S-Works Tarmac Disc opinions

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cmcdonnell
Posts: 278
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:50 pm

by cmcdonnell

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?
Bianchi Oltre XR2 + Campagnolo Super Record 11 + Campagnolo Bora 50C
Litespeed T1 + Campagnolo Chorus 11 + Campagnolo Shamal Ultra

BikeAnon
Posts: 399
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:36 pm
Location: NY USA

by BikeAnon

A big decision point... you need to love the wheels. There are no options available other than what comes with it.

They are good wheels, but they need to suit your needs.

As for Shimano.... there is nothing better on the planet. At that level, the differences are in our heads. At that level, the shape of the hoods is a more important decision than worrying about quality.

The S-Works Tarmac Disc is my favorite bike on the market right now. But I'm going to wait and see how this whole disc thing shakes out over the next few years.

I'd rather be in the middle of this chart, and confident in my choice.

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jeffy
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:51 pm

by jeffy

the specialised hub standard (135x12) SCS can be made to work with other hubs - so their is handbuilt options.

+ the tarmac comes with an alternative hanger for non SCS wheels.

cmcdonnell
Posts: 278
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:50 pm

by cmcdonnell

I thought you lost gears if you used the other hanger? I like the look of the Rovals at the moment as they seem on par with a Zipp 303 but it is a concern that there is no upgrade available at the moment. I would assume (hope?) that Specialized would offer something in the future like a CLX60 type but as BikeAnon said there is the worry I'd be buying a Betamax!
Bianchi Oltre XR2 + Campagnolo Super Record 11 + Campagnolo Bora 50C
Litespeed T1 + Campagnolo Chorus 11 + Campagnolo Shamal Ultra

srshaw
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:06 pm

by srshaw

I wonder if it's a little early to go for disks. I'm not sure that there is any consensus on best axle width etc, or do what mtbs do and go with through axles. I would want to wait until I can be sure of replacing wheels and other components and swap between bikes.

I know cervelo use a custom chainset to get around chain line issues caused by wider rear axles, I've not heard of other brands doing the same.

Having said that I think specialized would be a safer bet in terms of future compatibility than smaller brands. I myself are going to wait on buying anything new and wait to see how the disk thing pans out.

BikeAnon
Posts: 399
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:36 pm
Location: NY USA

by BikeAnon

Thanks, jeffy, that's useful info.

stormur
Posts: 1173
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:50 pm
Location: FIN

by stormur

BikeAnon wrote:
As for Shimano.... there is nothing better on the planet. At that level, the differences are in our heads. At that level, the shape of the hoods is a more important decision than worrying about quality.

Image



If Shimano would pay me , I would have same opinion :mrgreen: unfortunately they don't so ... DA ( whatever mechanical or Di2 ) is not even close to Campagnolo Record/ R EPS by any mean. Specially '15 .

The only thing which can be considered as advantage ( cause it's very personal ) can be - and here I have to agree with you - shape of hoods. In every other category - nope. Not yet,, and it seems not yet for a loong time.

However, IF I MUST choose system for DISC brake bicycle, I would choose Shimano over Sram for hydraulic. For mechanical - Sram over Shimano( including brake levers shape which I really don't like , but overall ... ).

I won't mention, that visually mechnical Shimano levers are... ugly .


To OP : what you will "hate" : lack of multi upshifts, in mechanical : need of constant re-adjustment, trimming on big ring, low feedabck from rear shifting, stucking PTFE cables in less appropriate moment, flimsy low profile DA wheels, clunky design, fast wearing chains, and possibly "shifting thru braking" /mechanical/ - 2 functions of the lever. On Di2: to tiny shifting pads , specially in winter gloves.

Shimano is cheaper than Campagnolo, and not without reason.


If I must go today for disc : Chorus / Record '15 + TRP mechanical. Tomorrow ( visible ) : I would wait & see Rotor Uno.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
Mark Twain


I can be wrong, and have plenty of examples for that ;)

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cerro
Posts: 1959
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 2:11 pm
Location: Malmö, Sweden
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by cerro

Tarmac got usual QR front and rear so wheel options are there lots of.

