The Tarmac is one of those bikes that upsets your sense of how cycling should feel. The Future Shock "suspension" system, positioned just under the stem of our *Sirrus bikes, serves up comfort and control to take the "oof" out of rough roads. Owner of a S-Works SL4 since Dec 11. And while this is not the lightest in the group, at 15 pounds the extraordinary stiffness makes the stiffness-to-weight ratio outstanding as well. Latest Reviews. They’re a useful middle-of-the-road depth too, and braking is very good for carbon, something we put to the test with some spirited wet descending and one chamois-soiling encounter with a delinquent sheep. Unlike its endurance brethren, which more commonly have disc brakes, the Tarmac Pro maintains the qualities riders expect from a performance road bike — it charges up hills, is snappy in … Shares. Shimano GRX Di2 groupset review. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2016 Tarmac Build Procedure/Cable Routing. It's proven a tricky task for Specialized to compete with some of the smaller direct-sales upstarts that have really shaken up the market in recent years, so it's not quite a full SRAM eTap wireless groupset, but you do … Despite its age - this generation Tarmac was introduced in 2011 - the frame is still modern looking. Braking is also very strong relative to carbon brake tracks (just be careful when wet!). Our review. The bottom bracket and crankset—where most of the acceleration and speed begins—are among the stiffest in the industry, allowing this bike to explode when power is applied. It’s like we combined Julian Alaphilippe’s attacking, climbing style, and Peter Sagan’s aggressive power in a single rider with no weaknesses. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. Bottom line, you'll be faster on this bike. Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc review (2016) Read more about: Road bikes. Shifting is simply amazing—smooth, fast and quiet—and there are plenty of gears for all but the nastiest mountains or heaviest sprinting on the 11-28t cassette with 52/36T front rings. But the bike’s overall stiffness, along with a significantly forward rider position, means it’s not ideal for longer rides especially on rougher roads—that said, with the decent compliance overall we’ve certainly ridden far less comfortable road race machines. It certainly doesn't look out of place alongside more cutting-edge offerings. Prove Humanity: Please click here to start. Yet as it’s accessed from the side, it’s no less convenient than a standard one. At 174cm tall and 53kg, he looks like he should be better at cycling than he actually is, and he's ok with that. The new Tarmac’s aerodynamic claims come not just from the frame, but from the complete bike built as a system. The Tarmac has been a stalwart at or near the top of Specialized’s line of road racing bikes for years. Specialized’s road bikes are always stiff and responsive where they need to be, and that’s taken to the highest degree here with their FACT 11r S-Works frame. While Cervelo have provided different wheels and components to make it ride a little differently, the personality of the bike and the way bike brands differentiate is in the frame.The frame geometries and carbon lay-up are the same on disc versus rim brake versions.So having ridden disc disc before, let me quickly walk you through what’s going to happen with rim brake versus the disc brake versions.Disc brakes have better overall breaking p… With carbon aero wheels and Shimano’s Dura Ace 9000 group, along with full carbon spec, this is a top-end racing machine worthy of the many pro teams currently racing on it. Tarmac handling is so responsive it’s as if it reads your mind – with unrivaled response at the bars, magic at the pedals, and the comfort to stay fresh over hundreds of kilometers. It’s no wonder that Team HTC-Columbia has chosen to ride the big S for 2011. But for those who do, once you adjust, the bike will corner on rails and the bike will go as deep as you dare without budging. It also has legitimate racing pedigree, as three WorldTour teams have the Tarmac in their arsenal, and it’s the bike of choice for Spanish climber, multiple Grand Tour-winner and noted steak enthusiast Alberto Contador. Although £4,000 cheaper than the range-topping S-Works Tarmac … The S-Works isn’t an endurance machine, but is a smooth and refined racer that deserves the ‘superbike’ label, thanks to a chassis that’s truly world class. We’re still not convinced the shifting they offer is quite up to the groupset-matching option, but they’re fine looking, and seemingly rock-solid things. We did wonder if the exceptionally stiff frame was overwhelming the averagely-stiff (but lovely) Roval wheels, as a little rear brake rub was evident when throwing the bike from side to side, but despite this, there was a sense of total power transfer. The new Tarmac SL7 raises the bar again, it’s the most balanced Tarmac ever and the greatest example of our Rider-First Engineered™ philosophy. If i go this route, the Caad10 would primarily be a change of pace bike, crit/race bike, and trainer/zwift bike. Specialized Tarmac 2016. