[Closed] Specialized Tarmac Pro - is it worth it?

Why is my post doing this <div> crap 😡

Edit - disregard

IMO/E, having sold them, you pay a lot for the specialised brand.

Is it worth it? Financialy no.

The question is. Do you want it? If you want it more than the canyon then the canyon is a waste of 4k as you will only want tge Specialized.

My main reason for being reluctant to purchase anything Specialized is the brand premium.

I almost convinced myself I’d never but a Specialized product after that whole Cafe Roubaix scandal.

But the Tarmac is so nice, and also made probably the same place as the Canyon.

Time is on my side so I don’t need to be hasty....

What size Tarmac pro are you after ? I know of a new 52cm that maybe be on offer

Go and have a good look at both. Test ride, preferably on road but on rollers if you have to, to get a feel for which one suits you more.

Then buy the one that makes you feel all fuzzy.

If I had 5k to spend on a bike, I'd probably buy 3! 😆

I don’t have £5K to spend but can afford to borrow someone else’s £££ for a few years to spread the cost 0%👌 🤪

Then buy the one that makes you feel all fuzzy

... And change the saddle before it makes you go all floppy

'Course it's not worth it unless you're a pro tour rider

Nice though

Never been a Specialized fan to be honest. A few nice paint jobs, but mainstream Merida. For the money, I’d want Dura Ace, but that wouldn’t be electric shifting. And you are paying the Disk premium. Canyon look nicer to me, the aeroad in particular. Better value too. Personally I’d get a TCR Advanced SL Disk for 4.5k, but I’m a terrible Giant Fanboi. They are great pro spec bikes though.

Sagan’s paint job looked cool. Winningest brand at this year’s tour too. But not worth the extra premium to me.

the Cafe Roubaix episode put me off, and I bought the T shirt.

Well I dipped my toe in the canyon thing this year with the Grail, was looking at the comparable Trek/Spec/Cannondale for more cash or a lower spec.

Carbon finish is really nice, spec and build great, kind of sold on the idea for a road bike. Saw a one of the variants of what your after in the Rapha shop in Bicester I think, looked good if a little black in the colours

The view from The Secret Pro is that Spec bikes are as good as it gets in the pro peleton. The Tarmac Pro is bloody lovely as well...but, as mentioned above, you're paying quite a premium for the brand over Canyon.

So, is it worth it? No. Does that mean you shouldn't but it? Also, no.

Would be the Tarmac for me, I'd buy it from Evans using the 10% discount for British Cycling - brings it down to a £5200 and if you can also use the Trade in for an extra £350 off. Brings it to approx. £4.9k.

Actually, I'd go for a Venge, again from Evans. if they honour the discounts, possible to get this for approx. £4.5k. Normal rrp is £6700.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-venge-pro-disc-2018-road-bike-EV306402

How about a Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disk? Very nice bike and the spec you want at the price you want (and possibly cheaper on the web).

Not that I’ve got anything against Evans, but I’d expect that a LBS that stocks Specialized would probably be able to give 10% off RRP.

(satisfied Spesh owner from LBS)

Not that I’ve got anything against Evans, but I’d expect that a LBS that stocks Specialized would probably be able to give 10% off RRP

Not in my experience, I know at least 1 LBS that had Spec threaten to take their account off them if they continued to discount.

Just noticed that Evans also do an additional 5% off as well through Top Cash Back. (I'm nothing to do with Evans, but the Venge has got me interested)

If discounts honoured (plus Cash Back) that's potentially about £4250 for the £6700 Venge.

Good point from drlex, be worth going to see a LBS and seeing if they can match the Evans price for the Tarmac. Either way, the Tarmac does become almost Canyon price range if purchased using all of the discounts. Possibly a bit of faff but potential to save a grand so well worth it.

Check out  https://granfondo-cycling.com/review-best-road-bike-of-2018/ for a view of them both, the tarmac is voted  best and the Canyon come nowhere.

Pros ride what they are paid to ride - they used to have their own custom rebranded frames (Armstrong rode a Litespeed), but no more. Except that the frames they ride are still often custom geometry, even though they may look stock.

