Tarmac & Venge Owners
Moderator: robbosmans
If you ride flatlands, or spend considerable time at the front of your group then the Venge. If you ride rollers or mountains, and only do your share of pulling then the Tarmac.
Rumor is that the Tarmac is slightly more comfortable, although some owners contest that rumor. Both are excellent bikes.
Rumor is that the Tarmac is slightly more comfortable, although some owners contest that rumor. Both are excellent bikes.
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- Posts: 249
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I held out on an Al for 6 years before drinking the carbon koolaid. Ended up going with the venge due to the lower cost. My club team rides the Big S. I view myself as somewhat of a climber type and also love the long solo breaks. So i was happy to get the aero advantage, as minute as it may be, and I dont notice it holding me back on the climbs. I can say I am very pleased with the comfort and speed compared to the Allez. If i wasn't encouraged to ride Spec. I would consider the plethora of other options.
It does seem to be much faster over rough roads compared to my previous rides.
It does seem to be much faster over rough roads compared to my previous rides.
Tarmac...sure... nice bike. Venge....fine if you are only racing flat courses with few turns. It sprints well but is such a pig on descents that I find it hard to consider it as a serious bike. They head-shake regularly, push out at the front horribly on any fast exit and periodically just have a bit of a generalised convulsion when at pace. Generally, a descending horror story. I ditched mine after about a year of trying to sort it out. Went to an S3 (then later paired it up with an S5).
Tarmac is a comfortable and fast bike with good stiffness (not an easy combination with comfort) that sprints well and descends in a confidence inspiring manner.
Venge is a fast flatland racer that is moderately harsh, actually handles OK in tight slow corners (u-turn round a road cone??...no problemo even at moderate pace) Climbs surprisingly well but descends appallingly.
Just my opinion, of course
Tarmac is a comfortable and fast bike with good stiffness (not an easy combination with comfort) that sprints well and descends in a confidence inspiring manner.
Venge is a fast flatland racer that is moderately harsh, actually handles OK in tight slow corners (u-turn round a road cone??...no problemo even at moderate pace) Climbs surprisingly well but descends appallingly.
Just my opinion, of course
Updated: Racing again! Thought this was unlikely! Eventually, I may even have a decent race!
Edit: 2015: darn near won the best South Island series (got second in age
-group)..woo hoo Racy Theremery is back!!
Edit: 2015: darn near won the best South Island series (got second in age
-group)..woo hoo Racy Theremery is back!!
Tarmac for sure. Very fast and surprisingly comfy.
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IG: RhinosWorkshop
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What size bike? There is a pretty vast difference between small size Venges and larger ones. I ride and race on a 52 Venge and unlike Theremery above it is one of the best handling and descending bikes I have ridden. With that said, I would take a Tarmac Ultegra over your other option.
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Rather than asking for opinions, I'd ride them both and just choose the one you like best.
I took the Venge (and honestly can't understand why a Tarmac would be a better climbing bike for me), but they're both excellent bikes. The current 105 group is also really good, can't go wrong with that either.
I took the Venge (and honestly can't understand why a Tarmac would be a better climbing bike for me), but they're both excellent bikes. The current 105 group is also really good, can't go wrong with that either.
Tarmac was much better for me.
Venge has aero advantage and some cool factor in it, tho.
Tarmac was a winner when it comes to climbing hills.
Venge has aero advantage and some cool factor in it, tho.
Tarmac was a winner when it comes to climbing hills.
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Colnago C60 Super Record
S-Works Tarmac 2016 eTap
S-Works Tarmac 2015 DA
Cervelo R3 2015 UT
Cervelo S2 2014 UT
Spesh Venge Elite 105
Colnago C60 Super Record
S-Works Tarmac 2016 eTap
S-Works Tarmac 2015 DA
Cervelo R3 2015 UT
Cervelo S2 2014 UT
Spesh Venge Elite 105
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Nejmann wrote:Sagan picks the tarmac.. even on the flats...
^^ this
theremery wrote:Tarmac...sure... nice bike. Venge....fine if you are only racing flat courses with few turns. It sprints well but is such a pig on descents that I find it hard to consider it as a serious bike. They head-shake regularly, push out at the front horribly on any fast exit and periodically just have a bit of a generalised convulsion when at pace. Generally, a descending horror story.
Just my opinion, of course
This guy thinks different
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiv6Y2zh7I
Sagan used the old Venge a lot. But now they have the ViAs, you see almost everybody on a Tarmac.
I used to have an Allez but since I wrecked it in a crash, I've bought a Venge. I'm really impressed by the riding qualities of it.
I use the bike for racing and training and I love the handling and steering. Besides that, it is stiff but not as harsh as I expected. Only the aero seatpost feels a bit harsh compared to a round one. But it doesn't give me any problems on a 4h+ ride.
Climbing goes very well, but descending is even better! Very sharp and predictable.
My girlfriend has a Tarmac, I've ridden it a couple of times and it feels a little bit more lively and agressive I think.
But she has a size 54 and I have 58. So her bike is way too small for me, maybe it feels a bit different.
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I think it honestly comes down to what you think looks better and which is the cheaper price. 90% of the cycling world would never be able to tell a difference between the two.
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