siberian

Please bear with me as I ramble on about this decision I am trying to make...

I'm waffling back and forth between a Tarmac and Roubaix. I was initially drawn to the Roubaix primarily because of the more upright riding stance.

As of right now I have no aspirations to race. I would primarily ride an average of 40-60 miles alone and next season I would like to start joining up with the Friday night group rides sponsored by the LBS. I also have a personal goal to reach a century next summer. I know the Roubaix is made for comfort on long distance, and in testing both bikes back to back I could tell the Tarmac was a bit more aggressive in handling, and I could "feel the road" a little bit more. Having been primarily a mountain biker for the last 15 years, I would say that my taste in handling is neutral at this point, and I have no strong preference either way as far as aggressive vs lax handling is concerned. Again, my primary goal is just being comfortable with a slightly upright position, and not having a huge saddle to bar height difference.

So I had the LBS set up the Tarmac in a less aggressive position, with the stem flipped up, and it felt good. I didn't feel hunched over like I thought I might. And that was my primary reason for wanting a Roubaix in the first place. Here's the interesting part... on the Tarmac, I felt really good on a 58. On a Roubaix, I felt really good on a 56. Now I know the 58 has a longer top tube and that stretches you out more, but that seemed to be negated by the smaller bar to saddle height difference on the longer frame, and thus I didn't really feel stretched out. Besides, they said that they could shorten the stem a bit to compensate for the slightly longer top tube if necessary. I guess that would make sense considering the taller head tube of the Roubaix vs the Tarmac and why I felt equally comfortable on a 56 Roubaix and a 58 Tarmac. Now I realize that a large part of comfort is due to proper fit... and the LBS has a Body Geometry fit specialist who explained that we will spend some quality time with me in the trainer getting all the adjustments and angles set up properly, and swap out bars/stems, etc... whichever model I choose.

So at this point I'm thinking that with certain adjustments, I could work with either a Tarmac or a Roubaix and be in a comfortable riding position on either one. But my other concern is the advantage of the Roubaix that has the zertz inserts that help dampen road vibration over the long haul. Now as I mentioned, in my test ride I did feel a bit of a difference in the road on the short rides I took with both bikes... but I figured most of that was attributed to the slightly fatter tires on the Roubaix vs the Tarmac. I've read all the marketing and reviews about Zerts inserts and I don't know if I'm reading too much into all of that or does it really make a difference. I know that that Tarmac at least has zertz in the seat post, and I suppose I could always change the tires to something a little fatter, and perhaps change the bar tape to something thicker... and maybe that would make up for the lack of zertz? I mean, people have been riding long distances on bikes long before the Roubaix ever came out... so am I just over-thinking the notion that I NEED a Roubaix if I want to complete a century?

Also considering cost. When I first started my search several months ago, I had initially set a ballpark budget of about $1500. Then as I started to learn more about groupsets and wheels, etc... all of a sudden I'm coveting a $2400.00 (2010) model bike with SRAM Rival and Mavic Aksium wheels. Yikes! A dose of reality starts to set in and I start questioning my sanity as to whether or not I need to spend that much on a bike and still enjoy it, especially since this is my first (re-entry) into road biking in over 15 years. I think I need to put this into perspective and reel myself in.

Now it just so happens that the LBS has several 2008 tarmacs leftover at prices down in my original budget range, (with Shimano 105) and they have them in my size range... both 56 and 58. Now the wheels, brakes, and cranks are rather generic, but they're fine for what they are... and I know I can always upgrade them down the road if I decide to take this to another level. We're talking about a $900 dollar swing in cost here, which is something I can't ignore. That would leave me extra $$ for pedals, shoes, bibs, etc.

So now I'm leaning back towards the Tarmac.

HOWEVER...

My primary concern is, I'm sure I'll be fine on the shorter rides... but if you own a Tarmac, do you find it suitable for longer distance rides, and would you hesitate to attempt riding a century on it? Like I said, my primary usage on the bike are two-three hour rides... maybe 40-60 miles average, and an occasional century, maybe once or twice a year.

Thanks for taking my call... I'll hang up now and listen to your answer.