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. In a pro-worthy Dura-Ace and carbon clincher spec, with a stunning red, white and black paint job, this is one eye-catching bike. So, to get the biggest benefit, you’d want to … If you continue to see this message, please email hello@[the site's address] for support. They come in at an extremely impressive sub-1300g for the set, making them some of the lightest in their class. However, light weight is also critical—especially on the long steady ones that climb thousands of vertical feet over many miles—and the Tarmac comes in a full pound heavier than the pure climbers in this group, and riders will notice this in the serious mountains. For t… Meanwhile the Specialized S-Works crankset adds a certain carbon swoopiness, There’s a surgical precision to the handling, partly thanks to phenomenal chassis stiffness, has an appetite for litigation that borders on the pathological, Specialized Tarmac range overview: all you need to know, Roval Rapide CLX 40, 40mm deep carbon clincher rims, 18 spokes front, 24 spokes rear. The carbon frame is extremely stiff in all the right places, including the bottom bracket and steer tube assembly, but … Specialized's aluminium framed Allez range is a much cheaper alternative range of race inspired bikes perfect for aspiring racers. Descending/HandlingThe Specialized S-Works Tarmac is an absolute joy on descents, especially once you get used to the extremely responsive front end. Already have an account with us? I have ruled out a bunch of bikes recently for subjective reasons, but two that continue to stand out as worthy options are the Specialized Tarmac and the Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod given the quality and value that they present. With a delectable component spec, there’s very little not to love. But if you're on the hunt for a glorious ride that can smash both a local crit and your friends on the weekends, you'll feel right at home on the Tarmac Disc Expert. Specialized S-Works Tarmac Dura-Ace review. With the 2011 Tarmac Expert Specialized has created a bike with an impressive mix of these qualities. First, let’s talk aerodynamics. Components, Drivetrain, Shifting and BrakesWhile multiple groups are available for The Specialized S-Works Tarmac, this one feature is what has become the industry standard: Shimano Dura Ace 11-speed. You should not have to do this more than once. There are some lovely details, too – a hidden seat clamp means ultra-clean lines where the post enters the frame. It climbs effortlessly, descends confidently, and sprints ferociously. The carbon frame is extremely stiff in all the right places, including the bottom bracket and steer tube assembly, but the layup allows for decent compliant in the rear which soaks up road vibrations. Had originally settled on the specialized roubaix expert last year, never got it. And braking was strong, but there were other carbon wheels that performed better especially when wet. THE VERDICT. I was really looking forward to the upgrade as Specialized, especially with the potential gains that an in-house wind-tunnel could provide. WOW and double wow started road cycling 4 years ago first bike was the allez elite specilized with shimano 105 then i purchased the 2008 s works tarmac pro frame and falks with aset of mivic ksyriums and 7800 dura ace both bikes were exellent , by the end of 2009 i was racing and so i purchased the 2010 tarmac pro with 7900 dura ace and fulcrum 1 wheels . Alternatively Specialized's carbon framed Roubaix range offers a much greater balance of comfort and speed with models at very similar price points to bikes in the Tarmac range. There’s a surgical precision to the handling, partly thanks to phenomenal chassis stiffness, but also because it’s just so light. WheelsetAs mentioned above, the Specialized S-Works Tarmac is spec’d with the house-brand Roval Rapide CLX 32 carbon wheels featuring ultra-smooth Ceramic Speed bearing. Read after the break to find out more about the newest offering. Shimano’s lower groupsets are very nearly as good, but Dura-Ace has an expensive, metallic edge to its shift action that sets it apart. A Tarmac with a full SRAM Red eTap groupset costs £7,800, so to get this Tarmac Expert to £5,000 Specialized has been forced to make a few concessions. Find Specialized Tarmac in Road | Buy and sell new and used road bikes in Canada – bicycles from Specialized, Trek, Scott, Cannondale, Giant and more on Kijiji Canada's #1 Local Classifieds. For riders wanting minimal wasted power when climbing, this is the best choice. The front-end stiffness also adds to the overall performance—when standing and cranking on