specialized tarmac vs roubaix

jameskliu

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)

hmm...my LBS told me the exact opposite, that they were almost alike. I think by a quick glance at the dimensions they are pretty similar...anyone else know for sure?

jameskliu

BTW, I pulled the trigger and got the Tarmac! Expert Disc. Hopefully no buyers remorse. Coming from my old aluminum budget bike I'm sure I'll be happy with this big upgrade. I've always like the specialized brand since I started seeing the bikes and having one of their saddles. I know there is some mixed feelings with history of the company misbehaving.

Anyway, thanks much for the responses!!

Timmyepp

jameskliu wrote:

BTW, I pulled the trigger and got the Tarmac! Expert Disc. Hopefully no buyers remorse. Coming from my old aluminum budget bike I'm sure I'll be happy with this big upgrade. I've always like the specialized brand since I started seeing the bikes and having one of their saddles. I know there is some mixed feelings with history of the company misbehaving.

Anyway, thanks much for the responses!!

Great bike, you will love it.

slowmart

jameskliu wrote:

BTW, I pulled the trigger and got the Tarmac! Expert Disc. Hopefully no buyers remorse. Coming from my old aluminum budget bike I'm sure I'll be happy with this big upgrade. I've always like the specialized brand since I started seeing the bikes and having one of their saddles. I know there is some mixed feelings with history of the company misbehaving.

Anyway, thanks much for the responses!!

Congratulations, you know the rules, pics please

Bobbinogs

jameskliu wrote:

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)

hmm...my LBS told me the exact opposite, that they were almost alike. I think by a quick glance at the dimensions they are pretty similar...anyone else know for sure?

Ok. The Allez and the Tarmac are primarily the same but at any one point there can be minor differences in geo. This is because the latest frameset (SL3, SL4, etc) is rolled out to the Tarmac first (top models) and then trickled down as appropriate. My Allez E5 2011 has the exact same geo as the top Tarmac at the time but the Allez models below Comp were still on the previous SL version. If this matters to anyone then just check the charts that Spesh publish.

In terms of which bike is for what is really based on a couple of factors rather than anything to do with the bikes. The Allez is more suited to crit races (short, hard & high risk) because it is cheaper to replace and, being aluminium, can take the odd dent. The Tarmac is pitched around the high end because of the spec, price and (for those to whom seconds really count) will eek out every last watt. Note, this performance optimisation does not necessarily apply to dentists.

Carbon can sometimes smooth out a ride but this is often subjective and/or dependent on the layup, etc. Getting the right fit, contact points and time spent in the saddle will make more of a difference to most than the actual model ridden or the spec it comes with.

FWIW, a couple of weeks ago i did ~150 miles on my Allez on an undulating ride which took ~9 hours (8.5 on the bike) and did not think I picked the wrong bike for the day. Perhaps the latest Tarmac Venge would have got me home 2 minutes earlier but then everything has its price ;-)

OP, the Tarmac you have chosen looks great, hope you have a blast :-)

davey.davey

Op , let me know what you think of the new bike as I'm looking at one for myself Hope you enjoy!

smmjrr

I am sure the bike will be great, got both Tarmac Expert and Allez Elite both very comfortable, saddles are great for me and running tarmac on 28s tubeless it was comfy before changing to them looking forward to hearing how the bike is when you get it,

bigmitch41

Love my Tarmac, first carbon bike for me and its good for long rides, I run 25's and find them comfy enough.

Good purchase!

Thick Mike

Just wanted to say that I really like my Roubaix Sport. Comfort ahead of all out speed. Roads round here are bloody awful for the most part and, one day, I might want to father another child!

dannbodge

Bobbinogs wrote:

jameskliu wrote:

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)

hmm...my LBS told me the exact opposite, that they were almost alike. I think by a quick glance at the dimensions they are pretty similar...anyone else know for sure?

Ok. The Allez and the Tarmac are primarily the same but at any one point there can be minor differences in geo. This is because the latest frameset (SL3, SL4, etc) is rolled out to the Tarmac first (top models) and then trickled down as appropriate. My Allez E5 2011 has the exact same geo as the top Tarmac at the time but the Allez models below Comp were still on the previous SL version. If this matters to anyone then just check the charts that Spesh publish.

In terms of which bike is for what is really based on a couple of factors rather than anything to do with the bikes. The Allez is more suited to crit races (short, hard & high risk) because it is cheaper to replace and, being aluminium, can take the odd dent. The Tarmac is pitched around the high end because of the spec, price and (for those to whom seconds really count) will eek out every last watt. Note, this performance optimisation does not necessarily apply to dentists.

Carbon can sometimes smooth out a ride but this is often subjective and/or dependent on the layup, etc. Getting the right fit, contact points and time spent in the saddle will make more of a difference to most than the actual model ridden or the spec it comes with.

FWIW, a couple of weeks ago i did ~150 miles on my Allez on an undulating ride which took ~9 hours (8.5 on the bike) and did not think I picked the wrong bike for the day. Perhaps the latest Tarmac Venge would have got me home 2 minutes earlier but then everything has its price ;-)

OP, the Tarmac you have chosen looks great, hope you have a blast :-)

I stand corrected then!

