S Works Tarmac or Scott Foil

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Pokerface07
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:43 pm

by Pokerface07

I actually own both these bikes...

The Tarmac is an easy bike to ride. Climbs well, comfy, responsive.
The Foil is a bit heavier, doesn't handle quite as well (for me) and has really crappy rear braking.

I'm going to make some changes to my Foil setup to try and improve the way it handles and brakes though.

Between the 2, I'd go for the Tarmac.

My other bike, and the one that is by far the best - is the Emonda SLR. It's just everything I want in a bike.
Twitter: @FormerTTchamp https://twitter.com/FormerTTchamp

Noctiluxx
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Location: Southern California

by Noctiluxx

Many great race bikes out there. Tarmac Lightweight, TCR SL, Emonda SLR, SS Evo, Ultimate Evo, Specialissima, to name a few. Pretty sure you can't go wrong with any of these bikes and a few I'm missing.
Bianchi Oltre XR4, De Rosa SK Pininfarina, Trek Madone SLR, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Cervelo R5 Disk, Giant Revolt

by Weenie


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dim
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Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:25 am
Location: Cambridge UK

by dim

I've owned several bikes including Trek, S-Works etc

and the one which I have kept and which I use as my 'fast' bike is my old Giant TCR Composite 2

I've added decent wheels though .... it fits me like a glove

I'd like to try a Scott Addict though (a climbing bike) and may buy a used one in January and use it as my daily commuter .... If I get on with it, I will add some aero wheels and use it for some sportives or Audax rides
Trek Emonda SL6
Miyata One Thousand

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TonyM
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:11 pm

by TonyM

Tarmac = all round bike with some aero properties

Scott Foil = all round bike with aero properties

So if aero quite important to you in a all round bike then go for the Foil (AND check the geometry)

TurboKoo
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:55 pm

by TurboKoo

I’ve been riding with Foil for the last 12 months now and been really happy. Ride is good and plenty stiff when needed. Compared to Giant Propel it’s more comfortable and stiffer especially in BB area. Compared to Focus Izalco max it’s bit harder ride but feels much faster.

Direct mount brakes provide lot of power but rear takes time to adjust perfectly. Most people seem to have wrong length in housing and that creates really bad braking.

My vote would go to Foil.
Cannondale SuperSix
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Pokerface07
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:43 pm

by Pokerface07

TurboKoo wrote:Direct mount brakes provide lot of power but rear takes time to adjust perfectly. Most people seem to have wrong length in housing and that creates really bad braking.

My vote would go to Foil.


So, do I need more housing or less housing to improve the braking?
Twitter: @FormerTTchamp https://twitter.com/FormerTTchamp

dim
Posts: 596
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:25 am
Location: Cambridge UK

by dim

I'd love a Canyon Aeroad .... can't afford it though

I'm following a few guys on Strava who have these .... these guys have very fast times
Trek Emonda SL6
Miyata One Thousand

TurboKoo
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:55 pm

by TurboKoo

Pokerface07 wrote:
TurboKoo wrote:Direct mount brakes provide lot of power but rear takes time to adjust perfectly. Most people seem to have wrong length in housing and that creates really bad braking.

My vote would go to Foil.


So, do I need more housing or less housing to improve the braking?



Depends on your current setup [emoji23]
Not possible to know without pictures.
Cannondale SuperSix
Shimano 9270

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TonyM
Posts: 3376
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:11 pm

by TonyM

dim wrote:I'd love a Canyon Aeroad .... can't afford it though

I'm following a few guys on Strava who have these .... these guys have very fast times


Fast guys are usually fast with anything :mrgreen:

Look at the sales when Canyon does it. You can really make a good deal!

Stickman
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:58 am

by Stickman

oraclesin wrote:S works Tarmac SL5 ... now S works Tarmac SL6...i recomend


I've read that the current Tarmac frame is as aero as the first generation Venge, but 200g lighter than the previous Tarmac frame design with non-dropped seat stays.

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TonyM
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:11 pm

by TonyM

Stickman wrote:
oraclesin wrote:S works Tarmac SL5 ... now S works Tarmac SL6...i recomend


I've read that the current Tarmac frame is as aero as the first generation Venge, but 200g lighter than the previous Tarmac frame design with non-dropped seat stays.


That‘s the marketing claim from Spez.

Stickman
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:58 am

by Stickman

And those are always honest and reliable :D

Still, I do love the look of the newer frame compared to the older Tarmac frame.

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Pokerface07
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:43 pm

by Pokerface07

TurboKoo wrote:
Pokerface07 wrote:
TurboKoo wrote:Direct mount brakes provide lot of power but rear takes time to adjust perfectly. Most people seem to have wrong length in housing and that creates really bad braking.

My vote would go to Foil.


So, do I need more housing or less housing to improve the braking?



Depends on your current setup [emoji23]
Not possible to know without pictures.


I have exactly enough external housing to turn my handlebars fully to one side. The rest is internal so no way to photograph that!

Just a hint - what works better - longer or shorter housing?
Twitter: @FormerTTchamp https://twitter.com/FormerTTchamp

TurboKoo
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:55 pm

by TurboKoo

Most important part is the last piece from frame to brake. If it’s too long it will create friction and try to push the brake to other side. If it’s too short same cable will pull brake asymmetrical. These mistakes normally create situation where other side brake pad is closer to rim and rub. When cable housing is correct length you can adjust brakes so that brake pads touch rim at the same time.

I had initially SM-CB90 brake adjuster under bottom bracket but it created too sharp angle so had to change it to SM-CB70 to make it work perfectly.
Cannondale SuperSix
Shimano 9270

by Weenie


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