specialized tarmac vs roubaix

jameskliu

Hi,

I am looking to purchase my second road bike to upgrade from my first that got me into cycling. Looking for some help.

My first bike is a 2012 Jamis Ventura Race, 105 components, that I got 3 years ago. I got it at a small LBS, and although it was a great deal because it was a older model, the fitting buy the shop owner was along the lines of eyevalling me and making some adjustments. I've tweeked it here and there since and it has served me well. Now being more into the sport I'm looking for an upgrade.

Had originally settled on the specialized roubaix expert last year, never got it. I'm looking at the model this year, not excited about the future shock thing, although all the review I read are positive

So I started to look at the tarmac. I liked the idea of having a faster, stiffer bike, that maybe I can dial down if I can't handle the geometry. Also, as I get more into the sport, although I 'm not a racer, I want to push myself more and I think I may be happier with the tarmac down the line as opposed to possibly wanting to upgrade.

Would like some advice regarding tarmac vs roubaix. I know they are very different types of bikes, but I wanted some thoughts from seasoned riders. Are there other brands I should be looking at? The bike shop I go to has trek and specialized, and just started to carry pinarello. There other bike shops that carry felt, bianchi, and cervelo in the area, but I don't know much about those brands, other than what I see on TV and in the ads. I know specialized lines and I seem to like their products, I've tried their saddle with my old bike and liked it. I wonder how people decide on the more 'exotic' brands - its is just having an idea that you want a specific brand or is there something else you look for?

I've been to several bike shops and it seems like everyone pushes and talks up their brands. I'm tall so its hard to test ride them all because most placed don't have 61cm versions of all their bikes sitting around to test. I've asked my bike shop about tarmac vs roubaix and they tell me the usual differences that I read on the internet, but not a lot of guidance for me. I'm worried that I'm kidding myself and wanting the tarmac while I should look at the roubaix.

About myself. 38, 6'3'', 220lbs, ride 1-2 x weeks, 25-50 miles per ride, did a century last year, hope to at least a couple this year. riding limited mainly due to time, work and family.

Any advice would be appreciated.

nickbotfield

I'm about the same height as you and I rode last year's Roubaix and Tarmac at the same test event and got a good feel for both of them. You can get pretty much the same position on both bikes and really there wasn't much difference in terms of comfort, at least for me. I'm not a powerful rider so I wasn't able to notice any particular difference in stiffness at the bottom bracket, but I did notice that the Tarmac felt much more fun and more responsive. Given the choice I'd go for the Tarmac.

I think once you start getting to the £1500 and above price range most bikes are going to be really good no matter who makes them, so it's more a case of going for what bike fits you well and makes you want to ride it. (For that reason my nicest bike is a Bianchi, because it has an amazing colour! It felt very similar to the Tarmac when I first rode it, but the colour swung my decision!)

bernithebiker

If on your current rides you feel uncomfortable and a bit 'beaten up' then maybe think about the Roubaix.

If not, then Tarmac.

But to be honest, a Tarmac on 25's at 80psi is going to be more comfortable than a Roubaix on 23's at 100psi anyway, so extra comfort can be dialled in (as can position).

bmxboy10

Same dilemma last year went for the Tarmac Comp as the Roubaix felt like an arm chair in comparison. My Tarmac is fitted with 25c GP4000s and SpeciaIized Hover Bars.

slowmart

Ex Roubaix and now Tarmac owner.

The tarmac is quicker steering and as Berni suggests you can dial comfort in if that's your thing but to be candid I haven't felt the need as the Tarmac is perfect as it is.

I'm well over biked as the Tarmac capabilities are far greater than my riding abilities.

dannbodge

I haven't ridden a rouxbaix but I do have a tarmac.
With a set of decent wheels and tyres it is a very fast and nimble bike. It's not uncomfortable at all especially if you run wider tyres and slightly lower pressures.
Even on 26c tyres running 95/100psi it is more comfortable than my previous aluminium cube.

Bobbinogs

OP, if you are looking at the Tarmac then other options would be the Cervelo R2 or the Cannondale Supersix Evo 105. Similar stack and reach...and ride characteristics at the price point.

bmxboy10

Whatever you do it's worth waiting another month or two as the 2017 bikes will start getting discounted soon.

Garry H

Get the Tarmac. The Roubaix has got to be one of the ugliest road bikes I've ever seen.

bmxboy10

Garry H wrote:

Get the Tarmac. The Roubaix has got to be one of the ugliest road bikes I've ever seen.

I agree but the smaller sized frames seem to look better than the larger ones.

alanparsons

solboy10 wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Get the Tarmac. The Roubaix has got to be one of the ugliest road bikes I've ever seen.