Spinz

With no aspirations to race ---- you have answered your own questions. I do not believe you could tweak the fit enough on a tarmac to equate the comfort of the roubaix. I had the same issue a couple of weeks ago. Of my finalists I choose a Cannondale Synaspe. Lp

m4ximusprim3

08 tarmac would do you fine. I do 60 milers on my CAAD9 just about every weeked and have done a century on it, and my bike makes the tarmac feel like a magic carpet.

You may suffer some taint pain on centuries, but it's not $900 worth of taint pain, thats for sure.

Also, I agree with Spinz in that if I was to get a comfy bike, the synapse is pretty sweet. But I'm c-dale biased

mechBgon

The Tarmac frame comes in a couple "builds" using different carbon, so was there a particular variant of the 2008 that you were interested in? Here's the archive with the '08s:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...8&sid=08Tarmac

Elite and Comp share the 6r carbon frame, Pro is 8r.

fastev

I just finished building my 2010 Roubaix Pro. I'd been on a steel bike for years, and I can't get over how nice the ride is. I test rode both the Tarmac and the Roubaix, and as I have no aspirations of racing I went with the one that felt best. I have no doubt that I would have been very happy with the Tarmac as well, but I have zero regrets. Ride them both again and go with whatever feels the best.

zizou

I recently got a Tarmac (my first road bike after years of mountain biking) and i shared similar concerns about comfort compared to bikes with a bit more relaxed geometry like the Roubaix but on the test rides i didnt notice much difference in terms of comfort - if anything i liked the Tarmac better because i felt a bit more confident riding/handling it for some reason.

I've had it a couple of weeks so only put in about 400 miles on it so far and apart from the first couple of rides (approx 20 miles each) i've not had any pain, and that was more to do with getting used to the new saddle i think. Most i've riden in one go so far was 75 miles and at the end of that i still felt pretty good. But bike fit is different for different people, what feels good for me may not work for you.

siberian

Yea I was actually looking at the elite, so the frame is probably not quite as rigid as the pro level.

Kurious Oranj

I tried both Roubaix and Tarmac and went to the LBS several times to try them out. At the end, I decided to get the Tarmac. Both seemed to be excellent bikes but the Tarmac just fit me better.

siberian

Yea but as I mentioned... I DID actually get a Tarmac set up in a way that felt comfortable to me in terms of riding position. My bigger concern, I think, is if that bike beats people up mercilessly on long rides, or, given proper setup, would be comfortable.

Deanoldo

I've got an 07 Tarmac Pro. I've done plenty of centuries on chip-sealed roads with it and it's been fine. I came off an 01 Felt F65 (aluminum) and compared to that, the Tarmac is like riding a really fast, comfy sofa with quick handling. I wouldn't hesitate to get the Tarmac again.

Dean

RoboCheme

I hope you know that you're skewing the responses toward a Tarmac. Of course, they're going to say no problemo. You should try the same question again, but ask Roubaix owners. They'll tell you to get the Roubaix.

Since your objective is comfort in long rides, it seems like the Roubaix is designed for that purpose.

BTW, I have neither.

exRunner

Yes, and No, to answer the OP's actual question.

Tarmac Pro SL2 (2009).
Allez Sport (2009).
Panasonic SuperSport 500 (1985).

docjoe

I was having the same dilemma when I started looking at bikes earlier this year. I had good test rides with the Tarmac and felt comfortable on it. I have been riding 80-90 miles at a time on it, doing some significant climbs and have felt comfortable on it also. I will be doing my first full century this weekend. I started really riding back in March of this year.

I don't think you can go either way. My trusted friend at my LBS said that you probably won't really appreciate the full difference between a Roubaix vs a Tarmac. The Roubaix may be a little more comfortable but that's not to say that the Tarmac is not. It is quite comfortable. I own the 2009 Tarmac expert.

Joe

brian416

I have a 2009 Tarmac SL2, I've ridden 40+ centuries on it this year, it is an awesome long distance bike, no problems even with 8+ hours on the bike and 150mile rides either.

If you're really concerned with having a smooth ride, putting 25c tire on will make a bigger difference than a Roubaix frame

Beaker

FWIW I ride an 07 Roubaix comp and it's still engine-limited. It's been a great bike for me so far, you'll likely end up switching out stuff over time any way that will make a bigger difference to the ride of either bike than the frame.

