Specialized Tarmac Comp

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Now:
Full Ultegra
Ksyrium Elite wheels

Summary:
The bike is stiff and fast and ready to race. If you want comfort and a plush ride, look somewhere else. If you want speed and handling take a look at the tarmac.

Strengths:
Mostly Ultegra drive.
Fast and light.
Love the BG saddle

Weaknesses:
The wheels that came on it were garbage. Alex 330s I think. Those things go out of true just hanging in the garage.
I was a little unhappy that I got the last year of Ultegra 9spd.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Madone, Kestrel Talon

Price Paid:  $4000.00

Bike Setup:
Stock with Profile Design Carbon Strike aero bars

Summary:
2009 Model
Great looking frame and nice colours (carbon/red). Extremely light and smooth ride. Good components, but it should have better specs and wheels for the price. Specialized Pro tyres are great, especially Time Trials and Triathlons.

Strengths:
Frame
Weighs nothing
Good tyres
Fast....

Weaknesses:
Should have better components and wheels for price (compared to other bikes in the same price range) but they all do the same job and thish is still a great bike

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR Advanced 1
Avanti Quantum 2.0

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at sh

Favorite Ride:
Inishown 100

Summary:
A great looking bike that rides very well. This was my first experience of the compact gear set and I found myself spinning on the big wheel, which was a bit alarming. Lovely bike to ride especially on trickey decents.

Strengths:
Rigid and comfortable

Weaknesses:
Limited saddle post adjustment

Similar Products Used:
Gian OCR

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bike Depot

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Markham, Durham, Uxbridge

Bike Setup:
2008 Specialized Tarmac Comp
Full Ultegra Gruppo
carbon bar
Campagnolo Zonda wheels

Summary:
Bike is actually a 2008 in Gerolsteiner colors. Beautiful, in my opinion. Looks don't have anything to do with what this machine is capable of. Stiffer than my Trek 1500 aluminum, far more precise handling. Accelerates like a fighter jet, climbs effortlessly and descends like a demon. Maybe it's the "new bike" factor as I've only had it for a couple of weeks, but it feels as though I haven't even gotten close to the bike's limits and I'm riding harder than I ever have because it inspires so much confidence with its stability and almost demands you to push it harder. This bike was conceived, designed and built for speed and handling, with the added bonus of being truly comfortable, as rider position and vertical compliance, are in my opinion, excellent. Simply a pleasure to ride and ride harder. If you are looking for a quality product that delivers speed, handling and comfort, this is it.

Strengths:
start calling them out
frame construction...flawless
quality components
ride quality and capabilites

Weaknesses:
you've gotta be kidding me

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1500
older Miele

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Bridge Cycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Chapmans Peak Loop

Bike Setup:
Stock 105 with Ultegra rear derailer, Train on the stock wheels and race on AM Classic 420's. Changed all the bolts to Probolt Ti/Alu.

Summary:
I looked long and hard at all the competition before I chose the Tarmac Comp Double. It's in Gerolsteiner blue, and looks superb. I love the way the carbon catches the sun, and the bike gets loads of looks in traffic! It is nice and stiff, snaps forward when you hit the pedals. This bike begs to be ridden. Obviously the carbon and zerts do their jobs nicely, I usually ride long stints and I dont get any fatigue from the vibration.

Strengths:
It's stiff and light, easily upgradeable, but in this price range it's superb value. 105 group performs flawlessly. Stunning looks. Geometry works very well. Even the Stock Toupé saddle is awesome, although it looks like it will torture you. I even bought a spare! take a little getting used to but once it's working it fits well. It climbs like it's on steroids. Stock tires corner well, but take some getting used to as well with their slightly different profile.

Weaknesses:
Stock wheels are heavy, but make good trainers.Would have been nice to have Ultegra group as found on the Giant TCR and Felt F4 and even the Scott, in the same price range, but the frame's quality overshadows those by far.

Similar Products Used:
Silverback Arizona, 2 years of occasional riding/racing. Also Demo'ed the Roubaix, and the Giant TCR1. Roubaix was super numb, no road "noise" at all. Giant was Ok but looks boring.