I agree but the smaller sized frames seem to look better than the larger ones.

OP is 6'3" he is going to need one of the ugly frames.

plymouthsteve

Hi,
Hope I have a relevant opinion on this subject as I have flicked between roubaic and tarmac for the past 6 years, having had sl2 and sl4 of each. And covered 10000 miles and more, with about half on each. Plus I'm 225 lbs and not quite 50, so no racing snake!
You ride the Tarmac, whilst you go for a ride on the Roubaix.
Thats the best way I can sum it up.
I've found the perfect combination (for me, at least) to be Tarmac with 25c tyres, roubaix bar tape including gel inserts, and the stem the easy way up.
I'm stuck on a tarmac as my last attempt at going back to the roubaix just left me missing the feel of the ride. That may be a plus for some people, but it depends on how much you want to enjoy each ride.
Hope this helps.

Garry H

solboy10 wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Get the Tarmac. The Roubaix has got to be one of the ugliest road bikes I've ever seen.

I agree but the smaller sized frames seem to look better than the larger ones.

Actually, I've chenged my minf. Saw a red, size 54 one yesterday and that doesn't look too bad at all.

bernithebiker

Tarmacs up to 54 look great, beyond that, less so.... (IMO!!)

Bobbinogs

bernithebiker wrote:

Tarmacs up to 54 look great, beyond that, less so.... (IMO!!)

I would say the same for all bikes!

ALawson

I have a 2012 Roubaix and a SL4 S-Works Tarmac, Geo of the tarmac suits me better both are a 58cm with same stem length.

The Roubaix seems to absorb inputted power whilst the Tarmac makes you go forward either with less effort or more speed, obviously comparing a Di2 sub 7kg bike with aTiagra 10kg one isn't fair but you can tell on the flats not only when going up hill.

I have some tubeless SL23 from Malcolm 23 and 25mm width and the ride on the Tarmac is fine done a few 200km plus rides and no real complaints, great bikes.

ugo.santalucia

You should get the Tarmac... you do short, presumably fast riding... what's the point of a Roubaix for that?

ZMC888

I recently bought a 2017 Fuji SL (carbon) and also have a 2012 Specialized Secteur (alloy) similar to an older Roubaix.
Really this 'enduro' or 'gravel' bike malarkey is just bs marketing unless you really are going to ride 70% cobbles/have a bad back/and/or are totally unsupple.

The tire pressure/width and bike frame material/design make much more difference. I just did a 287km long ride on my fairly slammed Fuji and didn't feel any less comfortable than I would have on my Secteur.

You're buying a road bike to go fast, why leave aero performance and lower weight on the table?

The theory that you need some sort of shock absorber and really tall head tube to give poorer aero to be comfortable over a long distance isn't really true for most people.

bmxboy10

ALawson wrote:

I have a 2012 Roubaix and a SL4 S-Works Tarmac, Geo of the tarmac suits me better both are a 58cm with same stem length.

The Roubaix seems to absorb inputted power whilst the Tarmac makes you go forward either with less effort or more speed, obviously comparing a Di2 sub 7kg bike with aTiagra 10kg one isn't fair but you can tell on the flats not only when going up hill.

I have some tubeless SL23 from Malcolm 23 and 25mm width and the ride on the Tarmac is fine done a few 200km plus rides and no real complaints, great bikes.

Can you advise what tyres you run on the 23 and 25 mm rims and if you have any clearance issues?

ugo.santalucia

ZMC888 wrote:

The theory that you need some sort of shock absorber and really tall head tube to give poorer aero to be comfortable over a long distance isn't really true for most people.

so true...

ALawson

solboy10 wrote:

ALawson wrote:

I have a 2012 Roubaix and a SL4 S-Works Tarmac, Geo of the tarmac suits me better both are a 58cm with same stem length.

The Roubaix seems to absorb inputted power whilst the Tarmac makes you go forward either with less effort or more speed, obviously comparing a Di2 sub 7kg bike with aTiagra 10kg one isn't fair but you can tell on the flats not only when going up hill.

I have some tubeless SL23 from Malcolm 23 and 25mm width and the ride on the Tarmac is fine done a few 200km plus rides and no real complaints, great bikes.

Can you advise what tyres you run on the 23 and 25 mm rims and if you have any clearance issues?

Sorry rims are Pacenti SL23 which are about 24mm wide at he brake tracks, I run a 25mm IRC Tubeless up front which is about 28mm actual width, no issues unless the tyre has picked up loads of crap. Then it can leave detritus on underside of brake,

Rear I run a 23 IRC tubeless which comes up around 25mm, about 1.5mm clearance between tyre and stays at base of seat tube junction, I have run 25'mm IRC Tubeless and 25mm GP4k on the rear on both V1 and V2 rims, there is literally <1mm clearance to tyre.