Anyway I love my Tarmac. It's fast and comfortable, especially on the 26c wide tyres at 90psi

bmxboy10

Ss

smmjrr wrote:

I am sure the bike will be great, got both Tarmac Expert and Allez Elite both very comfortable, saddles are great for me and running tarmac on 28s tubeless it was comfy before changing to them looking forward to hearing how the bike is when you get it,

Can I ask what wheels and tyre combo you are running and what clearance you have please?

smmjrr

American Classic Argent and Vittoria Corsa G+ there is a little clearance 3 to 4mm no issues runs great comfy and running tyres at 85,

bmxboy10

smmjrr wrote:

American Classic Argent and Vittoria Corsa G+ there is a little clearance 3 to 4mm no issues runs great comfy and running tyres at 85,

Even between the tyre and back of the seat tube?

bigmitch41

solboy10 wrote:

smmjrr wrote:

American Classic Argent and Vittoria Corsa G+ there is a little clearance 3 to 4mm no issues runs great comfy and running tyres at 85,

Even between the tyre and back of the seat tube?

I run GP4000'S and the 25's are pretty tight.

smmjrr

solboy10 wrote:

smmjrr wrote:

American Classic Argent and Vittoria Corsa G+ there is a little clearance 3 to 4mm no issues runs great comfy and running tyres at 85,

Even between the tyre and back of the seat tube?

Yip they fit with around 3mm between back of seat tube, there is more clearance at side wall of tyre, seat post is tightest part a snug fit, can take a picture over weekend if you want to see it, been on bike for a few weeks and no issues probably 500 miles or so on them,

chippyk

I've had a Roubaix Comp on loan these past few days and I'm underwhelmed.

Positives;
The 34/32 is useful on hills such as Saintbury and Dover in the Cotswolds, although no better than the 34/28 on my Bianchi and me getting back to Ironman weight.
FutureShock is good at taking the buzz out of the bars on that horrible surface when loose chippings have started to wear away.

Negatives;
Coming up to say a slight incline, railway or motorway bridge for example really stamping on the pedals sat down I could feel the front end bouncing
It's been dry or damp and I'm shocked by how the discs feel no different to rim brakes, probably a world of difference in the wet
I'm going to sound a tit saying this, but the front just felt numb.

It's not a bad bike, but it's not getting my £2650 as an upgrade on what I already have.

jameskliu

Hey guys,

got the bike in. Don't know how to post attachments or else I would include a picture. Did a bike fit in the shop and only enough time to do a little ride around the neighborhood. so far really happy, liked the fit right away.

I know there are probably other forum headings but I thought I would throw this out here anyway.

1. question regarding bike shop etiquette. If I buy a stock bike, and I tell them that I know that I ride a 155mm saddle and it comes with a 143 by default, does your shops replace it, or give you a discount, or manage a way to order it with a 155? Or are you on your own? same goes for other items, let say the fitter notices that I need wider handle bars, do they swap equivalent for free or is everything additional? I asked them to order with a 155 but they couldn't do it, and when I asked when I picked up the bike they kind of wishy washy, 'we'll check with our rep to see if we can get a discount, or something...'

Wondering how much your LBS 'dials' you in on the fit and willingness to swap components to get the 'perfect fit'

2. for short rides up to centuries, what do you pack in your saddle bag? spare tube, tire wrenches, multi function tool? Do people go for the tire pump attached to the frame anymore or is it just CO2 cartridges?

Bobbinogs

OP, your bikeshop is selling you a bike. Simple as that. If you (or anyone else) would prefer a different component then that is very much 'it depends'...mainly on goodwill from the LBS. Now that you have ridden the bike, I cannot see any LBS swapping parts FOC. I would expect the bike fitter to be able to adjust things like saddle position and stem height but, for example, if you want to swap from a 100mm stem to a 110mm then you will need to buy a new stem and either fit it yourself (or, if you purchase the new stem from the LBS, see if they will give some discount on the fitting of it).

In ref to on the bike stuff, always a pump...many of the smaller ones work well (but some are rubbish, use the search tool). You may also want to carry a CO2 or 2 for convenience AS WELL. As for the rest of the kit you need, that is often down to a personal risk assessment. I often do 200k rides in isolated areas so will take a few extra things that many wouldn't take on a spin around the block. Also, get to know the basics of maintenance and be adept at using a cable tie where needed!

dannbodge

When I got mine I provided new brakes (came with Tiagra and I wanted 105) and pedals and they fitted them whilst doing the wheel and tyre change so cost me nothing.

For a bike fit, my LBS did a quick saddle height and then just checked my other bits (back angle, arms etc) but that was it.

bernithebiker

There should be a new Tarmac coming out this summer, although exactly when is hard to say.

Not sure how they can improve it much though, it's already an excellent race bike. Maybe a touch lighter.

Flâneur

as you said somewhere else Bern, touch lighter and maybe a tad aero, nothing drastic, just marginals.

Beautiful bike to ride. Even the crudder in my local Giant shop loves taking it out to test any changes I've asked for. And he is far too big for my frame

pippi_langsamer-2

bernithebiker wrote:

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

Pffft....everyone knows a 56 represents the best proportional aesthetics of any bike (if set up properly) :idea:

bernithebiker

Flâneur wrote:

as you said somewhere else Bern, touch lighter and maybe a tad aero, nothing drastic, just marginals.

Beautiful bike to ride. Even the crudder in my local Giant shop loves taking it out to test any changes I've asked for. And he is far too big for my frame

Yep!

Maybe on the new one they'll attach a bit of string to the seatpost clamp bolt cache!

(Private joke! sorry)