the bars, for instance, there is very little give, and thus you can really hammer out of the saddle. Read it's strength, weaknesses, find deals and pricing - roadbikereview.com It’s the Ford of the bicycle world with its utter ubiquity, and the company has an appetite for litigation that borders on the pathological. Fitness is about focus, and the last thing you want to be thinking about during your workout is how rough the road is. Here I have for sale, my beloved 2016 Tarmac SL4. Published: July 10, 2016 at 10:00 am . The 32mm carbon rims will flex slightly at sharp angles, but most riders won’t notice. It’s easy to find reasons to dislike Specialized. c While it’s certainly not as glamorous as the satin black carbon tubeset of the Diverge Pro – priced at a cool $5500 for 2017 – it’s considerably more refined than the entry level A1, which rings in at a very inclusive $900. Also critical for the long climbs is position and compliance, and the Tarmac is very strong here for a pure race machine, but again, some of the less aggressive geometries in the group may be preferable if that’s a major concern. Climb on the lightest bike the rules allow, sprint on the fastest – all with legendary Tarmac handling. The critical difference between this model and the high-end versions is not in the shape and profile o… Thanks! Home » Gear Reviews » Biking » Road Bikes » Specialized S-Works Tarmac. Flag for Review Add an image. The drivetrain is complemented by full-carbon bars, seatpost and saddle rails, and the braking track on the Roval wheels is fairly consistent and powerful relative to other carbon wheels. 2021 Specialized Tarmac SL7 S-Works ride review. Specialized statement on COVID-19 Read Here. For a long time Matthew's heart belonged to the Scott Addict, but he's currently enjoying Specialized's sublime Roubaix Expert and having a torrid affair with a Giant Trance e-MTB. Matthew Loveridge (formerly Allen) is an experienced mechanic and an expert on bike tech who appreciates practical, beautifully-engineered things. In order cut some grams from the Tarmac, but to also ensure that it's stiff and compliant in exactly the right places, we took major steps to … The best trail bikes are lightweight, tough, and capable climbers that are just as poised and controlled on rowdy descents. Trail. Until the launch of the new Tarmac last summer, the frame on this Tarmac Comp was essentially the same frame as used right at the top of the range, and raced by the professionals over the last few years. I currently have a 2016 Specialized Fate and 2016 and this Specialized Tarmac listed. Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5, The S-Works Tarmac is a ready-to-race stunner and an utter delight to ride, Specialized S-Works Tarmac Dura-Ace review, World-class ride quality; no-holds-barred spec, Even if you’re not a fan of Specialized, the S-Works Tarmac Dura-Ace is one tasty looking beast, The frame shapes aren’t short of superbike muscle, but once in the saddle this is a bike that feels almost dainty. As mentioned above, the current iteration for the Roubaix, the SL4, was introduced for 2013 while the new Tarmac was unveiled last year. The down tube is gigantic, and its muscularity extends through a bottom bracket area that deserves the clichéd description of being ‘beefy’ (ideal for Contador then..). Climbing/EfficiencyAs with pure speed, a standout climbing bike needs a very stiff bottom bracket for maximum power transfer, and the Specialized S-Works Tarmac has that in spades. Our only complaint about DA is the considerably higher cost, which we don’t feel is worth the minor weight savings over Ultegra, unless money is simply not an object. These are outstanding aero wheels with a stiff but smooth ride, strong side-wind performance and excellent DT-Swiss hubs with straight-drive spokes all around. Nonetheless, it has a history of producing mouthwatering fare for serious riders and, alongside the aero Venge, the top-line S-Works Tarmac is a bike few roadies would turn their noses up at. Jump to Latest Follow REVIEWS ... please come back with a pic review and comparison to your old bike. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. In both instances, Specialized marshalled the new designs in with particular emphasis on size-specific engineering for each frame size. The S-Works Tarmac is a … Boulbol wrote the book on trail running in Colorado.Scott Boulbol is a freelance writer who has been working in the outdoor and cycling industries for about 15 years. The stiff front end and bars barely budged under extremely heavy torque when powering through a steady climb or especially when standing. Advertisement. Contact your local retailer for store hours & COVID-19 safety measures. The rear seatstays allow for some vertical flex, which absorbs road chatter, and carbon bars up front help do the same, as carbon absorbs more than aluminum. It helps that the wheels