cmcdonnell wrote:Does anyone have a Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc or even a Tarmac Pro Race Disc? Really love to hear opinions. Probably going to get a new bike this year and don't know what to go for. Was tempted to go the aero route as at 58 kg I need all the aero help I can get but I am very tempted by the Tarmac Disc. The whole thing is completely new to me as I've never bought a complete bike, never rode discs, never rode electronic and most importantly never rode Shimano. Also is electronic worth it? Is Shimano really that bad coming from 20 years of Campy? Should I just wait and see what campy do with discs and how EPS V.3 does? As I said i'm just seeking opinions of those who have considered or have a Tarmac Disc as to me the S-works is one of the few bikes I could see myself buying and enjoying off the peg but i'm concerned that I just like the novelty of the discs...
I need a bike to ride all year and the discs seem a good way of riding decent wheels in wet/cold conditions without trashing your rims and also having decent braking, that's why I don't use my Bora 50C's in the winter. How does Shimano fare in the winter? I've always used Chorus and Record on my bikes and they always lasted fine so never had concerns there. Would Dura-Ace do 10+ seasons in all conditions if kept clean and maintained?
I focus on the fact you say, you'd use the bike all year and especially winter. Do you really think a frame that handles maximum 28mm tires is the best option for this?
Are you going to ride road in winter? I would be nervous of the surrounding traffic.
Anyway, never considered a bike not an all in road bike?
Why not a road, gravel, trail bike?
I would look into Open Cycles U.P.
http://up.opencycle.com/Or Santa Cruz Stigmata over Tarmac for all year riding.
UP handles 55mm tires if you use 650B wheels (pending on internal rim width to some degree). You could run really fat studded tires.
Personally i ordered UP with No tubes Avion Pro which i intend to use all year.
As you see, UP runs 15*100 and 12*142 through axles which allows you to use more wheelsets than Tarmac!
There is also Continental Top Contact Winter II which is available in 37 or 42mm (700c) if you'd like to test tires made for winter, but without studs (lower rolling resistance and weight without studs).
http://www.continental-tires.com/bicycl ... r2-premiumYou should also consider, Shimano Di2 9070 or 6870 uses same calipers and shifters (disc)!
You could easily use a lighter cassette, chain and crankset with Di2 6870 to lower weight if you find you would like that.
Guys who have run both systems says there is really no gains (but lower weight) using 9070.
I also have small hands and i have no problems with Shimano. You can lower reach on the levers.
I think there is no problem with Di2 in the winter. There are many bikes sold with this running all year and many CX races run Di2 and that works great.
You can also consider, a damage to any of the derailleurs, the 6870 cost much less to replace.
Actually, the 6870 RD cost just as much as Sram Force CX RD, while the 9070 cost 2½-3 times as much.
Non-SCS so just changed the derailleur hanger. Doesn't need SCS when I'm using a single chainring in front.
