Canyon Ultimate CF SL vs. Specialised Tarmac Sport

james010101
james010101 Posts: 3
edited September 2016 in Road buying advice
Hi there!

I'm currently trying to decide between the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0, and the Specialised Tarmac Sport (2016). This is my first carbon bike, and I will use the bike for daily commuting, weekend rides and occasional sportives. My budget's around £1500. Would love to hear your opinions on which bike I should purchase, and what upgrades (if necessary) you would make to the chosen bike!

Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultim ... l-7-0.html

Specialised Tarmac Sport (2016)

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Tar ... _83971.htm

Thanks!

Comments

  • wahla21
    wahla21 Posts: 96
    james010101 wrote:
    Hi there!

    I'm currently trying to decide between the Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0, and the Specialised Tarmac Sport (2016). This is my first carbon bike, and I will use the bike for daily commuting, weekend rides and occasional sportives. My budget's around £1500. Would love to hear your opinions on which bike I should purchase, and what upgrades (if necessary) you would make to the chosen bike!

    Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0

    https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultim ... l-7-0.html

    Specialised Tarmac Sport (2016)

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Tar ... _83971.htm

    Thanks!

    Hi, can't comment on the rides but a friend got the Tarmac and the Axis wheels are pants. They creak and are really heavy. The Mavic on the Canyon are much better wheels.

    Just thought I'd mention.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Both bikes are semi pro chainsets so you need to be sure that works for you, although things can be sorted after purchase if needs be. Both bikes are going to be pretty good although Spesh usually come out a little more expensive than most...which usually means less spec on the groupset but both of these look to be 105 throughout (ish). I like the Tarmac/Allez but many guys I ride with rate the Canyon range.

    One of the main differences will be the purchase itself. Canyon only do mail order so you will have to be fairly careful about sizing although if you know someone else with one then that makes things easier. I have also heard lots of good things about their online tools/help so that should be ok although the internet abounds with woeful tales regarding Canyon delivery and service (many will be straight on here saying all is now sorted but no one can plead ignorance about their track record).

    Shops like Leisure Lakes, Evans, etc., will allow you a quick ride before purchase but this can be of little benefit (after all, they are not going to let you have a bike for 4 weeks to see how you get on with it). It is nice to swing a leg over a new bike, IMO.

    The Axis wheels really are not that good but the Mavics are also sluggish and mine died quite spectacularly with the infamous Mavic death squeal. Wheels can be easily swapped and many shops will allow that at purchase to maximise value. Campag Zondas can be had for a couple of hundred quid (ish) and they will blow both sets of wheels away, for example.

    These bikes are fairly decent...but there will be lots of other bikes in the same bracket. One thing to bear in mind is that neither will take a decent set of mudguards but if you are ok commuting with Raceblade Long XLs (for example) then that is fine. Many folks will use a cheap winter bike for trucking to work and back and keep a nice bike for w/e's.
  • type:epyt
    type:epyt Posts: 766
    ^ I wish people would stop suggesting Campag wheels for Shimano bikes ... That's what Fulcrum are for ...

    These are no doubt the same people that use Fizik logo'd tape with a Charge Spoon saddle ...
    Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    Love my Tarmac Comp. It came with Fulcrum 4s and I tried a set of Ksyrium Elites on it and it made the bike too harsh. Running GP4000 25c and the bike rides really smooth. Sized down to a 54cm and the fit is great. Only my second carbon bike but think its ace. Not sure if Canyon is still risky in terms of lead in delivery times so if you can get the Tarmac from stock that s what I would do - also I think the Tarmac looks better.
  • tim_wand
    tim_wand Posts: 2,552
    type:epyt wrote:
    ^ I wish people would stop suggesting Campag wheels for Shimano bikes ... That's what Fulcrum are for ...

    These are no doubt the same people that use Fizik logo'd tape with a Charge Spoon saddle ...



    I ve got Zondas on my ultera equipped ( except for the chorus calipers ) on my Ribble winter trainer, which has got a deda stem , Fsa bars , Dsp bar tape and a Fizik saddle. Its a great bike and really worries the OCD freaks in our club.

    As for the OP's question get the tarmac they are now £1100 and up grade the wheels to Ksyriums.

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