For your budget, I would want a pro-level frame and Ultegra Di2 or Dura Ace mechanical. I have a Defy SL with DA, as I really like mechanical. I'd be wary of online reviews and votes . The only significant feedback I ever read was from Charlie Wegelius in Domestique who basically said Cannondale produced alloy frames so light they were dangerous! Geometry is what really matters, most have pretty sorted similar 73 degree parallel set ups for medium frames with a 55-56.5 effective top tube and a 98-100 cm wheelbase.

The TCR Advanced SL is a fantastic frame. So is the Defy SL if you MUST have disks. Mine doesn't and I've raced it over 100 km road races, circuit races and ridden it on 200 mile day rides. Weight is 7 kilos with carbon deep section wheels. It also rides not a lot better than the alloy Defy I built for about 10% if the price 😀

Others are from BMC, Merida, etc... Just get pro-level frame.

I’m able to get a 15% discount if ordered with Wheelies which will bring the price down to £4,887.5.

This now makes it fairly affordable and very competitive to the Canyons price tag of £4450 (although they’re currently offering the CF SLX 8.0 disc for £4250) but not sure how long this will last.

The geometry between the two frames is quite different and I’ve looked at lots of good reviews for the Tarmac which are very positive.

I plan on ordering in early spring so I have plenty of time yet to decide.

Can any Specialized fanboy explain the increase in price tfor the s-works. Are these the same as the Giant Advanced and Advanced SL?  Is the OP’a tarmac suggestion not the pro level frames?  That review posted above didn’t take a Giant I notice.

Buy the best frame you can is a good rule. That said, there is little to separate my Advanced Propel from my Advanced SL Propel other than half a bottle of water in weight. I imagine Specialized are the same?

Would a 5k bike actually perform better at an amatuer level than a bike half the price, or would it just make you feel better when you rack up on a cafe stop? A Cervelo R3 would be my choice.

I’d just enjoy it to own, ride and admire on a personal level. I’m not interested what other people think however, I do value experience and opinions when making such a purchase.

The s-works frame is made of a different carbon material i.e lighter and stiffer. Would anyone who isnt a gc contender be able to tell, doubtful.

But it does say S WORKS, which to some people is worth it. (I really want an sworks tarmac frame)

Specialized dealers will give you 12.5% discount or the same value in accessories.

The s-works frame is made of a different carbon material i.e lighter and stiffer

In that case, I'd definitely look at the SL Giant range. Looks about 3K cheaper for the same quality - that looks like profit-taking to me. Are they made by Merida, or do they fabricate them themselves, like Trek do for their 9 series? And the integrated seatpost says "Pro" a little quieter than the "S-Works". 😉

As for can you tell the difference? - see my comments above, not really (and I have both versions with the same contact points), but it is nice to know that the exact version of the frame I'm riding won Paris Roubaix under John Degenkolb. I rather like that in a "nice to own and ride" kind of way.

For a 4-5K budget, I'd want a frame that the pros are riding (regardless of brand), but accept that I won't get the same Dura Ace and low-weight tubular wheels.The Giant comes with Ultegra and the same carbon clinchers that didn't seem to hold back Dumoulin too much. I have a set, and they are very good wheels.

I race with a few S-Works riders, and they are nice bikes, but I'm struggling to see the increase in cost compared to other brands.

Spesh dealers are starting to discount the 18’s so keep your eyes peeled. I got a tarmac sl6 expert with £1k discount, some bike for £2.5k and no different to the 19 model. Disc brakes aren’t a deal breaker for me.

.

Whatever you do, find yourself a bike that you love as much as TiRed loves Giants 🙂

In answer to the OP, I wouldnt think so no.

Whatever you do, find yourself a bike that you love as much as TiRed loves Giants 🙂

This, most definitely this! As it happens, I'm between sizes in Specialized and on size for giant (55.5 top tube). Be sure you love it, and love to ride it. If it reminds you of those classics ad stage wins, so much the better.

I also rather like Cervelos too, nicer paint jobs. But my all time favorite would be either a Look 795 in Mondrian colours (of course) or a custom Cyfac. But I think Giant provide the best value for money, have done their R&D, make everything from the carbon to the finished frame, and we get a club discount.