To your question, there are plenty of BF folks who ride tarmacs for long distances, so I don't think your question will attract negative responses (I also agree with RoboCheme's point). It doesn't seem to be a problem for Team SaxoBank or QuickStep either.

From the tone of your post, it sounds as though you want the Tarmac. You could ride a century and feel fine or beat up on either bike - chances are that other factors (saddle, shoes, fit, how much time you spend on the bike) will make a much bigger difference to your ability to finish a century feeling good.

the_drain

The farthest I've ridden to date is 230km on my 06 Tarmac (twice this summer). I usually ride relatively long distances. No problems...that said, I've never ridden a Roubaix.

acaurora

<-- Also looking between a Tarmac/Roubaix. However I feel the best bet to go with is to just test ride them

roubaixdude

Not a Tarmac rider, but I have put in 1100 miles on my 2008 Roubaix Elite and not been beaten up at all on any ride.
You say you have no racing asperations, I would really give the Roubaix line a hard look, they are comfortable yet fast.
Good Luck with your search.

Sardian

When I was shopping for a new bike recently I rode a Tarmac and Roubaix Expert, along with several different Trek Madones. It was no question for what fit me, the Roubaix.....but that is what felt good to me. I am coming from a hybrid (never ridden a "real" road bike) and the other bikes were too aggressive for me. I always figured I could lower and flip the stem if I wanted it to be more aggressive.

I'm totally happy with my 2010 Roubaix Expert and at the moment I feel like it's set pretty aggressive and I have it set as high as it will go....un-flipped and all

My longest ride on it so far has been 50 miles, I haven't had time to do a longer ride. But at the end of 50 miles I felt great. I am planning an all day ride for the near future.

I'd go ride them all and then ride them again if one didn't stand out as what feels good.

Matt2.8NJ

After thousands of miles on the Roubaix... Get the Roubaix if you have no aspirations of racing. In most hands, the Roubaix is 99.99% as fast as the Tarmac anyway.

If you do want to race, get a second bike (I like my Storck). The Storck feels like a stilleto blade vs. the coddling of the Roubaix. The Specialized wins out for long rides.

acaurora

My issue is that I have become so used to the geometry of the Allez that I worry with the Roubaix/Secteur I will find it too "relaxed", hah.

Kurogashi

dude, you're on a low budget anyways and a LOW END tarmac isnt really race worthy IMO.
so just get a roubix. this might be diff if you buy the ones over 3k or so

BenRidin

I own a Tarmac. I find it suitable for longer distance rides. I wouldn't hesitate a bit to ride it on a century or even a double.

BR

gcedillo

I own both a Tarmac SL2 and a Roubaix SL2 , I rode my first century in july on the tarmac,if you flip the stem and leave a little steerer tube to lift the stem and handlebar you can replicate the posture of the roubaix, I didnt do it ,but for 100km it was comparable to the roubaix, if a difference at all might be noticed is a slightly more vertical riding position on the roubaix.
As for zerts inserts I cant feel a difference, Im selling the SL2 frame to get a titanium frame just to check how Ti rides since I dont race.

gtofan

Same dillema here also...rode the Roubaix and Tarmac back to back to back a few times...then did it again.

Every time I got off the Roubaix and went to the tarmac....the tarmac felt more nimble...the turn in on corners is quicker most likely from the less raked forks. Honestly if I wasn't racing, the Roubaix would be a tough one to pass up, but I felt very comfortable on the Tarmac.

So I switched the bar tape to the Phat-gel that somewhat replicates the Roubaix tape which is twice as thick. I agree on getting some 25c tires on the Tarmac and if the Tarmac frame fits you then those two changes will make a big difference.

These two bikes get debated frequently and I honestly cannot decide between the two even though I bought the Tarmac comp. If I had more money than sense I would buy both of them.

Riding over a long brick sidewalk for about a mile back to back, the Roubaix felt a tiny bit more damped....could very well have been the bar tape aiding that in addition to the frame, stock tape is thicker on the Roubaix, gel anyway.

As far as posture...I think you can make the Tarmac fit like the Roubaix but not vice-versa, the fork angle cannot be changed thus lured me to the Tarmac....feels quicker with my inputs..kinda like a cruiser to a sportbike.