2014 Catalogue worth a look
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:50 am
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The whole Tarmac and Roubaix ranges are now SL4 frames. The lower spec'ed Tarmacs instead of being the older SL3 and SL2 frames are, as I said are SL4 frames, but use a lower grade carbon, FACT 9r carbon, but this is a step up from the carbon used that to construct the older SL2 frames, which were FACT 8r carbon. The higher spec'ed frames still use FACT 10r carbon and the S Works use FACT 11r carbon.
There is also a S Works Allez. My LBS has one in store and reckon it's a very good ride, just as good as a S Works carbon frame. Basically Specialized wanted to prove they can make an Alloy frame that rides just as well as Carbon. And at AU$5k (LBS price iirc) it's significantly cheaper than the similarly spec'ed S-WORKS TARMAC SL4 DURA-ACE at USA$8,500.
It might be worth keeping an eye out in your Specialised LBS for towards the end of Spring for discounted clothing. Towards the end of Autumn Specialized USA dumped their Northern hemisphere 2013 winter stock on Australia at ridiculously discounted prices. I'm wondering if they'll do the same with their 2013 Northern hemisphere summer range.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:37 pm
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:52 pm
I do like the Saxo Tinkoff paint job. Good choice. Though I'm partial to the Team Omega Pharma/Quick Step paint job. Or the Gloss Neon Blue/Hyper/Asphalt that's similar to the Astana paint job.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:39 pm
One of my local shops has one of these hanging on the wall, so I've got something to drool in front of until mine arrives next week-ish.
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:53 am
My LBS is a Specialized and Colnago dealer. There are many drool worthy frames and bikes hanging on the walls. Still missing the one frame/bike that would set my knees a shaking. A Colnago Master.
I went to this years TDF and get to see some pretty good tech while there. It was interesting to see that Saxo Tinkoff were all on Tarmacs, while OPQS were half on Venges and half on Tarmacs.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:26 am
Regarding the designs on the Vincenzo Nibali frameset:
Italian superstar Vincenzo Nibali is one of the most exciting stage racers in the peloton. With increasing success in the most difficult races in the world, the new Specialized partnership will help deliver Nibali to the podium aboard his personal Tarmac SL4 in the 2013 race season.
Inspiration for his S-Works Tarmac SL4 comes from the region of his birthplace - the Strait of Messina, located between Italy and Sicily. The frameset is adorned with a shark, representing his nickname "Shark of the Strait" and blue paint to represent the beauty of the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas.
While every Specialized is a limited edition, some are much more so than others. Each bike in the SPECIALIZED Edition collection is the result of a specific vision of our research, development, and design teams, and produced once in extremely limited quantities. Nibali's SPECIALIZED Edition will be at select Specialized dealers in Summer 2013.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:32 pm
- The bike is comfortable; of particular note, I'm surprised at the saddle quality for a stock piece.
- The wheels (Fulcrum Racing S5) are heavy. Yes, I was expecting this, but they account for more than expected. Upgrade imminent.
- Whilst the SL4 frame is built for responsive acceleration, the compact driveline is low-geared for climbs (I might be used to a higher range, however).
- The OSBB and FSA crankset work very well, though a little rough on the front cable with a two-stage Ultegra downshift.
- Overall fit was exceptional; hardly needed any fitting from build and is very gentle on the bad knee.
In summation, providing you're not a weight weenie and appreciate comfort with a high degree of responsiveness then this bike is certainly worth considering in the sub-$3k bracket.
-
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:08 pm
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Tarquin » Sat Sep 28, 2013 10:32 pm
From memory you gain marginally better wheels and a Ultegra brakes on the Expert for an $800 price hike...
That would buy some pretty sweet wheels to put onto your Comp level bike.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:28 am
The Axis brakes are great, though BikeRadar claim they are more progressive than the Ultegra (which provide more direct stopping power).Tarquin wrote:The Comp is worth buying over the Expert from a brief look over them, is this the conclusion you came to?
From memory you gain marginally better wheels and a Ultegra brakes on the Expert for an $800 price hike...
That would buy some pretty sweet wheels to put onto your Comp level bike.
The wheel upgrade is minimal, but that combined with the carbon cranks and 10r carbon (as opposed to the 9r in the Comp) would certainly shave off some weight.
I opted for the bike that was available sooner, looked better (IMO) and fitted the budget.
In the scheme of things, $800 is quite attractive for the upgrades, but I agree with you that a great set of wheels with a slightly higher ranged cassette is better for my needs.
-
- Posts: 1062
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:30 pm
- Location: Bundoora, Melbourne
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby nezumi » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:56 am
Now, if I can only convince Specialized to hand one over to me...
2015 Merida Scultura 5000
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:13 am
Roubaix = cobbles (or Queensland roads - much of a muchness there)
-
- Posts: 1062
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:30 pm
- Location: Bundoora, Melbourne
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby nezumi » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:42 pm
I thought it was:briztoon wrote:Tarmac = Hills
Roubaix = cobbles (or Queensland roads - much of a muchness there)
Tarmac = race
Roubaix = comfier, longer distance, less flexible (non-contortionist cyclist)
Tarmac seems to come with shorter gearing by default - 52/36 and 11-28 on the Comp Ultegra, vs 50/34 and 11-32 on the Roubaix Compact Comp
2015 Merida Scultura 5000
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:47 am
The term comfort is a bit of a misnomer when talking about such bikes as the Roubaix and other bikes designed for cobble races.
You want a comfort bike, buy a flat bar where you really sit up.
Usually I just read some of the reviews about bikes for an "educated" opinion. With little real back ground in cycling and bicycles, I just regurgitate what I read from online magazines.
-
- Posts: 12177
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby jasonc » Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:07 pm
briztoon wrote:Tarmac is a race bike and is good for climbing hills.
The term comfort is a bit of a misnomer when talking about such bikes as the Roubaix and other bikes designed for cobble races.
You want a comfort bike, buy a flat bar where you really sit up.
Usually I just read some of the reviews about bikes for an "educated" opinion. With little real back ground in cycling and bicycles, I just regurgitate what I read from online magazines.
I went to the specialized test day and rode tarmac, roubaix and venge back to back
roubaix is relaxed geometry with a dead feel, no turn in
tarmac was great (like my roadie, but better)
venge was awesomesauce, except for the saddle
re comfort - I'm more comfortable on my roadie than my flat bar. set up and geometry make a bike comfortable.
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Tue Oct 29, 2013 7:49 pm
- Bob_TAS
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:39 pm
- Location: Blacktown
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby Bob_TAS » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:45 pm
-
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 11:03 pm
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby roadiematt » Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:46 pm
-
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:15 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: 2014 Catalogue worth a look
Postby briztoon » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:28 pm
Tarmac = flying up hills
Return to “General Cycling Discussion”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.