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First road bike, set $2k budget, Tarmac? or...

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First road bike, set $2k budget, Tarmac? or...

Old 04-09-20, 09:26 AM
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mully024
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First road bike, set $2k budget, Tarmac? or...

Hi all, have been dabbling in road bikes for a little while, mainly using friends extras... looking to pick up my first. Tried to set a hard budget of $2k, and what I was seeing is that you can either get an alum frame with 105's or a carbon with Tiagra in that price point... but to get both carbon and 105 you'd probably need to go up a bit. I had really focused in on the Specialized Tarmac because with the current promo it can be had for $1800....my main concern was the Tiagra, but from talking with some people the consensus seemed to be that the Tiagra had really improved in quality over the last few years pushing it closer to the 105, and is plenty suitable for a higher level entry bike.

With that said I am still on the fence, still leaning heavily toward the Tarmac @ $1800, also came across Cervelo c2 on sale for $1800 which was intriguing as it is roughly the same price, but more of an endurance set up than the Tarmac...does have the 105 though.

Just wanted to get thoughts on if the Tarmac would be a good option for the first few years, with the group set it has. I guess my thoughts were when/if I jump to second upgrade it'll probably be something higher than 105 anyway so might as well stay in budget and not worry too much about it on the first bike?
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Old 04-09-20, 09:35 AM
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Take a look at Giant, you can generally go up a component level for the same price compared to Specialized.
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Old 04-09-20, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Rides4Beer
Take a look at Giant, you can generally go up a component level for the same price compared to Specialized.
Yep. Giant = best bang for the buck. Not only you get better components for the same price, but you do get a high quality CF frame & fork built in-house by the manufacurer + lifetime warranty.

Regardless, Specialized is still a very good brand & 105 is a good mid-level groupset.

Last edited by eduskator; 04-09-20 at 09:50 AM.
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Old 04-09-20, 09:45 AM
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Nothing wrong with today's Tiagra. Nothing wrong with Sora either. They perform well enough. But you should buy as much as you can comfortably afford with out blowing your overall financial condition to heck. After you get experience on whatever bike you chose, at some point you'll need to be able to afford a new bike.
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Old 04-09-20, 09:48 AM
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My recommendation for a first road bike is always aluminum 105. A lot of good choices for two-thousand dollars. CAAD is my personal favorite.
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Old 04-09-20, 10:06 AM
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Thanks for the above advice, I did look at Giant, the two comparably priced models to the Tarmac were Defy advanced 3 (had Tiagra and disc) @ $2,000 and the TCR Advanced (has 105 but not disc, though I know there is quite a bit of debate over the true added value of disc) @ $2000... I know I am probably making this a harder decision than it has to be... most of the ones I have road previously as loaners were much higher up in terms of components, but just don't think given my experience I will be able to tell any difference yet.
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Old 04-09-20, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by mully024
Thanks for the above advice, I did look at Giant, the two comparably priced models to the Tarmac were Defy advanced 3 (had Tiagra and disc) @ $2,000 and the TCR Advanced (has 105 but not disc, though I know there is quite a bit of debate over the true added value of disc) @ $2000... I know I am probably making this a harder decision than it has to be... most of the ones I have road previously as loaners were much higher up in terms of components, but just don't think given my experience I will be able to tell any difference yet.
Where exactly do you live? I'm sure you can get a 2019 TCR Adv 2 Disc (105) or Defy Adv 2 Disc (105) for 2000$ on sale. They usually go on sale for 20% off.

I don't believe you are making this a hard decision, I think you are simply making sure to buy the right product at the right price! Take your time or you might regret it afterwards.
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Old 04-09-20, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by eduskator
Where exactly do you live? I'm sure you can get a 2019 TCR Adv 2 Disc (105) or Defy Adv 2 Disc (105) for 2000$ on sale. They usually go on sale for 20% off.