SL4 dropouts have had 25mm wide Edco Carbon rims with adequate clearance, I am thinking about getting some Borg 50s but want to try them for fit, Zipp actually or Specialised stated a 404 or 303 wouldn't fit!

Hope that helps.

larmurf

Took one of the new Roubaix out for a few hours in Alcudia a while ago. First impressions not overly impressed. It was a smoother ride on the good roads, but on rougher patches was not as "shock absorbent' as my 2012 Roubaix Expert. May go for a Tarmac next, but do like the aforementioned Roubaix, far from ugly it has been much admired at Sportifs etc ..!!!

jameskliu

Bobbinogs wrote:

OP, if you are looking at the Tarmac then other options would be the Cervelo R2 or the Cannondale Supersix Evo 105. Similar stack and reach...and ride characteristics at the price point.

Hey guys!

OP here. Thanks for the replies. Helpful and funny. Yes, when you scale just about anything up to a fit a person at 6'3'', it doesn't look quite as good, that goes for bikes, shoes, etc.

Anyway, after reading the posts, I was feeling good about going for Tarmac. But then at the advice of this post, I went to a different LBS which carries Cervelo and Cannondale. Really liked the sales person there, very knowledgeable and listened and had opinions aside from hitting me with standard marketing stuff that I could read on the internet.

Anyway, after hearing my tarmac vs roubaix dilemma, this guy was like you guys, advised for the race bike. This guy gushed over the Supersix EVO Hi-Mod Ultegra. Says he love it, it fast and stiff but he also does centuries on it without a problem etc. He had a 60cm that he encouraged me to come back and take for an hour to test ride and says I will think its the best bike ever.

I'm going to go back and take it for a ride. But the problem is I've actually not ridden a tarmac so its hard to compare. The other bike shop that carries specialized got a 61 roubaix in but couldn't get a 61 tarmac, probably because they sell so few they are afraid of not selling it.

Questions:
1. The salesman at the new LBS was super energetic and knowledgeable, and I believe he really loves the bike, and I really like the feel of this LBS, and he knew his stuff. But I"m weary of bike shop folks pushing out what they have in stock. Been subject to that before. I think he had a 2016 model, with rim brakes. I was looking at disc breaks and so I asked him about that and he said good question, and kind of pushed for rims because he said disc are 2 pound heavier than rims. I know discs are heavier but I don't know if he's just trying to push that bike out the door. I was set on discs and so I would probably get the 2017 version with the discs. anyone have opinions on that? may be able to get a deal on the bike he has in stock.

2. After reading the replies on this thread I was mentally set on a tarmac now I'm reading how great people like the supersix evo. Say I love the cannondale but not having ridden the tarmac, how do I decide?

This is killing me!

bmxboy10

jameskliu wrote:

Bobbinogs wrote:

OP, if you are looking at the Tarmac then other options would be the Cervelo R2 or the Cannondale Supersix Evo 105. Similar stack and reach...and ride characteristics at the price point.

Hey guys!

OP here. Thanks for the replies. Helpful and funny. Yes, when you scale just about anything up to a fit a person at 6'3'', it doesn't look quite as good, that goes for bikes, shoes, etc.

Anyway, after reading the posts, I was feeling good about going for Tarmac. But then at the advice of this post, I went to a different LBS which carries Cervelo and Cannondale. Really liked the sales person there, very knowledgeable and listened and had opinions aside from hitting me with standard marketing stuff that I could read on the internet.

Anyway, after hearing my tarmac vs roubaix dilemma, this guy was like you guys, advised for the race bike. This guy gushed over the Supersix EVO Hi-Mod Ultegra. Says he love it, it fast and stiff but he also does centuries on it without a problem etc. He had a 60cm that he encouraged me to come back and take for an hour to test ride and says I will think its the best bike ever.

I'm going to go back and take it for a ride. But the problem is I've actually not ridden a tarmac so its hard to compare. The other bike shop that carries specialized got a 61 roubaix in but couldn't get a 61 tarmac, probably because they sell so few they are afraid of not selling it.

Questions:
1. The salesman at the new LBS was super energetic and knowledgeable, and I believe he really loves the bike, and I really like the feel of this LBS, and he knew his stuff. But I"m weary of bike shop folks pushing out what they have in stock. Been subject to that before. I think he had a 2016 model, with rim brakes. I was looking at disc breaks and so I asked him about that and he said good question, and kind of pushed for rims because he said disc are 2 pound heavier than rims. I know discs are heavier but I don't know if he's just trying to push that bike out the door. I was set on discs and so I would probably get the 2017 version with the discs. anyone have opinions on that? may be able to get a deal on the bike he has in stock.

