log in
register

Specialized Tarmac SL4 Elite too racey for a first road bike?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • September 14, 2016 at 8:44 am #26271
    perky416

    Hi guys,

    So as I am starting to get fitter and faster on my hybrid I find myself getting into more of a race position as I am peddling (leaning right into my handlebars, rear end in the air). I just dont feel efficient on a hybrid, after every ride I think more and more its time to get a road bike.

    With a specialized concept shop not too far away I have my sights set on the Tarmac SL4 Elite. The question however is the geometry too racey for a first road bike? I remeber you guys warning me againast purchasing a Boardman SLR.

    The reason I choose the Tarmac is because it has a decent spec, carbon frame and I am very picky on how a bike looks, sounds silly I know but I want to be 100% happy with my purchase. If I feel I perform good. Also my hybrid is a pretty decent bike, cost £1k new and weighs sub 10kg, I want my next purchase to feel like an upgrade.

    Please nobody worry about the price, afterall I can always sell it if I dont like it.

    All input greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    Lee

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • September 14, 2016 at 11:51 am #878121
    0
    perky416

    I did consider the Roubaix

    I did consider the Roubaix however on the Specialized website they all have disc brakes as does my hybrid. I wanted to move to rim brakes as there are more wheel upgrades avaliable should I wish to do so in the future.

    I do tend to give it some when im out, i usually spend pretty much 90% of my ride in heart rate zones 4 & 5 trying to break my previous time, im just a little worried about being so low and stretched as I sometimes get neck ache (starting to become less and less) and rides like this morning’s…was around a minute ahead of my previous time however as soon as I hit the wind a little over half way I just died to the point I knew I wasnt going to beat my previous so I decided to sit upright and enjoy a nice little pedal back.

    If I was to purchase the tarmac and found it was too low, is it easy enough to add spaces to raise the bars a bit?

    September 14, 2016 at 11:11 am #878119
    0
    tritecommentbot

    I bought an endurance bike

    I bought an endurance bike for my first road bike and sort of love it / sort of know I’d be more suited to an aero bike or road bike with a really low headtube.

     

    I did my flexibility work and long hours on the bike since getting it. Slammed the stem after 2 weeks. There was some back pain, some hard days. Now I can go over 100 miles on it without any bother. Keep buying longer stems to get more stretched out. Was even on -17 for a while (looked a bit goofy though so changed it back.. for now). Took about 3/4 months of riding to get where I am now in terms of being comfortable in position and needing/wanting to get lower. That’s not long in cycling terms.

     

    How low you can go on the bike will depend on how much work you put in. There’s a few older boys I see around my route gunning it like a teen. Clearly they do flexibility work, cos your body does stiffen up as you age. I’m in my 30s and notice it.

     

    See the above comment about buying a Roubaix? That was the sort of comment that led me to my Infinito CV. Class bike, outstanding even. Has given me incredible confidence. But it was long until I remembered how competitive I am and will suffer for speed. If I could lose a few cm from that headtube I’d do it in a flash.

     

    Spend my evenings eyeing up S5’s now laugh

     

    In the end – you know who you are and what effort you put into things and what sacrifices you can make. Most people are average, will only put in average effort. If you’re a bit more hardcore, then get a bike that’s a bit more hardcore, like the Tarmac. If not, then go sensible and get an endurance model. A Roubaix, Endurace, Infinito CV, C3 etc will all feel fast compared to your hybrid. 

    All those bikes have won stages in Tours or Classics (well except the C3, and Endurace) so don’t think they’ll hold you back.

     

    But it’s more complicated than that. You don’t want to left wishing or wondering.

     

    Anyway.. a slammed endurance bike gives you as low a position as a race bike with a stack of spacers on the top..

    September 14, 2016 at 10:47 am #878117
    0
    peted76

    That Tarmac is a lovely bike.

    That Tarmac is a lovely bike. It’s a pure race bike, so that means 1) it’ll force you into a longer lower position 2) you’ll feel road bumps a lot more than your current hybrid – that may not sound like an issue if you’ve not experienced it before but over 20miles that extra bumping and jostling about will knacker you out.

    Have you considered the Rouxbaix? It’s still a road bike with a great pedigree, but you’ll be in a ‘slightly’ less extreme position and they are designed to be more compliant to the bumps.. you’ll also be able to get bigger tyres on it if you wanted. An endurance road bike. 

    However, note both types of bikes (road/endurance) can be set up to be a bit less race or a bit more race orientated if you wished. 

     

    Depends on the type of riding you do. Both will be a major upgrade from your hybrid. I should also say that you should try both out on a test ride.

     

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.