I don't believe you are making this a hard decision, I think you are simply making sure to buy the right product at the right price! Take your time or you might regret it afterwards.
Live in Massachusetts, I'll try and see whats left at the local shops, another problem I am facing right now is most of my bike shops being closed due to Covid...kind of a tough time to buy a bike but figured it would help with the sanity!
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Old 04-09-20, 10:26 AM
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If you could stretch to $2,200
Canyon have free shipping now too
Full 105 disc, Carbon frame

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Old 04-09-20, 01:24 PM
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I don't know anything about Cervelo, couple guys in the club are happy the there Cervelo's! But there C2 105 Disc in on sale for $1740 right now. Its carbon, complete 105 group, including the crank...unlike my $3000 Specialized that came with a Praxis crank. The reviews are pretty good, they knock the wheels for being a little heavy and for the cockpit being a little cheap for such a nice frame. I like that Canyon RedBukkFiXX posted too...good looking bike!
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Old 04-09-20, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Osprey 1
I don't know anything about Cervelo, couple guys in the club are happy the there Cervelo's! But there C2 105 Disc in on sale for $1740 right now. Its carbon, complete 105 group, including the crank...unlike my $3000 Specialized that came with a Praxis crank. The reviews are pretty good, they knock the wheels for being a little heavy and for the cockpit being a little cheap for such a nice frame. I like that Canyon RedBullFiXX posted too...good looking bike!
Just noticed Canyon Alu Endurace is on sale right now too
$1,500
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Old 04-09-20, 06:59 PM
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I just ordered the C2. Not sure how long you want to wait but I expect to have it in 14 days. Will let you know how it is when it arrives.

I was in a similar boat as you. I looked for weeks for a carbon bike with 105 and disk for under 2000. I could not find one. A lot of the sales online were not in my size. I considered the canyon endurance, but it was gunna be over budget by a couple hundred.

I liked the Giant Defy, but again it was going to be 2000, and it came with tiagra. In the end it came between a CAAD 13 105 rim or the C2. I decided on the C2 with the help from a friend on here, and can’t wait for it show up.
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Old 04-09-20, 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bampilot06
I just ordered the C2. Not sure how long you want to wait but I expect to have it in 14 days. Will let you know how it is when it arrives.

I was in a similar boat as you. I looked for weeks for a carbon bike with 105 and disk for under 2000. I could not find one. A lot of the sales online were not in my size. I considered the canyon endurance, but it was gunna be over budget by a couple hundred.

I liked the Giant Defy, but again it was going to be 2000, and it came with tiagra. In the end it came between a CAAD 13 105 rim or the C2. I decided on the C2 with the help from a friend on here, and can’t wait for it show up.
Congrats on the new ride! Let us know how you like the new bike...looks like great bike and a great value!
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Old 04-09-20, 08:07 PM
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I think you can get last year's Canyon on sale in some sizes with carbon and 105 for $1,900. Fezzari can get you carbon and mostly 105 for $1,550.
I bought a Scott Addict 20 a month ago for $1,600.. carbon, 105, and disc brakes. The shop owner checked with the supplier for scratch specials. The scratch is on the other side of the crank, can't even see it with the crank on. He said it would have been $2,000 without it so still in your budget.
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Old 04-09-20, 08:33 PM
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Try to visit nearest LBS and negotiate price of any bike that you will like. Price that you see on manufacturer site is MSRP which can be negotiated. 5 years ago I bought Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra bike with MSRP over $3000 and paid $2100. I am not 100% sure It was brand new when I bought it. May be it was build by LBS. But they gave me warranty and I have no any issues with it at all. Look at full carbon Tarmac, Giant Tcr, Cannondale SuperSix, Trek Emonda, BMC Teammashine etc. with 105 or Ultegra components. You may consider 2019 or even 2018 (new old stock) bike, it will be cheaper. You can also look for a bike on eBay.com. Good luck!

