, Ultegra groupset, Thomson/Easton post/bars/stem)?
- I want to believe that the SL3 is a frame that can grow with me as I become a better rider, but deep down I know that I've been suckered by marketing, that the Trek is already far too good a bike for me and that I could be riding a £200 BSO with similar results at my level. Doesn't stop me wanting it though.
- Anything else that I may have missed in my comparison? I won't be able to ride an SL3 before I have to commit....

Thanks for reading, and for any input.

Tidybeard

Any thoughts on the S-Works SL3 please?

NUFCrichard

If you have money to burn then do it, but if not then don't.
You don't need a top end frame for the cycling you do and want to do, if anything you will look bad cycling the S-Works when someone passes you on their 500 quid Allez sport!

That said, I haven't ridden either frame so can't tell you the specific differences.

Tidybeard

Thanks for the reply, you make a good point. I don't mind being passed at all and I do realise that the bike is too good for me. However, the same could be said of my house, car, watch, clothes, etc. It's as much about "want" as "need" and I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any insight into how different it might be.

chanjy

You've just answered your own question haven't you?

It won't make you faster, but get it if it would make you happy. If having a new bike makes you ride more then do it!

Evil Laugh

I've ridden a 4.5 madone a few times and owned an sl3 s-works.

The madone is a much smoother ride. The Tarmac sl3 is an odd frame, it feels lovely 70% of the time. The rear end feels beautifully light and responsive, as nice as any bike ive ridden. The front end is interesting. It soaks up small to medium road imperfections/vibration well. Anything more and the it reveals its true colours as a total jackhammer. It doesn't cope with rough country lanes and is very skittish on descents. The fact that Specialized redesigned this part of the bike for the sl4 suggests it was an issue for a few. I'd go for an sl4 if you do a Tarmac.

Tidybeard

Thank you, that's very good insight. The vast majority of my riding is on rough country lanes so there's plenty of food for thought.

If it wasn't for the deal I'm being offered, I wouldn't be considering replacing the Madone so perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away.

nferrar

I don't own one but it's pretty common to read the Tarmac is very stiff bordering on harsh (even a Spesh rep I talked to last year doesn't ride his on long rides in this country). It might be a bit more zippy but I think you'd soon regret the swap once you'd got used to the extra zip, it's much harder to get used to a harsh ride.

carrock

I think for 95% of the people 95% of the time, a Roubaix S works would be better than a Tarmac. Certainly more comfortable.

And the Venge is even harsher than the Tarmac- yet people buy them. Couldn't possibly be to pose around on because they look nice could it?

Tidybeard

Thanks all. I'm pretty sure I've ruled it out now. I think a Roubaix would be a better bet, the trouble is there are hardly ever any deals available on them :-)

Evil Laugh

What size are you? I know of some cracking roubaix deals.

Tidybeard

The Madone is a 58cm. I'm 6ft with 32in inseam so on the line between 56 and 58. I could probably make either work. Are the deals you know of for S-Works frames as I've googled myself to death with no luck?

Evil Laugh

PMed you.