But I hope you can see that there is a disc premium, and also a Specialized premium, that other manufacturers are trying to undercut. They do have some nice paint jobs though. The S-Works Tarmac is lovely

Since starting this thread I’ve looked closely at the specs between the Pro and the Expert and other than the Di2 (shifters, derailleurs), upgraded wheelset, carbon rails on the saddle and reflective tape on the Pro, the two bikes are near identical.

I can see there is a £520 difference between a standard Ultegra groupset and the Di2 version (if purchased at market value), and also around £300 difference between the wheelsets (again, market value) which amounts to £820. There’s a £1750 price difference from the Expert to Pro so where is the extra £850 going to on the Pro other than the saddle and grip tape?

It’s hard to see why there is such an increase on the mark-up between the two models for what are only a few upgrades.

Having taken the Spec and price difference into account, the Expert seems the more logical choice and likely to be the option I’ll take. The only thing I don’t want to do is regret not going for the Pro and Di2 option later on down the line.

I have seen a Scrap Scheme offer from a well-known high-street retailer that offer £350 discount (higher priced models) in exchange for any type of bicycle, regardless of condition. I can also get a small percentage discount with the use of corporate E-vouchers to use against the remaining cost of the bike bringing the total down to around £3350 for the Expert (16% off). I think for a 2019 model this would be good value. The same discounts applied to the Pro means I could get it for around £5000 (13% off).

Having visited the Specialized Concept Store in Newbury recently they said the most they could offer was 10% value of the bike in store credit and nothing off the bike, fair enough as it is a new model.

I’ll be visiting the Cycle Show this month to see what else is available and also keen to see the Canyon 2019 range once released……

benmoto, are you me? I've been pretty much having the same discussion with myself for the last 4 months. I've been lusting after a tarmac for the last few years as a replacement for my '08 roubaix. I very nearly pushed the button on an '18 s-works tarmac when Evans had them with 20% discount recently but i'm going to hang on spending that kind of money until i've hand a proper bike fit done. Plus i really want etap, not di2, i understand that shimano is probably better, but there's something about cables in this day and age that seems wrong to me.

Keep us updated on what you do.

I’ll be visiting the Cycle Show this month to see what else is available and also keen to see the Canyon 2019 range once released……

Now I know a chap who has a Canyon TT bike, the mech hanger snapped and the mech launched itself into the wheel, writing the wheel off and cracking the chainstay. Nothing to do with the fact that it was a Canyon, but the absolutely shocking after sales care he (didn't receive) was. It took him a number of months to get it resolved.

Personally if I were spending a rather large wedge of cash on a bike, it would be from a place where I could actually take it back should anything go wrong, not an email exchange over t'interweb.

buy the one that makes you feel all fuzzy.

+1

I find it hard to like Giant's, I think because they're headquartered in Taiwan which makes me think they're a factory making (very good) bikes rather than cyclists designing bikes to be made in Taiwan. Probably wrong, I imagine a lot of the staff at Morgan Hill probably don't ride bikes either. But I'd never feel fuzzy over a giant road bike.

And +1 for whoever said 3 bikes.

For £5k

And still £800 to spare even without cashbacks to spend on something for XC!

Is £5k on a road bike worth it?

I'm gonna have to say no.

The finger is hovering perilously over the “Buy” button

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/haggle-on-top-of-scrap-scheme/

I have a Cervelo, an Open and a Storck. I’m selling all three and buying a Tarmac Disc.

Do it!

That’s awesome Flange.

But are you going S-Works, Pro, Expert or other?

I’ve decided Expert. The price jump between that and the Pro, just for Di2 and a slight wheel upgrade, is too much to justify for my purpose.

S-works! I was in The Rutland store the other weekend and they had the Pro and S works in there. Look flippin lovely with the Roval wheels and turbo cottons, first bike in a while I’ve properly wanted.

The jump from mechanical to di2 is pretty mental - I’m pretty sure you could sell the groupset from the expert and buy di2 for far less

I was thinking the same about the Di2. You’re right about the Turbo Cottons - I was considering asking if Evans would throw them in. Unlikely but worth a punt!

