Specialized Tarmac Elite

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at eddy's bike shop ohi

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
winston to courtney and back

Bike Setup:
105 down to the pedals...all stock for now.

Summary:
ive got a 2010 model..i used to be a racer but at 36 with a family and so on im very happy to just ride at all. Ive ridden a ton of bikes in my life..had some very nice ones...but i swear to god this bike is unlike anything ive ever come across i am not a light guy by any means and the bike is still stiff and responsive under me..the carbon takes the harshness right out...I will probably upgrade the wheel set but other wise its fine..there was a time i would only ride dura ace but 105 has come a long long way..not bad at all..the tubes are MASSIVE you dont see this in pictures...i used to think the cannondale 3.0 had thick tubes..this one is much larger and the chain stays are probably 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter..its extream to look at but i love it...if your a heavier rider dont be afriad to ride this bike but i think you may want to change the seat post to a thomson elite..i will say this is probably the coolest and most nicest bike ive ever owned...there is no differnce between the geometryu on the elite vs the others..only differnce is parts and grade of carbon...

Strengths:
stiff light very comfortable, beautifully contrasted color wise

Weaknesses:
the wheels but thats personal..I need something a bit more robust..the seatpost but again thats no fault of the bike..im a bigger guy and need a stro nger post.

Similar Products Used:
trek madone (2004) bianchi via nirone (sucked)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
Very responsive, excellent specially on climbs.

Strengths:
Stiffness and responsiveness

Weaknesses:
Components. 105 is good but an ultegra or dura ace will be better. I guess that's the price I have to pay for choosing frame over the drivetrain.

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Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Factory Setup

Summary:
Specialized Tarmac Elite ’08: I wanted to wait a full-season before posting a review. Overall, I have been extremely pleased with the way this bike handles. I live in an area with a decent amount of steep and twisting roads and this bike builds a lot of confidence both climbing and descending. In terms of looking to break into a carbon fiber frame, as opposed to going aluminum with an upgrade in some components, I have no regrets going this route. Relative to some other carbon fibers/aluminums I demoed, the Tarmac instantly made me feel as if I was “one” with the bike.

Strengths:
Handling, Responsive, Smooth, Excellent combination of comfort and feel, Motivates you to go faster!

Weaknesses:
Shifting was a pain, but it was attributed to initial setup

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
High Ways

Bike Setup:
2008 model Stock

Summary:
I waited till i did some long rides and a race i had scheduled before posting this review, and after a a few hundred training miles, having done one amateur race and having been on 113 mile long ride with all kinds of surfaces and altimetry, all i can say is that this bike ROCKS MY WORLD!

Strengths:
Light, fast, quiet and reliable.

Weaknesses:
Fork feels a bit to flexy at times, maybe has something to do with being 6' and 200 pounds (it doesn't bother me at all).

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CAAD5 R500

Price Paid:  $1650.00 at Palm Desert Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
LQ south

Bike Setup:
105s, PD-R540 pedals, Mavic PX3-22 wheels

Summary:
A huge upgrade over my '98 Specialized in regards to refinement, smooothness and speed. After 10 years of riding an aluminium frame, riding a carbon one is a lot of fun and has rejuvenated my enthusiasm for road riding. The various other carbon elements only add to smoothing out my ride.

The Specialized Toupe saddle looked like a nightmare but I can now ride as long as i want without the sore sit bones i used to get with my more heavily padded saddle. Not sure if that's from the new bike's carbon elements or the saddle itself but i recommend it to anyone shopping for a new saddle.

This bike is a blast. I ride solo, with a friend, once with a club, whatever the weather conditions and it's just a lot of fun. More experienced riders/racers can purchase a Tarmac for over $8,000 depending on set-up but it's great that Specialized offers the bike at this price, giving riders the option to upgrade later if needed.

Strengths:
Fast, solid ride. Blue and beautiful to look at. Fit for me is better. I went to a smaller frame upon the shop's advice.

Weaknesses:
Shimano 105 set. I guess at this price point the set is standard but my '98 came with full Ultegra which shifted quieter and smoother. Also, not a fan of the white tape.

Similar Products Used:
1998 Specialized Allez Comp bought new.