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Old 04-10-20, 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by AudioSQ
I think you can get last year's Canyon on sale in some sizes with carbon and 105 for $1,900. Fezzari can get you carbon and mostly 105 for $1,550.
I bought a Scott Addict 20 a month ago for $1,600.. carbon, 105, and disc brakes. The shop owner checked with the supplier for scratch specials. The scratch is on the other side of the crank, can't even see it with the crank on. He said it would have been $2,000 without it so still in your budget.
Which Fezzari are you referring too? The empire is 1698 and it’s tiagra. Add shipping and taxes your looking at almost 1900.
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Old 04-10-20, 01:55 PM
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There are other online options if you dare to go that route,
eg.
Ribble: https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribbl...l-shimano-105/

BikesDirect: with Di2: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...pcf-sl-di2.htm

PlanetX: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLS...egra-road-bike
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Old 04-10-20, 02:39 PM
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The Fore CR1. You can get there CR2 with Ultegra and better wheels for $1,999. I thought they didn't charge shipping or tax outside of Utah, but I could be remembering that wrong. Now is the Empire frame with Tiagra better than the Fore with 105.. I couldn't say. I hear they are really helpful though, I bet they would be happy to talk you through the differences over the phone.

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Old 04-29-20, 06:38 AM
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Just an update, I did end up ordering the Tarmac Disc (base model) through a local shop, I wasn't able to try in store with everything going on so associate basically pegged me for a 58 based off my height (I am 6' even). The bike arrived and although I could make it work the frame felt big to me and I did feel a little stretched out...so I decided to return and plan was to go with same bike at a 56.... however in the meantime I started looking at some options for a little more $$ and came across the Pinarello Gan 105 Disc and the option to get one for a little $$ off at $2600... Looks like a nice bike just not sure if worth the extra $600-$700 or if the $$ is just going into the name and the 105 group set upgrade. Love the looks of the bike but obviously that is a bit down the list on importance. If I did go with it I'd do the size 56 as the next up is 57.5.

Here is the bike with chart, was hoping to get thoughts on this at $2600 v. the Tarmac Disc at around $1900? Would the Pinarello have better trade in/reseal when looking to upgrade? thanks gain for all the help and insight:
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Old 04-29-20, 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mully024
...Love the looks of the bike but obviously that is a bit down the list on importance...
I'd put this pretty near the top of the list of importance. You're spending a lot of money on a bike. You should have one you like to look at.
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Old 04-29-20, 12:10 PM
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I was over by my local bike shop and was talking to one of the sales staff. They are a Trek corporate store. He said they were completely out of bikes below $2,000. Online also. A lot of people are buying bikes right now.
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Old 04-29-20, 12:47 PM
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I think the best advice is not to focus too much on brand name and visit shops that have a variety of bikes. It’s more important that the bike feels comfortable than which brand you’re getting. They’re all pretty good, to be honest.
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Old 04-29-20, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by mully024
Would the Pinarello have better trade in/reseal when looking to upgrade?
Trade in <= 25%
Resale <= 33%

Both are a poor ways of making a purchase. used bikes are poor investments.. unless you're buying.
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Old 04-29-20, 03:24 PM
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I posted a similar thread when I was new, and someone suggested that I test out an alloy-framed bike. Once I test-rode a CAAD12, nothing else felt quite the same.
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Old 04-30-20, 02:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mully024
Just an update, I did end up ordering the Tarmac Disc (base model) through a local shop, I wasn't able to try in store with everything going on so associate basically pegged me for a 58 based off my height (I am 6' even). The bike arrived and although I could make it work the frame felt big to me and I did feel a little stretched out...so I decided to return and plan was to go with same bike at a 56.... however in the meantime I started looking at some options for a little more $$ and came across the Pinarello Gan 105 Disc and the option to get one for a little $$ off at $2600... Looks like a nice bike just not sure if worth the extra $600-$700 or if the $$ is just going into the name and the 105 group set upgrade. Love the looks of the bike but obviously that is a bit down the list on importance. If I did go with it I'd do the size 56 as the next up is 57.5.
The moment i read 6' and 58, i thought "uh oh" - good thing you were able to take the bike back.

Re Pinarello vs Tarmac - hard to say. Pinarello is definitely a prestige brand, so there may be an element there: I cant think of any secret sauce in their carbon layups that would make for a quantifiable improvement worth $600, but try riding, if you can. There are differences in how various frames "feel", and if the Pinarello sings to you more, that's easily worth the price difference.
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