2. After reading the replies on this thread I was mentally set on a tarmac now I'm reading how great people like the supersix evo. Say I love the cannondale but not having ridden the tarmac, how do I decide?

This is killing me!

I had a Caad 10 disc and it was great and I suspect the Supersix will be a fair bit nicer. Anyway I sold the Caad as I just preferred the Tarmac. Also the Tarmac to me just looks better and has an amazing paint scheme.

luv2ride

jameskliu wrote:

Questions:
1. The salesman at the new LBS was super energetic and knowledgeable, and I believe he really loves the bike, and I really like the feel of this LBS, and he knew his stuff. But I"m weary of bike shop folks pushing out what they have in stock. Been subject to that before. I think he had a 2016 model, with rim brakes. I was looking at disc breaks and so I asked him about that and he said good question, and kind of pushed for rims because he said disc are 2 pound heavier than rims. I know discs are heavier but I don't know if he's just trying to push that bike out the door. I was set on discs and so I would probably get the 2017 version with the discs. anyone have opinions on that? may be able to get a deal on the bike he has in stock.

2. After reading the replies on this thread I was mentally set on a tarmac now I'm reading how great people like the supersix evo. Say I love the cannondale but not having ridden the tarmac, how do I decide?

This is killing me!

It's a difficult one! The Super Six Evo has a great reputation (ride quality, still racy). You should be able to get the 2016 model at the LBS for a good discount, and I wouldn't be too put off by rim brakes over discs, especially if the Cannondale can be had for a reasonable reduction. That said, I've just picked up a new disc brake bike, mainly because I wanted to use wider tyres than my current (rim brake) frame would allow. The hydro brakes are, I have to say, brilliant, but the bike is noticeably heavier than my rim-braked "race" bike, and am now actively looking at upgrades to bring the weight down - this obviously adds quite a bit of extra cash into the equation. I can see me keeping the lighter bike for "best", which also wasn't part of the original bike purchase plan :oops:

You say the new LBS also do Cervelo? If it were me I'd definitely be looking at an R2 as well. Really thought that bike would be my next choice, especially in the grey and orange colourway, I think they look ace. Not discs, but definitely worth a look I think...

The new tarmac still a nice bike though. Good luck with the search (but try the 'Dale and the Cervelo before deciding!)

Timmyepp

I was in a similar situation, I ended up on a Supersix Himod DA2. Comfortable enough for long rides, but still super fun when I want to go for a burn. I ended up with the Supersix over the Tarmac or Cervelo because I got a much better deal on it. Himod frame, full dura-ace, and still cheaper than the regular carbon tarmac. Around here, Specialized and Cervelo just don't really go on sale. Basically, out of the bikes you mentioned, get the one you can get the best deal on, or that you are drawn to. All great bikes.

jameskliu

Thanks again guys. Really helpful.

I tested out the supersix evo hi mod, turns out its a 2015 frame. The owner switched out the original crankset for a praxis. Ultegra otherwise. They are asking for $3500.

Doesn't seem like a significant discount to me for a 2 year old frame, especially since the frame was revised for 2016.

As for the ride, I liked it. Very fast. Very aggressive geometry, felt maybe I was reaching a bit more than I would be totally comfortable with. I know I could get that dialed in better. I rode the Allez at my other bike shop to simulate the geometry of the Tarmac and I thought I felt more comfortable on the Allez. From looking at the dimensions the Evo does appear to be more aggressive.

Any thoughts on the 2015 frame and whether that discount is worth going for?

Timmyepp

I got a 2016 himod DA2 at the end of last year for only $700 more than what they are asking for on the bike you are looking at. Lots of changes for 2016, the 2015 should be cheaper. I'm also talking Canadian $$.

dannbodge

Correct me if I'm wrong but the allez geometry is nothing like the tarmac. It's far more racey

The allez is designed for short hard rides where as the tarmac is more for longer race stages (that's what my LBS told me)

slowmart

Dannbodge wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong but the allez geometry is nothing like the tarmac. It's far more racey

The allez is designed for short hard rides where as the tarmac is more for longer race stages (that's what my LBS told me)

I believe the geometry is the same on both bikes?

bmxboy10

Dannbodge wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong but the allez geometry is nothing like the tarmac. It's far more racey

The allez is designed for short hard rides where as the tarmac is more for longer race stages (that's what my LBS told me)

Must be true then :roll: you need a new LBS......