Thinking about S-Works....but which one??

mscott020
mscott020 Posts: 2
edited August 2015 in Road buying advice
I'm thinking about buying a custom build from Specialised. I currently ride a Secteur, which is basically an aluminium Roubaix, so the Roubaix is the natural choice. But is it a bit too dull? And will I notice any difference between Tarmac and Roubaix anyway, given the spec is basically the same and it's the geometry driving the difference?

Only other decision is Ultra Di2 or Dura Ace 9000 mechanical? Want to cap price, so don't want to go for Dura Ace Di2 or disc brakes.

Views welcome!!!

Comments

  • bianchibob
    bianchibob Posts: 306
    Only one choice Venge !!!

    Brilliant frame.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19679247#p19679247]bianchibob[/url] wrote:
    Only one choice Venge !!!

    Brilliant frame.

    Which is about to be replaced by a better version.
    N
    N+1
  • dav1d1
    dav1d1 Posts: 653
    I thought the one cav and Sagan was riding was the new venge?
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    It is and it's called the Venge ViAS.
    N
    N+1
  • paulmon
    paulmon Posts: 315
    Tarmac and Roubaix completely different. Go and sit on both in your size and you will immediately notice the difference. My advice before jumping into an expensive S-Works build is to buy the entry level bike be it Venge or Tarmac and ride it for a while to make sure you get on with the geometry. Its a less expensive mistake to make than dumping over £5K on a custom S-Works build that you don't like.

    I did the same and after demoing a number of expensive builds by Colnago, Specialized and Willier ended up keeping the bike. Its changed quite a bit though... :wink:

    viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13032732
  • 99thmonkey
    99thmonkey Posts: 667
    To Look Good: Venge

    To Be Good: Tarmac

    To Feel Good: Roubaix

    had all 3 and done thousands of miles on them and Venge always looked great, rode fast but was a little harsh, Tarmac is superb and always will be as its perfect for racing and training but whilst the Roubaix is a 'sit up and beg' sportive bike to some (most haven't rode it) I find it ultra comfy and just as quick as any of the others and it is my go to bike for most sessions
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I always found my standard Roubaix very dull (still a good bike though) but I'd expect the S-Works version is a different beast.
  • w00dster
    w00dster Posts: 880
    Never ridden one, but just on looks alone would be the Venge for me.
    Also you asked about Ultegra DI2 or DA Mech, DA Mech for me any day of the week. Ultegra is just damn ugly - its what I use, works absolutely fine, but its fugly.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19679243#p19679243]mscott020[/url] wrote:
    I'm thinking about buying a custom build from Specialised. I currently ride a Secteur, which is basically an aluminium Roubaix, so the Roubaix is the natural choice. But is it a bit too dull? And will I notice any difference between Tarmac and Roubaix anyway, given the spec is basically the same and it's the geometry driving the difference?

    Only other decision is Ultra Di2 or Dura Ace 9000 mechanical? Want to cap price, so don't want to go for Dura Ace Di2 or disc brakes.

    Views welcome!!!

    So how do you know you want a custom build if you don't even know what bike you want ?
  • overlord2
    overlord2 Posts: 339
    I got the s-works tarmac this year. SRAM force and DA C24 wheels. It is a fast bike if you are good enough to push it on all terrain.

    I can't see the point of the venge unless you are a sprinter or time trialing.
  • turbotommy
    turbotommy Posts: 493
    Maybe think about ultegra Di2 but with the S-works crankset if you're not keen of the look of ultegra? If you're trying to keep to a budget I'd also recommend buying the frame seperately and sourcing the components. A bit more agro but it'll work out cheaper.
    Cannondale caad7 ultegra
    S-works Tarmac sl5 etap
    Colnago c64 etap wifli
    Brother Swift
  • Giraffoto
    Giraffoto Posts: 2,078
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19679243#p19679243]mscott020[/url] wrote:
    . . . I currently ride a Secteur, which is basically an aluminium Roubaix, so the Roubaix is the natural choice. But is it a bit too dull? . . .

    Views welcome!!!

    Having hopped off an aluminium framed bike (Tricross) to a Roubaix, I can assure you that it's not a bit dull. You'll have the geometry that you're used to and a bike that just seems to want to go faster all the time.
    Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
    XM-057 rigid 29er
  • zak3737
    zak3737 Posts: 370
    Surely the question is, what kind of rider are you ??

    Venge is an out & out Race/Sprint/TT bike.....
    Tarmac is a true Race Geometry bike, suited to those that like an agressive position, and the geometry to go fast 'most' of the time.
    Roubaix is the Endurance choice, that you can still go fast on when you want.

    I've just upgraded to a 2015 SL4 Roubaix Comp Disc, and with 28c tyres on, its fast AND Comfortable, at least for my weight and abilities !
    Can highly recommend.

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