Tarmac Expert or TCR Advanced pro 1

james4480

Hi, I am currently in the market of buying a new bike. I am 6ft2 and 143lb.
I ride often on 100+mile rides but I am also starting racing next season.

Originally I was looking at the Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1, retailing at £2599, this is spec'd with Giants new wheel system eliminating the need to purchase a new wheel set.
My other option is a Specialized Tarmac Expert, retailing at £2999.99, however my LBS has offered me this for £2400.

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmac-expert
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.pro.1/24956/90496/

Both are nice bikes, however I can not come to a decision of which is right for me? will the tarmac prove a race machine on short nippy races. and will the tcr prove comfortable enough for 150 mile rides.

Thanks in advance

imposter2.0

Both bikes will do the job with consummate ease. Try both and decide.

bristolpete

I rode Tarmacs for 4 years, all be it on S-works guise and often and even now cite them as the best alround bikes I have owned since I was 13, some 30 odd years ago. However, over the last 18 months I have become suitably impressed by Giant bikes and the 2016 line up is exceptional, both in performance and value. The advanced pro 1 is stunning, the bottom bracket is super stiff and the whole bike is a superb sum total of the parts. The wheels are exceptional, to my mind ride akin to Enve and stop very well in both wet and dry. The only caveat I can level at the Giant bikes is watch the fit as the geo is unlike any other brand in so much they are slightly slacker and longer for a race bike. But at £2600.00 I know where my money would go. Giant have driven prices and down and 2 years ago, this would have cost more like £4000.00. Hope this helps.