Why is Specialized Tarmac cheaper than Roubaix?
 

Hi all,

I've been looking for some good deals with nice discounts on Specialized Roubaix with disc brakes (size 54). But I see so many Tarmac on sale, and for much lower prices than the Roubaix.

Why is the Tarmac cheaper than the Roubaix? I thought the Tarmac's geometry is more aggressive and race-ready, and the Roubaix's is more relaxed and upright. What other differences can explain the price difference?

Thanks!

Huh. Weird. My Tarmac is the best all around race bike I’ve ever owned.

Where are you seeing the deals? The 2020 Roubaix is new, while the Tarmac is due for a refresh. Just prior to the 2020 Roubaix release in April, Specialized discounted the older models. And then just this month Spec dealers were taking 40% off all 2019 and older models. How much more of a deal are you looking to get, because you might have missed the boat there...

And they're both race-worthy bikes - Spec claims 7 wins at Paris-Roubaix.

So geometry dictates price?

The Future Shock costs more than an solid steerer. ;)

Where are these good deals on a Tarmac? I’ve been looking around and so far only seeing about 10% off 2019 models (both local dealership and their website).

I think it's because Roubaix sounds cooler than Tarmac. Maybe if they had given the Tarmac a French name similar to Roubaix it would cost more. They should have named it the Pave. There you go. You could jack up the price all day long with it named Pave.

Better than the literal translation, which is macadam.

Things always sound better in French, or at least more costly.

Things always sound better in French or at least more costly.

You can say that again.

You can say that again. :roflmao2:

Those bouncy steerers don't come cheap!

Roubaix has that secret compartment over the crank.

Old fat people with bad backs need high end bikes too. :D

In all seriousness, I would guess it's strictly based on what Specialized thinks they can get based on supply and demand. They may have a lot more Tarmacs than they have Roubaixs and therefore need to discount them more.

The future shock may also have something to do with it as it is something that is not found in a normal frame but I think it's just more likely that they have priced them with the goal of moving them all in a certain time frame.

Nah.. you're paying for the name itself:

Roubaix Trademark -- $700k bill

Its never the necks that prevent them from getting low, its the knees hitting their belly :innocent:

And no one wants a Scottish bike.

The roubaix is for the oldest of the old with lots of money; simple.

Tell you what, I wouldn't mind an Obree.

If that’s like an Oban, I’ll take one too.

Send a link, I want a Tarmac on sale As soon as possible

But guys, the Future Shock was only introduced in 2019. I'm not necessarily looking at only 2019 bikes. A basic Roubaix with disc brakes still costs more than a Tarmac on average.

For those of you who have Tarmacs, how is the vertical compliance?

the roubaix has had future shock since 2017, and zertz inserts before that