Bike Setup: Champy all the way, Topolino C-19 wheels
Summary: Fast, stiff, and smooth. I was forced into an early withdrawal from a bodybuilding career r/t a injury, so bought this bike for motivation to maintain my athleticism. At 220+lbs I ride the big ring a lot & love to out sprint you little 150lb guys every chance I get. I would recommend this bike to anyone especially big guys.
Strengths: Strength, strength, strength
Weaknesses: Clear coat chips easily
Expensive if bought new
Similar Products Used: Merlin agilis, Litespeed ultimate
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Bike Setup: Full Dura Ace, Ksyrium Elite wheels (bike came with Ksyrium ES), Toupe saddle, Specialized carbon handlebars, Look 5.1 pedals, and Michelin Pro tires
Summary: I must say that it took me a while to convert from metal bikes to carbon. I had all the usual preconceived phobias about carbon frames: They break, paint chipping, not durable, etc. However, after seeing such a killer deal at the LBS, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to get with it on the latest technology.
Just to give a baseline on this review, I want the reader to know that this is my very first experience on a carbon bike. Also, this is the regular S-Works Tarmac as opposed to the "SL" model. My experience on riding performance bikes goes back to 1985 when I owned a Vitus, and raced/rode it for about 14 years thereafter. Since 1999, I've been riding Litespeed Ti bikes until this year when I bought my S-Works Tarmac. The Litespeed Ti bikes I've owned prior to the Tarmac are a 1998 Classic and two Tuscany models (2002 & 2004). I am 5'8" tall, and weigh 153 lbs.
To date, the S-Works Tarmac has to be THE best combination of stiffness and riding comfort of any bike I've ever owned. Road shock is a little more noticable on larger bumps than on my Ti bikes, but this is to be expected from the tighter geometry of my 52cm S-Works Tarmac.
The most striking qualities of this bike are the quick acceleration in a sprint and ease of maintaining momentum on rolling terrain. Ease of powering over crests of longer climbs is also exceptional.
This bike is SCARY fast on descents!!! I seem to develop momentum on downhills at faster speeds in shorter periods of time. This bike also holds the road extremely well on technical bumpy descents in spite of its tight geometry.
Overall, this bike feels like a part of my body with its responsiveness and comfort. As with most technological advances in cycling that I've encountered over the years, after buying this bike I asked myself again, "Why didn't I get this sooner?".
Now that I've entered into the carbon bike world, I'm curious to see how my new bike will compare to others in its class.
Strengths: Stiffness in sprinting, compliant on rough roads, extremely comforable on long rides, and easier to keep momentum while powering over rolling terrain. Climbs and handles technical descents VERY well.
Weaknesses: None compared to my previous metal bikes. I'm also not experienced enough with carbon to really tell of any weaknesses compared to other comparable bikes.
Similar Products Used: 1986 Vitus w/Mavic SSC components, 1998 Litespeed Classic and 2002 Litespeed Tuscany w/Ultegra, and 2004 Litespeed Tuscany w/full Dura Ace
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Bike Setup: S-Works Tarmac, Mavic Ksyrium ES, Dura Ace 10, Conti GP Attack, and Alias Saddle
Summary: All the S-Works Tarmac reviews are spot on. Just an amazing ride - bar none. I'm sure there are better Carbon frames, but for the money I don't think the S-Works Tarmac can be beat (i.e. BMC or Cervelo = $10-12Gs). The frame is super stiff, you know the power your putting in is hitting the pavement 100%. Did hill climbs and sprints and this thing just flys. I came from using an Allez Elite, so naturally my comparison is pretty drastic. You might be surprised about the price I paid for it (that's just the S-Works Tarmac Module - frame, fork, stem, bars, seatpost), but still a great deal - guy was giving it away with almost no miles.
Strengths: Efficient stiff frame, high-grade forged carbon material (not lugged construction), looks pretty nice too
Weaknesses: not as aerodamic maybe as a Cervelo SLC, but other than that don't think it has any weaknesses
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Bike Setup: full Dura Ace, Ksirium Sl wheels selle italia saddle fsa bars and stem
Summary: This is the best bike I have ever ridden hands down. I am a climber and let me tell you the bb is soo stiff you know that you are putting all power to the wheels. The bike is crazy light and looks super sexy. It also handles very well downhill no wobbles very secure. I hav ebeen in some very hary situations and thanks to the handling of the tarmac I was able to come out of them ok. If you are thinking of buying this bike do it.
Strengths: weight, paint, stiff, handling
Weaknesses: seems to chip clear coat easily. Could just be me though.
Similar Products Used: Kestrel, Fuji, Giant, Other specialized
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Summary: I got this a few months ago and have been really impressed with the quality and ride. I purchased just the frame and built it up myself with the new SRAM Force group. I have built many bikes over the years, and everything fit together perfectly. Usually you need to file one thing and tweak something else. Not in this case, the frame was prepped perfectly and the build was the best I have ever experienced. Once built up @ 16 lbs!!! The ride has been fantastic, it is quick and agile, but also forgiving. When you hit a rough section of road, it is not a harsh ride, whatever specialized has done takes the edge off. It is rare to get a quick handling bike with this level of comfort. The bike climbs really nice and the power transfer to the pedals seems very efficient. No complaints going up OR down hill!
Strengths: Fit and finish of the frameset is fantastic.
Carbon Fork is stiff and takes the edge off.
Weaknesses: Originally I could not believe I was spending ths much on a frame, but it is worth every penny. I would have liked a more traditional paint scheme.
Similar Products Used: Trek Carbon, Litespeed Tuscany, Cannondale.
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