Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

The 2014 catalogue is online now. It's the USofA site, so prices won't be the same in Australia.

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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.

Already put down a deposit on a Tarmac Comp with a Tinkoff paint job, should be on it within a week

I do like that they have so many frame paint options. If you do not like the standard frame colour a particular model comes in, you can ask for a different frame option.

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.

Yeah, this one was the first of the new ones I could get in my price range.

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.

What's the cartoon figure on it?

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.

So purdy. I prefer the Tarmac's geometry and have always been a fan of blue/yellow details.

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.

So I've had the 2014 Tarmac Comp SL4 Ultegra for just over a week now and here are a few opinions:

- 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.

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.

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 Axis brakes are great, though BikeRadar claim they are more progressive than the Ultegra (which provide more direct stopping power).

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.

I am drooling over a nice Roubaix with 11 speed Ultegra, 11-32 & 34/50 so that I can try and climb up some hills.

Now, if I can only convince Specialized to hand one over to me...

Tarmac = Hills
Roubaix = cobbles (or Queensland roads - much of a muchness there)

briztoon wrote:Tarmac = Hills
Roubaix = cobbles (or Queensland roads - much of a muchness there)

I thought it was:
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

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.

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.

I know it's a couple of months late, but just got the extra cage and free service done. So much fun, especially whipping past the fuzz with their fangdangled laser guns.

Just replaced the Axis 2.0 calipers with a set of Tektro R741s I had lying around. So surprised by the difference, definitely worth switching out.

I have just bought a 2013 Venge Expert, very happy so far with the ride however it does appear a little slower on acceleration uphill when compared to my old Giant TCR 2.

Venge = flat sprints
Tarmac = flying up hills