Heart vs Head...help

Skinner2k3

Quick intro, I bought a cheap(ish) road bike last year and have since massively got the bug! So much so I am going to swap car for bike for my commute as often as possible and also do some sportives asap.

I now have a urge to buy a "best" bike. I set a budget of £1500, had to be carbon and at least 105 group. Absolutely loved the Wilier Izoard XP and had a few others in mind.

Whilst looking however a bike has come up, barely used (impulse buy), local, significantly cheaper than its rrp, meets or exceeds my requirements and is local enough for me to view. Its a Spesh Tarmac Sport (2013) which was on my short list at £1500. I have read every review I can find, the frame is well respected, the mostly 105 group also, the wheels sound like they let it down a bit but I will have spare cash to upgrade later. Its a no brainer, surely?

The trouble is the looks, it just doesnt float my boat (at least not from the pics online).

What would you do?

The other thing I havent mentioned is the geometry, I ride an Allez of the same size and other than a 10mm shorter head tube the Tarmac is the same. So I know it fits. I am viewing it tonight.

Help!

slowbike

I bought an Allez as my first bike - it wasn't a colour I would've chosen (red), but it was available there and then ... I've since decided I do like the colour and a black one just wouldn't be the same ...

Go look, ride and see what you think ...
Tyres and Wheels are always the first upgrade anyway ... and if it's significantly cheaper then you've got the money to replace these sooner rather than later.

My second bike was a Spec Tricross - I bought it without test riding because I knew the Spec geometry would work for me...

diy

Others to consider:
Cannondale Super Six 105
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b0s6p4506
or for something a bit more all road
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b0s6p4324
or if alternatives to 105 are considered:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b0s6p4326

Giant Defy 1 composite 105 & Ultegra or TCR advanced
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b0s6p4496
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 7b0s6p4469

I was looking at the tarmac myself, but ended up going for the boardman team carbon. Spesh struggle to compete in the 1000-1500 price band for carbon bikes + they have totally lost their way on MTBs, so I am pretty much done with the brand.

Pickled Pig

I suppose the crux is "How much cheaper?".

Only you know what, say, a £500 saving means. I bought my second choice of a Spesh Roubaix because there was a mint example for sale second hand at the time, saving me 33%. ( I also rode an Allez with a 90mm stem beforehand).Though I'm now thinking of changing the Roubaix, it won't be for a Ribble GF, which was my 1st choice back then.

danlikesbikes

First of all good on you for going all in and getting rid of the car and going 2 wheels only.

It is a good bike I know someone who bought his in 2012 and really likes it, though I guess as you have an Allez you already know what its going to be like.

There is no harm in going to look at it as it might be better in front of you than the pics. Does sound like you not that impressed by it if I'm honest and maybe thats because you have a similar bike already & your conscious of spending a lot of money and not really seeing that much of a change?

If I were you (I did this myself) get yourself out of the door and into a few LBS and just look find a bike that you really like, try it for size and one will stand out from the rest for some reason. Ignore the simple things as most bikes in your price bracket will have something that you can upgrade in the future and its often wheels, but might be own brand bars, stem, seat post, seat. As you have already said you are going to look to upgrade in the future.

That way you can satisfy both your heart & your head.

diy

Is a tarmac really an every day commuter?
I would have thought the Roubaix would be nicer for every day?

Skinner2k3

Cheers for the links DIY, I will have a look on my lunch break.

Alot is down the price, this bike slightly second hand is approaching 30% cheaper so will save a good amount.

Ribble GF is on my list too, I like that I can spec it how I want as well and if I blow my full budget is a strong contender.

Cheers Dan, knowing the geometry is a bonus. I went for a look round the LBS who unfortunately didnt have a Sport in stock at the time. What they did have from Spesh I liked, perhaps I just havent seen a really good pic of the Tarmac. On paper it makes sense, I know it fits, I have spare £££ to put my choice of wheels on, I just need it to appear asthetically and its done deal really.

Tarmac would be my sunday best bike, the Allez would be the commuter. Its a bit taller at the front and I have changed to a 90mm stem. I am still tweeking the position but can put in a couple of hours before I feel any aches, plenty to do the 13 miles to work.

Skinner2k3

Update.....had a chance to check out the links DIY posted, that Supersix had the effect the Spesh was lacking!

So Thursday I should take delivery of a nice new Supersix Apex, thank you Mr DIY!

Its going to be a slow 48 hours!!!!!

diy

no prob - Apex is nothing to sniff at. I personally prefer SRAM. Plus I should be on commission from Paul's cycles, my mate was watching a synapse on ebay 2 - year old with upgraded wheelset - went for just over a grand. Pauls cycles price £1,100 new.

YIMan

I would follow the heart.

If you follow the head, the heart will always give you the feeling that there was something else that would have "done it for you" more. Telling yourself "yes but this was good value for money" will not remove that feeling.

If you follow the heart, the head will say "ooh this was a bit expensive" but the heart will make up for this by saying "yes but I love it and it's therefore worth it".

All within reason of course.....