Specialized Tarmac Pro

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Campy 10 and 1400 gram wheels.

Summary:
2008 model, this frame really works, I have owned many steel, alum, and 1 carbon bikes. It is so stiff for energy transfer but really absorbs the vibration. It is also very quick in steering. I test rode a C40 and it was slightly more comfortable but not near the response. Tried best Treks, very stiff but harsh. Only killer bike I tried that was in a whole level better was the Colnago CX-1 but many more real dollars.
Great bike the Tarmac Pro with 8r frame. I am 57.

Strengths:
Response, stiff, no flex, nimble.

Weaknesses:
Clamp on front derail, paint job is ok.

Similar Products Used:
Too many to list.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Sid's Bikes, NYC

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Santa Cruz Mountains

Bike Setup:
2007 Tarmac Pro (54), 2008 Dura-Ace gruppo with 53/39 (170mm) crankset, 3T ARX-Team stem (110mm), Specialized SL short drop handlebar, Look Keo carbon pedals, 2008 Mavic Elite wheelset, Specialized Mondo Pro tires (115psi), Shimano WH-7850 24-carbon clinchers

Summary:
This 2007 Tarmac Pro was my 1st competitive road bike and after 8,000 miles since April of 08 I have a few observations. I don't road race but my weekly training rides are usually a rolling hill century+ (5,500'gain), two 40 mile mountain ride (6,000'gain each), two easy 60 mile rides (3,000'gain each). First off the frame (54) is incredible stiff and fairly lightweight (approx 1,200 grams). It uses a FACT 8r carbon build and I haven't out grown its performance ability yet. I've been very pleased with the stock Mavic Elites (08) - utterly bombproof, no hub, rim or truing issues. Just recently replaced all of the drive-train to new 08 DA groupo including swapping out the stock FSA compact crankset with DA 7800 53/39. Dura-ace front derailleur has noticeable better downshift than Ultegra (much stiffer and more tension on spring). Spending $3k just for his bike seemed like a lot of money until I spent another $2k upgrading parts, ect. I love this bike and plan on using it till the next gen Colnago comes out (C-60 in 2014).

Strengths:
Stiff - great power transfer with each pedal stroke.
Comfortable on 150 non-stop mile rides - with proper on bike stretching of course.
Tack sharp with no jitters on 50+ descents - also a testament for the stock Mavic Elites.
Relatively lightweight - current complete build weights less close to 15lbs with pedals and H20 cage.

Weaknesses:
Plenty of excellent alternatives in this price - check out for yourself. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
Biggest complaint is paint - not the most durable clear coat. Not flaking but does pick up small marks.

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Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Ultegra. Functioned flawlessly.

Summary:
I tested a 2009 model at the insistance of the owner of my local shop. I currently ride a 14 year old Litespeed and he wanted me to sample something from the 21st century. I was prepared not to like and 30 minutes into the ride I did not care for it. At first I found it too harsh, but I'll admit some of that judgement was probably from my pre-concieved notion that I'm not going to like this bike. By the end of my 40 mile ride that day I was beginning to come around. By the end of my 10 day demo period I was contemplating how to come up with $3,300 so I can buy one. I've been riding for 30 years now and not easily impressed with the "flavor of the month" but this bike has me taking my head out of the sand and considering carbon fiber for the first time.

Strengths:
Great power transfer. All foward motion. Great balance,handling. Quite comfortable.Superb climber.

Weaknesses:
With all that stiffness comes a bit of harshness.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Sunrise Century

Bike Setup:
2007 Tarmac Pro frameset,FSA Carbon K-Wing handlebars,Sram Force compact gruppo,Mavic SSC SL wheels,Sram OG-1090 cassette, Fizik Arione CX Carbon seat, Deda Newton stem, Ritchey WCS Carbon seatpost, Specialized Carbon waterbottle cages, and Cateye V2c wireless computer.

Summary:
After riding a Kestrel RT700 last season, I was ready for a change and the Specialized Tarmac Pro has been quite a change. Fantastic bike...incredibly stiff and fast. My training ride that I usually ride during the weekends is 40 miles with about 2500 feet of climbing. I average around 19.4-19.6 MPH on this ride. After a week of getting used to the bike, I was riding 19.6-19.8 MPH on the same ride. Cannot wait for my first race in August to really put this bike to the test.

Strengths:
Lightest bike I have ridden so far, with my computer, water bottle cages, etc all loaded up on a 61cm frame, this bike weighs 15.6 lbs. Too bad I am 6'5", if I was riding a 54cm frame, this bike would be world class light! Immediate response to acceleration, tremendous stiffness compared to the Kestrel RT-700 I rode last season. Very fast bike and to my surprise, much better descending bike than I was expecting.

Weaknesses:
None that I can tell...I cannot imagine there being much difference between this bike and the more expensive Tarmac SL and Sl2.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2200
Felt F4c
Kestrel RT700

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Sunrise Century

Bike Setup:
2007 Tarmac Pro frameset,FSA Carbon K-Wing handlebars,Sram Force compact gruppo,Mavic SSC SL wheels,Sram OG-1090 cassette, Fizik Arione CX Carbon seat, Deda Newton stem, Ritchey WCS Carbon seatpost, Specialized Carbon waterbottle cages, and Cateye V2c wireless computer.

Summary:
After riding a Kestrel RT700 last season, I was ready for a change and the Specialized Tarmac Pro has been quite a change. Fantastic bike...incredibly stiff and fast. My training ride that I usually ride during the weekends is 40 miles with about 2500 feet of climbing. I average around 19.4-19.6 MPH on this ride. After a week of getting used to the bike, I was riding 19.6-19.8 MPH on the same ride. Cannot wait for my first race in August to really put this bike to the test.

Strengths:
Lightest bike I have ridden so far, with my computer, water bottle cages, etc all loaded up on a 61cm frame, this bike weighs 15.6 lbs. Too bad I am 6'5", if I was riding a 54cm frame, this bike would be world class light! Immediate response to acceleration, tremendous stiffness compared to the Kestrel RT-700 I rode last season. Very fast bike and to my surprise, much better descending bike than I was expecting.

Weaknesses:
None that I can tell...I cannot imagine there being much difference between this bike and the more expensive Tarmac SL and Sl2.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2200
Felt F4c
Kestrel RT700