Tried a friends S-Works Tarmac Disc Di2 last year and I thought it was great. Now I built this for myself for this year but still too cold and too bad roads to use it here:
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robo
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:01 pm

by robo

Very nice looking bike cerro. I'm thinking of building one up, what weight have you got it to (& guessing it's a 52cm?) please? Also, did use the SCS wheels?

nlouthan
Posts: 188
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:41 am
Location: SF Bay Area

by nlouthan

I seriously considered buying a caliper brake Tarmac before I settled on a Cervelo R3. This was due to better fitting geometry with the R3 and a lot less cost. I've never ridden a Tarmac, but I imagine it's one of the best riding bikes around as most of the top models from all of the big brands are. If the Tarmac fits you, I can't imagine you'd regret buying it.

I certainly think disc brakes are the future, but there are a couple issues that I have with the Tarmac. I don't race, so quick wheel changes are not a concern for me, so I would rather have thru axles front and rear. I have no reason to believe that QR is not perfectly fine, but TA just seems better and more secure to me. Also the special rear hub design has the downside of not being able to use any off the shelf wheelset. I'm sure the Rovals are great wheels and as mentioned above, if they are the type of wheel you're interested in, they will be great.

As far as D/A vs. SR, that's just personal preference. I'm a Campy guy, but also have a Shimano bike and a SRAM bike in the garage. They all have their positive and negative qualities. The one area that Shimano shines in is the availability of parts. Most any bike shop will have any common part for Shimano. If you have a substantial supply of Campy parts, that might be a consideration in your decision.

Another bike to consider is the Focus Izalco Max. Thru axle front and rear. They lengthened the chainstays, so any wheel will work.

My next bike with be Campy EPS disc, whenever that's available.

Nefarious86
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Posts: 3669
Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 4:57 am

by Nefarious86

I love mine, 12 months and no issues, the wheels are practically bomb proof and have never felt like I would want to change them. Clearance for 28mm tyres and better turn in manners than my SL4 when descending.

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mnmasotto
Posts: 581
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:16 pm
Location: Irvine, CA

by mnmasotto

I have a 52 cm Tarmac S-Works Disc with custom Enve Disc/Extralite wheels built by Fairwheel bikes. All I did was switch to the alternative Specialized hanger they offer. It works great!!! Shifts as good or better than other bike I own. The stock Roval Wheels are absolute boat anchors. I was told by a Specialized Representative the bike weighed 15.9 lbs. from the factory. Try 17.5 lbs.!!!! With all the additional light weight parts Fairwheel bike offers I was able to get the bike down to 15.6 lbs. (Enve wheels, handlebars, stem, seat, seat post, skewers, rotors, etc.....

Nefarious86
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by Nefarious86

Boat anchor? They aren't WW wheels but they aren't exactly anchors... The difference for the CL40 on the Pro Race model are heavier gauge spokes and standard bearings.

""Up until now the choice for quality disc brake-compatible wheels was limited to Zipp’s 303s or tubular-only sets. Specialized’s Roval brand hopes to change that.

Its new CLX 40 wheels are significantly cheaper than the Zipps and – at 1492g – 186g lighter too. The Roval’s external width is 23mm, the internal width 16.2mm – compared with the standard 13.5mm – so they’re suited to 23-25mm rubber. The wider-than-usual rim means the tyre profile is smoother, enhancing grip and comfort. The wheels use Shimano’s Center Lock system, so if your bike has six-bolt rotors you’ll need new ones.

Roval hasn’t cut corners to hit that price. DT Revolution butted spokes are mated to a front hub with alloy flanges and a carbon body, and the all-alloy rear features internals from DT Swiss’s highly regarded 240 hub. Both run on top quality Ceramic Speed bearings. Build quality is good, too, the hubs staying smooth during testing, while rider weight limit is a generous 108kg (17st).""
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rcb78
Posts: 54
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:17 pm

by rcb78

Scratch what I said, major brain fart on my part. Missed the obvious difference of disc vs non-disc. The CLX40s that I own are non-disc so the weight doesn't apply to this thread.
Last edited by rcb78 on Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Nefarious86
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by Nefarious86

There you go, the BR article may have included skewers etc :)
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