whitemax

I'm in the market for another bike. Currently ride an '07 C'dale CAAD 7. Looking at the Tarmac SL4 Pro and the EVO (though someone with one told me the back end was kind of noodly) because those dealers are closest to me and I know both brands are great). But holy smokes, the Venge is one wicked looking machine. I hear they are stiff as all get out and wouldn't be a bike to ride for very long but I'd really like to hear from some that are currently riding one and their thoughts. Forget about what my riding purposes will be, I just want to hear Venge owner impressions of the bike. Thanks

roadwarrior

The EVO noodly. Anything but. I'd ask whomever said that, how does a guy like Peter Sagan spint and manuever a noodly bike to the green jersey in the tour?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have thousands of miles on mine. It is not noodly especially if you want it to go.

Hope that helps some.

whitemax

I was suspicious about that myself. Actually it was a guy that knew a guy that said it was noodly. I don't how much he weighs or anything about him but you raised a very point about Peter Sagan and he doesn't exactly look like a lightweight. I haven't ruled out the EVO or the Tarmac but I still want to hear from some Venge mounties.

saratoga

I've got an SL4 Pro and rode a demo S-Works Venge the shop had for a few days last year.

The Venge obviously looks better and is supposed to be more aero. Neither one was more uncomfortable than the other and they both handled about the same IMO. Riding each one felt different, but they are different bikes so it was expected, especially since the Venge was a 56 and the SL4 is a 58.

phoenix

I’ve ridden a Venge Pro extensively, ridden an EVO and own a 12' Tarmac Pro SL4. The Venge is an awesome bike, hands down. I found that it climbs pretty well, but didn’t care too much for it’s descending prowess. It felt slower than both the Tarmac SL4 and EVO on long windy descents since I had to grab a little more brake. I felt like I had to will harder into the turns than I did with the Tarmac and EVO. Not surprising as climbing and descending are both the Tarmac and EVOs bread and butter. On flats is where I liked the Venge the most as it is an aero bike. Probably placebo effect, but I felt like I had to do just a bit less work closing gaps on flats on the Venge.

As far as the EVO goes it’s anything but noodly. Your friend must be slow because once you get it up to speed it is stiff and fast . The Super Sixs and EVOs can feel a little soft when just cruising, but get on it for a hard effort and it’s anything but noodly. Climbs excellent, descents fast and confident and is awesome on the flats.

The Tarmac SL4 does all of the above just as well, if not better in my opinion, which is why I own one (fork currently on it’s way back to Specialized for inspection). I found that it was stiff as all get out for climbing, stays planted on descents and is a perfect mix of everything I like in a fast bike. The biggest factor for me is the way it confidently descends. Point it into the turn and it wants to go with no effort, where the Venge, I felt I had to muscle it into the turns a bit more. EVO and Tarmac climbed equally well in opinion, Venge was not quite rigid enough for my liking or body mass. For the record i’m just shy of 6'1", 235 (working on that) and ride a 58cm. I just preferred the overall ride quality of the Tarmac is what i’m saying. All three are more than capable bikes.

Ride em’ all if you can, they’re all awesome bikes!

FasterNearGirls

I'm biased as I own an EVO. But on an issue of Velo about 5 months ago where they tested the tour's super bikes, the EVO was by far the winner. It got a 10/10 on the stiffness test. Stiffest bike ever tested. Comfortable, light...

Also, it won Road Bike Action's Bike of the Year, last issue, page 29.

But magazines aside, it's an amazing bike!