I’ve sold my Colnago C60 and I’ve ordered an S-Works Tarmac Disc.  Buying a frame only and building is costing less than the new ‘19 pro full bike price though some contacts in the right places.

I had an SL5 non disc and the ride was as good as the Colnago, the SL6 is supposed to be better and the ability to run 28c tyres and disks, I’m in!  I already have a pair of CLX32 disc wheels to go on it.

Also really fancy one of these but struggling to stomach the price.

The other things that put me off are same 505 calipers all the way up to pro and people complaining about creaking bb adapters...

This decision is taking over my life!!! 🤣

S-Works frame only you say? 🤔

Blazin-saddles,

S-Works frame £3500

DI2 groupset £1100

Roval CL50 £1200

Plus another few hundred quid for finishing kit. How are you doing it for less than a Pro?

I’m going for the Pro. Yes, I think I am going to go for the Pro.

I decided it was worth it in the end!

drooool*

Good job; like the tiny splash of colour on the tyre branding.

Yeah, it's cool.

Canyon Endurance SLX disk/di2. If I was to buy another bike it would I would buy another of these. Fast light reliable. The geometry is a little more relaxed so you can ride 90% in the drops. Very comfortable bike. Package is amazing value. Not rode a Tarmac. A few of us in the club bought Canyon. All very impressed.

Cant remember what image host I used for the last upload. Last sites do not seem to work.

cheap non disc s-works here

http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Specialized-SWorks-Tarmac-Ultralight-Frameset-13385-92-0.html

Dont spend 5k or even 4k on one bike. mental. It wont make you faster. You'll lose a lot when it comes to selling it.

I have an s-works tarmac, full DA9000, carbon wheels. Groupset bought brand new online, frame and everything else bought used. £2.2k all in. Sure its a lovely bike to ride but only marginally better than something that costs £1.5k brand new. Certainly not worth its rrp of around 6k. Its just a bloody bike.

Sure no warranty second hand, if thats an issue then go ahead and spend crazy money.

rrp on bikes these days is insane.

Who ever said buy 3 is spot on!

Oh I see you went for it. Hadn't realised post was old. Hope it gets the miles it deserves...

A lot of money for a bike, I know. I've kept all of my bikes and don't plan on selling this one at any point.

It's definitely a bike for best and hoping to get loads of miles in come the spring.

Blazin-saddles,

S-Works frame £3500

DI2 groupset £1100

Roval CL50 £1200

Plus another few hundred quid for finishing kit. How are you doing it for less than a Pro?

As I said in the post,  I have 'contacts' and don't pay anywhere near retail.

Still & West, Old Portsmouth.

Always good to have contacts. I didn't pay full RRP but it's still going to cost me!

Glad you pushed the seat post clamp cover down after the first pic.  My OCD was twitching.

Fudges cycles have the Tarmac Expert Disc for £3612 which is a big chunk off the RRP of £4250

https://fudgescyclesonline.com/product/2019_specialized_tarmac_men_sl6_expert_disc_

Strangely, this is the only Tarmac model they sell.

I find it hard to like Giant’s, I think because they’re headquartered in Taiwan which makes me think they’re a factory making (very good) bikes rather than cyclists designing bikes to be made in Taiwan. Probably wrong

Yep wrong. Giant‘s R n D Department is based in the US.

Looks like I’m going to have to settle with a Tarmaac pro even though I want a Venge pro because Specialized Europe haven’t ordered enough Venges.🤔

I find it hard to like Giant’s, I think because they’re headquartered in Taiwan [...] But I’d never feel fuzzy over a giant road bike.

Fair point. I really like my Giant (2012 Alu Defy 0 since you asked) and am very pleased I bought it. It's fast, comfortable and has been reliable. I love riding it but I wouldn't say I love it. I'm sure there are loads of similar bikes for similar (or slightly more) money.

Whereas for me at least, £5k is beyond a nice Sunday ride machine - you're into dream bike territory so I think you have to love a bike for that sort of money. I think that's why people buy Italian bikes innit? They invest in the emotion as much as the performance.

TLDR: For cheap bikes it doesn't matter what brand you get. For dream bike money you need to be in love with it, and that feeling is never completely rational.

YMMV