are very light, their low moment of inertia offering a lively feel. All to often riders think of comfort as being slow, yet if there was a bike to prove this way of thinking wrong, it’d be the Specialized Tarmac Elite Sl4. It's the lightest, stiffest frame we make and it shows as soon as you push on the pedals. He lives near Boston. You get a full groupset, apart from the cranks which are in-house FACT carbon items. Despite its immense tube profiles, it has a dainty, flickable feel that’s addictive, with the physical volume of bicycle beneath you seeming at odds with its character on the road. The Tarmac’s frame is a wonderful blend of glorious excess and some stylish, organic design, with lines that bulge and blend beautifully. Originally a roadie, he likes bikes and kit of every stripe, and he's tested a huge variety of both over the years for BikeRadar, Cycling Plus and others. *Your purchase helps to support the work of Gear Institute. The only choice you need to make is when to attack. That was a bike that was brilliantly comfortable, so it’s no surprise that this model also has a frame that’s superbly supple, but not in a way that suggests sluggishness. Ride It All. I just sold a 2016 Specialized Epic Comp Carbon World Cup on eBay. The Specialized Tarmac Pro Disc Race ($6,200) is one of the first performance road bikes (Colnago has also joined the ranks) equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. The Specialized Tarmac has one of the most distinctive frame shapes of the last year. Dura-Ace – the apogee of mechanical groupsets? Stiffness-to-Weight/Power TransferThis is where the Specialized S-Works Tarmac really shines. They come fitted with Specialized’s own Turbo Cotton clinchers, which do a fair job of imitating tubs in both look and feel. While drivetrains have become a personal preference for many, our testing has consistently shown DA, and its little brother Ultegra, to be the smoothest shifting and most reliable of the majors, while also remaining easy to work on. Also there are no micro-adjusters on the system other than at the rear derailleur—inline barrel adjusters would be much appreciated. The Specialized Tarmac Sport is the firm’s most affordable version of the evergreen racer and all-rounder. The Roubaix and Tarmac have both served in Specialized’s road catalogue for over ten years and been refined on multiple occasions. The Tarmac SL4 is a pure and unbridled race machine. Latest deals. Specialized S-Works Tarmac Di2 Disc review Best race bike with discs we've ridden – but there's a catch By Ben Delaney/Immediate Media 07 November 2014. Let me be clear:It’s the same bike. If you plan on racing a Grand Tour this summer, sure, go rock that S-Works. And the aggressive geometry means you can get your center of gravity super low over the front for extra speed stability. The 2016 swapped the crank for Specialized’s own S-Works cranks which cuts weight and adds stiffness (2017 will keep the DA), but otherwise it’s the entire group. Ride Quality Specialized has always put a premium on ride quality, even in their most aggressive bikes, and the S-Works Tarmac offers a surprisingly smooth and comfortable ride relative to its purpose as a pure racing bike. The comfortable frame still retains stiffness, and is beautifully easy to accelerate… You simply look at a corner and the bike seems to dive into it: This may be a bit disconcerting at first, and some may not want this “twitchiness” at all. Precious little wattage is lost to flex—the bike can literally feel like it’s accelerating out from under you when big power is put to the pedals. The Expert fits in the Tarmac line in the right spot for many riders. The Tarmac SL7 puts an end to compromise. Shimano Dura-Ace continues to impress with its light yet precise shifting. I … Specialized Tarmac Elite Road Bike user reviews : 4.4 out of 5 - 12 reviews. Climbing is a delight as the stout rear triangle is rock solid during out-of-the-saddle efforts. If a pure racing machine is what you’re looking for, the Specialized S-Works Tarmac is the best overall bike in the group (also the most expensive), with a rare combination of pure speed and handling with a fairly comfortable ride. If a pure racing machine is what you’re looking for, the Specialized S-Works Tarmac is the best overall bike in the group (also the most expensive), with a rare combination of pure speed and handling with a fairly comfortable ride. 2016. At $2600, our test bike – the 2016 Diverge Comp DSW X1 Comp – sits somewhere in the middle of the pack. There was some very minor flex under heavy stand-up sprinting, but we had to exaggerate the sprint motion to achieve it and most riders will never notice. This bike has been used for mainly better weather miles as I have a dedicated winter bike. Specialized dropped OSBB (62mm wide) in 2014, this is regular old BB30 (68mm wide).
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