S Works Venge?

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Comments

  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    Steve_kay wrote:
    bernithebiker wrote:
    If you lived in Norfolk I'd say go with a Venge.

    But in Devon / Cornwall, I'd say go for the Tarmac. (What I have!)

    Count the Venge's in the pro-peloton. It won't take you long.

    I didn't think there was a single venge in this years tour. Yeah the Tarmac has some great reviews as well and doesn't seem to have such a brutal ride. Which Tarmac do you have?

    Admittedly he crashed on the first stage but what about Mark Cavendish? Think he might ride a Venge! :roll:
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    As Ugo has indicated, a 'good' frame makes next to no difference to performance in amateur racing - and especially the lower cats. In any case, the Cube is already a good frame and more than capable of performing well. If you are serious about racing, put the money you were going to spend on a Venge towards a coaching plan, a training camp and perhaps some trick wheels/tyres for your existing bike on race days - that would be a much better use of the money IMO.
  • steve_kay
    steve_kay Posts: 197
    Admittedly he crashed on the first stage but what about Mark Cavendish? Think he might ride a Venge!

    But he's not in this years tour anymore. Barely started it unfortunately so that point was valid
  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    You are correct though, none of the other riders in the Specialized sponsored teams seem to ride them. I wonder why?
  • steve_kay
    steve_kay Posts: 197
    Imposter wrote:
    As Ugo has indicated, a 'good' frame makes next to no difference to performance in amateur racing - and especially the lower cats. In any case, the Cube is already a good frame and more than capable of performing well. If you are serious about racing, put the money you were going to spend on a Venge towards a coaching plan, a training camp and perhaps some trick wheels/tyres for your existing bike on race days - that would be a much better use of the money IMO.

    Yeah that seems to make a bit more sense in reality. At least I can train and race on the same bike, whereas I'd struggle training on a venge round devon. From a comfort perspective at least. I think I may treat myself to a new bike at some point though as a more of a "nice to have" than to use it for racing. It's always nice to mix things up with a bit of variety. It keeps things interesting and enjoyable. Most people would have multiple cars/motorbikes/football boots etc if they could. Each used for different occasions or situations. Unfortunately, the limiting factor for most people is financial
  • steve_kay
    steve_kay Posts: 197
    Camcycle1974 wrote:
    You are correct though, none of the other riders in the Specialized sponsored teams seem to ride them. I wonder why?

    Maybe it's to do with the way he sprints/rides. The venge being stiffer may suit the unique way he transfers power when sprinting
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Listen, it's quite simple, really... you WANT a Venge and you are trying to find a good excuse to buy it... racing apparently is not a good excuse... why don't you just come to term with the fact that you are, like many of us, a "big kid" who wants a new toy and just get it? Because you WANT it, rather than NEED it...

    I think it would make life a lot simpler for yourself
    left the forum March 2023
  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    Could be. His 49cm frame looks tiny. He does like to get as low as possible to gain an aero advantage so maybe the Venge offers him that option more than the Tarmac does. Can't be that comfortable but I guess he is used to it.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Camcycle1974 wrote:
    Could be. His 49cm frame looks tiny. He does like to get as low as possible to gain an aero advantage so maybe the Venge offers him that option more than the Tarmac does. Can't be that comfortable but I guess he is used to it.

    He may, of course, be contractually obliged to turn out on a Venge, rather than a Tarmac.
  • steve_kay
    steve_kay Posts: 197
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Listen, it's quite simple, really... you WANT a Venge and you are trying to find a good excuse to buy it... racing apparently is not a good excuse... why don't you just come to term with the fact that you are, like many of us, a "big kid" who wants a new toy and just get it? Because you WANT it, rather than NEED it...

    I think it would make life a lot simpler for yourself

    Agreed. I am going to get a new bike. But dumping 4 grand on a bike that is going to be uncomfortable to ride where I live and have limited uses seems a bit counter intuitive. Yeah I do really really like the bike but if I'm not going to enjoy riding it then there's no point. It'll just end up either gathering dust or being sold on. I asked the original question because I wanted some other opinions on how stiff and useable it actually is
  • steve_kay
    steve_kay Posts: 197
    Imposter wrote:
    Camcycle1974 wrote:
    Could be. His 49cm frame looks tiny. He does like to get as low as possible to gain an aero advantage so maybe the Venge offers him that option more than the Tarmac does. Can't be that comfortable but I guess he is used to it.

    He may, of course, be contractually obliged to turn out on a Venge, rather than a Tarmac.

    Yeah maybe. Although, you'd like to think that they wouldn't put him on a bike that didn't suit him just to publicise and promote the venge
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Specialized have some dedicated shops... you can try a demo bike out. Years ago I did borrow one for a full weekend, all I had to do was to pay for it and then I got the balance refunded on the following monday...
    left the forum March 2023
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    Steve_kay wrote:
    But he's not in this years tour anymore. Barely started it unfortunately so that point was valid

    Terpstra and Renshaw are both still in the race...

    14511889680_8b0051455b_o.jpg

    But then it's largely irrelevant what others (especially pros) choose to ride. As Ugo says, find a demo and see if you like it or not.
  • norvernrob
    norvernrob Posts: 1,448
    Why is the bike going to be so uncomfortable, is it just magazine speak and people repeating what they've heard or read?

    I've got a Scott Foil, that if you believe the reviews, is bone jarringly stiff and too harsh a ride for many. In reality I can ride the thing for 6 hours and not feel the slightest discomfort.

    Unless you've got a bad back or are in some way physically impaired then just buy the venge if you want it.
  • snakedoc
    snakedoc Posts: 200
    I've got an S Works Venge (as well as an S Works Tarmac) and was also initially put off by the reviews saying how harsh the ride was/is. I don't find this at all and have comfortably ridden some 100+ mile rides on it (I ride with 25mm tyres).

    A demo is the best way - take a saddle that your used to and ride with that
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    NorvernRob wrote:
    Why is the bike going to be so uncomfortable, is it just magazine speak and people repeating what they've heard or read?

    I've got a Scott Foil, that if you believe the reviews, is bone jarringly stiff and too harsh a ride for many. In reality I can ride the thing for 6 hours and not feel the slightest discomfort.

    Unless you've got a bad back or are in some way physically impaired then just buy the venge if you want it.

    Bang on. I can ride my Foil for hours and hours and not have any issues. It's a really comfortable bike. But somewhere along the line some journalist said it was too stiff and it's spiralled from there. I can bet you there are a hell of a lot of happy Foil owners out there.

    So buy the Venge.
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    A Venge on 25mm's at 90psi will be more comfortable than a Tarmac on 23's at 100.

    Things like tyres, bars, bar tape, saddle, seatpost, etc. make far more difference to comfort than the frame.

    But I'd still get the Tarmac.....!

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